Australian True Crime

This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. Professor Stephen Cordner AM has been at the forefront of forensic medicine for decades. His expert evidence has played a role in some of Australia’s most controversial cases, including those of Lindy Chamberlain and Kathleen Folbigg. He joins us...

Professor Stephen Cordner AM has been at the forefront of forensic medicine for decades. His expert evidence has played a role in some of Australia’s most controversial cases, including those of Lindy Chamberlain and Kathleen Folbigg. He joins us to discuss his book Wrongful Convictions in Australia: Addressing Issues in the Criminal Justice System and why he believes wrongful convictions ar...

This week on True Crime Tonight we discuss: The failed execution of Christa Pike in Tennessee. The sentencing of Caleb Flynn. An interview with Michael Bachelard about his series on Shaken Baby Syndrome, Diagnosing Murder. Hosted by Meshel Laurie, True Crime Tonight airs Sundays from 6-7pm on KIIS, breaking down the biggest crime stories, documentaries and cases everyone’s talking about. Got...

Few areas of forensic medicine are more sensitive, or more consequential, than the question of how a baby suffered a serious brain injury.  Journalist Michael Bachelard explores the controversial science behind shaken baby syndrome in his podcast Diagnosing Murder , investigating cases where parents and carers have been accused of harming their children.  You can listen to Diagnosing Mur...

This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. Few areas of forensic medicine are more sensitive, or more consequential, than the question of how a baby suffered a serious brain injury.  Journalist Michael Bachelard explores the controversial science behind shaken baby syndrome in his podcast D...

In 2022, teenager Mac Holdsworth was the victim of an online sexual extortion scam. When Mac couldn’t meet the demands for money, nude photos of him were shared with his contacts. The results of that night were catastrophic. His father, Wayne Holdsworth, has since dedicated himself to telling Mac’s story. He founded SmackTalk, a charity focused on suicide prevention and online safety,...

This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. In 2022, teenager Mac Holdsworth was the victim of an online sexual extortion scam. When Mac couldn’t meet the demands for money, nude photos of him were shared with his contacts. The results of that night were catastrophic. His father, Wayne Hold...

This week on True Crime Tonight we discuss: How responses to allegations of sexual offending have changed over the years The Cornell 7 An interview with John Herbert about his book, Crossroads. Hosted by Meshel Laurie, True Crime Tonight airs Sundays from 6-7pm on KIIS, breaking down the biggest crime stories, documentaries and cases everyone’s talking about. Got a question or comment you wa...

John Herbert describes himself as prison adjacent.  He's a Sydney-based boxing trainer who spent decades running a gym in Merrylands, where he worked with young men at risk of heading into crime or prison. His book Crossroads tells the firsthand stories of 13 Australian men whose lives have involved crime, incarceration, sport and adversity, exploring the pivotal moments that changed the cour...

This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. John Herbert describes himself as prison adjacent.  He's a Sydney-based boxing trainer who spent decades running a gym in Merrylands, where he worked with young men at risk of heading into crime or prison. His book Crossroads tells the firsthand st...

Recently, our friends at Law The Podcast recorded an episode with Helen Garner, and we thought it was too good not to share with our Australian True Crime audience. Enjoy! Show notes: Acclaimed Australian writer Helen Garner discusses her fascination with crime and how encounters with real-life cases have influenced her writing. You can watch our episodes on Youtube here. Hosts: Lex Lasry AM and G...

In 1977, teacher Rob Hunter and his nine students were taken hostage at a rural Victorian school by convicted kidnapper and prison escapee Edwin John Eastwood. Rob joins us to recount what happened, the people who helped bring the ordeal to an end, and how he spent the decades that followed coming to terms with the experience, as told in his book  Day 9 at Wooreen . ATC Plus subscribers can l...

This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. In 1977, teacher Rob Hunter and his nine students were taken hostage at a rural Victorian school by convicted kidnapper and prison escapee Edwin John Eastwood. Rob joins us to recount what happened, the people who helped bring the ordeal to an end, and...

This week on True Crime Tonight we discuss: A juror from The Vampire Gigolo case calls in Patrick Clancy’s interview on 60 Minutes An interview with Karen Bevan, CEO of Full Stop Australia Hosted by Meshel Laurie, True Crime Tonight airs Sundays from 6-7pm on KIIS, breaking down the biggest crime stories, documentaries and cases everyone’s talking about. Got a question or comment you w...

Australia has suffered at least five domestic violence deaths in the last seven days. Way above our already appalling average. We have two guests for today's episode: Kylie Druett is a co-founder of Australian Voices for the Silenced, an advocacy organisation representing families affected by domestic violence-related homicides, and will speak about the long-term impact on those left behind. Karen...

This week on True Crime Tonight we discuss: Last week's episode of Australian True Crime "The House of Horrors in Katanning" James Vlassakis gaining parole Hosted by Meshel Laurie, True Crime Tonight airs Sundays from 6-7pm on KIIS, breaking down the biggest crime stories, documentaries and cases everyone’s talking about. Got a question or comment you want played on the show? Get involved by...

In April 1986, 30-year-old Rosslyn McQueen was found dead inside her home in Lockwood, near Bendigo, five months pregnant with her second child, with a toxicology report finding she had died from a massive dose of strychnine. Her husband, Ray McQueen, was eventually charged with her murder, but the case never went to trial and he has always maintained his innocence. Almost 40 years on, investigati...

This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. In April 1986, 30-year-old Rosslyn McQueen was found dead inside her home in Lockwood, near Bendigo, five months pregnant with her second child, with a toxicology report finding she had died from a massive dose of strychnine. Her husband, Ray McQueen, w...

We are re-issuing this episode from 2019 given that James Vlassakis has been granted parole. The shocking discovery of eight dismembered bodies in six barrels in the South Australian town of Snowtown made headlines around the world. In total there were 12 victims of a killing team of three men from the North Adelaide suburbs, led by the depraved John Bunting.  Journalist Jeremy Pudney, who wr...

This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. We are re-issuing this episode from 2019 given that James Vlassakis has been granted parole. The shocking discovery of eight dismembered bodies in six barrels in the South Australian town of Snowtown made headlines around the world. In total there were...

This week on True Crime Tonight we discuss: This month in crime history with Michael Adams from the Forgotten Australia podcast Season one of Serial The mistrial of Lindsay Clancy Hosted by Meshel Laurie, True Crime Tonight airs Sundays from 6-7pm on KIIS, breaking down the biggest crime stories, documentaries and cases everyone’s talking about. Got a question or comment you want played on t...

In 1985, Maggie Dawkins arrived in Katanning for what was supposed to be a short-term job. Instead, she became an advocate for young people at the St Andrews Hostel, where convicted paedophile Dennis McKenna abused dozens of boys. Maggie has spent the past 40 years fighting for survivors, and joins us to discuss her book To Be Believed: A West Australian Scandal and the story behind it. ATC Plus s...

This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. In 1985, Maggie Dawkins arrived in Katanning for what was supposed to be a short-term job. Instead, she became an advocate for young people at the St Andrews Hostel, where convicted paedophile Dennis McKenna abused dozens of boys. Maggie has spent the p...

This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. In January 2022, Lindsay Clancy was accused of killing her three young children in their Massachusetts home before attempting to take her own life, in a case that has raised complex questions around postpartum mental illness and criminal responsibility....

In January 2022, Lindsay Clancy was accused of killing her three young children in their Massachusetts home before attempting to take her own life, in a case that has raised complex questions around postpartum mental illness and criminal responsibility. Her children, Cora, 5, Dawson, 3, and Callan, 8 months, all died in the attack, and Clancy’s first trial ended in a mistrial after the jury...