True Crime Conversations

"Dirty John" Meehan, a serial con artist and violent criminal, was Terra Newell's stepfather. He had married her mother and spent years manipulating and abusing her until she finally left him. Enraged by her departure, he sought revenge. One day, after finishing her shift at work, Terra was walking to her car when John suddenly grabbed her from behind, wrapping his arm around her waist and trying to abduct her. In a desperate attempt to escape, she bit him. But his response was brutal—he began stabbing her repeatedly with a large knife. With every ounce of strength she had, Terra fought for her life. In a fierce struggle, she managed to knock the knife from his hand. Realising the only way to survive was to stop him for good, she knew she had to act fast. This is the story of Dirty John’s demise, told by the woman who lived through it. CREDITS  Guest: Terra Newell Host: Gemma Bath Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Producer: Jacob Round GET IN TOUCH Email us at [email protected] or send us a voice note to give us feedback or suggest a case for the podcast. Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review. You can also leave a comment for us on Spotify.  If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Heston Russell has lived a life most of us couldn’t imagine. A former special forces commander, he’s been shot at, dropped out of helicopters, and led troops through the chaos of Afghanistan and Iraq. But it wasn’t until he came home that he faced his toughest fight yet — not against an enemy overseas, but against his own country. Heston and his men were accused of war crimes, and suddenly, he was battling to defend their names against the weight of national headlines and public judgment. In this episode, we dive into Heston’s intense defamation case against the ABC, but we go deeper, too, into what it’s like to be a soldier at war and what you do when you’re wrongly accused of a crime you didn’t commit. You can listen to The ABC’s of Heston Russell podcast here. CREDITS  Guest: Heston Russell Host: Claire Murphy Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Producer: Jacob Round GET IN TOUCH Email us at [email protected] or send us a voice note to give us feedback or suggest a case for the podcast. Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review. You can also leave a comment for us on Spotify.  If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Laura McConnell grew up in a fundamentalist sect with no name. Along with no official title, the group also claims to have no registration around the world, no formal hierarchy, and no official places of worship. According to Laura, it's this secrecy and denial that has allowed abuse to flourish within the community. She joins us today to expose what she witnessed and experienced inside the group she calls The Truth. CREDITS Guest: Laura McConnell Host: Gemma Bath Executive Producer: Gia Moylan Audio Producer: Scott Stronach GET IN TOUCH: Email us at [email protected] or send us a voice note to give us feedback or suggest a case for the podcast. Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review. You can also leave a comment for us on Spotify.  If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1993, a teenage girl vanished on her way to school in a quiet town in Ontario, Canada. That morning, she’d argued with her mother, Mary Ann—nothing serious, just one of those everyday fights about going to school. It would be the last time they ever spoke. Her name was Christine Harron. She never made it to class. The case went cold for years—until filmmaker and podcast host David Ridgen started asking questions. He dug into old leads, uncovered long-buried secrets, and eventually helped bring a killer to justice. But even now, one question remains... Where is Chrissy? Listen to David Ridgen's podcast, Someone Knows Something, here. CREDITS  Guest: David Ridgen Host: Claire Murphy Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Producer: Jacob Round GET IN TOUCH Email us at [email protected] or send us a voice note to give us feedback or suggest a case for the podcast. Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review. You can also leave a comment for us on Spotify.  If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stephanie Scott was just days away from marrying her long-time partner when she went into her empty high school on Easter Sunday to prepare lesson plans for the substitute teacher. That morning, she was tragically murdered. Vincent Stanford, the school janitor, was arrested after police found evidence linking him to the crime—scratches on his body, bloodstains in his car, and disturbing photos of Stephanie’s body on his phone. He pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to life in prison without parole. But what we’ve learned since is that Stephanie wasn’t even his intended victim. Sarah Crawford, a journalist who’s been following this case for the past decade, joins us now. CREDITS  Guest: Sarah Crawford Host: Claire Murphy Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Producer: Jacob Round GET IN TOUCH Email us at [email protected] or send us a voice note to give us feedback or suggest a case for the podcast. Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review. You can also leave a comment for us on Spotify.  If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hello, True Crime Conversations listeners! If your sharp investigative minds haven't already guessed, we're excited to share that our very own host, Gemma Bath, has been expecting her second child over the past nine months. However, her little girl made an early arrival, which brings us to an exciting update... it's time to introduce the new host of True Crime Conversations! CREDITS  Host: Welcome, Claire Murphy! Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Producer: Jacob Round GET IN TOUCH Email us at [email protected] or send us a voice note to give us feedback or suggest a case for the podcast. Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review. You can also leave a comment for us on Spotify.  If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carita Ridgeway from Australia and Lucie Blackman from England arrived in Japan eight years apart, both working as hostesses, earning $150-$400 a night while entertaining wealthy businessmen. At 21, both planned to make money for world travel but encountered Joji Obara, a sadistic criminal mastermind. While there were hundreds of victims assaulted by Obara, they were the only ones known to have lost their lives. Clare Campbell’s book Tokyo Hostess: Inside the Shocking World of Tokyo Nightclub Hostessing explores their stories, the Japanese sex industry, and the serial rapist who sparked an international investigation. You can find her book here.  THE END BITS  Subscribe to Mamamia CREDITS Guest: Clare Campbell Host: Gemma Bath Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Producer: Jacob Round GET IN TOUCH Email us at [email protected] or send us a voice note to give us feedback or suggest a case for the podcast. Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review. You can also leave a comment for us on Spotify.  If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On a Friday afternoon in 1972, in the small town of Faraday, Victoria, 10-year-old Robyn Howarth was playing musical chairs with her classmates when something unexpected caught her eye. She turned to the classroom door and saw two men standing there—one wearing a black mask, the other with dark sunglasses and a hat. The taller man raised an enormous gun, aiming it at Robyn, her five classmates, and their 20-year-old teacher, Mary Gibbs. As Mary desperately pleaded with them, the men ordered everyone to "get in the van... now." More than 50 years later, Robyn has written a book, Faraday: A Community Rediscovered, where she recounts, in vivid detail, the traumatic events that unfolded that day. For decades, she has kept her story to herself—until now. You can buy Robyn's book here. THE END BITS  Subscribe to Mamamia CREDITS Guest: Robyn Howarth Host: Gemma Bath Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Producer: Jacob Round GET IN TOUCH Email us at [email protected] or send us a voice note to give us feedback or suggest a case for the podcast. Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review. You can also leave a comment for us on Spotify.  If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2010, 18-year-old Jason Downie became obsessed with Chantelle Rowe, his friend’s girlfriend, after she rejected him. On the night of November 8th, in the quiet town of Kapunda, South Australia, Jason, consumed by jealousy, brutally took the lives of Chantelle, her father Andrew, and her mother Rose in their own home. Chantelle’s older brother, Chris Rowe, was on holiday in the Gold Coast at the time. When he heard rumours of a major incident back home, he logged onto Facebook to find out more. He was reassured with the message, “All’s good,” but soon, he would learn of the devastating loss of his family. Bryan Littlely, a journalist who covered the case extensively, is one of the only reporters to have interviewed Chris, the sole survivor, years later. THE END BITS  Subscribe to Mamamia CREDITS Guest: Bryan Littley Host: Gemma Bath Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Producer: Jacob Round GET IN TOUCH Email us at [email protected] or send us a voice note to give us feedback or suggest a case for the podcast. Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review. You can also leave a comment for us on Spotify.  If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the remote outback of Victoria in 1993, Ralph Vollmer believed his wife, Joan, was possessed. Ralph enlisted members of his local religious community to perform an exorcism, hoping to rid Joan of the ten demons they believed controlled her. What followed was a horrific four-day ordeal that ended in Joan’s death.  Margaret Thanos is the director of Furious Mattress, a play based on Joan Vollmer’s tragic story. It raises the question: what are the ethics of turning a real-life tragedy into entertainment? You can find tickets to see Furious Mattress here. THE END BITS  Subscribe to Mamamia CREDITS Guest: Margaret Thanos Host: Gemma Bath Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Producer: Jacob Round GET IN TOUCH Email us at [email protected] or send us a voice note to give us feedback or suggest a case for the podcast. Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review. You can also leave a comment for us on Spotify.  If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hamish McLaren is a serial fraudster. Remember the podcast Who the Hell Is Hamish? He defrauded victims of their money for more than 30 years before he finally saw the inside of a prison cell. Tracy Hall was his last victim, losing over $317,000 of her life savings to Hamish while in a relationship with him for 18 months. Hamish didn’t just financially manipulate Tracy; he emotionally destroyed her. It’s taken her years to recover from that kind of deceit. She processed it by writing a book, The Last Victim, which details her story. You can find The Last Victim here. RESOURCES What to do if you're scammed, defrauded or there is a data breach. Find information here. Find downloadable tips to avoid scams here.  Find Tracy's website here. THE END BITS  Subscribe to Mamamia CREDITS Guest: Tracy Hall Host: Gemma Bath Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Producer: Jacob Round GET IN TOUCH Email us at [email protected] or send us a voice note to give us feedback or suggest a case for the podcast. Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review. You can also leave a comment for us on Spotify.  If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In August 2021, Gabby Petito went missing while on holiday with her fiancé, Brian Laundrie. The pair were six weeks into a four month trip across the United States. They'd been living out of Gabby's specially decked out van, documenting and filming every adventure so she could share it on her growing social media platforms. But when the 22-year-old suddenly stopped posting, her family began to fear the worst. Gabby's high-profile disappearance sparked an unprecedented social media movement to find her. An unstoppable onslaught of amateur sleuths and armchair detectives exposed a story no one was prepared to ignore, as the world hung on each development in the nationwide search for Gabby, her fiance, and the truth. THE END BITS Subscribe to Mamamia CREDITS Guest: Sarah Abo You can watch the 60 Minutes coverage of this case here.  Learn more about the Gabby Petito Foundation here. Host: Emma Gillespie Executive Producer: Gia Moylan Producer: Cassie Merritt Audio Producer: Madeline Joannou GET IN TOUCH: Feedback? We’re listening! Email us at [email protected]   If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To some, he’s the mysterious voice behind their favourite true crime podcast (besides True Crime Conversations, of course). Others know him as ‘Casey.’ But who is Casefile's anonymous host, really? Today, we get a chance to find out a little more about him. In this exclusive chat, ‘Casey’ and Gemma talk about why he’s kept his identity a secret, how Casefile got started, the creative process behind the show, and the cases that have had the biggest impact on him. He might not tell us his real name, but we’re sharing his story. THE END BITS  Subscribe to Mamamia CREDITS Guest: 'Casey', anonymous host of Casefile Host: Gemma Bath Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Producer: Jacob Round GET IN TOUCH Email us at [email protected] or send us a voice note to give us feedback or suggest a case for the podcast. Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review. You can also leave a comment for us on Spotify.  If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2015, Australian con woman Belle Gibson was living the dream. Her app The Whole Pantry was hugely popular and she was about to launch a book of the same name. With hundreds of thousands of followers online, Belle had become a celebrated wellness influencer who'd overcome terminal cancer and had cured herself with healthy eating and holistic therapies. But it was all a lie. The truth came to light when her friend, Chanelle McAuliffe, noticed gaps in Belle's story. The moment she exposed her deception is now the focus of the Netflix series Apple Cider Vinegar. Today, Chanelle tells us what the show got right and wrong, the challenges she faced as a whistleblower, and how she feels about Belle and her crimes now, a decade on. Very Special Kids is a non-profit organisation that provides holistic palliative care for children and young people with life-limiting conditions. You can find a link to donate here. THE END BITS  Subscribe to Mamamia CREDITS Guest: Chanelle McAuliffe Host: Gemma Bath Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Producer: Jacob Round GET IN TOUCH Email us at [email protected] or send us a voice note to give us feedback or suggest a case for the podcast. Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review. You can also leave a comment for us on Spotify.  If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria Korp, a 50-year-old mother of two from Melbourne, went missing in February 2005. She was discovered four days later in the boot of her car barely alive, after being strangled and left for dead. Police first suspected her husband, Joe, but it was more complicated than that. As his mistress revealed, he was the one who provided her with the weapon telling her it was the "only way they could be together." Former detective Narelle Fraser was the one who discovered Maria’s body in the boot that day, 20 years ago. It's a case she will never forget. Email us at [email protected] or send us a voice note to give us feedback or suggest a case for the podcast. THE END BITS  Subscribe to Mamamia CREDITS Guest: Narelle Fraser Host: Gemma Bath Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Producer: Jacob Round GET IN TOUCH Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review. You can also leave a comment for us on Spotify.  If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On June 23rd, 2000, just after midnight, Robert Paul Long set fire to the Childers Palace Backpackers Hostel in Queensland. He had recently been evicted for not paying his rent and in his anger, he sparked a tragedy. There were 84 travellers in the hostel that night. They woke up gasping for air and choking on smoke in the pitch-black darkness. 15 people lost their lives, making this one of the deadliest fires in Australian history. Our guest, journalist Paul Cochrane, interviewed the survivors. In many instances, he was the only interview they gave. Listen to Paul’s podcast Childers here. Email us at [email protected] or send us a voice note to give us feedback or suggest a case for the podcast. THE END BITS  Subscribe to Mamamia CREDITS Guests: Paul Cochrane Host: Gemma Bath Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Producer: Jacob Round GET IN TOUCH Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review.   If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What started as a typical sleepover in Wisconsin in 2014 turned into one of the most chilling true crime stories in America.Twelve-year-olds Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier lured their friend, Payton "Bella" Leutner, into the woods with a plan to kill her as a sacrifice to Slender Man, the creepy internet figure.Both girls were charged as adults in a case that stunned the world.Now, with Morgan’s 2025 release from psychiatric care, the case is back in the spotlight, except this time we’re having conversations the media steered clear of at the beginning.Why did this happen? How did this happen? And what was going on mentally and psychologically for those two little girls? You can read Kathleen's book Slenderman: A Tragic Story of Online Obsession and Mental Illness here. THE END BITS  Subscribe to Mamamia CREDITS Guests: Kathleen Hale Host: Gemma Bath Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Producer: Jacob Round GET IN TOUCH Feedback? We’re listening! Email us at [email protected] or send us a voice note, and one of our Podcast Producers will get back to you ASAP. Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review.   If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The disappearance of The Beaumont Children is burned into the collective conscious of Australia. It’s one of the longest-running cases in the nation’s history and has baffled law enforcement for more than half a century. Stuart Mullins grew up down the road from the Beaumont children in Adelaide. Over the years he has researched and co-authored investigative writing into their disappearance. He walks us through the case, and why he believes he knows just who is responsible for the disappearance of Jane, Arnna and Grant on Australia Day in 1966. For photos, maps and further details on the case you can join our closed Facebook group dedicated to the podcast. Just search for True Crime Conversations on Facebook. GUEST: Stuart MullinsHOST: Jessie StephensPRODUCER: Elise CooperRESEARCH The Satin Man: Uncovering the mystery of the Beaumont Children, Alan Whiticker and Stuart Mullins https://bit.ly/2leQGNx  Mother of missing Beaumont children, Nancy Beaumont, dies aged 92 - ABC News https://ab.co/2lfjDsE  The Beaumont Children: What Really Happened, Channel 7  https://bit.ly/2lNMVyE  The Beaumont Children Mystery: Crime Investigation Australia, Channel 7 https://bit.ly/2mIlwyu  Beaumont children search: Police end today’s dig, having found no human remains, The Adelaide Advertiser https://bit.ly/2lbGUvr  GET IN TOUCH: Email the show at [email protected]    True Crime Conversations is a podcast by Mamamia. Find more shows here https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcastsBecome a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On September 7, 1971, at a remote farmhouse 40 kilometres south of Adelaide, Clifford Bartholomew killed 10 people. His wife, his seven children, his sister-in-law and her 19-month-old son. He shot them all dead. He was sentenced to death, but because of changes to the law, he wasn’t killed. Instead, he was re-sentenced to life in prison and managed to serve just eight years before being released on parole. He changed his name, his identity and created an entirely new family who knew nothing about his previous life or his crimes… until now. THE END BITS  Subscribe to Mamamia CREDITS Guests: Craig Cook & Allen Arthur Host: Gemma Bath Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Producer: Jacob Round GET IN TOUCH Feedback? We’re listening! Email us at [email protected] or send us a voice note, and one of our Podcast Producers will get back to you ASAP. Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review.   If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Margaret Cunneen SC was one of Australia’s top Crown Prosecutors, renowned for securing convictions against some of the country’s most notorious criminals, including the Butcher of Bega and Robert “Dolly” Dunn. She also led the prosecution of the Skaf gang rapes in 2000, where brothers Bilal and Mohammed Skaf orchestrated a series of brutal, ethnically motivated sex crimes. One of the most harrowing incidents involved 14 men and boys sexually assaulting a single woman. Today, only one of the key perpetrators remains behind bars. Margaret’s remarkable career, including her work on this case, is chronicled in The Boxing Butterfly, which you can find here. THE END BITS  Subscribe to Mamamia CREDITS Guest: Margaret Cunneen SC Host: Gemma Bath Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Producer: Jacob Round GET IN TOUCH Feedback? We’re listening! Email us at [email protected] or send us a voice note, and one of our Podcast Producers will get back to you ASAP. Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review.   If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On September 12, 1996, Keli Lane gave birth to a baby girl at Auburn Hospital in western Sydney. Two days later that baby seemingly disappeared.  After years of investigation, Keli was convicted of her daughter's murder in 2010 and sentenced to 18 years behind bars. But did they get it wrong? Keli Lane’s story has been compared to the wrongful conviction of Lindy Chamberlain. It’s been pulled apart and analysed for years.   So is she a baby killer? Or is she a woman, misunderstood? THE END BITS Subscribe to Mamamia Listen to our episode with Richard Baker 'Inside One Of Australia’s Longest Running Cults' here. CREDITS Guest: Xanthe Mallett You can listen to her podcast Motive And Method here. Host: Gemma Bath Executive Producer: Gia Moylan Audio Producer: Scott Stronach GET IN TOUCH: Feedback? We’re listening! Email us at [email protected]   If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After she was caught trying to smuggle 5.8kg of cocaine out of Colombia in 2017, the media nicknamed her ‘Cocaine Cassie’. But Cassie Sainsbury’s life in a tough Colombian prison was so much more complicated. And interesting.In this episode, she speaks to Mia Freedman about prison life: the abuse, the relationships, the sex. And what happened afterwards. You can hear the second half of Mia's conversation with Cassie here.THE END BITS: Subscribe to Mamamia Feedback? We’re listening! Email us at [email protected] Need more lols, info, and inspo in your ears? Find more Mamamia podcasts here. CREDITS: Host: Mia Freedman. You can find Mia on Instagram here and get her newsletter here. Executive Producer: Kimberley Braddish Audio Producer: Madeline Joannou Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Women are responsible for only 10 per cent of homicides in Australia, Canada, England, and the US, and because it’s such a small sample size not much research has been done into the motives and behaviours that drive female killers. Dr. Kathryn M. Whiteley, a feminist criminologist, has been researching women who kill for over 20 years. She’s spoken to more than a hundred women behind bars, many of whom are serving life sentences with no chance of parole. Dr. Whiteley’s focus is on telling their stories and understanding their experiences and perspectives in their own words. You can listen to Dr Kathryn’s conversations on her podcast Self Identities: Conversations With Convicted Women here. THE END BITS Subscribe to Mamamia CREDITS Guest: Kathryn M. Whiteley Host: Gemma Bath Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Producer: Jacob Round GET IN TOUCH Feedback? We’re listening! Email us at [email protected] If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2023, Malka Leifer was sentenced to 15 years in prison for 18 counts of sexual abuse against Dassi Erlich and her little sister. Leifer was the sisters' former high school principal, and when whispers of their allegations came to light in 2008, she fled from her home in Melbourne to Israel before any formal complaint could be made. It took 70 extradition hearings and 13 years to bring her back to Australia. But finally last year, Dassi was able to breathe a sigh of relief. Leifer was finally going to pay for what she’d done. THE END BITS Subscribe to Mamamia CREDITS Guest: Dassi Erlich You can find out more about her memoir In Bad Faith here. Host: Gemma Bath Executive Producer: Gia Moylan Audio Producer: Thom Lion GET IN TOUCH: Feedback? We’re listening! Email us at [email protected] If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eve Wiley is one of the featured voices in the Netflix series The Man with 1000 Kids, but the story of how she came to be a fierce advocate for victims of fertility fraud is a deeply personal one…and one you have to hear to believe. In this episode of No Filter, Eve Wiley tells Mia Freedman how she finally found out that she is the child of fertility fraud and how she discovered who her biological father was - a discovery that turned her world upside down and transformed her into a fearless fighter for the women and families who’ve been harmed by fraudulent and serial sperm donors. Through her work, she’s successfully lobbied for the creation of laws that criminalise conception deception - but as you’ll hear, her fight is only just beginning. You can learn more about Eve Wiley here. If this story has brought up any hard emotions, please reach out to Lifeline on 13 11 14. THE END BITS: Subscribe to Mamamia Listen to more No Filter interviews here and follow us on Instagram here.Discover more Mamamia podcasts here.Feedback: [email protected] your story, feedback, or dilemma! Send us a voice message, and one of our Podcast Producers will come back to you ASAP.Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review. CREDITS:Host: Mia Freedman You can find Mia on Instagram here and get her newsletter here. Executive Producer: Naima Brown Audio Producer: Leah PorgesMamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2018, while taking a picture of her son at a gathering, Nicole Madigan had a brief encounter with a stranger who asked her if she was photographing a man named Adam. The exchange felt bizarre, but Nicole thought little of it. That is, until later that night when she received a text from the woman. What started as one odd message soon spiralled into years of harassment, ultimately leading to the woman, Karissa, being charged with stalking. But even in 2024, a conviction hasn’t stopped her. Nicole joins Gemma on True Crime Conversations to share her story. A journalist herself, with extensive experience investigating stalking, Nicole has written a book about her experience. Read Obsession: A journalist and victim-survivor’s investigation into stalking, here. THE END BITS Subscribe to Mamamia CREDITS Guest: Nicole Madigan Host: Gemma Bath Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Producer: Jacob Round GET IN TOUCH Feedback? We’re listening! Email us at [email protected] If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In November 2019, police conducted a welfare check on seven-year-old JJ Vallow. He hadn't been seen since September, and police will come to realise that neither had his teenage sister Tylee. They've stumbled onto a web of lies that are about to unravel. Affairs, mysterious deaths, a doomsday cult, and at the centre of it all two missing children. And a mother who isn’t trying to find them. THE END BITS Subscribe to Mamamia CREDITS Guest: Leah Sottile, author of When The Moon Turns To Blood And host of the Two Minutes Past Nine and Bundyville podcasts. Host: Gemma Bath Executive Producer: Gia Moylan Audio Producer: Rhiannon Mooney GET IN TOUCH: Feedback? We’re listening! Email us at [email protected] If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tia Levings was raised within the same strict Christian fundamentalist ideology as the infamous Duggar family from 19 Kids And Counting. By the time she was 19 years old, Tia found herself in an abusive marriage where the violence was sanctioned by the church. In this must-listen episode of No Filter, Tia tells Mia Freedman about the ways she was groomed to be a Trad Wife, and the moment she knew she had to run for her life. This is a story of indoctrination and survival, of reinvention and strength…but it is also about the thousands of other women who haven’t escaped the Trad Wife movement, and the new ones who are joining every day. You can hear the second half of Mia's conversation with Tia here. You can find out more about Tia and her book, A Well Trained Wife, here. You can follow her on Instagram here. And if you need to talk to someone, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. THE END BITS: Subscribe to Mamamia Listen to more No Filter interviews here and follow us on Instagram here.Discover more Mamamia podcasts here.Feedback: [email protected] your story, feedback, or dilemma! Send us a voice message, and one of our Podcast Producers will come back to you ASAP.Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review. CREDITS:Host: Mia Freedman You can find Mia on Instagram here and get her newsletter here. Executive Producer: Naima Brown Audio Producer: Leah PorgesMamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Geelong Revival Centre, one of Australia’s longest-running cults, has been hiding in plain sight for years. Led by Pastor Noel Hollins until his death in 2024, the ultra-conservative church controls every aspect of its followers' lives. For the past two years, investigative journalist Richard Baker has collected disturbing audio recordings from Hollins and testimonies from survivors. They’ve told him stories of alleged physical and sexual abuse, emotional stories of families being torn apart by strict rules and disturbing allegations of medicine being banned. Due to legal constraints, he’s been unable to share it… until now. You can listen to Richard's podcast Secrets We Keep: Pray Harder here. THE END BITS Subscribe to Mamamia CREDITS Guest: Richard Baker Host: Gemma Bath Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Producer: Jacob Round GET IN TOUCH Feedback? We’re listening! Email us at [email protected] If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the winter of 1999 in Detroit, Michigan, sex worker Monica Johnson entered a Jeep Wrangler with the licence plate 'Baby Doll' with a client. That client, John Eric Armstrong, brutally murdered her and placed her body face down on the sidewalk, before returning home to his wife and young son. Monica was one of several women he killed between 1992 to 1999 before the police finally closed in. Journalist and author B.R. Bates, co-author of The ‘Baby Doll’ Serial Killer: The John Eric Armstrong Homicides, is one of the few individuals who has interviewed Armstrong himself. You can find The ‘Baby Doll’ Serial Killer: The John Eric Armstrong Homicides here. THE END BITS Subscribe to Mamamia CREDITS Guest: B.R. Bates Host: Gemma Bath Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Producer: Jacob Round GET IN TOUCH Feedback? We’re listening! Email us at [email protected] or send us a voice note, and one of our Podcast Producers will get back to you ASAP. If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the case that has shocked France and led to protests outside of an Avignon court house. For 50 years, Dominique and Gisèle Pélicot were married, but for a decade of their marriage, Gisèle was being raped without her knowledge — drugged and sexually assaulted by dozens and dozens of men. If this case were to unfold in Australia, what kind of laws would there be to protect victim survivors from ever having to experience this again? If you or someone you know needs to speak to someone help is listed below: Lifeline - 13 11 14 1800 RESPECT - 1800 737 732, The National Domestic Family And Sexual Violence Counselling Service THE END BITS Subscribe to Mamamia Check out The Quicky Instagram here Read more about this case here Want to try MOVE by Mamamia?Click here to start a seven-day free trial of our exercise app. GET IN TOUCH Share your story, feedback, or dilemma! Send us a voice note or email us at [email protected] and one of our Podcast Producers will come back to you ASAP. If you’re looking for something else to listen to why not check out our award winning parenting podcast How To Build A Human.Or click here to listen to the hosts of Mamamia Out Loud open up about creativity and how they stay inspired. CONTACT US Got a topic you'd like us to cover? Send us an email at [email protected] CREDITS Host: Claire Murphy With thanks to: Dr Brianna Chesser, Clinical Forensic Psychologist, Criminal Lawyer, Associate Professor of Criminology & Justice at RMIT Senior Producer: Taylah StranoAudio Producer: Thom LionBecome a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During the Lindt Café siege, True Crime Conversations host Gemma Bath was reporting the news live with a police negotiator by her side. She later learned that her voice was one of the sources of information the gunman Man Haron Monis was using, as he held his hostages captive. In this bonus episode, Gemma looks back on that intense experience and talks about how it changed the way she approaches journalism, making her more mindful of the victims' perspective. THE END BITS Subscribe to Mamamia Read Gemma's full article here: 'As the Lindt Cafe siege unfolded, I was a radio newsreader. It was only after that I realised my mistake.' Find out more about Mamamia's charity partner RizeUp Australia here. CREDITS Host: Gemma Bath Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Producer: Jacob Round GET IN TOUCH: Feedback? We’re listening! Email us at [email protected] or send us a voice note, and one of our Podcast Producers will get back to you ASAP. If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On a sunny December morning in 2014, just 10 days before Christmas, breakfast was in full swing at the busy Lindt Café in Sydney’s Martin Place. Around 8:30am, a customer noticed a man talking to the café’s manager, who seemed tense. Just over an hour later, at 9:44am, Man Haron Monis told everyone in the café that he had a bomb in his backpack and they were being held hostage. His demand? To speak with the Prime Minister on national radio.  Ten years have passed since the Sydney Siege, which tragically claimed the lives of two innocent people: café manager Tori Johnson and mother of three, Katrina Dawson. To mark the anniversary, Vikki Petratis, host of The Unthinkable podcast, revisits the events of that day and reflects on the lasting impact it has had on the city. Listen to The Unthinkable podcast here. THE END BITS Subscribe to Mamamia CREDITS Guest: Vikki Petratis Host: Gemma Bath Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Producer: Jacob Round GET IN TOUCH Feedback? We’re listening! Email us at [email protected] If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2020, journalist Carl Miller found himself staring at a murder-for-hire website on the dark web, introduced to him by a hacker friend who had stumbled upon it.What he discovered was chilling: a woman named Amy Allwine had already been killed after an anonymous user paid $13,000 in Bitcoin to have her murdered. But Amy’s name was just one of many on the kill list.After his discovery, Carl spent years intercepting kill orders and trying to warn people. He joins us to reveal the shocking cases behind the planned hits.You can listen to the Kill List podcast here. THE END BITS Subscribe to Mamamia Find out more about Mamamia's charity partner RizeUp Australia here. CREDITS Guest: Carl Miller Host: Gemma Bath Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Producer: Jacob Round GET IN TOUCH: Feedback? We’re listening! Email us at [email protected] or send us a voice note, and one of our Podcast Producers will get back to you ASAP. If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Warning: This episode speaks of violence and suicide. Please take care when listening. A year on from her death, Lilie James' parents have spoken publicly - remembering their beautiful, hardworking daughter. Today we revisit the murder of Lilie James. If you or anyone you know needs to speak with an expert, please contact 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 Watch the 60 Minutes episode here THE END BITS Subscribe to Mamamia Check out The Quicky Instagram here Did you miss the latest episode of True Crime Conversations? Listen here. Listen to more like this episode here:He's Not A 'Good Bloke': Stop Defending Domestic Violence Killers Women Shouldn't Need To Learn Self Defence, But Should We? After The Rallies: What Can Actually Stop Gendered Violence Frontline Domestic Violence Workers Tell Us What’s Really Happening Want to try MOVE by Mamamia?Click here to start a seven-day free trial of our exercise app. GET IN TOUCH Share your story, feedback, or dilemma! Send us a voice note or email us at [email protected] CREDITS Host: Claire Murphy Executive Producer: Taylah Strano Audio Producer: Jacob Round Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In March 2015, Fiona Lu showed up at her son Mike Zhao-Beckenridge's school to pick him up, only to find he was missing. Panicked, she called the police, convinced that her ex-husband John Beckenridge, whom Mike adored, had taken him. By the time the authorities stepped in, John and Mike were already on the run. Days later, John’s car was discovered at the bottom of a cliff, but there was no sign of either of them. Journalist Michael Wright, co-host of The Lost Boy podcast, explores two possibilities: either Mike and John died in March 2015, or they’re still alive today. You can listen to the Stuff podcast The Lost Boy here. THE END BITS Subscribe to Mamamia Find out more about Mamamia's charity partner RizeUp Australia here. Join the Month of MOVEGet $30 off a Mamamia subscription and get unlimited access to our feel-good exercise app. Head here to get a yearly subscription for just $39. CREDITS Guest: Michael Wright Host: Gemma Bath Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Producer: Jacob Round GET IN TOUCH: Feedback? We’re listening! Email us at [email protected] or send us a voice note, and one of our Podcast Producers will come back to you ASAP. If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In December 2010, the body of 24-year-old Phoebe Handsjuk was discovered at the bottom of a garbage chute in her Melbourne apartment building.She had fallen 12 stories into a wheelie bin, where she ultimately succumbed to the injuries she sustained alone in the darkness of the rubbish room.In 2013, a coroner ruled Phoebe’s death as accidental, a finding her family doesn't accept.Investigative journalist Richard Baker, host of the podcast Phoebe's Fall, believes there’s more to the story. Was Phoebe’s death truly a tragic accident, or was she the victim of foul play? You can listen to Richard's podcast with The Age 'Phoebe's Fall' here. THE END BITS Subscribe to Mamamia Find out more about Mamamia's charity partner RizeUp Australia here. Join the Month of MOVEGet $30 off a Mamamia subscription and get unlimited access to our feel-good exercise app. Head here to get a yearly subscription for just $39. CREDITS Guest: Richard Baker Host: Gemma Bath Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Producer: Thom Lion GET IN TOUCH: Feedback? We’re listening! Email us at [email protected] or send us a voice note, and one of our Podcast Producers will come back to you ASAP. If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a serial killer on the loose in Byron Bay... allegedly. People are starting to connect the dots between multiple cases of women going missing or being murdered in the Byron and New South Wales coastal areas, including women with their own first-hand encounters. So how likely is it all these cases and run ins are linked? And what's the underlying lesson we can all take away from these experiences? THE END BITS Subscribe to Mamamia Check out The Quicky Instagram here Listen to True Crime Conversations here Liked this episode? Listen to these: Join the Month of MOVEGet $30 off a Mamamia subscription and get unlimited access to our feel-good exercise app. Head here to get a yearly subscription for just $39. GET IN TOUCH Share your story, feedback, or dilemma! Send us a voice note or email us at [email protected] CREDITS Host: Claire Murphy With thanks to: Laura Clare, Byron Bay local Gemma Bath, Mamamia's News Editor & Host of True Crime Conversations Executive Producer: Taylah Strano Audio Producer: Tegan Sadler Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2001, Marcellus Williams was sentenced to death for the 1998 murder of reporter Felecia Gayle. After over two decades on Missouri’s death row, he was executed by lethal injection on September 24, 2024. As time passed, doubts about his guilt grew. Marcellus’s defence team, the victim’s family, and even some jurors questioned his conviction. Despite this, the governor denied clemency, and the Supreme Court did not intervene. One of the few people to interview Marcellus during his time on death row was Jack Laurence, a producer and podcast host, who believes the case against him was flawed. Laurence, like many others, feels the decision to execute Marcellus was a tragic mistake. You can listen to Jack's interview with Marcellus Williams on his podcast One Minute Remaining here. THE END BITS Subscribe to Mamamia Did you miss last week's episode? Listen to 'The Little Girl Murdered By The Man Around The Corner' here. Find out more about Mamamia's charity partner RizeUp Australia here. CREDITS Guest: Jack Laurence Host: Gemma Bath Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Producer: Thom Lion GET IN TOUCH: Feedback? We’re listening! Email us at [email protected] or send us a voice note, and one of our Podcast Producers will come back to you ASAP. If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

James Foley’s death was unimaginable. He was a journalist held hostage by ISIS for two years in Syria and killed in 2014 as a threat to America. Footage of him wearing an orange jumpsuit, and forcibly reading a message before being beheaded was posted to Twitter. The media coverage of the event had the second most recognition in recent American history after 9/11. That was 10 years ago now. His mother Diane Foley’s determination to understand her son’s fate led her to meeting with one of the men responsible.This episode is about the profound impact of James’ life, he saw light in everything and everyone. His mother has been through the complexities of grace and empathy in the face of an unthinkable loss.American Mother by Colum McCan with Diane Foley is available here. Watch the documentary Jim: The James Foley Story on Amazon Prime or Apple TV. You can donate to the James Foley Legacy Foundation here. THE END BITS:Listen to more No Filter interviews hereDiscover more Mamamia podcasts here.Feedback: [email protected] us what you really think so we can give you more of what you really want. Fill out this survey and you’ll go in the running to win one of five $100 gift vouchers.CREDITS:Host: Mia FreedmanYou can find Mia on Instagram here and get her newsletter here.Producers: Gia Moylan & Kimberley Braddish Audio Producer: Leah PorgesMamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1984, the body of six-year-old Kylie Maybury was found in a gutter in the early hours of the morning following Melbourne Cup Day. So why did it take 32 years after her death for police to finally find her killer — a man with previous convictions for sexual assault and violence, who lived just around the corner? Former Herald Sun journalist and true crime author Keith Moor has covered the case since the day Kylie's body was found. He has interviewed her grieving mother many times and considered her a friend. For the 40th anniversary of Kylie's death, Keith details this case. You can read more about Keith and his work here. This episode details the case of a child who was sexually assaulted and murdered. Please take that into consideration and listen with care. If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. THE END BITS Subscribe to Mamamia Find out more about Mamamia's charity partner RizeUp Australia here. CREDITS Guest: Keith Moor Host: Gemma Bath Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Producer: Thom Lion GET IN TOUCH: Feedback? We’re listening! Email us at [email protected] or send us a voice note, and one of our Podcast Producers will come back to you ASAP. Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s August 1989, and a 911 call comes through from a Beverly Hills mansion on Elm Drive just before midnight. The call is from a hysterical Lyle Menendez, and you can hear his brother Erik crying in the background. The brother's parents, Jose and Kitty, are dead, shot a combined 16 times at close range while in their TV room. The crime scene is horrific. At first, police suspect a Mafia or mob hit. But seven months later, it’s the brothers who are arrested for murder in a case that catapults them into worldwide infamy. Even 35 years later, we’re still discussing the Menendez brothers, asking why they killed their parents. Robert Rand is an award-winning journalist who has been covering the Menendez brother's case since the day after the murders on August 21, 1989. He has a personal relationship with the brothers, speaking with them regularly. He helps us tell this story. You can read his book The Menendez Murders here. You can watch The Menendez Brothers documentary on Netflix here. THE END BITS Subscribe to Mamamia Find out more about Mamamia's charity partner RizeUp Australia here. CREDITS Guest: Robert Rand Host: Gemma Bath Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Producer: Thom Lion GET IN TOUCH: Feedback? We’re listening! Email us at [email protected] or send us a voice note, and one of our Podcast Producers will come back to you ASAP. If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

True crime documentaries have always been a cornerstone of the pop culture world and with recent releases such as The Menendez Brothers documentary dropping on Netflix our appetite for these stories is at an all-time high.So, we’ve brought in an expert whose job is hooked on watching every true crime documentary ever released and we’ve rounded up the best offerings out there, with true stories that will literally make your jaw drop.And we haven’t forgotten about Weekend Watch! Today we have a new blockbuster with a sexy leading man to recommend to you, along with a new thriller you’ll want to binge this weekend.THE END BITSFind The Spill podcast on Instagram here. Listen to more episodes of The Spill here. Listen to The Spill episode: Liam Payne’s Life, Death And Complicated Legacy, here.The Spill episode: The Comfort TV Shows You Need To Watch Immediately, listen here.The Spill episode: A Brutally Honest Review of Nobody Wants This, listen here.The Spill episode: A Brutally Honest Review of The Perfect Couple., listen here. Listen to The Spill episode: A Brutally Honest Review Of Emily In Paris Season Four, here.Subscribe to Mamamia GET IN TOUCH:Do you have feedback or a topic you want us to discuss on The Spill? Send us a voice message, or send us an email [email protected] and we'll come back to you ASAP! WANT MORE?Subscribe to The Spill Newsletter by clicking here.Read all the latest entertainment news on Mamamia... here. CREDITS Hosts: Laura Brodnik & Em VernemExecutive Producer: Kimberley Braddish Audio Producer: Scott Stronach Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's October 2013, and two police officers in Dublin spot a distressed young girl outside the General Post Office. She’s crying and unable to speak, using her fingers to show she’s 14 years old. They take her to a nearby children’s hospital while trying to figure out who she is. Local media starts speculating about possible sex trafficking as interest in her case grows. As a month goes by, police decide to release her photo to the public and are quickly flooded with calls from Australia. It turns out this isn’t a vulnerable 14-year-old girl in distress; the woman in the Dublin hospital bed is actually 25-year-old Samantha Azzopardi, a serial con artist. And as the years go by, this wouldn’t be the first alias she’s used to trick her victims. Paula Bycroft from CJZ Productions is the Executive Producer of the Australian documentary series Con Girl, which details the life and crimes of Samantha Azzopardi. She helps us to tell this story. You can watch Con Girl here. There’s also a Con Girl podcast series you can listen to here. THE END BITS Subscribe to Mamamia Listen to the episode of No Filter about Samantha Azzopardi here. Find out more about Mamamia's charity partner RizeUp Australia here. CREDITS Guest: Paula Bycroft Host: Gemma Bath Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Producer: Thom Lion GET IN TOUCH: Feedback? We’re listening! Email us at [email protected] or send us a voice note, and one of our Podcast Producers will come back to you ASAP. If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At around 5pm on a hot August afternoon in 2015, a 911 call comes in about a fire at a service station in Columbus, Ohio. A man has poured two jerry cans of fuel over his partner, 31-year-old Judy Malinowski, and is watching as flames engulf her. Judy is rushed to the hospital with 90 per cent of her body burned. Doctors warn her family that her chances of survival are slim, but against all odds, Judy survives. She endures severe ongoing pain and dozens of surgeries in the years that follow, dying two years after being set on fire. After she dies, she becomes the first person in history to testify at her own murder trial. Director Patricia Gillespie seeks to honour Judy’s remarkable strength and raise awareness about domestic violence in her documentary, The Fire That Took Her. You can watch it here. THE END BITS Subscribe to Mamamia Find out more about Mamamia's charity partner RizeUp Australia here. And if this episode has brought up anything for you or if you just feel like you need to speak to someone, call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732). CREDITS Guest: Patricia Gillespie Host: Gemma Bath Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Producer: Scott Stronach GET IN TOUCH: Feedback? We’re listening! Email us at [email protected] or send us a voice note, and one of our Podcast Producers will come back to you ASAP. If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the early hours of May 1, 2010, Shannan Gilbert called 911 from a Long Island house after working as an escort with a client she met on Craigslist. After seeking help from neighbours, she disappeared from the street before the police arrived.Months later, extensive searches turned up no trace of the 23-year-old, but authorities discovered the bodies of four other young women, later known as “The Gilgo Four,” all escorts who found clients online.Rex Heurmann has been charged with their murders, along with two others.There are four more bodies found nearby, that detectives are still investigating. Shannan was also eventually found, but is her death linked?True crime producer and investigative journalist Alexis Linkletter has extensively covered the case. You can listen to her podcast, Unravelled, here. THE END BITS Subscribe to Mamamia Find out more about Mamamia's charity partner RizeUp Australia here. CREDITS Guest: Alexis Linkletter Host: Gemma Bath Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Producer: Scott Stronach GET IN TOUCH: Feedback? We’re listening! Email us at [email protected] or send us a voice note, and one of our Podcast Producers will come back to you ASAP. If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On an ordinary Melbourne afternoon in 1997, suburban mum of three Jane Thurgood-Dove pulled into her driveway with her kids in the back seat. As Jane got out of her car, a stolen Commodore pulled in behind her. A man with a gun chased her around the car and then shot Jane as her kids looked on in horror. For years, police were convinced she was killed by a man with an obsession, but they were wrong. This murder of a young Melbourne mother is believed to be a devastating case of mistaken identity. Australia’s longest-serving crime reporter, John Silvester, speaks with us today. You can find John’s book Dark City here. THE END BITS Subscribe to Mamamia Find out more about Mamamia's charity partner RizeUp Australia here. CREDITS Guest: John Silvester Host: Gemma Bath Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Producer: Scott Stronach GET IN TOUCH: Feedback? We’re listening! Email us at [email protected] or send us a voice note, and one of our Podcast Producers will come back to you ASAP. If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Rachel Barber failed to return home from dance practice one evening in 1999, her family reported her missing and launched a desperate search. They plastered Melbourne with over 2,000 posters, hoping for any news of her whereabouts. After days of searching, their hopes shattered on day 12 when they learned Rachel had been murdered. Her killer was a 19-year-old former babysitter and family friend who had been consumed by jealousy and obsession with Rachel, stalking her for years. Criminal court reporter Megan Norris co-wrote a book with Rachel’s mother, Elizabeth, titled Perfect Victim, detailing the families tragic loss and the details of the case. You can find Megan’s book with Elizabeth Southall Perfect Victim here. THE END BITS Subscribe to Mamamia Find out more about Mamamia's charity partner RizeUp Australia here. CREDITS Guest: Megan Norris Host: Gemma Bath Producers: Tahli Blackman & Christel Cornilsen Audio Producer: Scott Stronach GET IN TOUCH: Feedback? We’re listening! Email us at [email protected] or send us a voice note, and one of our Podcast Producers will come back to you ASAP. If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From solving cold-cases to putting multiple serial-killers behind bars, Matt Murphy is one of America’s top homicide prosecutors. Many of his cases are known as some of America’s biggest crimes that have made headlines worldwide, including the Dirty John case that became a global media phenomenon. In this episode, we dive deep into the cold-case of Cathy Torrez that Matt successfully prosecuted, as well as what makes a serial killer different from a “one-off” murderer, and the dangers of online dating for women. After never losing a homicide case and spending 17 years assigned to the Homicide Unit of Orange County, California, Matt has released his first book: THE BOOK OF MURDER: A Prosecutor’s Journey Through Love and Death, available here. THE END BITS Subscribe to Mamamia Find out more about Mamamia's charity partner RizeUp Australia here. And if this episode has brought up anything for you or if you just feel like you need to speak to someone, call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732). CREDITS Guest: Matt Murphy Host: Gemma Bath Executive Producers: Liv Proud & Christel Cornilsen Audio Producer: Scott Stronach GET IN TOUCH: Feedback? We’re listening! Email us at [email protected] or send us a voice note, and one of our Podcast Producers will come back to you ASAP. If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From domestic violence to murder, sexual assaults, and abuse against children, former Australian detective, Luke Taylor, has sadly seen it all. But after struggling with his mental health from the job, one murder was the final catalyst for Luke's retirement: an attack on an unsuspecting nurse, killed by her very own family. Luke Taylor has since founded Crime Story Australia, hosting workshops where school students recreate crime scenes to learn how to problem solve and analyse crimes. THE END BITS Subscribe to Mamamia Find out more about Mamamia's charity partner RizeUp Australia here. And if this episode has brought up anything for you or if you just feel like you need to speak to someone, call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732). CREDITS Guest: Luke Taylor Host: Gemma Bath Executive Producer: Christel Cornilsen Audio Producer: Scott Stronach GET IN TOUCH: Feedback? We’re listening! Email us at [email protected] or send us a voice note, and one of our Podcast Producers will come back to you ASAP. If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 If you’re looking for something else to listen to why not check out our award winning parenting podcast How To Build A Human. Or click here to listen to the hosts of Mamamia Out Loud open up about creativity and how they stay inspired. Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.