The Soering System

It is one of the most sensational true-crime stories in recent decades: on March 30, 1985, the parents of Canadian student Elizabeth Haysom were brutally murdered in their home in Lynchburg, Virginia. Both had their heads nearly severed from their torsos. They had apparently shared a meal with their killer. Elizabeth's boyfriend - the German son of a diplomat and student Jens Söring - and she were arrested in London in December 1986.THE SOERING SYSTEM tells the story of a German man convicted of double homicide who was released from a U.S. prison in 2019 but never actually acquitted. Since then he has been extremely vocal about his version of the truth - in spite of the facts.THE SOERING SYSTEM focuses on the facts and previously unheard voices - including a former confidant of Söring, a former Scotland Yard investigator, and a police officer, both of whom were involved in the case. The question of guilt was decided by a US court in 1990. Since then, many narratives about the case have circulated. And yet, the image that exists in the public's eye regarding the case is incomplete. With this podcast, listeners can form their own impression - based on reports and facts that are being brought together in this way for the first time.A production of CCC Cinema and Television und argon podcast

In 1985 a brutal double-murder rocks the small town of Lynchburg, Virginia. The victims are a wealthy couple named Nancy and Derek Haysom. Months later, their 21-year-old daughter, Elizabeth Haysom, and her 19-year-old boyfriend, Jens Söring, a German student and son of a diplomat, will become the targets of the investigation. Upon his arrest, Söring confesses to the murders. Four years later, during his trial, he recants his confession and claims that he only took the blame to save Elizabeth Haysom – whom Söring claims is the “real killer” – from the death penalty.

Jens Söring and Elizabeth Haysom meet for the first time in August 1984. At this time, Söring is only 18 years old; Haysom is 20. Both are first-year students at the University of Virginia. Söring and Haysom both receive prestigious merit-based scholarships. On campus, they live in the same dorm and meet for the first time at an orientation event. Jens Söring’s stories shape the way that Elizabeth Haysom is perceived by the public – often in extremely negative ways. He describes her as a “femme fatale” whom no one was able to resist. 

In January 1990, Söring is extradited to the United States under the condition that he will not receive the death penalty. Instead, at his trial in the same year, he receives back-to-back life sentences. During his 33 years in prison, Soering adapts to the world around him. He knows how to stand up for himself. And he knows which strategies could one day help him to leave life behind the prison walls. Söring’s goal from day one is to obtain early release. Soering is able to establish a network of supporters whose help he uses to try to obtain early release. One of these supporters is Annabel. 

At Söring’s trial, several factors play a role in his conviction. Later, Söring will make numerous assertions that are intended to prove his innocence. In this episode, we fact check these assertions and compare them with key aspects of the 1990 trial. With the help of Terry Wright’s report, we carefully scrutinize the forensic evidence that allegedly exonerates Söring. We also dissect the supposed “false statements” in Söring’s confessions, while at the same time looking at other details that point to his presence at the crime scene. 

This episode takes a look at the tools that Soering uses in his so-called “struggle for freedom”. And, while he receives a great deal of encouragement from celebrities and journalists, over time, individual critics begin to voice concerns. Annabel, one of Söring’s supporters, also starts to have her doubts – initially just about his tactics, later about his story. Annabel is the first person from the so-called “circle of friends” to speak openly about how things worked in Söring’s network. As a former member of Söring’s inner circle, this took a great deal of courage on her part.

The news breaks in the fall of 2019: Söring is being released. Annabel and the other members of the “circle of friends” can hardly believe it. It’s finally happening – the goal that they have fought for for so long. Even though she doesn’t always agree with his behavior, Annabel sticks firmly to her plan of supporting Jens Söring. Until an incident finally causes her to start seriously doubting the integrity of his plans. As a result Annabel is ousted from the “circle of friends”. In his book Return to Life, Söring makes these incidents – which he refers to as “betrayals” – public in September 2021. Terry Wright is also mentioned in Söring’s new book. 

Söring is Free – What Now? Jens Söring has achieved his goal: He has been released from prison. When he arrives at Frankfurt Airport on December 17, 2019, he is greeted by hordes of photographers and TV crews, and gives a press conference. In the two years following his release, he will go on to appear countless times in the German media. Jens Söring has meticulously planned his return to Germany. Interviews, the publication of his latest book, speeches on resilience: many of his dreams for the future come true. And yet, there’s just one nagging detail: he remains guilty as charged.