The mother of a murdered schoolboy by her son, a millionaire farmer, insists that the child was cruelly and mercilessly raped for his freedom.
On 12 December 2019, Matthew Mason, then 18, lured Alex Rodda to remote woodland near the village of Ashley in Cheshire with the promise of sex before beating him to death with a wrench.
The killer had been involved in an intimate sexual relationship with Alex, but the 15-year-old eventually discovered Mason had been dating a girl for two years.
Fearful of being exposed, Mason – who was jailed for life after being found guilty of murder – later paid the teenager £2,000 to keep quiet about their liaisons in the weeks leading up to Alex’s death.
In a new ITV2 documentary, The Murder of Alex Rodda: Social Media Murders, which airs tonight at 9pm and tells the tragic story, Alex’s mother Lisa breaks down in tears as she recalls her last conversation with her son in which he left home to meet Mason.
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Matthew Mason (pictured), then 18 years old, lured Alex Rodda into remote forests near Ashley, Cheshire to have sex. After promising him sex, he beat Rodda with a wrench.
The Murder Of Alex Rodda: Social Media Murders is a brand new ITV2 documentary. Alex’s mother Lisa (pictured), breaks down as she recalls their last conversation in which he fled home to meet Mason.
Mason (pictured) had been involved in an intimate sexual relationship with Alex, but the 15-year-old eventually discovered Mason had been dating a girl for two years
On the show, she said: “Alex’s whole life was taken from him by another boy. He could not be independent and be himself.” For it, my son was sent to prison.
Alex’s father Adam Rodda Snr, also appears in the documentary, and shares his sadness that his son won’t ever experience a healthy romantic relationship.
He stated that Masen had once told him “Alex tried to touch me, and I didn’t respond.” It made my blood boil.
“And that’s something that I cannot forgive, since those were one of the things my boy missed. He missed out on the love of a relationship. He won’t have it.
Mason was sentenced with life imprisonment and a minimum term 28 years. He will be eligible to receive parole from the Parole Board. His sentence was reduced to 26 year after he appealed.
Fearful of being exposed, Mason (pictured left) – who was jailed for life after being found guilty of murder – later paid the teenager (pictured right) £2,000 to keep quiet about their liaisons in the weeks leading up to Alex’s death
His month-long trial revealed that Alex was in an intimate sexual relationship to Mason before the 2019 killing.
But coming from a wealthy farming background, Mason believed that his friends would not accept him if he was gay or bisexual.
Mason did internet searches in the week leading up to the murder for terms such as “what would happen if someone kicked you down the stairs”, “everyday poison” and “The mystery of Cheshire unsolved missing persons deaths”.
Refuse collectors discovered Alex’s naked, semi-naked body on December 13, 2019. The body and head of Alex had been through at least fifteen blows.
Mason was sentenced by Honorary Recorder in Chester Judge Steven Everett to a lifetime term.
Alex’s family expressed their shock at the conviction of Alex in murder on January 20, 2021.
Alex’s parents have previously shared a video (pictured left) of their 15-year old son.
Mason confessed to hitting Alex with the wrench, but denied murder. He claimed he was acting in self-defence after being provoked and had lost control.
According to him, he doubted that his friends would be open to accepting him gay or bisexual.
According to the trial, Alex had spoken with Mason’s girlfriend Caitlyn Lancashire in November 2019. He told her that he was sending him ‘flirty messages’ and an explicit photo and video.
Mason denied all the accusations to Alex, and began paying Alex’s money around the same period.
By the time of Alex’s death, Mason had transferred more than £2,200 and was asking friends and family to borrow money, the court heard.
Mason lived on a farm in Knutsford with his family. He admitted to having had sex, but said it was wrong.
Mason took Alex to his home on December 12th, and drove him into a quiet area in the woods near Ashley. Pictured from left: Alex’s sister Adam, Alex’s mother Lisa, Adam’s father Adam and Maxine Pritchard (partner).
Mason collected Alex outside of his house on 12/12/2019 and took him to an area of wooded land near Ashley.
In what was described by the pathologist as “a violent and repetitive assault”, he killed the well-known schoolboy using a large wrench made of metal.
Mason spent about an hour with Alex before leaving and heading to the outhouse of a friend to wash himself.
After that, he visited two other pubs. There, he was recorded on CCTV enjoying a pint with some friends. Then a Snapchat photo of him smiling was sent to his group.
Mason returned to the isolated spot at 2am and tried to drag Alex’s body from the woods. Mason drove home, after moving the body for 20m.
Alex’s mom became increasingly worried in the days following his death. She tried numerous times to call him but they couldn’t connect.
She called a few of Mason’s friends and learned that he was in a serious relationship. Mason replied within two hours.
Alex’s mother saw this information and reached out to Mason, before she reported her son missing.
Mason returned from his crime scene and left most calls and messages unanswered.
Tonight at 9pm, ITV2 and ITV Hub: The Murder Of Alex Rodda: Social Media Crimes