As abortionists operated in the shadows of early Melbourne society, little is known about their illegal and often-deadly practices - with one notable exception.

Nurse-turned-abortionist Elizabeth Downey’ faced an astonishing 14 murder trials in 14 years, beating the charges time after time. And it was her patients themselves that helped keep her one step ahead of the law.

Margaret Anderson, director of the Old Treasury Building, joins the show to tell the harrowing tale.

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