Case 276: Claire Acocks & Margaret Penny

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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