The Case Of

Jack McLennan went missing in October 2024 from Ficks Crossing, a small town in southeast Queensland. A few of his personal belongings have been found scattered kilometers apart; a pair of cheap trainers, a hat and wallet, but no sign of Jack. In this episode of The Case Of, we retrace his last moments with Rob Burgin, the host of the ABC's latest Unravel series: What Became of Jack? If you have a...

Erin Patterson’s appeal against her three murder convictions has been scheduled for August 19. Why? We thought you might need a refresher.  In this episode we revisit the grounds of appeal with Melbourne Court reporter, Kristian Silva – taking you into the Mushroom Case Daily archives to remind you of the grounds Patterson is appealing her conviction on.   The prosecution’s appeal for a longer sen...

Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart were killed by Dezi Freeman in August 2025. Now, the Victorian state coroner has shared new details about their final moments.  Wodonga reporter Ashlee Aldridge was one of the first reporters on the ground in Porepunkah when the officers were killed. She pieces together the events based on the coroner’s information...

Dezi Freeman - wanted for the murder of two police officers - was shot and killed in March this year. More details of that day have now been revealed in the Coroner’s court.  Wodonga reporter Ashlee Aldridge knows the area well, and reveals for the first time the police’s version of events presented to the inquest into the fugitive’s death.  If you have any questions you’d like Ashlee and Stocky t...

We’ve been getting a lot of emails asking if we’re going to cover the case Samantha Murphy, the Ballarat jogger who went missing on the morning of February 4, 2024.  Ballarat reporter Laura Mayers joins the pod to explain the story up to here, and where the proceedings stand. We also let you in on a few other big cases we have on our radar, heading to court later in the year.  If you have any ques...

A defendant's cancer diagnosis can now be revealed, along with details of a second police sting that helped link one of the intruders to the crime scene. Reporter Elizabetth Byrne explains how she campaigned the court to release more information about the two intruders, including previously suppressed stories of knuckle dusters, cable ties and a truckload of stolen cigarettes. Liz and James Vyver...

A strange note found in Jonathan Crabtree's rubbish bin was one of the final pieces of evidence the jury saw. ABC Brisbane court reporter Talissa Siganto reveals what it said, and the role it may have played in the jury finding Maree Crabtree not guilty of murdering her son. If you have any questions you'd like Talissa and Stocky to answer in future episodes, please email thecaseof@abc.net.au . Th...

Maree Crabtree's daughter Tara gave critical evidence in the murder case — but she did so with one condition. Brisbane court reporter Talissa Siganto explains what deal was done in order for Tara to turn crown witness. If you have any questions you'd like Talissa and Stocky to answer in future episodes, please email thecaseof@abc.net.au . The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit podcast Mushroom Ca...

Isla Bell met a man, never came home, then her body was found in a tip. But now, no one will face charges for her death — why? Reporter Kristian Silva explains the timeline of the Brunswick teenager's death and the investigation that followed, leading to a shocking change from the Office of Public Prosecutions. If you have any questions you'd like Kristian and Stocky to answer in future episodes,...

Maree Crabtree was accused of killing her son with a drug laced-smoothie, in a murder trial which ended this week. Brisbane reporter Talissa Siganto joins Stocky to explain how the trial unfolded and why Maree's daughter was central to the jury's decision in this case. If you have any questions you'd like Talissa and Stocky to answer in future episodes, please email thecaseof@abc.net.au . The Case...

After five months in prison, croc wrangler Matt Wright announced his release from jail via an Instagram post.  Darwin reporter, Olivana Loutharis returns to the pod to explain how it all unfolded.   The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit podcast Mushroom Case Daily, and all episodes of that show will remain available in the back catalogue of The Case Of. 

In all the trials we've covered, we've never heard directly from a victim or their family. This episode we change that. Irma Palasics's grandson, John Mikita, joins the pod to reveal his thoughts on the verdict, and describe the Irma and Gregor Palasics he knew and loved. The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit podcast Mushroom Case Daily, and all episodes of that show will remain available in the...

Five days after Kumanjayi Little Baby's body was found, her accused murderer has been called to court in Alice Springs. Reporter Olivana Lathouris attended the hearing and told Stocky about the scenes in court and across town, where the Walpiri community has begun its sorry business. If you have any questions you'd like Oli and Stocky to answer in future episodes, please email thecaseof@abc.net.au...

From the evidence we think convicted Irma's killers to what haunts us most from this trial — it's time to tell you what we really think. As we await sentencing, Elizabeth Byrne and James Vyver sit down with Stocky to reflect on the case and the verdict. If you have any questions for Liz, James or Stocky you'd like answered in future episodes, please email thecaseof@abc.net.au . The Case Of is the...

An undercover trip to Hungary was a key part of the Irma Palasics murder investigation – and just one of the things the jury never heard about. In this episode, Elizabeth Byrne and James Vyver reveal some of the most fascinating parts of the case that we weren't able to discuss until after a verdict was delivered. If you have any questions for Liz, James or Stocky you'd like answered in future epi...

As soon as special forces veteran Ben Roberts-Smith was arrested for alleged war crimes, you started to email us. Now he's been released on bail and we didn't want to leave you hanging. In this episode, the ABC's legal affairs reporter Jamie McKinnell explains the arguments heard in court, why bail was granted and the eye-watering security that was paid on Ben Roberts-Smith's behalf. Catch up on J...

You asked, and now we can finally unpack the controversial undercover operation that police used to pursue Steve Fabriczy — a 'Mr Big' sting. In this episode, Elizabeth Byrne and ABC Unravel reporter Alicia Bridges explain how the method works, its weaknesses, and why it has faced restrictions in other countries. If you have any questions you'd like Liz, and Stocky to answer in future episodes, pl...

After five days of deliberations, the jury has decided whether Steve Fabriczy and Joseph Vekony are guilty of murdering Irma Palasics. In this episode, Elizabeth Byrne and James Vyver take us inside the courtroom as the jury return their verdict and talk through the key evidence which led to their decision. If you have any questions you'd like Liz, James and Stocky to answer in future episodes, pl...

With the jury dismissed, we dive into the questions we couldn't answer during the trial. Did the media treat the victim fairly? Why didn't we use the term 'domestic violence'? What do we know about Geoffrey McLean's other body parts? Eva and Stocky answer all your most pressing questions, and Eva reveals a surprising exchange she had with one of the four accused in court. The Case Of is the follow...

The trial of Steve Fabriczy and Joseph Vekony reached its penultimate moment with closing arguments from each side put before a packed courtroom. It's now up to the jury to decide if these men murdered Irma Palasics. In this episode Elizabeth Byrne and James Vyver describe the final bids, with the prosecution highlighting DNA evidence they say places the accused at the scene and the defence questi...

Following a week of closed court deliberations, the murder trial of Geoffrey McLean has been abandoned — a mistrial has been declared. In this episode, Eva Blandis explains to Stephen Stockwell what happened, who was at fault and what comes next. If you have any questions you'd like Eva or Stocky to answer in future episodes, please email thecaseof@abc.net.au . The Case Of is the follow-up to the...

There's a lot of confusion about suppression orders. When are they used? Why are they necessary? Are they an affront to open justice? Retired Supreme Court judge Betty King knows them well, indeed she once referred to herself as the 'queen of banning things'. In a special episode of The Case Of, Betty King explains when and why they're needed and also how they can be abused. The Case Of is the fol...

Defence counsel has challenged investigators about the possibility of a third intruder, during the final stages of Irma Palasics's murder trial. In this episode, Liz, James and Stocky discuss the last cross examinations and evidence put to the jury, before the prosecution rested its case. If you have any questions you'd like Liz, James and Stocky to answer in future episodes, please email thecaseo...

Following an extensive search for Geoffrey McLean in 2022, SA police elevated the missing persons case to a major crime. However, for the last week the court has been closed to the public, including journalists and the jury, whilst legal argument takes place. Adelaide reporter Eva Blandis, joins Stocky from outside the court waiting for the trial to continue. If you have any questions you'd like E...

Kyle Sandilands may have been taken off air, but he's still making news — this time, in court.