The police focus on their prime suspect – Norma’s mother, Edith McLeod. 
Importantly, it introduces an anonymous letter written to police by someone using the pseudonym ‘Asmodeus’.
This letter was central to the police focus on Edith.
We examine its contents and explore who the writer may have been. We also provide a glimpse into the inquest, looking at the approach taken by police and the evidence provided by several witnesses.
Once again, Byron Collins and Charlie Bezzina bring their expertise to respond to various aspects of the inquest.
The case begins to unravel as we question whether Edith was really guilty.
 
Murder Archives is written and presented by Emma Curtin.
www.muderarchives.com.au
Editing and sound by Courtney Carthy
Produced in partnership with Nearly
 
Thanks to all those who added their voices to this podcast (in alphabetical order):
Daniel Alfieri
Courtney Carthy
Simon Curtin
Alan Hands
Cassidy Krygger
Ben Mitchell
Elaine Mitchell
Gill Neale
And our experts:
Charlie Bezzina
Dr Byron Collins
Dr Karen Scally
Andrea Scarf See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

3: The prime suspect

We’ve started this podcast to create a dialogue with you, that may help solve a 1929 murder in Toorak. 

If you want to know more, or help in the amateur sleuthing, we’ve uploaded documents and images to our website www.murderarchives.com.au to complement the podcast.

About the case.

On 9 September 1929, Norma McLeod, an unmarried 29-year-old teacher was found unconscious in her parent’s home in the prestigious suburb of Toorak. 

A pair of men’s underpants lay across her forehead. By 5pm that day she was dead. 

An autopsy revealed a seven-inch crack in the back of her skull caused by violent trauma from a blunt object. 

The case attracted huge press and public attention; accusations were plentiful, but an inquest returned an open verdict.

Almost 90 years after this mysterious death, an extensive three-year investigation involving a re-examination of the police files, combined with an in-depth look at Norma’s family, raises questions about the rigour of the original investigation. 

With the aid of the victim’s descendants and a group of renowned experts we’ve discovered long-held secrets, connections in high places and people who weren’t who they seemed to be.

Experts who provide input: forensic pathologist, Byron Collins; ex-homicide detective, Charlie Bezzina; criminal barrister, Alan Hands; psycho-physiologist, Elizabeth Martin; forensic psychologist, Dr Karen Scally and graphologist, Andrea Scarfe

Some of Norma’s descendants, who are also actors, ‘voice’ various parts throughout the podcast.

True crime

In this second part, once again with the help of experts and family members, we talk about: The murder suspects themselves, Asmodeus and some new information from the Toorak Bowls Club that suggests Norman did indeed have friends in high places!
Murder Archives is written and presented by Emma Curtin.
www.muderarchives.com.au
Editing and sound by Courtney Carthy
Produced in partnership with Nearly See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your theories - Part 2

In this first part, with the help of experts and family members, we talk about: The underpants, the idea of incest, Norma’s physical and mental health, the land in Heidelberg, as well as thoughts around pregnancy and Norma’s sexuality.
Murder Archives is written and presented by Emma Curtin.
www.muderarchives.com.au
Editing and sound by Courtney Carthy
Produced in partnership with Nearly See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your theories - Part 1

In this final episode, we bring in a handwriting expert, Andrea Scarfe, to review the Asmodeus letter and cross-reference the handwriting with that of potential writers, including Walter Maxwell Dumont Dunn.
We also examine the life of this man more thoroughly.
We wrap up where we’ve got to so far in our investigation and leave the listener with some potential theories.
More importantly, we leave the listener with some remaining questions in the hope that the podcast will stimulate discussion and open up new avenues for investigation.
 
Murder Archives is written and presented by Emma Curtin.
www.muderarchives.com.au
Editing and sound by Courtney Carthy
Produced in partnership with Nearly
 
Thanks to all those who added their voices to this podcast (in alphabetical order):
Daniel Alfieri
Courtney Carthy
Simon Curtin
Alan Hands
Cassidy Krygger
Ben Mitchell
Elaine Mitchell
Gill Neale
And our experts:
Charlie Bezzina
Dr Byron Collins
Dr Karen Scally
Andrea Scarf See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

8: Where to now?

We introduce another expert, forensic psychologist, Dr Karen Scally, to help us look at each McLeod family member through a psychological lens. 
We present three scenarios of what may have led to Norma’s death.
And look at a potential new suspect – Walter Maxwell Dumont Dunn – poet, writer, fantasist, and a friend of the McLeods who had been suggested as a possible Asmodeus.
How was he involved in the case, if at all?
And what do we know of this man?
 
Murder Archives is written and presented by Emma Curtin.
www.muderarchives.com.au
Editing and sound by Courtney Carthy
Produced in partnership with Nearly
 
Thanks to all those who added their voices to this podcast (in alphabetical order):
Daniel Alfieri
Courtney Carthy
Simon Curtin
Alan Hands
Cassidy Krygger
Ben Mitchell
Elaine Mitchell
Gill Neale
And our experts:
Charlie Bezzina
Dr Byron Collins
Dr Karen Scally
Andrea Scarf See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

7: Scenarios of death

What kind of men were Norma’s father and brother (Norman and Rhys McLeod)?
And what clues their stories might provide about her death?
Once again, we hear from family members to help us develop a picture of the McLeods.
We look at the reasons why Norman apparently didn’t want the police involved, question why Rhys seemed almost missing from the police investigation and examine more letters from the public, this time pointing the finger at Rhys. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

3: The prime suspect

Download our free app to listen on your phone