Australian True Crime

Russell Manser is an extraordinary man. He's been in and out of prison since we was literally a child, and when he wasn't inside, he was robbing banks to support a raging heroin habit.

As we know, lifestyle habits like that don't come out of nowhere. When Russell decided to face the truth of what had happened to him, it changed his life. Since then, he's changed many lives too.

This is a very upsetting story involving serious sexual assault. We've talked around these issues before with other guests, but Russell is uncompromisingly honest when talking about his story. Please take care when listening to this episode.

To hear more from Russell, as well as the stories of his amazing guests, you can listen to his podcast called The Stick Up with Russell Manser

You can also learn more about The Voice of a Survivor at www.thevoiceofasurvivor.com

If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:

Lifeline on 13 11 14

13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)

For ad-free listening, early access and exclusive content, join Australian True Crime Plus on Apple Podcasts here: http://apple.co/australiantruecrime

CREDITS:

Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram 

Co-Host: Emily Webb. You can find her on Instagram here and listen to her podcast Killer Content here. 

Guests: Russell Manser

Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard

Executive Producer: Jacqueline Tonks

Recorded at a Hub Australia Media Studio. Find the workspace that's right for you at https://www.hubaustralia.com/

 GET IN TOUCH:

Send us a question or comment on this episode to be used in our "Episode Download" series: https://www.speakpipe.com/ATC

 Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AustralianTrueCrimePod/

 Email the show at [email protected]

Australian True Crime is a podcast by Smart Fella Media. Your story matters and how you tell it matters even more

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1993, Paul Denyer murdered Natalie Russell, Elizabeth Stevens and Deborah Fream in the Frankston area. Denyer had also stalked and terrified women - that’s one of the lesser known aspects of his horrendous offending.

Now 50, Denyer was sentenced to life in prison without parole, but the sentence was later appealed and reduced to a non-parole period of 30 years, meaning Denyer is eligible for release in 2023.

There’s a genuine fear from many that Denyer will be released - from the families of Natalie, Elizabeth and Deborah - but also the women who were stalked by Denyer.

Our guest for this episode is one of the family members who is speaking up.

Jake Blair was 12 days old when his mum Debbie was murdered by Denyer. Though he’s almost 30 he’s still known as Baby Jake to the Frankston community. He was a fluffy-haired newborn, cradled in the arms of his dad Garry in a picture that ran in Newspapers across Australia. 

Over the years, many people, including us, have wondered what happened to him. What was life like for Baby Jake? 

If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:

Lifeline on 13 11 14

13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)

For ad-free listening, early access and exclusive content, join Australian True Crime Plus on Apple Podcasts here: http://apple.co/australiantruecrime

CREDITS:

Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram 

Co-Host: Emily Webb. You can find her on Instagram here and listen to her podcast Killer Content here. 

Guests: Jake Blair and Vikki Petraitis

Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard

Executive Producer: Jacqueline Tonks

Recorded at a Hub Australia Media Studio. Find the workspace that's right for you at https://www.hubaustralia.com/

 GET IN TOUCH:

Send us a question or comment on this episode to be used in our "Episode Download" series: https://www.speakpipe.com/ATC

 Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AustralianTrueCrimePod/

 Email the show at [email protected]

Australian True Crime is a podcast by Smart Fella Media. Your story matters and how you tell it matters even more

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our guests for this episode are Therese Fox and Megan Norris.

In 2002 friends Therese Fox and Bronwyn Cartwright travelled to Bali – it was a dream trip that the two Geelong nurses had saved hard for. It was Therese’s first trip overseas and away from her young children.

On October 12th Therese and Bronwyn decided to go out to Paddy’s Irish Bar for their last night in Bali.

Deadly terrorist attacks on Paddy’s Bar and the Sari Club in Kuta’s party precinct killed 202 people - 88 from Australia including Bronwyn. Therese was critically injured with third-degree burns to 85 per cent of her body.

Therese is intensely private but years after the horror of the bombings and her slow, painful road to recovery, she felt that it was important to have her story on record - for her family, to honour Bronwyn and to acknowledge the people whose lives intersected with hers in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks.

Therese turned to crime journalist and author Megan Norris, who you’ll know from previous episodes of Australian True Crime, to put her remarkable story into words… And you can read it in the book Out of The Ashes: The mother’s love that healed the scars of the Bali bombings.

If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:

Lifeline on 13 11 14

13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)

For ad-free listening, early access and exclusive content, join Australian True Crime Plus on Apple Podcasts here: http://apple.co/australiantruecrime

CREDITS:

Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram 

Co-Host: Emily Webb. You can find her on Instagram here and listen to her podcast Killer Content here. 

Guests: Therese Fox and Megan Norris

Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard

Executive Producer: Jacqueline Tonks

Recorded at a Hub Australia Media Studio. Find the workspace that's right for you at https://www.hubaustralia.com/

GET IN TOUCH:

Send us a question or comment on this episode to be used in our "Episode Download" series: https://www.speakpipe.com/ATC

Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook 

https://www.facebook.com/AustralianTrueCrimePod/

Email the show at [email protected]

Australian True Crime is a podcast by Smart Fella Media. Your story matters and how you tell it matters even more

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our guest for this episode is Michael Adams, host of the fascinating podcast Forgotten Australia. 

Michael is a master of deep diving into the archives to tell incredible stories most people have never heard of - many of them about crime and society. From historic news articles - even the smallest of briefs and the mere mention of a name, Michael brings old stories, scandals, oddities and the lives of intriguing people back to life.  

Michael’s book is HANGING NED KELLY and his podcast is Forgotten Australia. You can find out more about Michael at his website https://michaeladamswrites.com/

If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:

Lifeline on 13 11 14

13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)

For ad-free listening, early access and exclusive content, join Australian True Crime Plus on Apple Podcasts here: http://apple.co/australiantruecrime

CREDITS:

Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram 

Co-Host: Emily Webb. You can find her on Instagram here and listen to her podcast Killer Content here. 

Guests: Michel Adams

Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard

Executive Producer: Jacqueline Tonks

Recorded at a Hub Australia Media Studio. Find the workspace that's right for you at https://www.hubaustralia.com/

GET IN TOUCH:

Send us a question or comment on this episode to be used in our "Episode Download" series: https://www.speakpipe.com/ATC

Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook 

https://www.facebook.com/AustralianTrueCrimePod/

Email the show at [email protected]

Australian True Crime is a podcast by Smart Fella Media. Your story matters and how you tell it matters even more

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In celebration of the release of the brand new season of The Handmaid's Tale, we've invited a couple of friends over to chat about the series with. We're joined today by mega fan Joanna Fleming from Adore Beauty, and from the brilliant Eyes On Gilead podcast, Fiona Williams.

So, why a special episode about The Handmaid's Tale on our true crime podcast feed? Well, Margaret Atwood, the author of The Handmaid's Tale famously said that there's no crime against women in the book, that hasn't actually been perpetrated against women in real life somewhere in the world.

Oh, and spoiler alert. Obviously.

Season 5 is available to stream free exclusively on SBS On Demand now: https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/

You can listen to Eyes On Gilead here: https://www.sbs.com.au/guide/podcastcollection/eyes-gilea

And you can listen to Joanna's podcast with Adore Beauty, Beauty IQ Uncensored here: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/beauty-iq-uncensored/id1478211900

GET IN TOUCH:

Send us a question or comment on this episode to be used in our "Episode Download" series: https://www.speakpipe.com/ATC

Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook 

https://www.facebook.com/AustralianTrueCrimePod/

Email the show at [email protected]

Australian True Crime is a podcast by Smart Fella Media. Your story matters and how you tell it matters even more

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lucy Wessell contacted Australian True Crime to tell her family’s story about the unforeseeable and tragic loss of her brother Andrew - who is remembered by them as a kind and gentle man who loved his family, animals, and nature. He was a seasoned traveller who had friends all over the world.

Andrew Drake was stabbed to death in 2019. Andrew, 29, died on the lawn of a house in Batemans Bay on the NSW South Coast, as his sister Penny desperately tried to save his life. The property where he was killed was the home of then 18-year-old Daniel Sharpe, who lived with his parents David and Julie. 

Andrew and his sister Penny were invited over to the house for a drink - the kind of thing people do to get to know their neighbours. The night turned into a nightmare - resulting in Andrew’s shocking death. 

Daniel Sharpe was acquitted of murder, but found guilty of manslaughter by a New South Wales Supreme Court jury. 

It was a decision that shattered Andrew’s family and Lucy wanted to tell her their story, especially about what the jury didn’t hear.

Lucy is speaking up for Andrew, so his killer’s claims of what happened are not how Andrew is portrayed. 

Homicide Victims’ Support Group NSW - https://www.hvsgnsw.org.au/

If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:

Lifeline on 13 11 14

13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)

For ad-free listening, early access and exclusive content, join Australian True Crime Plus on Apple Podcasts here: http://apple.co/australiantruecrime

CREDITS:

Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram 

Co-Host: Emily Webb. You can find her on Instagram here and listen to her podcast Killer Content here. 

Guests: Lucy Wessell

Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard

Executive Producer: Jacqueline Tonks

Recorded at a Hub Australia Media Studio. Find the workspace that's right for you at https://www.hubaustralia.com/

GET IN TOUCH:

Send us a question or comment on this episode to be used in our "Episode Download" series: https://www.speakpipe.com/ATC

Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook 

https://www.facebook.com/AustralianTrueCrimePod/

Email the show at [email protected]

Australian True Crime is a podcast by Smart Fella Media. Your story matters and how you tell it matters even more

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a re-issue of episode 76 from November 2018

In November of 2016, a decade after his death, Michael Atkins finally agreed to tell police where he'd buried the remains of his young lover Matthew Leveson. Matt's tormented parents tell us the twisted tale as to why Atkins will never be convicted in connection with their son's death.

Show notes:

Your hosts are Meshel Laurie and Emily Webb

With thanks to Mark and Faye Leveson.

Like us on the Facebook ​

Follow us on Instagram or Twitter

Support us on Patreon

Thank you for listening!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a re-issue of episode 216 of Australian True Crime.

Some of Australia’s most dangerous offenders aren’t housed in prisons because they were judged mentally unfit to stand trial. Dr Danny Sullivan is the Executive Director of Clinical Services at Thomas Embling hospital. It’s been home to some of Victoria's most dangerous people, including Masa Vuktotic’s killer Sean Price, Henry Hammond who murdered Courtney Herron and Bourke Street rampage driver James Gargasoulas.

Dr Sullivan joins us to talk about his work.

You can find out more about the work of Forensicare at https://www.forensicare.vic.gov.au/

Book tickets to the Melbourne Podcast Festival forensics show here

Book tickets to the Karralyka Rowland Legg show here

Book tickets to the Yarraville Rowland Legge show here

Pre order Meshel’s book “CSI Told You Lies” here.

You can support us with a one-off contribution here.

You can become a patron here.

You can subscribe to Calm Ya Farm here.

You can visit the Calm Ya Farm website here.

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Support us on Patreon

Visit our Bookshop

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If you have any information on the cases covered by this podcast,

please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Thank you for supporting us and our guests.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Cammarata’s childhood best friend is currently a forensic patient in a secure psychiatric facility. He was found not guilty of the machete murder of his own brother at a suburban shopping centre and of stalking and attempting to murder David, because the judge believed he was suffering from severe mental illness when he committed the offences.

David and his family were terrorised for years before his former friend Jonathan was apprehended. Now he lives in fear that he’ll one day be released. 

David’s former best friend, the best man at his wedding is a man by the name of Jonathan Dick. 

For ad-free listening, early access and exclusive content, join Australian True Crime Plus on Apple Podcasts here: http://apple.co/australiantruecrime

CREDITS:

Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram 

Co-Host: Emily Webb. You can find her on Instagram here and listen to her podcast Killer Content here. 

Guest: David Cammarata

Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard

Executive Producer: Jacqueline Tonks

Recorded at a Hub Australia Media Studio. Find the workspace that's right for you at https://www.hubaustralia.com/

If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:

Lifeline on 13 11 14

13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)

GET IN TOUCH:

Send us a question or comment on this episode to be used in our "Episode Download" series: https://www.speakpipe.com/ATC

Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook 

https://www.facebook.com/AustralianTrueCrimePod/

Email the show at [email protected]

Australian True Crime is a podcast by Smart Fella Media. Your story matters and how you tell it matters even more.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A repost of episode #103 In loving memory of Uncle Jack Charles. We send our deepest condolences to the people of the Boon Wurrung, Dja Dja Wurrung, Woiwurrung and Yorta Yorta nations on the loss of Uncle Jack Charles. Stolen from his loving family as a child, he embraced all with love and kindness and was a vital artist until the end.

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Jack Charles, known respectfully and affectionately as Uncle Jack Charles is a survivor who has much to tell about life, starting from the impact of being one of the Stolen Generation; Indigenous children forcibly removed from their families as a result of various government policies. Uncle Jack's life has traversed orphanages, prison, addiction, recovery, art, theatre, activism, advocacy… he is a survivor. We speak with Jack about his incredible life and he delves into deep issues of society, all the while maintaining his indisputable charm.

Warning: please be advised this episode contains graphic content.

Show notes for Episode 103:

Your hosts are Meshel Laurie and Emily Webb

With thanks to Uncle Jack Charles

More about Bastardy the documentary

Like us on Facebook ​

Follow us on Instagram or Twitter

Support us on Patreon

Visit our Bookshop

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Listen on Google Podcasts

Listen on Spotify

If you have any information on the cases covered by this podcast, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Thank you for listening!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.