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. Brenden Abbott is one of Australia’s most infamous bank robbers, a figure whose crimes, repeated prison escapes, and years spent evading capture throughout the 1990s turned him into something of an outlaw legend. To unpack the story behind both th...

Brenden Abbott is one of Australia’s most infamous bank robbers, a figure whose crimes, repeated prison escapes, and years spent evading capture throughout the 1990s turned him into something of an outlaw legend. To unpack the story behind both the legend and the reality, we’re joined by Abe Maddison (AKA Derek Pedley), author of The Postcard Bandit , an authorised biography of Brenden...

Sarah Kopp was groomed from the age of 15 by her high school PE teacher, Paul Grealy, beginning an unlawful relationship that continued into adulthood. ATC Plus subscribers can listen to this episode ad free here. You can learn more about Step In For Kids at: https://www.stepinforkids.org/ You can watch our episodes by visiting our Youtube Channel here. Join our Facebook Group here. Do you have in...

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. Sarah Kopp was groomed from the age of 15 by her high school PE teacher, Paul Grealy, beginning an unlawful relationship that continued into adulthood. You can learn more about Step In For Kids at: https://www.stepinforkids.org/ You can watch our episod...

Former homicide detective Jeff Maher talks to us about the case that finally exposed Australian serial killer Peter Dupas. This episode originally aired October 26th, 2017 (Episode 31) Do you have information regarding any of the cases discussed on this podcast? Please report it on the Crime Stoppers website or by calling 1800 333 000. Wanting to hear about certain kinds of crime? Check out our Sp...

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. Former homicide detective Jeff Maher talks to us about the case that finally exposed Australian serial killer Peter Dupas. This episode originally aired October 26th, 2017 (Episode 31) Do you have information regarding any of the cases discussed on this...

Julie Hatton was 22 years old when she died from a gunshot wound at Darreen Station in 1978, leaving behind her 10-week-old daughter, Natalie. While her death was ruled a suicide, Natalie questions that conclusion, pointing to missing evidence and concerns raised by a former attending police officer. Natalie joins us to explain why she’s appealing the Coroner's decision against an inquest, a...

On March 19, 2004, Brianna Maitland’s car was discovered backed into an abandoned farmhouse known as the Dutchburn House, with personal items left behind but no sign of the 17-year-old.  Brianna had been building an independent life, working two jobs and studying for her GED, and was last seen leaving her shift at the Black Lantern Inn late the night before. On this episode of Australia...

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. On March 19, 2004, Brianna Maitland’s car was discovered backed into an abandoned farmhouse known as the Dutchburn House, with personal items left behind but no sign of the 17-year-old.  Brianna had been building an independent life, working...

In 2007, Australia was captivated by the two week run of father and son outlaws Gino and Mark Stocco. They evaded police by driving laps around the southern states of Australia, while social media went wild with sightings and memes. Eventually, they were captured, and the real story, more bizarre than anyone could have imagined, could finally be told. Journalist Nino Bucci has written the definiti...

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 2007, Australia was captivated by the two week run of father and son outlaws Gino and Mark Stocco. They evaded police by driving laps around the southern states of Australia, while social media went wild with sightings and memes. Eventually, they wer...

Fugitive Dezi Freeman has been shot dead by Australian police after seven months on the run, following the fatal shooting of two officers, Neal Thompson and Vadim De Waart-Hottart, at his rural Porepunkah property last August.  Authorities say the 56-year-old, linked to sovereign citizen ideology, died after an hours-long stand-off in bushland when he refused to surrender. We unpack what is k...

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. Fugitive Dezi Freeman has been shot dead by Australian police after seven months on the run, following the fatal shooting of two officers, Neal Thompson and Vadim De Waart-Hottart, at his rural Porepunkah property last August.  Authorities say the...

This is part 2 of our conversation with former Homicide Detective, Charlie Bezzina about the lesser known cases from his 38 year career with Victoria Police. You can listen to part 1 "Episode 737: Strange Investigations with Charlie Bezzina" here. You can watch our episodes by visiting our Youtube Channel here. Join our Facebook Group here. Do you have information regarding any of the cases discus...

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. This is part 2 of our conversation with former Homicide Detective, Charlie Bezzina about the lesser known cases from his 38 year career with Victoria Police. You can listen to part 1 "Episode 737: Strange Investigations with Charlie Bezzina" here. You c...

Yesterday, (March 25th 2026), the Albanese Government introduced legislation known as the Survivors Law, aimed at preventing convicted child sexual abusers from using superannuation to shield assets from unpaid court-ordered compensation.  If passed, the reforms would allow victim-survivors to seek access to certain additional super contributions from their offenders, and would ensure those d...

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. Pauline Sowry disappeared from Wollongong’s northern suburbs in December 1993 at the age of 49. An inquest in 2008 found she likely died after a reported sighting the following year, yet her body has never been located, and the case has continued...

Pauline Sowry disappeared from Wollongong’s northern suburbs in December 1993 at the age of 49. An inquest in 2008 found she likely died after a reported sighting the following year, yet her body has never been located, and the case has continued to develop with a dedicated police task force in 2022, a 500 thousand dollar reward announced in 2024, and a charge laid then withdrawn in 2025. On...

David Cammarata’s childhood best friend is currently a forensic patient in a secure psychiatric facility. He was found not guilty of the machete murder of his own brother at a suburban shopping centre and of stalking and attempting to murder David, because the judge believed he was suffering from severe mental illness when he committed the offences. David and his family were terrorised...

David Cammarata’s childhood best friend is currently a forensic patient in a secure psychiatric facility. He was found not guilty of the machete murder of his own brother at a suburban shopping centre and of stalking and attempting to murder David, because the judge believed he was suffering from severe mental illness when he committed the offences. David and his family were terrorised...

In 2016, a woman reported that she was sexually assaulted at a birthday party in the small western Victorian town of Balmoral. The case divided the close-knit community and led to a complex legal process involving an appeal, a retrial and a key witness who later changed her evidence, though two juries ultimately found the men guilty of rape. Journalists Andy Burns and Charlotte King join us to dis...

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 2016, a woman reported that she was sexually assaulted at a birthday party in the small western Victorian town of Balmoral. The case divided the close-knit community and led to a complex legal process involving an appeal, a retrial and a key witness...

We recommend you listen to our previous episode "Ripple: A Long Strange Search for A Killer - ATC International" before starting this episode. Carol Williams, The energetic healer who was such an integral part of Jim Cosgrove's search for Frank McGonigle, joins us for a conversation that I can assure you will not disappoint. Jim's book, ‘Ripple: A Long Strange Search For A Killer’ , ca...

During Jim Cosgrove's childhood, a young man from his neighbourhood named Frank McGonigle disappeared without a trace. At various times throughout his life, Jim has been drawn back and retraced Frank’s steps, with various fascinating companions, inching closer and closer to finding out the truth about what happened to him. It’s been 40 years now, and Jim has finally written the book ab...

Elysha was just seven years old when she was raped by Sterling Bower.  She joins us on this episode of Australian True Crime to give us an insight into what it's been like since Bower has been released. You can reach out to Elysha at Elysha.h1982@gmail.com PLEASE NOTE: Listener discretion is advised as this episode details child sexual assault and trauma. Last week we re-issued Elysha's first...