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.   Our guest today brings a refreshing perspective on what's possible within our justice system when it's approached with equal amounts of skill and human compassion.   George Newhouse is the CEO and the Principal Solicitor of the National Just...

Our guest today brings a refreshing perspective on what's possible within our justice system when it's approached with equal amounts of skill and human compassion.   George Newhouse is the CEO and the Principal Solicitor of the National Justice Project.   Its mission is to take strategic action to create a fair and equitable society that is free from discrimination.   When I first r...

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 December 14, 2008, 37-year-old Mary Cook was found murdered in a burned down house on Darling Way, Narre Warren.   Victoria Police launched a months-long covert operation, gaining a confession from 35-year-old Glenn Weaven using the contr...

On December 14, 2008, 37-year-old Mary Cook was found murdered in a burned down house on Darling Way, Narre Warren.   Victoria Police launched a months-long covert operation, gaining a confession from 35-year-old Glenn Weaven using the controversial "Mr Big" technique.   Weaven was convicted of Mary’s murder and sentenced to 20 years in prison, with a 16-year non-parole period. But...

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.   Hannah was just 15 years old when her big sister, Emma Pawelski was murdered in 2005.   The crime remains unsolved, despite the fact that police have always had one main suspect.   We spoke to Hannah and Emma's mother, Sharon, in 2020....

Hannah was just 15 years old when her big sister, Emma Pawelski was murdered in 2005.   The crime remains unsolved, despite the fact that police have always had one main suspect.   We spoke to Hannah and Emma's mother, Sharon, in 2020. We've reissued that episode, in case you'd like to listen back to it after this one.   Hannah McKell joins us today on Australian True Crime to talk...

This is a re-issue of episode #168, The Unsolved Murder of Emma Pawelski.   This week, we released an episode with the sister of Emma Pawelski, Hannah McKell. This is a conversation we had with Emma's mother, Sharon, and we recommend listening to both to get a full understanding of Emma's life, and the circumstances of her disappearance.   If you have any information on the cases covered...

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.   Valentine Smith is a 45 year veteran of law enforcement and the defence forces. His career included working with Victoria Police in both rural and urban environments and with Interpol and Crime Stoppers International.   For some years now, V...

Valentine Smith is a 45 year veteran of law enforcement and the defence forces. His career included working with Victoria Police in both rural and urban environments and with Interpol and Crime Stoppers International.   For some years now, Valentine has focused on missing persons called cases, as well as the study of missing persons, with a special interest in cases within the Australian bush...

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're joined today by Dr. Claire Ferguson, a Forensic Criminologist and Associate Professor at QUT, who has spent years diving into the complexities of staged homicides and detection avoidance strategies in Australia. Claire’s research and...

We're joined today by Dr. Claire Ferguson, a Forensic Criminologist and Associate Professor at QUT, who has spent years diving into the complexities of staged homicides and detection avoidance strategies in Australia. Claire’s research and expertise have supported police forces and courtrooms nationwide.   Widely published and highly regarded, Claire is here to discuss the ways in which...

Our friend Michael Adams, who hosts the excellent podcast Forgotten Australia, joins us again on Australian True Crime today to talk about his new book.   "They'll Never Hold Me" follows the life and crimes of prodigious prison escapee and fugitive, Kevin John Simmonds, also known as the Ned Kelly for the rock and roll era.   Like Ned Kelly, Simmonds was a charismatic crook who had a way...

This is a preview of our recent ATC Plus episode. To listen to the whole episode, you can click here and subscribe now to ATC Plus and get your first week free on Apple Podcasts.   As rap mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs sits in a Brooklyn jail facing criminal charges of sex trafficking and racketeering and at least seven civil suits alleging sexual assault, we talk to investigative journalist Brian...

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.   Our guest on Australian True Crime today is Brisbane Coroner, Donald MacKenzie.   After 30 years in the criminal justice system since being appointed to the Coroner's Court in 2019, MacKenzie has investigated over 2000 reportable deaths, inc...

Our guest on Australian True Crime today is Brisbane Coroner, Donald MacKenzie.   After 30 years in the criminal justice system since being appointed to the Coroner's Court in 2019, MacKenzie has investigated over 2000 reportable deaths, including over 700 suspected suicides, over 500 road fatalities and over 100 homicides in the last 12 months alone.   Don joins us today to talk about h...

Our guest host Dr. Xanthé Mallett is back to explore the groundbreaking book Unmasking the Killer of the Missing Beaumont Children , released in 2023. Authors Stuart Mullins and former detective Bill Hayes discovered startling evidence pointing to a predator who lived near the last known sighting of the missing Beaumont children.   Jane, 9, Arnna, 7, and Grant Beaumont who was just 4 y...

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.   Our guest host Dr. Xanthé Mallett is back to explore the groundbreaking book Unmasking the Killer of the Missing Beaumont Children , released in 2023. Authors Stuart Mullins and former detective Bill Hayes discovered startling evidence poi...

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.   Jamelle Wells is one of Australia's most experienced and well-known court reporters.   She's been a fixture inside Sydney's Supreme Court for decades and she finally wrote a book about it in 2018 called "The Court Reporter".   What she...

Jamelle Wells is one of Australia's most experienced and well-known court reporters.   She's been a fixture inside Sydney's Supreme Court for decades and she finally wrote a book about it in 2018 called "The Court Reporter".   What she didn't mention in that book is a sort of hobby she has of popping into regional courts around the country. It's probably got something to do with the fact...

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 a recent episode, we spoke about the decades-long fight for justice for Scott Johnson, whose 1988 death in Sydney was initially ruled a suicide by police, despite evidence of a wider pattern of gay hate crimes.   Today, we’re joined...

In a recent episode, we spoke about the decades-long fight for justice for Scott Johnson, whose 1988 death in Sydney was initially ruled a suicide by police, despite evidence of a wider pattern of gay hate crimes.   Today, we’re joined by Sue Thompson, one of the key Australians who supported Scott’s brother, Steve, in his quest for the truth.   A former lawyer turned police...

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.   Anthony Whealy KC is a former NSW Supreme Court Judge, and is the current Chair at the Centre for Public Integrity.   Whealy and our guest host, Criminologist Dr Xanthé Mallett delve into the most defining moments of his storied caree...

Anthony Whealy KC is a former NSW Supreme Court Judge, and is the current Chair at the Centre for Public Integrity.   Whealy and our guest host, Criminologist Dr Xanthé Mallett delve into the most defining moments of his storied career and offer candid insights on the state of legal proceedings today. Xanthé is also here to answer your burning true crime questions. if you have a...

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.   The Australian Federal Police have released a short podcast series to mark the ten year anniversary of the downing of flight MH17 in Ukraine.   It's called Search Among the Sunflowers. The title reflects the surreal spectacle that faced the...

The Australian Federal Police have released a short podcast series to mark the ten year anniversary of the downing of flight MH17 in Ukraine.   It's called Search Among the Sunflowers. The title reflects the surreal spectacle that faced the ten member team of AFP officers who were among the first international investigators allowed to enter the site.   All 298 people on board were killed...