The Vanishings is based on a true story (Image: CHANNEL 5)
Channel 5’s gripping crime thriller series, The Vanishings, originally known as The Vanishing Triangle, is based on the real-life mystery of several high-profile disappearances in Ireland during the late 80s and 90s.
The series, which consists of six episodes, follows investigative journalist Lisa Wallace, played by India Mullen, who is haunted by her mother’s unsolved murder.
After writing an article about her mother’s death, the killer resurfaces, leading to a series of unsettling revelations.
Here is all you need to know about what happens at the end and whether the killer was ever caught.
WARNING: THIS STORY CONTAINS SPOILERS
Lisa Wallace visited the hospital (Image: CHANNEL 5)
One such revelation is the contents of a package Lisa receives, containing images suggesting another woman has been targeted by the killer. Despite initial scepticism from Detective Burkely, played by Allen Leech, Lisa’s investigation leads to the discovery that the woman in the photo, Amy, was kidnapped the night before Lisa’s article was published.
A wooden wedge found at Amy’s house links the two cases, confirming they are connected. The fate of Chris, played by Stuart Dunne, is also revealed – he survives despite his critical condition.
Lisa, filled with hope for her father’s recovery, headed to the Gardai where she encountered David and expressed her disapproval of the police’s decision to reduce the search efforts for the missing girls.
Lisa penned a damning critique of the Gardai which was subsequently published.
She had a revealing encounter with Billy Miller (Paul Ward) on his deathbed, where he confessed to framing Chris for a murder he didn’t commit. The real culprit was Billy, but Chris bore the brunt of the punishment.
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Lisa was determined to get answers (Image: CHANNEL 5)
Lisa rushed back to the hospital where Chris was undergoing emergency surgery, but upon receiving a tip-off from a farmer, she joined Brennan (Aaron Monaghan) to investigate. The murderer shot Brennan, trapping him behind a door, before turning his attention to Lisa, leading to a violent struggle.
She stumbled upon David who attempted to fend off the killer, but tragically lost his life in the process. In a shocking twist, the murderer unmasked himself, revealing his identity as Gareth Brennan, who managed to evade capture.
In a chilling parallel to reality, several women were also murdered and their cases remain unsolved, with the killer never caught.
The Vanishings airs on Thursdays on Channel 5 and is available to watch on My5