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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Shortcut: Convincing your husband to murder your ex
12/11/2023 Duration: 14minThis is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. Even though Biannca Edmunds didn't pull the trigger, Victorian homicide detectives pursued her for years with the belief that she was responsible for the death of her ex partner, Michael Caposiena.In 2016, Caposiena was murdered by Edmunds' then-husband, Glen Cassidy. Cassidy himself died that night, due to the self-defence efforts of Caposiena.Court Reporter for ABC News Melbourne, Kristian Silva, joins us this on episode to break down this bizarre and tragic assassination attempt. For Support: Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732CREDITS:Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram Guest: Kristian SilvaExecutive Producer/Editor: Matthew TankardGET IN TOUCH:Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook Emai
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Convincing your husband to murder your ex
12/11/2023 Duration: 40minEven though Biannca Edmunds didn't pull the trigger, Victorian homicide detectives pursued her for years with the belief that she was responsible for the death of her ex partner, Michael Caposiena.In 2016, Caposiena was murdered by Edmunds' then-husband, Glen Cassidy. Cassidy himself died that night, due to the self-defence efforts of Caposiena.Court Reporter for ABC News Melbourne, Kristian Silva, joins us this on episode to break down this bizarre and tragic assassination attempt. For Support: Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732CREDITS:Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram Guest: Kristian SilvaExecutive Producer/Editor: Matthew TankardGET IN TOUCH:Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook Email the show at team@smartfella.com.auSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/australiantruecrime. Become a subscriber to Australian True
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Shortcut: The Girl in Cabin 350
05/11/2023 Duration: 13minThis is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. Gwenda McCallum was young, single and determined to squeeze every drop out of life when she arrived in Sydney in 1949. Mere weeks later, she found herself in the company of some extremely unsuitable men. After one night of partying, Gwenda awoke on board an ocean liner. 24 hours later, she vanished.Our guest today, Gideon Haigh, puts an inspiring amount of work and care into seeking the truth for long forgotten women into his books. His recent book, "The Girl in Cabin 350" is no different."The Girl in Cabin 350", can be purchased directly from Gideon here.For Support: Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732CREDITS:Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram Guest: Gideon HaighExecutive Producer/Editor: Matthew TankardGET IN TOUCH:Follow the sh
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The Girl in Cabin 350
05/11/2023 Duration: 39minGwenda McCallum was young, single and determined to squeeze every drop out of life when she arrived in Sydney in 1949. Mere weeks later, she found herself in the company of some extremely unsuitable men. After one night of partying, Gwenda awoke on board an ocean liner. 24 hours later, she vanished.Our guest today, Gideon Haigh, puts an inspiring amount of work and care into seeking the truth for long forgotten women into his books. His recent book, "The Girl in Cabin 350" is no different."The Girl in Cabin 350", can be purchased directly from Gideon here.For Support: Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732CREDITS:Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram Guest: Gideon HaighExecutive Producer/Editor: Matthew TankardGET IN TOUCH:Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook Email the show at team@smartfella.com.auSupport this show http://support
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Shortcut: The Real Romper Stomper
01/11/2023 Duration: 16minThis 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 current rise of Antisemitism and “White Power” groups in Australia is not unprecedented.In fact, as recently as 1992, Russell Crowe’s career was launched by his role as a brutal skinhead in the seminal Australian film Romper Stomper.Andrew Kirby is one of the men that movie was about and he joins us to talk about Neo Nazism in Australia, and his subsequent internal journey to reform.For Support: Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732CREDITS:Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram Guest: Andrew Martin KirbyExecutive Producer/Editor: Matthew TankardJohn Clifford White's Romper Stomper theme appears at the beginning of this episode.GET IN TOUCH:Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook Email the sho
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The Real Romper Stomper
01/11/2023 Duration: 45minThe current rise of Antisemitism and “White Power” groups in Australia is not unprecedented.In fact, as recently as 1992, Russell Crowe’s career was launched by his role as a brutal skinhead in the seminal Australian film Romper Stomper.Andrew Kirby is one of the men that movie was about and he joins us to talk about Neo Nazism in Australia, and his subsequent internal journey to reform.For Support: Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732CREDITS:Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram Guest: Andrew Martin KirbyExecutive Producer/Editor: Matthew TankardJohn Clifford White's Romper Stomper theme appears at the beginning of this episode.GET IN TOUCH:Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook Email the show at team@smartfella.com.auSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/australiantruecrime. Become a subscriber to Australian True Crime Pl
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Shortcut: This Criminologist may challenge your views on the Criminal Justice System
29/10/2023 Duration: 18minThis is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. Lauren Humby brings a perspective on the criminal justice system that many of us may struggle with.However, she is anything but misinformed. Not only is Lauren an academic with decades of research in the field, she is also victim of several sexual assaults dating back to her early childhood.Today, Lauren is a lecturer of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of South Queensland.For Support: Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732CREDITS:Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram Guest: Dr Lauren HumbyExecutive Producer/Editor: Matthew TankardGET IN TOUCH:Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook Email the show at team@smartfella.com.auSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/australiantr
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This Criminologist may challenge your views on the Criminal Justice System
29/10/2023 Duration: 44minThis is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. Lauren Humby brings a perspective on the criminal justice system that many of us may struggle with.However, she is anything but misinformed. Not only is Lauren an academic with decades of research in the field, she is also victim of several sexual assaults dating back to her early childhood.Today, Lauren is a lecturer of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of South Queensland.For Support: Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732CREDITS:Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram Guest: Dr Lauren HumbyExecutive Producer/Editor: Matthew TankardGET IN TOUCH:Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook Email the show at team@smartfella.com.auSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/australiantr
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Robert Berchtold's reign of terror on the Broberg family - True Crime Compendium
22/10/2023 Duration: 26minThis episode is only available for subscribers of Australian True Crime Plus. To access all ATC Plus episodes, plus ad free and early listening of all Australian True Crime episodes, you can subscribe on Apple Podcasts.The story of Robert Berchtold's double kidnapping of Jan Broberg is so bizarre and tragic, that you may find it unbelievable.In the 1970s, Jan Broberg was kidnapped twice by family friend, Robert Berchtold. First when she was 12, and again when she was 14.She was abducted twice because after the first time, Jan's parents signed affidavits stating they'd given Berchtold consent to take Jan away with him, which was a lie.Although we may think we have come a long way from the culture that played a part in this horrifying story, when it comes to childhood sexual assault, the statistics haven't changed.Some audio from this episode has been taken from "A Friend of the Family", a new True Crime series coming exclusively to 7plus on October 25, 2023.If you have been affected by anything discussed in th
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Shortcut: The Brutal Upbringing that Prepared Susan Norman to be a Prison Guard
18/10/2023 Duration: 17minThis is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. Susan grew up in the UK, enduring years of highly abusive relationships at the hands of her mother and her pimp husband. In her thirties, she moved to Australia and begun working at Brisbane's infamous Boggo Road prison. At the prison, she handled everything from breaking up fights to initiating new prisoners, drug busts and suicide attempts.In 1990 she was witness to the murder of Debra Dick committed by the infamous murderer Storm Brooke. This is Australia’s only murder in a women’s prison.Diagnosed with PTSD, Susan left Boggo Road in 1993.You can read more about the twists and turns in Susan's life by reading her recent memoir, "The Pimp and The Pork Sausage"For Support: Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732CREDITS:Host: Meshel Laurie. You
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The Brutal Upbringing that Prepared Susan Norman to be a Prison Guard
18/10/2023 Duration: 43minThis is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. Susan grew up in the UK, enduring years of highly abusive relationships at the hands of her mother and her pimp husband. In her thirties, she moved to Australia and begun working at Brisbane's infamous Boggo Road prison. At the prison, she handled everything from breaking up fights to initiating new prisoners, drug busts and suicide attempts.In 1990 she was witness to the murder of Debra Dick committed by the infamous murderer Storm Brooke. This is Australia’s only murder in a women’s prison.Diagnosed with PTSD, Susan left Boggo Road in 1993.You can read more about the twists and turns in Susan's life by reading her recent memoir, "The Pimp and The Pork Sausage"For Support: Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732CREDITS:Host: Meshel Laurie. You
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Shortcut: Lynn's Law: The Murder of Lynn Cannon and the Call for Reform
15/10/2023 Duration: 15minThis is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. Lynn Cannon, an adored Perth mother of two, was brutally murdered by her ex husband Paul Cannon in late 2022.The day before she was murdered, Paul learned she was in a new relationship.Under false pretences, he convinced her to come to his house the next day. An argument escalated, prompting neighbours to call the police.Despite multiple calls to 000, police took an hour and 15 minutes to arrive.Lynn was an adored mother, daughter, sister and friend. Her loved ones are now taking action to ensure police response times for domestic violence calls never take that long again, with their proposed law: Lynn's Law.WA Police's statement regarding this episode can be viewed here: https://publuu.com/flip-book/268249/629734For Support: Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)1800RESPECT: 18
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Lynn's Law: The Murder of Lynn Cannon and the Call for Reform
15/10/2023 Duration: 48minLynn Cannon, an adored Perth mother of two, was brutally murdered by her ex husband Paul Cannon in late 2022.The day before she was murdered, Paul learned she was in a new relationship.Under false pretences, he convinced her to come to his house the next day. An argument escalated, prompting neighbours to call the police.Despite multiple calls to 000, police took an hour and 15 minutes to arrive.Lynn was an adored mother, daughter, sister and friend. Her loved ones are now taking action to ensure police response times for domestic violence calls never take that long again, with their proposed law: Lynn's Law.WA Police's statement regarding this episode can be viewed here: https://publuu.com/flip-book/268249/629734For Support: Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732CREDITS:Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram Guest: Jacqui DarleyExecutive Producer/Editor: Matthew TankardThis
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Shortcut: Being the head police officer during the Cabramatta heroin crisis
08/10/2023 Duration: 13minThis is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. Alan Leek is a retired member of the New South Wales Police Service, in which he served for 34 years. In the early 1990s, Alan was rewarded for his excellence in management. When he was made the head police officer in Cabramatta, it was at the time the largest heroin distribution point in the country, a growing political flashpoint and spiraling ever faster, out of control.The unique set of challenges that beset Cabramatta from the late 1980s created a criminal and cultural misery unlike anything else Australia had seen at the time. And it was up to Alan to rally his troops and to pull the divided and traumatized community together behind them. Alan is now the author of several books, with his latest being "Rendezvous with Death". All of his titles can be found at Big Sky Publishing.For Support: Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis sup
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Being the head police officer during the Cabramatta heroin crisis
08/10/2023 Duration: 37minAlan Leek is a retired member of the New South Wales Police Service, in which he served for 34 years. In the early 1990s, Alan was rewarded for his excellence in management. When he was made the head police officer in Cabramatta, it was at the time the largest heroin distribution point in the country, a growing political flashpoint and spiraling ever faster, out of control.The unique set of challenges that beset Cabramatta from the late 1980s created a criminal and cultural misery unlike anything else Australia had seen at the time. And it was up to Alan to rally his troops and to pull the divided and traumatized community together behind them. Alan is now the author of several books, with his latest being "Rendezvous with Death". All of his titles can be found at Big Sky Publishing.For Support: Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732CREDITS:Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on
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Shortcut: My father murdered my baby and he’s not in jail
04/10/2023 Duration: 16minThis 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 October 2019, Natalie Sands, her children and her mother suffered an unthinkably brutal attack at the hands of her father. Natalie was doused in petrol and set alight by her father. Despite being able to escape her burning house with burns to 75 percent of her body, she watched helplessly as her five year old son, Orlando, and mother Antoinette, perished.After leaving the scene, her father drove to the local Tamworth police station and handed himself in.It was decided in 2021 that Natalie's father wouldn’t face trial over the crime due to the Judge accepting that he was likely suffering a neurodegenerative disease resulting is psychotic symptoms.Natalie has been campaigning online to get a lawyer to reopen the case and hold her father “properly accountable”.You can keep up to date with Natalie's campaign on TikTok. Her account is @natz_armyofficialWe reached out to the
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My father murdered my baby and he’s not in jail
04/10/2023 Duration: 45minIn October 2019, Natalie Sands, her children and her mother suffered an unthinkably brutal attack at the hands of her father. Natalie was doused in petrol and set alight by her father. Despite being able to escape her burning house with burns to 75 percent of her body, she watched helplessly as her five year old son, Orlando, and mother Antoinette, perished.After leaving the scene, her father drove to the local Tamworth police station and handed himself in.It was decided in 2021 that Natalie's father wouldn’t face trial over the crime due to the Judge accepting that he was likely suffering a neurodegenerative disease resulting is psychotic symptoms.Natalie has been campaigning online to get a lawyer to reopen the case and hold her father “properly accountable”.You can keep up to date with Natalie's campaign on TikTok. Her account is @natz_armyofficialWe reached out to the NSW ODPP for comment regarding this case. You can read their response on our social media pages.For Support: Lifeline on 13 11 1
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Shortcut: How did this Australian die in South African police custody?
01/10/2023 Duration: 15minThis 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 1995, Adrian Pendergast accepted an exciting job opportunity in South Africa. Less than a week after he got there, he was found dead in a jail cell.For almost 30 years, his family have been trying to understand what happened and how he died. But it seems that everything new that they learn, it only leads to more questions.Our guest today is Adrian's younger sister, Courtney. Courtney only got to know her older brother until she was 15. She has asked for our listener's to reach out if anyone knows anything about Adrian. If that's you, please contact us at team@smartfella.com.auFor Support: Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732CREDITS:Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram Guest: Courtney PendergastExecutive Producer/Editor: Matthew Ta
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How did this Australian die in South African police custody?
01/10/2023 Duration: 41minIn 1995, Adrian Pendergast accepted an exciting job opportunity in South Africa. Less than a week after he got there, he was found dead in a jail cell.For almost 30 years, his family have been trying to understand what happened and how he died. But it seems that everything new that they learn, it only leads to more questions.Our guest today is Adrian's younger sister, Courtney. Courtney only got to know her older brother until she was 15. She has asked for our listener's to reach out if anyone knows anything about Adrian. If that's you, please contact us at team@smartfella.com.auFor Support: Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732CREDITS:Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram Guest: Courtney PendergastExecutive Producer/Editor: Matthew TankardGET IN TOUCH:Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook Email the show at team@smartfella.com.auS
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Shortcut: Drug dealing, car theft and escaping prison. This was Nathan's life.
24/09/2023 Duration: 16minThis 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, Nathan Crisfield, embodies a story of duality like no other.From Albury, He was born into a tumultuous home life, with his father taking him under his wing at an early age to steal whatever they could off the back of trucks.From ages 15 to 19, Nathan was out of school, using and dealing any drugs he could get his hands on. Remarkably though, he was also very capable and ambitious in his career as a truck mechanic. He quickly became foreman, then workshop manager at more than half the age of his fellow workmates.This is all while selling and smoking copious amounts of ice. As you'll hear, this kind of dichotomy can only last for so long. Nathan's life soon becomes one of unbelievable chaos.He descends so deep into a life of crime, that the fact that he has become who he is today is a true testament to the human capacity for change.For Suppor