31-year-old Russell ‘Stabba’ Martin was well known around the small town of Stawell in Victoria’s west. A staple of the local pubs and footy club, it wasn’t unusual for Russell to leave town for days at a time. No matter where he went or why Russell’s journey always led him back home to his wife Helen and their four children. 



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Episode narrated by the Anonymous Host

Researched and written by Eileen Ormsby
Creative Director: Milly Raso



For all credits and sources please visit casefilepodcast.com/case-158-russell-martin


Case 158: Russell Martin

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In early January 2000, residents of Asheville, North Carolina were told to be on the lookout for 18-year-old Zebb Quinn after he failed to return home after finishing his shift at Wal-Mart. A co-worker of Zebb’s, Robert Jason Owens, claimed that Zebb had sped off after receiving a mysterious message on his pager. 



Two weeks later, an unexpected breakthrough in the case presents some bizarre clues. But as twist after twist emerges, the prevailing question remains - did Zebb Quinn leave of his own accord, or was he the victim of foul play?



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Narration – Anonymous Host

Research & writing – Elsha McGill 

Creative direction – Milly Raso

Production and music – Mike Migas

Music – Andrew D.B. Joslyn



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For all credits and sources, please visit casefilepodcast.com/case-279-zebb-quinn


Case 279: Zebb Quinn


*** Content warnings: Child victim, sexual assault ***



[Part 2 of 2]

Colin Ross maintained his innocence for the murder of Alma Tirtschke right up until his execution. Could he have been telling the truth?



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Narration – Anonymous Host

Research & writing – Milly Raso

Creative direction – Milly Raso

Production and music – Mike Migas

Music – Andrew D.B. Joslyn



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For all credits and sources, please visit casefilepodcast.com/case-278-alma-tirtschke-part-2


Case 278: Alma Tirtschke (Part 2)


*** Content warnings: Child victim, sexual assault ***



[Part 1 of 2]

When 12-year-old Alma Tirtschke failed to return home after running an errand for her family, they were immediately concerned. Alma was a dutiful child who did what she was told and respected her elders.



Alma’s final movements were retraced to an infamous saloon in the heart of Melbourne and its problematic owner, a man named Colin Ross.



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Narration – Anonymous Host

Research & writing – Milly Raso 

Creative direction – Milly Raso

Production and music – Mike Migas

Music – Andrew D.B. Joslyn



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For all credits and sources, please visit casefilepodcast.com/case-278-alma-tirtschke-part-1


324: Case 278: Alma Tirtschke (Part 1)


*** Content warnings: Sexual assault, domestic violence ***



Jeff and Tim Slaten woke on the morning of Friday, September 4 1981, to find their home teeming with police. Their mother, Linda, had been raped and murdered during the night. Neither brother heard a thing, and despite the killer having left pivotal evidence behind, it quickly became clear that this wasn’t an open-and-shut case.



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Narration – Anonymous Host

Research & writing – Milly Raso  

Creative direction – Milly Raso

Production and music – Mike Migas

Music – Andrew D.B. Joslyn



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For all credits and sources, please visit casefilepodcast.com/case-277-linda-slaten


Case 277: Linda Slaten

May 3 1991, was a typical Friday for 58-year-old Margaret Penny. In the afternoon, she visited the Old London Coiffure in the heart of Portland, Victoria, for her weekly hair appointment with 49-year-old Claire Acocks. But when the two women are found stabbed to death in the salon’s shampoo room, the Portland rumour mill goes into overdrive. 



Who could be motivated to commit such a brazen and vicious crime in the middle of the day, in the busiest part of town? And who was the “horrible man” with a hatred of hairdressers who had tormented Claire in the weeks before the crime? 



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Narration – Anonymous Host

Research & writing – Elsha McGill   

Creative direction – Milly Raso

Production and music – Mike Migas

Music – Andrew D.B. Joslyn



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For all credits and sources, please visit casefilepodcast.com/case-276-claire-acocks-margaret-penny


Case 158: Russell Martin

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