A troubled girl and the professionals who believed her
Meet the main characters from Shadow of Doubt, our bombshell podcast investigation by Richard Guilliatt and The Australian.
This is a mystery that just keeps twisting and turning. Journalist Richard Guilliatt – the reporter who exposed cancer fraudster Belle Gibson – investigates a confounding case, and a family torn apart.
Here are the people you’ll hear from, or about, in Shadow of Doubt.
EPISODE 4
‘Martin Johnson’
Sports coach, former high school teacher, father of four children with his second wife, Susan. Found guilty of depraved sexual abuse and violence towards two of his daughters over 13 years. Sentenced to 48 years in prison.
‘Susan Johnson’
Sports coach, wife of Martin Johnson and mother of their four children. Convicted of encouraging and participating in her husband’s abuse. Sentenced to 16 years in prison.
‘Emily Johnson’
Daughter of the Johnsons, champion athlete as a teenager. Hospitalised with suicidal thoughts at 17 after alleging sexual assault by a sports masseur. Later accused her father of rape, torture and violent assaults extending over 13 years.
‘Sarah Johnson’
Athlete and sister of Emily. Told police her family was akin to a ‘cult’ and her father was a violent predator who sexually assaulted her while giving her sports massages as a teenager.
‘Rebecca Johnson’
Athlete, sister of Emily and Sarah. Adamantly disputes her sisters’ allegations, insisting the crimes never happened and her parents are victims of a gross miscarriage of justice.
‘Daniel Johnson’
Son of Martin and Susan. Describes the allegations made by his sisters Emily and Sarah as impossible and ridiculous.
‘Detective Dave Miller’
Former friend of the Johnson family who investigated Emily Johnson’s early allegation of sexual assault against a sports masseur. Later became personally involved in her case.
‘Margaret Fisher’
Mother of Susan Johnson and ‘nonna’ to her four children. Told police she witnessed Martin Johnson’s violence and observed a disturbing incident when he was naked in bed with his daughters.
‘Dr Marie Warner’
Psychiatrist who treated Emily Johnson for more than six years. Dr Warner diagnosed Emily with Dissociative Identity Disorder, an illness which causes her to experience “two or more distinct personality states”. Testified that Emily had suffered “catastrophically devastating” abuse affecting her entire life.
‘Donna Shepherd’
Social worker and sexual assault counsellor to Emily Johnson for many years. Conducted ‘mandala therapy’ and ‘sandtray therapy’ to help her remember incidents of abuse going back to early childhood.
‘Dr Brian Williams’
Psychiatrist who worked in the hospital where Emily Johnson was treated. Describes her mental health care in the hospital as “an abomination” and believes the case should be reviewed.
‘Detective Reese Thompson’
Head of the police strike force which investigated the Johnson family and charged Emily Johnson’s parents with more than 100 count of sexual abuse and violence.
*The images used with this podcast investigation are for illustrative purposes only and bear no resemblance to the real people in this story, who cannot be identified for legal reasons.
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Shadow of Doubt is available on The Australian’s app and shadowofdoubt.com.au
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