In this BBC series, Romesh Ranganathan, a comedian with no prior experience in criminal investigations, embarks on a unique journey as he explores cold cases and attempts to crack them using his own unconventional methods. In the second episode, Ranganathan turns his attention to the death of Nancy Spungen, the girlfriend of Sex Pistol Sid Vicious, which has remained a mysterious and controversial incident.
Nancy Spungen, just 20 years old, was found dead in New York’s iconic Chelsea Hotel in 1978. The case shocked the world, not only because of the tragic loss of life but also due to the intense media scrutiny and the questions surrounding her boyfriend, Sid Vicious, who was suspected of her murder. Vicious himself would die less than a year later, leaving the case unresolved and shrouded in speculation.
Ranganathan examines the case, examining the events leading up to Spungen’s death and the subsequent investigation. He explores the world of the Sex Pistols, the iconic punk band that shocked the nation with their extreme image and behaviour.
When the band rose to fame, Nancy, an American teenager, was drawn to London, eager to immerse herself in the punk scene. She soon met and fell in love with Sid Vicious, and the two became inseparable. However, Nancy was disliked by the band and faced vilification from the press and fans, exacerbated by her struggles with mental health issues.
The Misinvestigations of Romesh Ranganathan: The Death of Nancy Spungen airs on BBC Two on Sunday, 1 September 2024, at 9:00 pm.
