Scott Johnson's naked body was found on the rocks at Blue Fish Point near Manly in Sydney in December 1988. Above him loomed the jagged cliffs from which he had fallen the night before. Manly police were quick to declare his death a suicide, even though gay men were being found in similar circumstances around the Sydney shoreline with shocking regularity. Scott was, and still is, deeply loved by his friends, family and older brother, Steve Johnson. Steve refused to give up in his pursuit of just...
Aug 25, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 518
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. Ron Isherwood was literally born into crime. His father was a member of the feared Painters and Dockers Union of Victoria, which had deep connections to the underworld. The Painters and Dockers of Ron's father's day were among the most infamous criminals this country has ever seen. As a kid, Ron was groomed to follow in their footsteps. He joins us on Australian ...
Aug 18, 2024•15 min•Season 1Ep. 517
Ron Isherwood was literally born into crime. His father was a member of the feared Painters and Dockers Union of Victoria, which had deep connections to the underworld. The Painters and Dockers of Ron's father's day were among the most infamous criminals this country has ever seen. As a kid, Ron was groomed to follow in their footsteps. He joins us on Australian True Crime to talk about the hard lessons he's learned over the journey and his passion for helping others. You can purchase Ron's book...
Aug 18, 2024•58 min•Season 1Ep. 516
Dr. Xanthé Mallett recently joined us at the Sydney and Brisbane shows for ATC Live. If you were there, you'll know that there's never enough time to get to everyone's questions in the Q&A. So we decided to bring you some special episodes of Australian True Crime, hosted by Xanthé Mallett. As a criminologist and forensic anthropologist, Xanthé is a rare breed. Those two disciplines just don't overlap very often in the real world. Her perspectives on criminal cases are always fascinating. On this...
Aug 14, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 515
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. Dr. Peter Coleman's book "Australia's Most Bizarre Crimes" is actually a pretty compassionate look at the mistakes made by people who've decided to attempt to commit a crime. People who really should have thought better of it. In many cases, the people featured in this book just weren't cut out for the criminal life. Dr. Peter Coleman joins us on Australian True ...
Aug 11, 2024•15 min•Season 1Ep. 514
Dr. Peter Coleman's book "Australia's Most Bizarre Crimes" is actually a pretty compassionate look at the mistakes made by people who've decided to attempt to commit a crime. People who really should have thought better of it. In many cases, the people featured in this book just weren't cut out for the criminal life. Dr. Peter Coleman joins us on Australian True Crime to share some highlights from his extensive research into Australia's most bizarre crimes. You can learn more about Dr. Peter Col...
Aug 11, 2024•44 min•Season 1Ep. 513
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. Former Policeman, Brent Sanders is an expert in the fields of Sexual Crime, Criminal Profiling and Personal Safety. For over 20 years, Brent's been presenting seminars and workshops around Australia, educating people of all ages, not only on how to avoid being assaulted, but also on how to avoid becoming an offender. Brent joins us on Australian True Crime to tal...
Aug 06, 2024•16 min•Season 1Ep. 512
Former Policeman, Brent Sanders is an expert in the fields of Sexual Crime, Criminal Profiling and Personal Safety. For over 20 years, Brent's been presenting seminars and workshops around Australia, educating people of all ages, not only on how to avoid being assaulted, but also on how to avoid becoming an offender. Brent joins us on Australian True Crime to talk about his work. You can listen to Brent's podcast "Crime Insiders" wherever you get your podcasts. You can click here to visit Brent'...
Aug 06, 2024•58 min•Season 1Ep. 511
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. Before you listen to this episode, we recommend you check out our episode "The Cousins Who Disappeared" first. When Raelene Eaton and Yvonne Waters disappeared in 1974, Raelene's childhood best friends, Lynne Caporn and Alison Russo, had differing suspicions about what happened Decades later, despite still lacking answe...
Jul 31, 2024•18 min•Season 1Ep. 510
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 1974, 16-year-old Raelene Eaton and her 17-year-old cousin, Yvonne Waters, went missing after visiting a Perth pub to see a band. They have never been seen since. Friends and family of the girls are as desperate for information as they were back then. Journalist Melenie Ambrose has followed this case for many years. She produced the fantastic West Australian w...
Jul 31, 2024•16 min•Season 1Ep. 509
In 1974, 16-year-old Raelene Eaton and her 17-year-old cousin, Yvonne Waters, went missing after visiting a Perth pub to see a band. They have never been seen since. Friends and family of the girls are as desperate for information as they were back then. Journalist Melenie Ambrose has followed this case for many years. She produced the fantastic West Australian web series "The Vanishing Cousins," and she joins us today to tell us about several important new leads her investigation has discovered...
Jul 31, 2024•49 min•Season 1Ep. 508
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 the 19th century, Victorian newspapers labeled Pentridge Prison inmate John Weachurch as a "bloodthirsty werewolf." Who was this supposed homicidal maniac who, for a time, shared his prison sentence with Ned Kelly? And why did he not share the same fame as the aforementioned inmate? Michael Adams from the Forgotten Australia podcast joins us on this episode of...
Jul 28, 2024•18 min•Season 1Ep. 507
In the 19th century, Victorian newspapers labeled Pentridge Prison inmate John Weachurch as a "bloodthirsty werewolf." Who was this supposed homicidal maniac who, for a time, shared his prison sentence with Ned Kelly? And why did he not share the same fame as the aforementioned inmate? Michael Adams from the Forgotten Australia podcast joins us on this episode of Australian True Crime to tell us all about the "rebel with a cause," John Weachurch. You can listen to Michael Adam's "Forgotten Austr...
Jul 28, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 506
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 2011 death of Louisa Ioannidis was deemed as not suspicious according to the investigating police at the time. That simply didn't make sense to those who knew her. Including her big brother, Tass who contacted the private investigator, Julie Robson, asking for help in seeking an inquest. Julie joins us on Australian True Crime to discuss the results of her In...
Jul 21, 2024•16 min•Season 1Ep. 505
The 2011 death of Louisa Ioannidis was deemed as not suspicious according to the investigating police at the time. That simply didn't make sense to those who knew her. Including her big brother, Tass who contacted the private investigator, Julie Robson, asking for help in seeking an inquest. Julie joins us on Australian True Crime to discuss the results of her Investigative Podcast around Louisa's death, "Troubled Waters". Julia's podcasts "Chasing Charlie" and Troubled Waters" are available whe...
Jul 21, 2024•53 min•Season 1Ep. 504
Our live show for "Australian True Crime" kicks off this weekend and at our Melbourne show we will be unpacking the recent High Country Murders trial with former homicide detective Charlie Bezzina. In Sydney and Brisbane, I’ll be joined on stage by criminologist Dr Xanthe Mallett. Right now, we are running a last minute ticket offer, but as soon as the tickets are gone, they are gone so be quick. Click the link below and we can’t wait to see you this weekend for Australian True Crime live. Click...
Jul 18, 2024•2 min
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 Sharpies were probably Australia's most fashionable gang in 1960s/70s Australia. Their clothing was custom made from European tailors and their hairstyles were unmistakable. Our guest for today's episode is Author and Social Worker, Julie Mac. Julie herself was a proud Sharpie in the 1970s, and she's here to tell us who the Sharpies really were beyond the vio...
Jul 17, 2024•13 min•Season 1Ep. 503
The Sharpies were probably Australia's most fashionable gang in 1960s/70s Australia. Their clothing was custom made from European tailors and their hairstyles were unmistakable. Our guest for today's episode is Author and Social Worker, Julie Mac. Julie herself was a proud Sharpie in the 1970s, and she's here to tell us who the Sharpies really were beyond the violent headlines. You can purchase Julie's latest book "TAILS" here. You can purchase signed copies of Julie's work here. Australia...
Jul 17, 2024•41 min•Season 1Ep. 502
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. Professor Richard Bassed is the Deputy Director at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine and the Head of the Department of Forensic Medicine at Monash University. I had the opportunity to interview Richard for my book "CSI Told You Lies" about his work in identifying victims in mass casualty events, such as the Black Saturday Bushfires and the 2004 Indian ...
Jul 14, 2024•11 min•Season 1Ep. 501
Professor Richard Bassed is the Deputy Director at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine and the Head of the Department of Forensic Medicine at Monash University. I had the opportunity to interview Richard for my book "CSI Told You Lies" about his work in identifying victims in mass casualty events, such as the Black Saturday Bushfires and the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. Currently, Richard is deeply invested in researching and utilising AI technology, as it has the potential to make a sign...
Jul 14, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 500
This is a preview of our recent ATC Plus episode. To listen to the whole episode, you can subscribe now to ATC Plus and get your first week free on Apple Podcasts. Ljupka Subeska, also known as LJ, is a criminal lawyer and Principal at Astoria Lawyers in Sydney. For this episode, she is here to take us behind the curtain and see how a criminal lawyer prepares for a case, as well as to debunk some common misconceptions about her job. This interview is led by veteran broadcast journalist (and frie...
Jul 10, 2024•16 min•Season 1Ep. 499
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. Former VicPol Detective Senior Sergeant, Tim Peck, has just released a book entitled The Invisible Obvious about his miraculous recovery from alcoholism and severely compromised mental health. He's unflinchingly honest about the depths of despair that took him very close to taking his own life in 2014 at the peak of his career, and the circumstances that prevente...
Jul 07, 2024•18 min•Season 1Ep. 498
Former VicPol Detective Senior Sergeant, Tim Peck, has just released a book entitled The Invisible Obvious about his miraculous recovery from alcoholism and severely compromised mental health. He's unflinchingly honest about the depths of despair that took him very close to taking his own life in 2014 at the peak of his career, and the circumstances that prevented him from accepting help until it was almost too late. Click here to purchase Tim Peck's book "The Invisible Obvious" Australian True ...
Jul 07, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 497
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. Hedley Thomas is the National Chief Correspondent for The Australian and the investigative journalist behind Australia's most groundbreaking True Crime podcasts. Many of you will be familiar with Hedley's podcasts. Titles such as The Teacher's Pet, Shandee's Story and The Night Driver. Now Hedley's back with a new series called Bronywn, in which he's investigatin...
Jul 03, 2024•17 min•Season 1Ep. 496
Hedley Thomas is the National Chief Correspondent for The Australian and the investigative journalist behind Australia's most groundbreaking True Crime podcasts. Many of you will be familiar with Hedley's podcasts. Titles such as The Teacher's Pet, Shandee's Story and The Night Driver. Now Hedley's back with a new series called Bronywn, in which he's investigating the 1993 disappearance of Lennox Head woman Bronwyn Whitfield. Hedley Thomas joins us on Australian True Crime to talk about Bronwyn,...
Jul 03, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 495
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 2006, Adelaide teenager Carly Ryan thought she'd met the boy of her dreams on social media by the name of Brandon Kane. Brandon was a character invented by pedophile Garry Francis Newman, who was in his fifties at the time and communicating with literally hundreds of underage girls around the world, posing as a boy their age. Newman enlisted his own teenage so...
Jun 30, 2024•16 min•Season 1Ep. 494
In 2006, Adelaide teenager Carly Ryan thought she'd met the boy of her dreams on social media by the name of Brandon Kane. Brandon was a character invented by pedophile Garry Francis Newman, who was in his fifties at the time and communicating with literally hundreds of underage girls around the world, posing as a boy their age. Newman enlisted his own teenage son to help him groom the girls and try to persuade them to meet him in person. In February 2007, Newman and his son traveled to Adelaide...
Jun 30, 2024•59 min•Season 1Ep. 493
The jury's verdict has just been announced for the Gregory Lynn case regarding the deaths of Russell Hill and Carol Clay in 2020. This is from my other podcast "Can We Be Real?", so it's going to sound a little different to what you're used to from an Australian True Crime episode. Click here to listen to "Can We Be Real?" on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Australian True Crime LIVE is coming to Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne this July! It'll be full of special guests and Q+A...
Jun 25, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 492
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. Captain Moonlite was a very different character compared to other famous Australian Bushrangers. Despite the fantastic nickname there's been conspicuously little information available about him. That was until journalist and author, Garry Linnell started looking into the story. The result is a great book that uncovers some surprising aspects of Moonlite sto...
Jun 23, 2024•16 min•Season 1Ep. 491
Captain Moonlite was a very different character compared to other famous Australian Bushrangers. Despite the fantastic nickname there's been conspicuously little information available about him. That was until journalist and author, Garry Linnell started looking into the story. The result is a great book that uncovers some surprising aspects of Moonlite story. Aspects some say are the reason he hasn't been eulogised like his contemporaries. Click here to purchase Garry's book "Moonlite: Th...
Jun 23, 2024•44 min•Season 1Ep. 490
