In February 1970, the bodies of Colette MacDonald, the pregnant wife of Army Captain Jeffrey R. MacDonald, and their two daughters, Kimberley and Kristen, were discovered in their home at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The scene was gruesome, showing signs of a violent struggle with Colette found with multiple stab wounds and the children also showing evidence of assault. The deaths provoked an immediate investigation, which centered on MacDonald. He initially claimed that he was attacked by intruders during the early hours of the morning, describing a group of assailants who had entered their home. However, investigators began to scrutinize his story as inconsistencies emerged in his account.

The investigation's attention gradually shifted towards MacDonald himself. Over the years, forensic evidence and testimonies pointed away from his original claims, suggesting that he may have been responsible for the violent deaths of his family. In 1979, after a lengthy and controversial legal process, MacDonald was charged with three counts of murder and eventually convicted. The trial drew public and media interest, raising discussions about domestic violence, military culture, and the flaws in the criminal justice system.

MacDonald maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings, and his case became a source of public fascination over the years, with many believing in his claim that he was wrongfully convicted. The complexities surrounding the evidence and the trial have led to continued debates, books, documentaries, and even legal battles as MacDonald sought to prove his innocence long after his conviction.