A new Channel 4 documentary The Kidnap of Angel Lynn uses exclusive interviews, social media and immersive graphics, to tell the story of the abusive relationship that led to the life-altering abduction of Angel Lynn. Angel was abducted by her boyfriend Chay Bowskill, after he bundled her into a van which she then fell from while the van was travelling 60mph.
Angel, who is from Leicestershire, met Chay through a mutual friend when she was 18 and living at home in Leicestershire. Before meeting Chay, Angel had ambitions to become a forensic scientist and was close with her family and friends. But, as viewers discover, very quickly into their relationship Chay became abusive towards Angel and started to isolate her from her family and friends.
At one point during the relationship, Chay was sent to prison and Angel continued to keep in touch with him and got a tattoo saying 'Chay' on her ankle. Angel no longer wore make-up but dressed in baggy clothes, which friends and family say was not like her at all.
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In September 2020 Angel claimed that Chay had violently thrown her into a wall and made the decision to leave him. What happened next is unclear, but also that year, when Angel was 19, Chay subsequently bundled her into a van driven by his friend, Rocco Sansom, and Angel fell out of it while it was travelling at approximately 60mph on the A6. They drove off leaving her in the middle of the road.
Angel's parents, Nikki and Patrick Lynn, believe that Chay pushed Angel from the van. The injuries left Angel with severe brain damage meaning she is unable to talk and walk and needs 24-hour care.
Chay Bowskill is serving a 12-year jail term for kidnap, coercive and controlling behaviour, and perverting the course of justice. Speaking in the documentary Nikki explains how it was easy to miss the signs that Chay was abusive.
She said: "It's really difficult because I think what if I'd have known and what if Angel realised what he was like, we wouldn't be in this position now. Looking back now you think 'should have seen that coming' but I didn't. I wouldn't want anyone to think you've got to be stupid to let someone control you because Angel was far from stupid. For this to have happened to Angel, it can happen to anybody."
The Kidnap of Angel Lynn airs on Channel 4 on Tuesday, May 9 at 9pm. You can keep up to date with the latest TV and showbiz news by signing up to the newsletter here.
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