The Case Of

By ABC AustraliaTrue Crime

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The Case Of episodes

October 14, 2025 01 Snowtown Parole | The murders and investigation
In less than a week from today, Snowtown murderer James Vlassakis is expected to be released on parole. To understand why he's been given this opportunity, we go back to 1999 to understand his role in the serial killings.
In this episode, ABC senior reporter James Waklein joins Stephen Stockwell from Adelaide, to describe the day the Snowtown bank vault was opened, and what Vlassakis did after the bodies had been found.
If you have any questions you'd like James and Stocky to answer in future episodes, please email [email protected].
You can read more about the murders and how they’re felt in South Australia now in this article by James Wakelin and Rebecca Brice that was mentioned in this episode.
The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit podcast Mushroom Case Daily, and all episodes of that show will remain available in the back catalogue of The Case Of.
24 min
October 10, 2025 INTRODUCING | The Case Of Snowtown Parole
In just over a week, one of the murderers behind Australia's most infamous serial killings is set to be released on parole.
The Case Of Snowtown Parole looks at James Vlassakis's role in the killings and why he has been given the opportunity for parole, when it was denied for the other two murderers, and how he will be reintegrated into the community.
In this season of The Case Of, Stephen Stockwell will be joined by ABC reporters James Wakelin and Rebecca Brice. James reported from Snowtown the day the bodies were uncovered in May 1999.
Follow The Case Of in the ABC Listen app or wherever you get your podcasts so you can get the full story when it drops on Tuesday.
The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit podcast Mushroom Case Daily, and all episodes of that show will remain available in the back catalogue of The Case Of.
3 min
October 09, 2025 12 Croc Wrangler | How Matt Wright is appealing his verdict
Immediately following his guilty verdict, Croc Wrangler Matt Wright stood on the Darwin court steps and said he would appeal. His legal team has now made good on that promise, and we have all the details.
In this episode, ABC Darwin court reporter Olivana Lathouris joins Stephen Stockwell to explain the appeal grounds, including the alleged mistake Wright's lawyers say the judge made. We also have some Spicy updates about Matt Wright's life outside the courtroom.
The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit podcast Mushroom Case Daily, and all episodes of that show will remain available in the back catalogue of The Case Of.
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It's the trial everyone in Darwin is talking about. In February 2022 a helicopter on a crocodile egg collection mission crashed in remote Arnhem Land, killing the egg collector and paralysing the pilot.
NT Croc Wrangler Matt Wright isn't on trial for the crash, but for what allegedly he did after. Charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice, prosecutors say he tried to interfere with the investigation.
Matt Wright has pled not guilty and denies all the allegations.
To hear the background of this story, listen to our episode introducing the case of the croc wrangler.
The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit ABC podcast Mushroom Case Daily. The response to Mushroom Case Daily was overwhelming, with more than 8000 emails from listeners, many of them noting how the coverage had given them unprecedented insight into Australia's criminal judicial system.
We decided to convert the podcast into an ongoing trial coverage feed to continue delivering on this front, following cases that capture the public's attention.
26 min
October 07, 202506 Romance Scam | Answering your questions
Throughout The Case of the Romance Scam, you've sent in heaps of questions, asking things like why Donna Nelson is in solitary confinement, what happened to the man she was going to visit and why the court sketches looked so different.
In this episode, North Asia Correspondent James Oaten and Australian Story producer Olivia Rousset join Stephen Stockwell to answer all your questions, complete with some surprising revelations around life in Japan.
To catch up on The Case of the Romance Scam you can listen back here:
Episode one: Who is Donna Nelson
Episode two: The evidence that defined the trial
Episode three: Last Chance for Donna Nelson
Episode four: Donna's appeal result
Episode five: Donna's path home
You can also check out the Australian Story on Donna Nelson produced by Olivia Rousset to learn more about Donna's story.
The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit podcast Mushroom Case Daily, and all episodes of that show will remain available in the back catalogue of The Case Of.
29 min
October 02, 2025Mushroom Lunch: Erin Patterson's appeal confirmed
In an administrative hearing today, Erin Patterson's legal team confirmed her plans to appeal her murder conviction.
In this episode, Kristian Silva joins Stephen Stockwell to explain what we learnt from this hearing, how Patterson's appeal could unfold and the new faces on her legal team
If you've got questions about the case that you'd like Kristian and Stocky to answer in future episodes, send them through to [email protected].
To recap the story of Erin Patterson's mushroom lunch, check out this series:
Mushroom Recap: The Lunch
Mushroom Recap: Who is Erin
Mushroom Recap: The Murder Weapon
Mushroom Recap: The Deadly Decline
Mushroom Recap: The Cover Up
To catch up on how the trial of Erin Patterson unfolded, you can listen back to all our Friday Wrap episodes:
A tragic accident or ultimate betrayal? Our Friday Wrap
What happened to the leftovers? Our Friday Wrap
Death caps, DNA and drama: Our Friday Wrap
Everything you need to know about Erin's messages: Our Friday Wrap
Key moments in the case so far: Our Friday Wrap
Explaining Erin's evidence: Our Friday Wrap
The biggest moments of Erin's evidence: Our Friday Wrap
Kill them all, or reconnect? Our Friday Wrap
Judging Erin's lies: Our Friday Wrap
17 min
September 30, 202505 Romance Scam | Donna's path home
Even though Donna Nelson's appeal has failed, it's opened the door to diplomacy that could get her back to Australia.
In this episode, North Asia Correspondent James Oaten and Australian Story producer Olivia Rousset join Stephen Stockwell to discuss how Donna's family took the appeal dismissal and the next steps in their fight to get her out of prison in Japan.
To catch up on The Case of the Romance Scam you can listen back here:
Episode one: Who is Donna Nelson
Episode two: The evidence that defined the trial
Episode three: Last Chance for Donna Nelson
Episode four: Donna's appeal result
Read James Oaten's story about a Japanese woman arrested for drug trafficking in Australia. You can also check out the Australian Story on Donna Nelson produced by Olivia Rousset to learn more about Donna's story.
If you have any questions you'd like James, Olivia and Stocky to answer in future episodes, please email [email protected].
The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit podcast Mushroom Case Daily, and all episodes of that show will remain available in the back catalogue of The Case Of.
27 min
September 25, 202504 Romance Scam | Donna's appeal result
Desperate to overturn her drug trafficking conviction, Donna Nelson lodged an appeal with the Japanese courts. Today they handed down their decision.
In this mini-episode, North Asia Correspondent James Oaten joins Stephen Stockwell from outside the appeal court with the decision and an explanation of what comes next.
To catch up on The Case of the Romance Scam you can listen back here:
Episode one: Who is Donna Nelson
Episode two: The evidence that defined the trial
Episode three: Last Chance for Donna Nelson
You can also check out the Australian Story on Donna Nelson produced by Olivia Rousset to learn more about Donna's story.
If you have any questions you'd like James, Olivia and Stocky to answer in future episodes, please email [email protected].
The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit podcast Mushroom Case Daily, and all episodes of that show will remain available in the back catalogue of The Case Of
10 min
September 23, 2025 03 Romance Scam | Last chance for Donna Nelson
After her trial, the judges retired to consider Donna Nelson's fate. Then came the moment Donna and her family feared the most.
In this episode, James Oaten and Olivia Rousset join Stephen Stockwell to talk through the verdict, and the appeal she's now hanging her hope on.
If you have any questions you'd like James, Olivia and Stocky to answer in future episodes, please email [email protected].
This is the third episode of The Case of the Romance Scam. You can catch up here on episode one and episode two.
To learn more about Donna's case, check out the Australian Story on Donna Nelson produced by Olivia Rousset.
The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit podcast Mushroom Case Daily, and all episodes of that show will remain available in the back catalogue of The Case Of
32 min
September 18, 2025 02 Romance Scam | The evidence that defined the trial
Japan’s legal system has a 99% conviction rate, so Donna Nelson and her family knew she had a hard case to argue. But when they saw the judge become tearful about Donna’s experience, a window of hope appeared.
In the second episode of the Romance Scam, James Oaten and Olivia Rousset join Stephen Stockwell to explain how Donna Nelson’s drug trafficking trial unfolded, her conditions in prison, and the evidence that turned the case.
If you have any questions you’d like James, Olivia and Stocky to answer in future episodes, please email [email protected].
You can listen back to the first episode of The Case of the Romance Scam here.
The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit podcast Mushroom Case Daily, and all episodes of that show will remain available in the back catalogue of The Case Of.
32 min
September 16, 2025 01 Romance Scam | Who is Donna Nelson?
Perth woman Donna Nelson said she was going to Japan to meet the man she was going to marry. Instead, she was arrested at a Tokyo airport, carrying two kilograms of methamphetamine.
While Japanese prosecutors say Donna was a drug mule, her family says she was the victim of a prolonged romance scam. Later this month, judges will deliver their judgement on Donna Nelson's appeal — her last chance to clear her name and return to Australia.
Stephen Stockwell is joined by North Asia Correspondent James Oaten and Australian Story producer Olivia Rousset to cover Donna Nelson's case. In our first episode, we talk through who Donna Nelson was, and how she ended up with the drug-filled bag.
If you have any questions you'd like James, Olivia and Stocky to answer in future episodes, please email [email protected].
The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit podcast Mushroom Case Daily, and all episodes of that show will remain available in the back catalogue of The Case Of.
27 min

About The Case Of

From the publisher's feed

A young couple goes missing then a cop is charged with murder. Shock waves run through Sydney's LGBTIQ community, casting a shadow over Mardi Gras. Now, the man accused of their murder will stand trial.

Prosecutors allege Beau Lamarre-Condon shot television presenter Jesse Baird, 26, and flight attendant Luke Davies, 29, using his service firearm at Jesse's Paddington home on February 19, 2024.

A week later, the two men's bodies were found in surf bags at a rural property near Goulburn, NSW.

The Crown is pursuing a domestic violence murder charge for both Jesse and Luke's deaths. Mr Lamarre-Condon will also fight a charge of aggravated break and enter, relating to an alleged incident at Jesse Baird’s Paddington home in 2023.

Legal affairs reporter Jamie McKinnell will join host Stephen Stockwell (the voice behind the Mushroom Case Daily podcast) to give you a front-row seat to the proceedings.

Together they'll recap witness statements, break down the lawyer speak and keep you across the key evidence throughout the trial.

The Case Of is your eyes and ears inside the courtroom for Australia's biggest trials, unpacking major trials recently heard in court and cases in the headlines. This podcast will explain how it all works and answer your questions along the way.

The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit podcast Mushroom Case Daily, and all episodes of that show will remain available in the back catalogue of The Case Of.

The response to Mushroom Case Daily was overwhelming, with more than 8,000 emails from listeners, many of them noting how the coverage had given them unprecedented insight into Australia's criminal judicial system. We decided to convert the podcast into an ongoing trial coverage feed to continue delivering on this front, following cases that capture the public's attention.

Additional seasons of The Case Of include:

The Case Of Alan Jones continues to follow the trial of former broadcast titan Alan Jones, accused of indecent assault and sexual touching relating to six complainants — all young men at the time of the alleged assaults.

The Airbnb Guest follows the trial of Timothy Loosemore, charged with murdering his host Maree Vermont, after a fire at her regional stone house property. Three juries were involved in this case, with one unable to reach a verdict.

Sharon's Disappearance follows the murder trial of her husband, 40 years after her disappearance in Perth. Full of bizarre twists and clues, the trial for Robert Fulton — now Raymond Reddington — covered life insurance claims, secret recordings, anonymous tip offs and real-life serial killers.

With no body or weapon, and mostly circumstantial evidence, the prosecution had a difficult task to prove this cold case to a jury.

Maree Crabtree follows the trial of Gold Coast mother Maree Crabtree, who was accused of murdering two of her children, five years apart. She was tried and acquitted for Jonathan's murder, and later prosecutors dropped the murder charge relating to her daughter Erin's death.

The Two Intruders follows a cold case of Irma Palasics's murder. For decades, police hunted for the two intruders who robbed Palasics's Canberra home in 1999, leaving 72-year-old Irma Palasics dead, and her husband Gregor badly beaten.

Wheelie Bin Murder follows the trial of Sheree Glastonbury and three co-accused, including Sheree's current partner, Mark Murphy. Prosecutors allege Sheree Glastonbury overdosed her former partner Geoffrey McLean, then disposed of his torso in a wheelie bin.

Toyah's Murder, which follows the trial of 41-year-old Rajwinder Singh, charged for the murder of 24-year-old Toyah Cordingley, who was killed when she went for a walk with her dog on one of north Queensland's idyllic beaches, in 2018.

Kumanjayi Walker, a six-part series revisiting the murder trial and coronial inquest that followed the police shooting of a young Walpiri man in Yuendumu, in 2019.

Easey St Murders, which follows the committal hearing for alleged killer Perry Kouroumblis, who police believe attacked Suzanne Armstrong and Susan Bartlett in their Melbourne terrace house.

Snowtown Parole, which follows serial killer James Vlassakis's parole proceedings.

Romance Scam, which follows the trial and appeal of Perth woman Donna Nelson, who was charged with drug trafficking in Japan.

Croc Wrangler, which follows the reality star and Northern Territory celebrity Matt Wright, charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice related to the investigation of a fatal helicopter crash.

Mushroom Lunch continues to follow all proceedings related to Erin Patterson's triple murder conviction in July 2025, as covered in the back-catalogue of this feed under the Mushroom Case Daily series.