Synopsis
Think nothing ever happens in your town? Australia's suburbs are home to some of the most mysterious and disturbing true crime cases in the world.Meshel Laurie is a true crime obsessive. Emily Webb is a true crime author. And together with expert interviews with writers, victims, investigators and perpetrators, they probe the underbelly of our towns and suburbs, and uncover the darkness at the heart of Australian life.
Episodes
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The ripple effects after your family is touched by an act of pure evil
30/04/2023 Duration: 50minOur guest today is Boyd Unwin, a suburban tradie and father of three in his fifties, who's always thought of himself and his family as the epitome of normal and unremarkable.Boyd has committed himself to understanding how he lost his daughter, Katie Haley, to her partner five years ago. Boyd and his wife Tanya are now raising the child their daughter shared with her murderer. And bit by bit, they'll have to explain to that child why neither of her parents can be with her. They're doing this at a time when they thought they'd be settling into retirement and enjoying being grandparents.The Unwin's are determined to open the eyes of other normal families to what they now see were red flags in Katie's relationship. They'd all grown to dislike her partner, but none of them believed she was in mortal danger in her home. If they had, they'd never have allowed her and her kids to be in that home for a single second, and that's the very important message Boyd wants us all to hear.For Support: Lifeline on 13
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ATC - "Just The Facts": Setting the record straight on Christopher Dale Flannery, AKA Mr Rent-a-Kill
27/04/2023 Duration: 19minThis is a "Just The Facts" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. Ray Mooney joins us again this week to tell us about his friend, Christopher Dale Flannery (AKA Mr Rent-a-kill).Chris was a teenager when they first met in Pentridge Prison. Chris was not long out of the notorious Morning Star boys home in Victoria's Mt Eliza.Over the following decades, they maintained their close friendship. While Ray Mooney went on to become a published author, playwright, director and educator, Chris went on to become Australia's best known hitman.Chris disappeared in 1985. Ray says that since then, many have taken the opportunity to say things they wouldn't have dared say when he was alive.Today, Ray sets the record straight and shares the true story of Christopher Dale Flannery's life, and what he believes is the most likely truth of his death. All of Ray's books and more can be found on his website here: https://raymooney.com/my-books/If
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Setting the record straight on Christopher Dale Flannery, AKA Mr Rent-a-Kill
27/04/2023 Duration: 55minRay Mooney joins us again this week to tell us about his friend, Christopher Dale Flannery (AKA Mr Rent-a-kill).Chris was a teenager when they first met in Pentridge Prison. Chris was not long out of the notorious Morning Star boys home in Victoria's Mt Eliza. Over the following decades, they maintained their close friendship. While Ray Mooney went on to become a published author, playwright, director and educator, Chris went on to become Australia's best known hitman.Chris disappeared in 1985. Ray says that since then, many have taken the opportunity to say things they wouldn't have dared say when he was alive.Today, Ray sets the record straight and shares the true story of Christopher Dale Flannery's life, and what he believes is the most likely truth of his death. All of Ray's books and more can be found on his website here: https://raymooney.com/my-books/If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone
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ATC - "Just The Facts": From Pentridge to Playwright, Ray Mooney proves rehabilitation is possible
24/04/2023 Duration: 14minThis is a "Just The Facts" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. Our guest today is Ray Mooney. He's in his seventies now, and for most of his life, he's been a celebrated writer of novels, plays, films, non-fiction books, and a university lecturer.At a different time in his life, though, the only institution he was allowed inside of was the Bluestone College: The College of Knowledge, also known as Pentridge Prison.Ray Mooney was convicted of rape when he was 19, and today we hear Ray's story, which is extraordinary in its own right, not least because of the honesty and openness he's prepared to bring to it. All of Ray's books and more can be found on his website here: https://raymooney.com/my-books/If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) For ad-free listening
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From Pentridge to Playwright, Ray Mooney proves rehabilitation is possible
23/04/2023 Duration: 46minOur guest today is Ray Mooney. He's in his seventies now, and for most of his life, he's been a celebrated writer of novels, plays, films, non-fiction books, and a university lecturer. At a different time in his life, though, the only institution he was allowed inside of was the Bluestone College: The College of Knowledge, also known as Pentridge Prison. Ray Mooney was convicted of rape when he was 19, and today we hear Ray's story, which is extraordinary in its own right, not least because of the honesty and openness he's prepared to bring to it. All of Ray's books and more can be found on his website here: https://raymooney.com/my-books/If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) For ad-free listening, early access and exclusive content, join Australian True Crime Plus on Apple Podcasts here: http://apple.co/australiantruecrime CR
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ATC - "Just The Facts": Modern day organised crime gangs in Australia
16/04/2023 Duration: 15minThis is a "Just The Facts" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. Anthony Dowsley has been a crime reporter at Melbourne's Herald Sun since 2004. In that time, he's covered everything from homicides, solved and unsolved, law and order reforms and police corruption.We're very honoured to have him in to discuss one of his speciality topics: gang related crime in Australia.In this episode we will get a snapshot of who's who in Australian bikie gangs, how they're linked to organised crime in other countries, and the biggest police Trojan Horse operation yet.You can listen to Anthony Dowsley's podcast "The Devil's Apprentice" wherever you get your podcasts.If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) For ad-free listening, early access and exclusive content, join Australian Tr
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Modern day organised crime gangs in Australia
16/04/2023 Duration: 32minAnthony Dowsley has been a crime reporter at Melbourne's Herald Sun since 2004. In that time, he's covered everything from homicides, solved and unsolved, law and order reforms and police corruption.We're very honoured to have him in to discuss one of his speciality topics: gang related crime in Australia. In this episode we will get a snapshot of who's who in Australian bikie gangs, how they're linked to organised crime in other countries, and the biggest police Trojan Horse operation yet. If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) For ad-free listening, early access and exclusive content, join Australian True Crime Plus on Apple Podcasts here: http://apple.co/australiantruecrime GET IN TOUCH:Send us a question or comment on this episode to be used in our "Episode Download" series: https://www.speakpipe.com/ATCEmail the show at team@smartfell
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ATC - "Just The Facts": Nancy & Victoria: The Beaumaris Beach Mystery
12/04/2023 Duration: 13minThis is a "Just The Facts" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. Two young female tourists are staying in the same quiet spot in Tasmania…one disappears, never to be seen again and two years later, the other woman is brutally murdered.The women are 26-year-old German Nancy Grunwaldt, reported missing on April 15th 1993. Getting around on a bike, she was spending some time at Beaumaris Beach, reading a book. What happened after that is a mystery…so far. Nancy’s never been found but she was declared deceased by the coroner in 2003. Read the reports here: https://www.magistratescourt.tas.gov.au/about_us/coroners/coronialfindings/g/182_of_2004Italian woman Victoria Cafasso who was 20, was found dead on 11 October 1995 on Beaumaris beach. She’d been stabbed numerous times and had been beaten. Victoria was staying in the tiny hamlet of Beaumaris with her cousin and had been there less than a week. Read the Coroners’ report here: h
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Nancy & Victoria: The Beaumaris Beach Mystery
12/04/2023 Duration: 34minTwo young female tourists are staying in the same quiet spot in Tasmania…one disappears, never to be seen again and two years later, the other woman is brutally murdered.The women are 26-year-old German Nancy Grunwaldt, reported missing on April 15th 1993. Getting around on a bike, she was spending some time at Beaumaris Beach, reading a book. What happened after that is a mystery…so far. Nancy’s never been found but she was declared deceased by the coroner in 2003. Read the reports here: https://www.magistratescourt.tas.gov.au/about_us/coroners/coronialfindings/g/182_of_2004Italian woman Victoria Cafasso who was 20, was found dead on 11 October 1995 on Beaumaris beach. She’d been stabbed numerous times and had been beaten. Victoria was staying in the tiny hamlet of Beaumaris with her cousin and had been there less than a week. Read the Coroners’ report here: https://www.magistratescourt.tas.gov.au/about_us/coroners/coronialfindings/c/2005_tascd_125_-_cafasso,_victoria_anna_elizabethTasmanian journalist
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ATC - "Just The Facts": How Jeffrey Morgan went from serving 18 years in prison to becoming a community leader
09/04/2023 Duration: 14minThis is a "Just The Facts" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. When he was 12, Jeffrey Morgan ran away from his country NSW home to Redfern to stay with his mum. He thought his dad was being too strict and he wanted more freedom. This was the time in Redfern when the inner-city suburb was the centre of Aboriginal life and activism and it was a tough place.Jeffrey spent a lot of time on the streets, getting involved in minor offences a s a means of survival – namely stealing food to eat - but eventually this escalated to stealing cars and then, robbing banks. He started cycling through maximum security prisons which added up to 18 years of his life. He was always into fitness and taking care of his health.During his last stint in prison, Jeffrey had one of those moments where he knew he had to change. And he did it through education and peer support and keeping fit and healthy. His passion is health and fitness – making it reali
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How Jeffrey Morgan went from serving 18 years in prison to becoming a community leader
09/04/2023 Duration: 37minWhen he was 12, Jeffrey Morgan ran away from his country NSW home to Redfern to stay with his mum. He thought his dad was being too strict and he wanted more freedom. This was the time in Redfern when the inner-city suburb was the centre of Aboriginal life and activism and it was a tough place.Jeffrey spent a lot of time on the streets, getting involved in minor offences a s a means of survival – namely stealing food to eat - but eventually this escalated to stealing cars and then, robbing banks. He started cycling through maximum security prisons which added up to 18 years of his life. He was always into fitness and taking care of his health.During his last stint in prison, Jeffrey had one of those moments where he knew he had to change. And he did it through education and peer support and keeping fit and healthy. His passion is health and fitness – making it realistic and sustainable and role-modelling a different path for men, just like him. Jeffrey wears a lot of hats now, making the most of the life
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The Soldier On Podcast: Tiny Little Spark
07/04/2023 Duration: 55minFor the last year or so, we've been working away on a very special project called The Soldier On Podcast.Soldier On is an incredible not for profit organisation that delivers holistic support services for current and former Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel.We joined up with them to help share the remarkable stories of those they work with. Hosted by the wonderful Hugh Riminton, each episode you’ll hear a first-hand account of a life touched by involvement in the Defence industry.If you're a fan of Australian True Crime, then rest assured you're going to love this podcast - these stories are truly amazing.The whole series can be streamed now, wherever you get your podcasts.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/australiantruecrime. Become a subscriber to Australian True Crime Plus here: https://plus.acast.com/s/australiantruecrime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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ATC - "Just The Facts": I'm sorry I missed a brutal multiple murder
02/04/2023 Duration: 18minThis is a "Just The Facts" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. Our guest today is from Toowoomba in Queensland, and he thought he'd seen his fair share of violence and mayhem by the time he'd sobered up in his mid-twenties.On today's episode, we're talking about a terrible turn of events that landed him back in the middle of incredibly senseless violence, just as he was pulling his life together.On the evening of May 30th 2005, three teenage boys brutally murdered Michael Thompson, 30, and teenagers David Lyons and Tyson Wilson, both just 17.Our guest, who was literally on his way to Thompson's flat, was distracted that night by an old mate. It was a distraction that may well have saved his life, but it's also left him guilt ridden ever since.If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Isl
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I'm sorry I missed a brutal multiple murder
02/04/2023 Duration: 37minOur guest today is from Toowoomba in Queensland, and he thought he'd seen his fair share of violence and mayhem by the time he'd sobered up in his mid-twenties. On today's episode, we're talking about a terrible turn of events that landed him back in the middle of incredibly senseless violence, just as he was pulling his life together. On the evening of May 30th 2005, three teenage boys brutally murdered Michael Thompson, 30, and teenagers David Lyons and Tyson Wilson, both just 17. Our guest, who was literally on his way to Thompson's flat, was distracted that night by an old mate. It was a distraction that may well have saved his life, but it's also left him guilt ridden ever since.If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) For ad-free listening, early access and exclusive content, join Australian True Crime Plus on Apple Podcasts here: http://ap
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How I changed after 37 years of addiction, drama and hopelessness
26/03/2023 Duration: 35minRobyn Lewis’s life was, frankly, hectic and destructive for 37 years. Multiple addictions, trauma from a brutal childhood, crime…she was just trying to survive. Robyn had tried and tried to change her life and then something happened. Now she’s sharing her story with her community and now, with us, to show that change is possible.And a note before listening - Our guests share their experience. Each person has their own way they deal with life. So if there’s something you hear that prompts questions for you whether it’s about mental health, medication, ways of dealing with certain situations, make sure you speak to someone you trust like your doctor, counsellor, specialist.More info:Robyn talks on WIN News about her ice addiction (Video, 31 August 2017)Robyn addresses Griffith Community Drug Action Team (Video, 8 Novmber 2017)Robyn Lewis knows a bit about drug addiction in regional NSW (Sydney Morning Herald)There’s a number of services and programs for addiction. Robyn mentioned SMART Recovery. For more
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ATC - "Just The Facts": How I changed after 37 years of addiction, drama and hopelessness
26/03/2023 Duration: 13minThis is a "Just The Facts" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. Robyn Lewis’s life was, frankly, hectic and destructive for 37 years. Multiple addictions, trauma from a brutal childhood, crime…she was just trying to survive. Robyn had tried and tried to change her life and then something happened. Now she’s sharing her story with her community and now, with us, to show that change is possible.And a note before listening - Our guests share their experience. Each person has their own way they deal with life. So if there’s something you hear that prompts questions for you whether it’s about mental health, medication, ways of dealing with certain situations, make sure you speak to someone you trust like your doctor, counsellor, specialist.More info:Robyn talks on WIN News about her ice addiction (Video, 31 August 2017)Robyn addresses Griffith Community Drug Action Team (Video, 8 Novmber 2017)Robyn Lewis knows a bit about drug
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ATC - "Just The Facts": Why should we care about conspiracy theorists and so-called sovereign citizens?
17/03/2023 Duration: 14minThis is a "Just The Facts" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. Is it that bad if people believe in conspiracy theories? According to our guests for this episode, at first it’s funny, irritating (we all had someone we know who was sharing things that seemed a bit off beam over the past three years) and seemingly ridiculous…until it’s not.SOS and Sandee are two women who live in outer suburban Melbourne and have day jobs and families but they have also been deep diving into the world of places and spaces where people who believe in conspiracy theories and have such a distrust in Governments that they don’t acknowledge the laws that we all have to adhere to…like having a driver's licence, paying council rates and there’s more.SOS and Sandee go to the protests, they watch endless videos and livestreams and are among a network of others who are doing important work to get people to understand this world and the people who have posit
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Why should we care about conspiracy theorists and so-called sovereign citizens?
17/03/2023 Duration: 58minIs it that bad if people believe in conspiracy theories? According to our guests for this episode, at first it’s funny, irritating (we all had someone we know who was sharing things that seemed a bit off beam over the past three years) and seemingly ridiculous…until it’s not.SOS and Sandee are two women who live in outer suburban Melbourne and have day jobs and families but they have also been deep diving into the world of places and spaces where people who believe in conspiracy theories and have such a distrust in Governments that they don’t acknowledge the laws that we all have to adhere to…like having a driver's licence, paying council rates and there’s more.SOS and Sandee go to the protests, they watch endless videos and livestreams and are among a network of others who are doing important work to get people to understand this world and the people who have positioned themselves as leaders, or ‘gurus’, in many cases who are making lots of money from followers. Some also have disturbing political motives fo
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Grace's Place: The Legacy of Anita Cobby
12/03/2023 Duration: 34minThe night of February 2nd 1986 was when 26 year old Sydney nurse Anita Cobby was savagely murdered by a group of strangers. It has since been marked a turning point for Australian culture.Today's conversation is with Anita's sister, Kathryn Szyszka. It's all about legacy - Anita's legacy, and the legacy of their parents, Grace and Garry Lynch.A new facility has finally opened in Sydney to provide healing and restoration for children affected by violent crime.It's called Grace's Place, and has been made in honour of Grace Lynch. Kathryn is now the carrier of the flame for her family who've created an amazing legacy in Anita's name.More information on Grace's Place can be found here: https://gracesplace.org.au/Further reading material:Someone Else's Daughter: www.booktopia.com.au/someone-else-s-daughter-julia-sheppard/book/9780732909161.htmlRemembering Anita Cobby: www.booktopia.com.au/remembering-anita-cobby-mark-morri/book/9780143784647.htmlIf you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you c
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We need to talk about complex trauma with Forensic Psychologist Dr Ahona Guha
04/03/2023 Duration: 47minOur guest for this episode is Dr Ahona Guha, a Melbourne-based Forensic and clinical psychologist. She works with survivors of abuse and those who live with trauma. Ahona also works with perpetrators of harmful behaviours including sex offenders, stalkers and bullies. Ahona has written her first book RECLAIM: Understanding complex trauma and those who abuse.Dr Ahona Guha’s views are her own.MORE INFO:Former Victorian prosecutor awarded $435,000 over exposure to sexual abuse materialWhat is moral injury?Vicarious TraumaIf you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)For ad-free listening, early access and exclusive content, join Australian True Crime Plus on Apple Podcasts here: http://apple.co/australiantruecrimeCREDITS:Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram Co-Host: Emily Webb. You can find her on Instagram Guests: Dr Ahona G