Australian True Crime

Sarah Boyd immigrated from Scotland to Sydney in 1923. It was there, where she and an accomplice committed an unthinkable decision.What's even more terrifying, is that it was a decision that wasn't uncommon for women living in Sydney, Australia at the time. In fact, it was one of only a handful of difficult options faced by many women.Tanya Bretherton's book "The Suitcase Baby" can be purchased here: https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-suitcase-baby-tanya-bretherton/book/9780733639227.htmlFor 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 Co-Host: Emily Webb. You can find her on Instagram here Guests:  Tanya BrethertonExecutive Producer/Editor: Matthew TankardGET IN TOUCH: Send us a question or comment on this episode to be used in our "Episode Download" series: https://www.speakpipe.com/ATCFollow the show on Instagr

This 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. We continue on from last week's episode with a breakdown of a suspect believed to be the perpetrator of the 1941 Pay Car massacre.That suspect's name is Lionel Charles Thomas. But don't get too used to it, because if there was one thing this guy loved, it was changing his name.You'll have to keep your wits about you because over the course of this episode, as he lies cheats, murders, but also romances his way around Australia and New Guinea, Lionel will go by no less than three more names. Despite his long and nefarious history, Lionel went mostly under the radar because of his incredible capacity to commit them on the same days as major historical events.You can listen to Michael's podcast, Forgotten Australia wherever you get your podcasts.For Support: Lifeline  on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Stra

We continue on from last week's episode with a breakdown of a suspect believed to be the perpetrator of the 1941 Pay Car massacre.That suspect's name is Lionel Charles Thomas. But don't get too used to it, because if there was one thing this guy loved, it was changing his name.You'll have to keep your wits about you because over the course of this episode, as he lies cheats, murders, but also romances his way around Australia and New Guinea, Lionel will go by no less than three more names. Despite his long and nefarious history, Lionel went mostly under the radar because of his incredible capacity to commit them on the same days as major historical events.You can listen to Michael's podcast, Forgotten Australia wherever you get your podcasts.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 Co-Host: Emily Webb. You can find her

This 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. On the morning of December 8, 1941, three men operating a "Pay Car" in south Sydney were unknowingly heading into a brutal ambush.This story, however, has been lost to history due to it taking place on the same day Pearl Harbour was attacked.Michael Adams from the Forgotten Australia podcast is back with us for another historical Australian crime.This is a part one of two part series.You can listen to Michael's podcast, Forgotten Australia wherever you get your podcasts.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 Co-Host: Emily Webb. You can find her on Instagram here Guests:  Michael AdamsExecutive Producer/Editor: Matthew TankardGET IN TOUCH: Send us a question

On the morning of December 8, 1941, three men operating a "Pay Car" in south Sydney were unknowingly heading into a brutal ambush.This story, however, has been lost to history due to it taking place on the same day Pearl Harbour was attacked.Michael Adams from the Forgotten Australia podcast is back with us for another historical Australian crime.This is a part one of two part series.You can listen to Michael's podcast, Forgotten Australia wherever you get your podcasts.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 Co-Host: Emily Webb. You can find her on Instagram here Guests:  Michael AdamsExecutive Producer/Editor: Matthew TankardGET IN TOUCH: Send us a question or comment on this episode to be used in our "Episode Download" series: https://www.speakpipe.com/ATCFollow the show on Instagram @australiantruec

Sandi Harvey has not seen her daughter Leisl Smith since 2012. At that time, Leisl was 23 years old. She was happy, healthy and working in her dream job caring for horses.But it was horses that brought her into contact with James Church, a much older man with whom she fell in love.After her disappearance, Sandi discovered Leisl's relationship with Church was one of cruelty and heartache.Ten years after Leisl's disappearance, Sandi and the rest of her family thought they may finally be on the verge of some kind of breakthrough. But James Church had one more cruel trick up his sleeve.We implore our listeners to join Leisl Smith's information page: https://www.facebook.com/FindLeislSmith/If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Leisl Smith, please contact CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000For 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 h

This 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. Sandi Harvey has not seen her daughter Leisl Smith since 2012.At that time, Leisl was 23 years old. She was happy, healthy and working in her dream job caring for horses.But it was horses that brought her into contact with James Church, a much older man with whom she fell in love.After her disappearance, Sandi discovered Leisl's relationship with Church was one of cruelty and heartache.Ten years after Leisl's disappearance, Sandi and the rest of her family thought they may finally be on the verge of some kind of breakthrough. But James Church had one more cruel trick up his sleeve.We implore our listeners to join Leisl Smith's information page: https://www.facebook.com/FindLeislSmith/If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Leisl Smith, please contact CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000For Support: Lifeline  on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7

This 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 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 k

Our 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

This 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

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 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

This 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

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, early access and exclusive content, join Australian True Crime Plus on Apple Podcasts here: http://apple.co/australiantruecrime  CR

This 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

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. 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

This 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

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: https://www.magistratescourt.tas.gov.au/about_us/coroners/coronialfindings/c/2005_tascd_125_-_cafasso,_victoria_anna_elizabethTasmanian journalist

This 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

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 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