Australian True Crime

From humble beginnings in suburban Melbourne to reincarnation as Jesus Christ, a cohort of devoted, well-heeled followers and an enviable real estate portfolio, Anne Hamilton Byrne who died in a nursing home last week really was the quintessential 20th Century cult leader. The only thing more shocking than the abuse she inflicted on dozens of children in her care throughout the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s, is how various Governmental authorities approved of her guardianship over them in the first place.This interview with journalist Chris Johnston, who created the book and documentary The Family with Rosie Jones, first aired last year. The companion interview with former detective Lex De Man, whom you'll hear a lot about in this interview, was recorded the day after Anne's death.Warning: please be advised this episode contains graphic content.Show notes for Episode 110:Your hosts are Meshel Laurie and Emily WebbWith thanks to Chris JohnstonLike us on Facebook ​Follow us on Instagram or TwitterSupport us on PatreonV

When former Detective Lex De Man received a text reading simply, "The Witch is Dead!" he knew exactly what it meant. Since attending a school fire in the small Victorian town of Monbulk in 1987, Lex's life has been consumed with trying to bring about some justice for the people whose childhood's were stolen by Anne.Warning: please be advised this episode contains graphic content.Show notes for Episode 109:Your hosts are Meshel Laurie and Emily WebbWith thanks to Lex De ManListen to previous episode on ‘The Family’, Episode 41 with Chris Johnston https://australiantruecrimepodcast.com/notorious-cult-the-family-with-chris-johnston/Like us on Facebook ​Follow us on Instagram or TwitterSupport us on PatreonVisit our BookshopListen on Apple PodcastsListen on Google PodcastsListen on SpotifyIf you have any information on the cases covered by this podcast, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.Thank you for listening!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/australiantruecrime. Become a subscriber to Aus

Homicide Detective Charlie Bezzina received a phone call about a man who'd been punched outside a popular St Kilda pub during an altercation with a bouncer. The man was clinging to life, but the prognosis wasn't good. The caller said there was one more detail Charlie needed to know, the victim was International Cricket legend and television commentator David Hookes.Warning: please be advised this episode contains graphic content.Show notes for Episode 108:Your hosts are Meshel Laurie and Emily WebbWith thanks to Charlie BezzinaLike us on Facebook ​Follow us on Instagram or TwitterSupport us on PatreonVisit our BookshopListen on Apple PodcastsListen on Google PodcastsListen on SpotifyIf you have any information on the cases covered by this podcast, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.Thank you for listening!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

Charlie Bezzina was lead investigator on the Frankston Serial Killer Case in which Carmel and Brian's daughter Natalie was the final victim. In this episode Charlie talks us through the investigation.Warning: please be advised this episode contains graphic content.Show notes for Episode 107:Your hosts are Meshel Laurie and Emily WebbWith thanks to Charlie BezzinaTo support Carmel and Brian please donate to: https://www.gofundme.com/keeptherussellsinfrankstonLike us on Facebook ​Follow us on Instagram or TwitterSupport us on PatreonPurchase The Frankston Murders 25 Years On in our Bookshop Listen on Apple PodcastsListen on Google PodcastsListen on SpotifyIf you have any information on the cases covered by this podcast, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.Thank you for listening!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 informat

The Frankston Serial Killer took their 17-year-old daughter Natalie in 1993, and Carmel and Brian have lived through many more challenges since then. Now they're looking at eviction from their home of 30 years and they're very reluctantly asking for help.Warning: please be advised this episode contains graphic content.Show notes for Episode 106:Your hosts are Meshel Laurie and Emily WebbWith thanks to Carmel and Brian RussellTo support Carmel and Brian please donate to: https://www.gofundme.com/keeptherussellsinfrankstonLike us on Facebook ​Follow us on Instagram or TwitterSupport us on PatreonPurchase The Frankston Murders 25 Years On in our Bookshop Listen on Apple PodcastsListen on Google PodcastsListen on SpotifyIf you have any information on the cases covered by this podcast, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.Thank you for listening!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/australiantruecrime. Become a subscriber to Australian True Crime Plus here: https://plus.acast.com/s/australiantruec

Emily is joined by Sandra Charlton, the cousin of Vicki Arnold. Vicki was the woman accused of murdering her best friend Julie-Anne Leahey before killing herself in this week's episode of Australian True Crime. Sandra tells us what it's like to be thrust into the spotlight of a homicide investigation, and to have to clear a beloved relative's name.Warning: please be advised this episode contains graphic content.Show notes for Episode 105:Your hosts are Meshel Laurie and Emily WebbWith thanks to Sandra CharltonLike us on Facebook ​Follow us on Instagram or TwitterSupport us on PatreonVisit our BookshopListen on Apple PodcastsListen on Google PodcastsListen on SpotifyIf you have any information on the cases covered by this podcast, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.Thank you for listening!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 m

BFFs to the end, Vicki and Julie-Anne died together on a lonely track in Far North QLD in 1991. The police quickly ruled it a murder suicide but the families, the community, the Australian public and relentless local journalist Robert Reid refused to give up on the many inconsistencies in the case, and the brutal death scene. Reid joins us to guide us through the many twists and turns of Vicki and Julie-Anne's case.Warning: please be advised this episode contains graphic content.Show notes for Episode 104:Your hosts are Meshel Laurie and Emily WebbWith thanks to Robert ReidLike us on Facebook ​Follow us on Instagram or TwitterSupport us on PatreonVisit our BookshopListen on Apple PodcastsListen on Google PodcastsListen on SpotifyIf you have any information on the cases covered by this podcast, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.Thank you for listening!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/australiantruecrime. Become a subscriber to Australian True Crime Plus here: https://plus.acast.com/s/au

Jack Charles, known respectfully and affectionately as Uncle Jack Charles is a survivor who has much to tell about life, starting from the impact of being one of the Stolen Generation; Indigenous children forcibly removed from their families as a result of various government policies. Uncle Jack's life has traversed orphanages, prison, addiction, recovery, art, theatre, activism, advocacy… he is a survivor. We speak with Jack about his incredible life and he delves into deep issues of society, all the while maintaining his indisputable charm. Warning: please be advised this episode contains graphic content.Show notes for Episode 103:Your hosts are Meshel Laurie and Emily WebbWith thanks to Uncle Jack CharlesMore about Bastardy the documentaryLike us on Facebook ​Follow us on Instagram or TwitterSupport us on PatreonVisit our BookshopListen on Apple PodcastsListen on Google PodcastsListen on SpotifyIf you have any information on the cases covered by this podcast, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.T

The “Milat family insider” quoted extensively in Australian media this week is actually our friend Amanda Howard, from the "Monsters Who Murder" podcast. She gives us an update and an insight into her work, as well as a prediction as to whether we can expect a death bed confession.Warning: please be advised this episode contains graphic content.Show notes for Episode 102:Your hosts are Meshel Laurie and Emily WebbWith thanks to Amanda HowardLike us on Facebook ​Follow us on Instagram or TwitterSupport us on PatreonVisit our BookshopListen on Apple PodcastsListen on Google PodcastsListen on SpotifyIf you have any information on the cases covered by this podcast, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.Thank you for listening!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.

How did the remains of toddler Khandalyce Pearce-Stevenson end up in a suitcase by the side of a highway in South Australia? How did her mother Karlie’s remains end up over a thousand kilometres away in the notorious Belanglo State Forest. How did detectives solve this heinous crime and reunite them seven years after their brutal deaths? Journalist Ava Benny-Morrison joins us to talk about her book The Lost Girls which fills in the terrible details.Warning: please be advised this episode contains graphic content.Show notes for Episode 101:Your hosts are Meshel Laurie and Emily WebbWith thanks to Ava Benny-MorrisonLike us on Facebook ​or visit our Facebook page for more information about this week's livestreamFollow us on Instagram or TwitterSupport us on PatreonPurchase The Lost Girls in our Bookshop Listen on Apple PodcastsListen on Google PodcastsListen on SpotifyIf you have any information on the cases covered by this podcast, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.Thank you for listening!Support th