Ian Roberts was one of the toughest men in the NRL. Behind the footy world’s brutal culture of macho masculinity, Ian was struggling to deal with his sexuality. In 1995, he bravely became the first footy player to come out as gay, breaking down barriers along the way. On this episode, Ian joins Gary Jubelin to reflect on his painful journey, share how he dealt with his family’s reaction and the headlines, and how he learned to embrace his true self.
Ian Roberts’ life changed when his friend, Arron Light, was killed. The 17-year-old disappeared days before he was due to give evidence at a trial. Years later, Arron was found in a shallow grave with several stab wounds. From paying tribute to Arron at a coronial inquest to later pivoting to an acting career, Ian candidly opens up about his life, his ongoing health battles and how he’s using theatre to create awareness around social issues.
At 23, Leisl Smith had her whole life in front of her. But her ex boyfriend, James Scott Church, had other ideas. Six years after she went missing, he was charged with her murder. After a gruelling 13-week trial, there are still no answers. Why? Because Church took his own life a day before the verdict was due to be made public – locking the judge’s verdict away forever. Jerildene Cane is hoping to change that, and bring closure to her family.
Leisl Smith disappeared in 2012 and her ex-boyfriend, James “Jim” Church, was charged with her suspected murder. But hours before the judge was due to hand down her verdict, Church took his own life – meaning the verdict was sealed forever. Two years after Gary Jubelin first spoke to Leisl’s sister, Jerildene Cane, a coronial inquest has been held in the hope that the family will finally get some answers.
A 27-year mystery involving a man with 14 aliases, a damning love letter and a huge bank transfer. Sally Leydon joins Gary Jubelin on this episode to share the chilling details behind the disappearance of her mother, Marion Barter, and why she’s not about to give up.
Marion Barter sold her house to travel the world, leaving behind her entire family. Then she was never seen again. From a mystery man and last minute name change to an unknown Medicare alert and bank withdrawals, her daughter Sally Leydon has been trying to find out exactly what happened to her missing mother.
Gordon Drage was the first person to discover barrels filled with bodies in what became known as the gruesome Snowtown Murders. Horrifically, 11 victims were brutally murdered by some of Australia’s worst serial killers. From uncovering mummified body parts to finding handcuffs, knives and saws in the bank’s vault nearby, the retired Crime Scene Investigator reveals what exactly happened when the bodies in the barrels were discovered.
Gordon Drage has been shot at during police chases, had people die in his arms, chased bank robbers and helped solve murders using sticky tape. As a crime scene investigator, Gordon was the real life CSI. He collected blood, fingerprints, shoe marks – anything to help solve crimes. On this episode, Gordon takes Gary Jubelin through some of his biggest crime scenes including the murder of a grandmother, the death of a sex worker and how he accidentally started growing drugs.
Liz Hayes has interviewed serial killers, met murderers, reported from the front line of war zones and even took muffins to meet the Ku Klux Klan. The former 60 Minutes reporter has faced some of the most terrifying people, but it was the death of her father that was the hardest story of her career.
Zahra Baker was brutally murdered and dismembered by her stepmother when she was 10 years old. Former 60 Minutes reporter Liz Hayes sat down with the woman responsible in prison – and it was one of the few times she walked away stunned. On this episode, the veteran journalist takes Gary Jubelin through some of the biggest stories including the dingo who stole Lindy Chamberlain’s baby to the murder of British backpacker Peter Falconio.
Michelle Milthorpe’s life changed forever when her young daughters told her a trusted friend had been sexually abusing them. What unfolded was years of uncertainty and trauma as the young family navigated the legal system. From the warning signs to what happens after reporting a paedophile, this is what every parent needs to know.
The worst part was not seeing her two young children. Almost two years after she was released, Cheng Lei joins Gary Jubelin on I Catch Killers podcast to share what it took to survive.
Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/i-catch-killers