‘TikTok Star Murders’: release date, trailer, how to watch new true-crime documentary

A new true-crime documentary, which is due out next week on the streaming platform Peacock, chronicles how a seemingly idyllic marriage between a social-media star and his wife ended up in a double murder.

TikTok Star Murders: synopsis

Executive-produced by the rapper Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, TikTok Star Murders takes a look at what the documentary’s makers describe as the “dark underbelly” of social media. It deals with the case of TikToker Ali Abulaban, who in late 2021 was arrested for the murder of his wife, Ana, and her friend Rayburn Barron – a man Abulaban believed to be her lover.

Under the username “JinnKid”, Abulaban had gained a large TikTok following by sharing videos of himself doing comedic impressions, imitating famous characters such as Tony Montana from the hit 1983 movie Scarface.

Indeed, by the time of his arrest, Abulaban had amassed just under one million followers on the platform, according to the LA Times. Ana, with whom he shared a five-year-old daughter at the time of her killing, featured in a number of his TikTok videos.

“Narcissism, addiction, and crippling jealousy”

Harnessing “never-before-aired cellphone footage and audio”, TikTok Star Murders “follows the entire tragic story, tracking each step of the case including the recent trial and headline-making verdict”, Peacock says.

“Narcissism, addiction, and crippling jealousy all play a role in Ali’s desire for control and fame, while Ana seeks independence and a happy life for her and her daughter. The relationship disintegrates, and in October of 2021, the abuse takes a deadly turn that leaves two people dead, and another facing a lifetime behind bars.”

TikTok Star Murders – watch the official trailer:

When does TikTok Star Murders premiere?

A 90-minute documentary, TikTok Star Murders is scheduled to be released on Peacock on Tuesday 25 June 2024.

How much does a Peacock cost?

Peacock Premium, which includes ads, costs $5.99 a month. An annual Peacock Premium plan is also available for $59.99. Premium Plus, which is ad-free, is priced at $11.99 a month or $119.99 a year.