Crime Insiders

When Bob Chappell vanished from his yacht in Hobart, suspicion quickly turned on his partner, Sue Neill-Fraser, an unassuming woman who soon found herself at the centre of one of Australia’s most controversial murder cases.

But behind the headlines lies a deeper story - one of forensic failure, investigative tunnel vision, and a conviction that may never have happened if all the available avenues had been investigated.

In this episode, former detective Colin McLaren unpacks the crucial DNA evidence, the overlooked clues on the yacht, and the questions raised by a mysterious yellow Ford.

This is a story about how forensics should work, and what happens when it doesn’t.

Note: Sue Neill-Fraser was found guilty by a Supreme Court jury; her appeal was dismissed, and a Coroner’s investigation, which reviewed all the available evidence, supported the findings of the criminal proceedings. Tasmania Police stand by the integrity and thoroughness of the investigation, and the efforts of the investigation team, including the forensic experts, and the prosecution of the case by the office of the DPP.

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In the late 1980s and early 1990s, rugby league was a code looking to expand nationally after the success of its premier competition in Sydney.  Clubs emerged in Brisbane, Newcastle, and the Gold Coast.

Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation took the growth in the sport as an indication it ought to expand even further and plotted a coup, to take the running of the code out of the hands of the establishment - the Australian Rugby League.

What followed was a war that ripped the sport apart with Murdoch on one side and the other, backed by another multi-millionaire media mogul, Kerry Packer.  It was mogul against mogul, club against club, and players against players.

In this episode of Judgements we take a deep dive on how and why the war began - and how the game came back together to form what is now the National Rugby League.

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Semen is the crack cocaine of the fly world, and while maggots love a corpse, flies feast on live human flesh and fluids. So, could a fly frame you for murder? And how do police differentiate fly 'artifacts' from human biological material at a crime scene?

These are all things forensic biologist, Dr Annalisa Durdle has studied. Join former Crime Insiders Forensics host Kathryn Fox as Annalisa redefines what it means to be a 'fly on the wall'. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au for online chat and video call services.

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2.7 million Australians aged 18 and over have experienced stalking. One in 5 women and over 1 in 15 men.  

What are the warning signs, and what should you do if you or someone you know is being stalked?

In this follow-up episode of Crime Insiders | Detectives Brent Sanders talks with Di McDonald, the founder of Stalking Awareness Day Australia - herself a victim of stalking - about what to do if you, a friend or a loved one is being stalked.  Di and Brent are also joined by former Victorian police officer Beck Norris to talk about police reponses to complaints and accusations.  Is enough being done to address the problem of stalking?

If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au for online chat and video call services.

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Andrew Kalajzich was a big-time businessman in Manly, Sydney in the 1980s - a titan of the time. While he portrayed the role of a loving family man, behind the scenes he was plotting to murder his wife.

Kalajzich commissioned a hitman to shoot his wife, Megan. The hitman had six attempts.

In this episode of Crime Insiders | Judgements, we learn how and why Kalajzich killed his wife, and what the court heard were the motivations and clandestine plans to carry out the hit.

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Two cousins, both wives to the same man, found dead under mysterious circumstances. Was this the world's unluckiest husband, or a serial wife killer?

Former detective Peter Seymour has dedicated over two decades of his life to the people of Western Sydney, serving in the NSW Police as both a detective and police prosecutor. 

In this episode, Brent Sanders talks to Peter about the shockingly bizarre investigation of Thomas Keir, and the life-altering case that pushed Peter to his limits, prompting him to make a critical decision that changed the course of his career.

This episode contains descriptions of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Contact 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 for more information and confidential support. There are also references to pregnancy loss. Contact Red Nose Grief and Loss on 1300 308 307 for support for miscarriage, stillbirth, and newborn death. If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. 

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The 1994 bombing of the Adelaide National Crime Authority sent shockwaves across Australia. It was a brutal act that killed a police officer and seriously injured others, sparking one of the most daring undercover operations in our history.

But this police sting had an unusual weapon - forensics.

With red phosphorus linking the bombs and a drug manufacturing business run by a key suspect, and forensic experts involved in the operation, this was a rare moment where science went on the offensive.

In this episode, host Liz Porter is joined by Colin McLaren, the cop who infiltrated the Australian Mafia, lived a double life, and brought down a group of organised crime kingpins from the inside.

This episode contains graphic descriptions of violent crime. If you or anyone you know needs assistance, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. 

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23-year-old Celeste Manno had her life brutally taken from her by a man who had relentlessly stalked her, despite Celeste going to great lengths to protect herself legally. Her killer only received a 36-year sentence. A punishment Celeste's family and many others believe is not nearly severe enough given the gravity of his crimes. 

Visit justiceforceleste.com to learn more about Celeste's story and how you can support her family's fight for justice.

This episode references violent crime and men's violence against women. If you or anyone you know needs assistance, contact 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732. 

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Stalking is disturbingly common, yet often misunderstood by wider society. 

Professor Troy McEwan from the Swinburne University of Technology is a forensic psychologist specialising in understanding, assessing, and treating stalking behaviour. In this episode with former Crime Insiders Forensics host, Kathryn Fox, hear about the 5 different types of stalkers, and gain insights into their problematic behaviours. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au for online chat and video call services.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Di McDonald was a victim of a stalker, who terrorised her and her family.  She finally re-claimed her life with the help of former Victorian police officer Rebecca Norris.

In this episode of Crime Insiders | Detectives, Brent Sanders talks to Di about how she overcame the fear and torment of her stalker and why she calls Beck Norris, her 'guardian angel'.

Di went on to establish Stalking Awareness Day Australia - May 24.

If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au for online chat and video call services.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.