Australian True Crime

John Friedrich was a mysterious figure in 1980s Australia who transformed the National Safety Council into a high-tech rescue operation while secretly defrauding banks of hundreds of millions. Walkley Award–winning journalist Marc Fennell joins us to unpack the astonishing rise and fall of this enigmatic conman. Australia’s Greatest Conman? premieres Tuesday 24 February at 8.30pm on SBS and SBS On Demand. You can watch our episodes by visiting our Youtube Channel here. Join our Facebook Group here. Do you have information regarding any of the cases discussed on this podcast? Please report it on the Crime Stoppers website or by calling 1800 333 000. For Support: Lifeline  on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732Blue Knot Helpline: 1300 657 380CREDITS:Host: Meshel Laurie Guest: Marc FennellExecutive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard GET IN TOUCH:https://

Meshel Laurie is joined by Australian True Crime's producer Matthew Tankard to discuss the Netflix documentary: The Investigation of Lucy Letby. ATC Discusses is our bonus series centred on conversation and commentary about the true crime stories shaping the news cycle and should be received as opinion rather than expert analysis. To learn more about this case, you can visit these links:  https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/nurse-lucy-letby-news-arrest-timeline-b2574674.html  https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/may/14/the-convictions-of-lucy-letby-should-they-be-overturned You can watch this episode and subscribe to our Youtube channel here. Join our Facebook Group here. Do you have information regarding any of the cases discussed on this podcast? Please report it on the Crime Stoppers website or by calling 1800 333 000. For Support: Lifeline  on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)1800RESPECT

This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. We’re back with legendary former homicide detective Charlie Bezzina, reflecting on some of the strangest and most unpredictable investigations from his decades with Victoria Police. You can watch our episodes by visiting our Youtube Channel here. Join our Facebook Group here. Do you have information regarding any of the cases discussed on this podcast? Please report it on the Crime Stoppers website or by calling 1800 333 000. For Support: Lifeline  on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732Blue Knot Helpline: 1300 657 380CREDITS:Host: Meshel Laurie Guest: Charlie BezzinaExecutive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard GET IN TOUCH:https://www.australiantruecrimethepodcast.com/Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimep

We’re back with legendary former homicide detective Charlie Bezzina, reflecting on some of the strangest and most unpredictable investigations from his decades with Victoria Police. You can watch our episodes by visiting our Youtube Channel here. Join our Facebook Group here. Do you have information regarding any of the cases discussed on this podcast? Please report it on the Crime Stoppers website or by calling 1800 333 000. For Support: Lifeline  on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732Blue Knot Helpline: 1300 657 380CREDITS:Host: Meshel Laurie Guest: Charlie BezzinaExecutive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard GET IN TOUCH:https://www.australiantruecrimethepodcast.com/Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook Email the show at AusTrueCrimePodcast@gmail.com

This is a re-issue of our very first episode of Australian True Crime. Next week, we’re uploading a brand new episode with Charlie Bezzina, and to celebrate Australian True Crime moving to the iHeart network, we wanted to take a step back to where it all began. Subscribe to our Youtube Channel here. oin our Facebook Group here. Do you have information regarding any of the cases discussed on this podcast? Please report it on the Crime Stoppers website or by calling 1800 333 000. For Support: Lifeline  on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732Blue Knot Helpline: 1300 657 380 GET IN TOUCH:https://www.australiantruecrimethepodcast.com/Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook Email the show at AusTrueCrimePodcast@gmail.com

This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. Ten-year-olds Louise Bell and Michael Black were abducted from their bedrooms in South Australia, years apart, before police uncovered the truth about a trusted teacher who was hiding a double life of extreme violence. An innocent man was wrongly accused along the way, and investigators were left asking whether there may have been other victims linked to the case. Our guest is Michael Madigan, author of Father, Teacher, Child Killer. You can purchase your copy of Father, Teacher, Child Killer here. Join our Facebook Group here. Do you have information regarding any of the cases discussed on this podcast? Please report it on the Crime Stoppers website or by calling 1800 333 000. For Support: Lifeline  on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732Blue Kno

Ten-year-olds Louise Bell and Michael Black were abducted from their bedrooms in South Australia, years apart, before police uncovered the truth about a trusted teacher who was hiding a double life of extreme violence. An innocent man was wrongly accused along the way, and investigators were left asking whether there may have been other victims linked to the case. Our guest is Michael Madigan, author of Father, Teacher, Child Killer. You can purchase your copy of Father, Teacher, Child Killer here. Join our Facebook Group here. Do you have information regarding any of the cases discussed on this podcast? Please report it on the Crime Stoppers website or by calling 1800 333 000. For Support: Lifeline  on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732Blue Knot Helpline: 1300 657 380CREDITS:Host: Meshel Laurie Guest: Michael MadiganExecutive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard This episo

This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. For this episode of ATC International, we're joined by Jonathan Todd Schwartz. Jonathan was a leading entertainment manager when he embezzled money from his superstar clients to feed his addictions. And when I say superstar, I'm not exaggerating. Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Linkin Park and Alanis Morissette were just some of the people who trusted him with their money. Jonathan has now dedicated his life to supporting others in addiction recovery, and you can visit his Instagram here.   Do you have information regarding any of the cases discussed on this podcast? Please report it on the Crime Stoppers website or by calling 1800 333 000.   Click here to subscribe to ATC Plus on Apple Podcasts and access all ATC episodes early and ad-free, as well as exclusive bonus episodes.   Got a True Crime question you want answered on the podcast? Send us a qu

For this episode of ATC International, we're joined by Jonathan Todd Schwartz. Jonathan was a leading entertainment manager when he embezzled money from his superstar clients to feed his addictions. And when I say superstar, I'm not exaggerating. Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Linkin Park and Alanis Morissette were just some of the people who trusted him with their money. Jonathan has now dedicated his life to supporting others in addiction recovery, and you can visit his Instagram here.   Do you have information regarding any of the cases discussed on this podcast? Please report it on the Crime Stoppers website or by calling 1800 333 000.   Click here to subscribe to ATC Plus on Apple Podcasts and access all ATC episodes early and ad-free, as well as exclusive bonus episodes.   Got a True Crime question you want answered on the podcast? Send us a question by recording a voice message here.   For Support:  Lifeline  on 13 11 14 13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line

This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. Our guest is a foster mother whose daughter has experienced life on both sides of youth crime, as both an offender and a victim.  For personal and legal reasons, we are not naming our guest or her daughter. Join our Facebook Group here. Do you have information regarding any of the cases discussed on this podcast? Please report it on the Crime Stoppers website or by calling 1800 333 000. For Support: Lifeline  on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732Blue Knot Helpline: 1300 657 380CREDITS:Host: Meshel LaurieExecutive Producer/Editor: Matthew TankardGET IN TOUCH:https://www.australiantruecrimethepodcast.com/Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook Email the show at AusTrueCrimePodcast@gm

Our guest is a foster mother whose daughter has experienced life on both sides of youth crime, as both an offender and a victim.  For personal and legal reasons, we are not naming our guest or her daughter. You can watch the video version of this episode here. Join our Facebook Group here. Do you have information regarding any of the cases discussed on this podcast? Please report it on the Crime Stoppers website or by calling 1800 333 000. For Support: Lifeline  on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732Blue Knot Helpline: 1300 657 380CREDITS:Host: Meshel LaurieExecutive Producer/Editor: Matthew TankardGET IN TOUCH:https://www.australiantruecrimethepodcast.com/Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook Email the show at AusTrueCrimePodcast@gmail.com

Jason Corbett’s life ended tragically in 2015 when he was killed by his second wife, Molly Martens, and her father, Tom. In this episode of ATC International, we examine the Netflix documentary A Deadly American Marriage and speak with Jason’s sister Tracey and daughter Sarah about their battle to defend his memory against the narrative presented by Molly and Tom Martens. You can stream "A Deadly American Marriage" on Netflix now. Links to purchase Tracey and Sarah's books: My Brother Jason A Time for Truth: My Father Jason and My Search for Justice and Healing Do you have information regarding any of the cases discussed on this podcast? Please report it on the Crime Stoppers website or by calling 1800 333 000. Join our Facebook Group here. For Support:  Lifeline on 13 11 14 13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples) 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732 Blue Knot Helpline: 1300 657 380 CREDITS: Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on inst

This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. Jason Corbett’s life ended tragically in 2015 when he was killed by his second wife, Molly Martens, and her father, Tom. In this episode of ATC International, we examine the Netflix documentary A Deadly American Marriage and speak with Jason’s sister Tracey and daughter Sarah about their battle to defend his memory against the narrative presented by Molly and Tom Martens. You can stream "A Deadly American Marriage" on Netflix now. Links to purchase Tracey and Sarah's books: My Brother Jason A Time for Truth: My Father Jason and My Search for Justice and Healing Do you have information regarding any of the cases discussed on this podcast? Please report it on the Crime Stoppers website or by calling 1800 333 000. Join our Facebook Group here. For Support:  Lifeline on 13 11 14 13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal an

This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. In 1986, Sydney nurse Anita Cobby was abducted and murdered after a sexual assault, followed two years later by the abduction, sexual assault and murder of Janine Balding after she was taken from Sutherland train station. In the aftermath, the New South Wales government introduced laws that ensured the teenage offenders would spend their lives in prison with no chance of parole. Criminal lawyer and former NSW MP Peter Breen joins Australian True Crime to argue those laws were deeply flawed and that some of the men convicted may have been innocent. You can purchase your copy of "Shorty: Mistaken Identity or Stitch Up?" here. Watch the video version of this episode here. Join our Facebook Group here. Do you have information regarding any of the cases discussed on this podcast? Please report it on the Crime Stoppers website or by calling 1800 333 000. For Su

In 1986, Sydney nurse Anita Cobby was abducted and murdered after a sexual assault, followed two years later by the abduction, sexual assault and murder of Janine Balding after she was taken from Sutherland train station. In the aftermath, the New South Wales government introduced laws that ensured the teenage offenders would spend their lives in prison with no chance of parole. Criminal lawyer and former NSW MP Peter Breen joins Australian True Crime to argue those laws were deeply flawed and that some of the men convicted may have been innocent. You can purchase your copy of "Shorty: Mistaken Identity or Stitch Up?" here. Watch the video version of this episode here. Join our Facebook Group here. Do you have information regarding any of the cases discussed on this podcast? Please report it on the Crime Stoppers website or by calling 1800 333 000. For Support: Lifeline  on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)1

This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. In 2019, three-year-old New Zealand boy Lachie Jones was found dead in an oxygenation pond near his home, with police ruling it an accidental drowning. His father, unconvinced by the official finding, sought the help of investigative journalists Melanie Reid and Bonnie Sumner, hosts of Delve: The Boy in the Water. In this bonus international episode of Australian True Crime, they share insights from the long-awaited inquest inside the Coroners Court. You can listen to Delve: The Boy in the Water, wherever you get your podcasts. Do you have information regarding any of the cases discussed on this podcast? Please report it on the Crime Stoppers website or by calling 1800 333 000. Join our Facebook Group here. For Support:  Lifeline on 13 11 14 13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples) 18

In 2019, three-year-old New Zealand boy Lachie Jones was found dead in an oxygenation pond near his home, with police ruling it an accidental drowning. His father, unconvinced by the official finding, sought the help of investigative journalists Melanie Reid and Bonnie Sumner, hosts of Delve: The Boy in the Water. In this bonus international episode of Australian True Crime, they share insights from the long-awaited inquest inside the Coroners Court. You can listen to Delve: The Boy in the Water, wherever you get your podcasts. Do you have information regarding any of the cases discussed on this podcast? Please report it on the Crime Stoppers website or by calling 1800 333 000. Join our Facebook Group here. For Support:  Lifeline on 13 11 14 13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples) 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732   Blue Knot Helpline: 1300 657 380 CREDITS:   Host: Meshel Laurie Guests: Melanie Reid and Bonnie Sumner Executiv

This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. On the December 9th, 1925, a 44-year-old man by the name of Bill Wallace was arrested in Melbourne for the fatal shooting of electrician Ernest Williams after a dispute over smoking in a cafe.Refusing to explain who he was, Wallace was declared unfit to stand trial and spent the rest of his life in Aradale Psychiatric Hospital, becoming the world’s oldest prisoner at the age of 107.Our guest is Gideon Haigh, discussing his new book, Who Is Wallace?You can buy Who Is Wallace? directly from Gideon for $50Transfer to:BSB 733 152, Account number 525322, then email your postal address to gideonhaigh@hotmail.comJoin our Facebook Group here.Do you have information regarding any of the cases discussed on this podcast? Please report it on the Crime Stoppers website or by calling 1800 333 000. For Support: Lifeline  on 13 11 1413 YARN

On the December 9th, 1925, a 44-year-old man by the name of Bill Wallace was arrested in Melbourne for the fatal shooting of electrician Ernest Williams after a dispute over smoking in a cafe.Refusing to explain who he was, Wallace was declared unfit to stand trial and spent the rest of his life in Aradale Psychiatric Hospital, becoming the world’s oldest prisoner at the age of 107.Our guest is Gideon Haigh, discussing his new book, Who Is Wallace?You can buy Who Is Wallace? directly from Gideon for $50Transfer to:BSB 733 152, Account number 525322, then email your postal address to gideonhaigh@hotmail.com You can watch the video version of this episode here. Join our Facebook Group here.Do you have information regarding any of the cases discussed on this podcast? Please report it on the Crime Stoppers website or by calling 1800 333 000. For Support: Lifeline  on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. Content warning: this conversation includes discussion of child sexual abuse. Support services can be found further down in these show notes. Pamela Nathan is a clinical and forensic psychologist with more than 40 years’ experience working in prisons, courts and forensic hospitals, and a long history of listening to people whose crimes have shocked the public. Pamela has recently published a book titled Pain Bleeds Crime, which takes us inside the inner worlds of violent offenders to explore how  trauma, silence and past harm shape acts of extreme violence, not as excuses, but as revelations about what lies beneath the crime. Pamela also reflects on her work in central Australia with young people through CASSE, Creating A Safe Supportive Environment, where she served as CEO for a decade and continues as a board member. You can purchase your cop