The Trial: The daughter’s testimony |10
Among the evidence today from doctors and police, the court heard from Erin Patterson’s daughter.
True Crime Australia
My husband Kevin | 9
Elise says she lived with a man who had “many sides”. A charming husband, who would turn into a cruel stranger at the flip of a switch.
The Trial: The doctor’s call | 9
The team that first treated the victims of the deadly mushroom meal took the stand today, along with members of the Patterson and Wilkinson families.
The Trial: The survivor speaks | 8
Ian Wilkinson, the only guest that survived the deadly lunch, gave evidence in court, publicly revealing details about the meal for the first time.
Latest True Crime
‘Blow your brains out’: Death threats from key murder suspect
Family members, ex-girlfriends and even alleged rape victims are among those claiming Kevin Steven Correll threatened to harm or kill them at some point in the past 50 years.
‘Cut me up in little pieces’: Ex-wife’s chilling insights
The ex-wife of the main suspect in the brutal murder of 23-year-old Rachelle Childs has broken her silence about her fears.
‘Don’t know what happened’: Erin’s tears as court hears from child
Accused mushroom cook killer Erin Patterson became teary as her daughter gave evidence about the lunch at the centre of her mum’s murder trial, with the jury also hearing she said “she was thinking of taking the kids on a cruise” when hospitalised.
1.3m downloads: Dear Rachelle podcast a hit on Apple, Spotify
A podcast about the murder of young woman Rachelle Childs has had more than 1.3 million downloads. Listen to the hit podcast.
‘Obtain leftover beef wellington’: Country doc’s vital call to police
An on-call doctor at Leongatha Hospital made the triple-0 call that first alerted police to an alleged poisoning at the beef wellington lunch hosted by accused murderer Erin Patterson.
Dear Rachelle podcast: Listen to Episode 9 now
Who killed Rachelle Childs? Innocent people, silenced by fear for decades, are breaking their silence. For Rachelle. Listen to the second bonus podcast episode now.
Footage emerges of murder suspect singing at singles event
New footage shows the prime suspect in a murder case impersonating Elvis while performing on a harbour cruise singles event. Watch the footage.
New twist involving Rachelle suspect and a ‘fancy car’
There’s a new twist in the case as the man police believe may have lured Rachelle Childs to her death with the promise of access to an exclusive Holden later did another astonishing act.
‘Fingers cut off’: Sickening revenge bikie twist in cold case
Rachelle Childs had ‘partied with bikies who killed her and severed her fingers’ in a sick act of revenge, according to new claims unearthed. Listen to the podcast and see the video.
Rats reveal surprise finding on cocaine addiction
A study using lab rats and cocaine is helping scientists understand why certain people develop drug use disorders while others do not. And one finding was not what they expected.
Lone Wolf bikie kingpin nabbed in dramatic global sting
Australian Jordan Curry, who worked with conspirators to keep drug prices high and bring cocaine and meth to Sydney and Melbourne, has pleaded guilty after being caught in a global sting.
‘Powerful drug’ Aussie bikie gangs want nothing to do with
Police are scrambling to remove a drug 100 times more powerful than heroin off our streets after a Melbourne couple died taking what they thought was cocaine.
What Aussies pay for coke now as drug use hits record high
A surge in supply has supercharged Australia’s cocaine use despite the cost of living crisis. This is what drug users pay and who’s buying it.
LEGO and leftovers: Every unmissable moment from day 9 of Erin Patterson’s murder trial
The jury deciding Erin Patterson’s fate has today heard from her two children, who each shared their recount of what happened before and after the lethal lunch. Find the key moments here.
Erin Patterson emotional in the dock as 9yo daughter gives evidence
The accused triple-murderer reached for the tissues as the jury heard evidence from her nine-year-old daughter. FOLLOW LIVE
Daughter breaks down in tearful mushroom trial testimony
The youngest daughter of Don and Gail Patterson wiped away tears as she recalled being at her dying parents’ bedsides in the days after the mushroom lunch. FOLLOW LIVE
Mushroom meal survivor reveals what happened at lethal lunch
Ian Wilkinson, the only guest who survived the lunch, has for the first time shared details about the meal Erin Patterson allegedly laced with death cap mushrooms.
‘Not good enough’: Top detective’s plea after mum ‘mauled by dogs’
Celebrated homicide detective Gary Jubelin says shocking evidence given at inquest over a mum’s horrific death shows Australia’s cops still have a problem – and families are suffering for it.
What happened to Lasonya? Death of mum ‘eaten by dogs’ deemed suspicious
The ex-partner of a mother whose decomposed body was found in her family’s backyard had been accused of assaulting her, an inquest has heard.
‘Appalling and shocking’ racism in police forces, inquiry finds
An almost three-year federal probe has found Indigenous women and children are being murdered at shocking rates, with its harrowing findings finally released.
Another major accolade for the Tiser’s Dying Rose podcast
The Advertiser’s Walkley Award-winning podcast has taken home another top gong against some of the country’s best audio productions.
Drug lords behind Australia’s meth supply chain arrested
The Sinaloa cartel boss and El Chapo’s son, who play a huge role in the illicit drug trade on our streets, are now in custody.
AN0M app bust: What’s next after 62 convictions
Criminals using the “secret” AN0M app have been sentenced to three centuries of jail time, with dozens of cases still to hit court. See some of them who’ve been convicted.
Hells Angels’ cunning move to take Comanchero drug trade
The Hells Angels are preparing to take over Australia’s wholesale international drug trade after the arrest of Comanchero kingpin Hakan Ayik in Turkey. This is what’s afoot.
Aussie drug kingpin and bikie broker’s cunning move
An Australian fugitive on the run for a decade in Mexico, who is a key drug broker for bikie gangs, is suspected of taking a dramatic step to avoid capture.
Ivan Milat’s shock revelation in letter to pen pal
Ivan Milat wrote sprawling letters to a criminologist, where he accidentally revealed a detail that was not part of the Crown’s case against him. Listen to the podcast.
80 more victims: Cops’ chilling new theory on Ivan Milat
While Ivan Milat was convicted of seven murders, leading figures in the investigation have revealed there may have been many more victims dating back to the 1970s. Listen to the podcast.
The Missing Australia: MILAT UNTOLD
A former police officer uncovers stories never heard before from key figures involved in the Ivan Milat task force. Listen to the podcast and catch all the episodes here.
The overlooked report | 1
Former Detective Paul Gordon recalls the moment he named Ivan Milat as a suspect, the frustrations inside the taskforce, and the six square metres of files he sifted through to find the truth.
Hillsong loses $100k a week amid ATO investigation
The crippling finances have been exposed in new financial documents, with the Christian megachurch losing an eye-watering $5 million in just one year.
Hillsong twist as Brian Houston starts new church
The megachurch is making a major change to its complaints process amid a tax office investigation into whistleblower documents that was examined in Faith on Trial podcast.
ATO probes Hillsong fraud claims
The Christian megachurch is being investigated by the Australian Taxation Office’s private wealth team over leaked financial records.
Moment I saw myself standing next to a Hillsong paedo
Award-winning journalist Marc Fennell has revealed his mixed — and deeply personal — feelings on the controversial Hillsong, and how he found a photo that he thought never existed.
How I can get your child into my car in less than 60 secs
Scarily, we now live in an era where a new level of stranger danger lurks, writes Madeleine West. See what you can do to protect your child.
How TV star caught sick pedo on TikTok
After she found out a young girl was being followed on TikTok by a man, Madeleine West discovered something shocking that led her straight to the federal police.
‘Every parent’s worst nightmare’: What Aussie star said to abuser
Former Neighbours star Madeleine West has revealed what she told the “monster” who sexually abused her for years. Read her victim impact statement.
‘I handed them evidence’: How cops miss abused Aussie kids
Vital clues that could lead to young sexual abuse victims are being overlooked – but an unlikely source could help bring paedophiles to justice. See how.
One thing Kathleen Folbigg can’t do anymore
In a sneak peek of a TV documentary, Kathleen Folbigg is happy, relaxed and surrounded by love. But, while she enjoys freedom after 20 years behind bars, it’s clear she still has a long way to go.
Folbigg’s common link with Lindy Chamberlain
Kathleen Folbigg and Lindy Chamberlain have shared a rare connection of murder convictions and acquittals that have captured, reviled and divided the nation.
Diaries of a ‘depressed mother’
Kathleen Folbigg’s diaries belonged to a ‘grieving, depressed mother’, a chief justice has found, as she was granted an unconditional pardon and released from prison.
‘Dismayed, devastated’: Folbigg’s ex-husband upset
Kathleen Folbigg’s ex-husband Craig, who gave evidence against her, was “absolutely dismayed and devastated” that there was a further inquiry, according to his lawyer.
Family’s fight for justice: Kristy & Ashlea Pt.2
The Childs family wants answers. More than two decades after Rachelle was violently murdered, her sister Kristy is speaking out. Investigative journalist Ashlea Hansen and Kristy join Gary Jubelin in the studio to break down everything you need to know about this “solvable” case.
Murder of Rachelle Childs: Kristy & Ashlea Pt.1
Rachelle Childs was brutally murdered 24 years ago. The young woman was found burning in the bush, partially undressed. Her killer is still on the loose. In a new podcast series called Dear Rachelle, her sister Kristy joins investigative journalist Ashlea Hansen to find answers to this unsolved crime.
“Pablo Escobar had a bounty on my head”: Steve Murphy Pt.2
Pablo Escobar was one of the most dangerous men in the world, and he had a bounty on Steve Murphy’s head. For 18 months, Murphy and his partner Javier Peña hunted Escobar across Columbia, often missing the drug lord by minutes. Murphy joins Gary Jubelin to share how they finally captured the king of cocaine, and why he took the famous photo.
Taking down Pablo Escobar: Steve Murphy Pt.1
Pablo Escobar was once the most wanted man in the world. As the cocaine king of Columbia, Escobar made billions through drug trafficking. He killed anyone who got in his way. Until American agent Steve Murphy helped bring him down.
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Fresh Samantha Murphy search as accused killer escorted to bushland again
Detectives have ramped up efforts to find the Ballarat mum’s remains with alleged murderer Patrick Orren Stephenson taken on a second search to a state park.
‘Trouble found Daniel’: Morcombe’s twin speaks
Daniel Morcombe’s story is known throughout Australia. But no one has told it like his twin brother Bradley, until now. SEE THE FULL DOCO
The Trial: True Crime truths | 7
Several of Erin Patterson’s online friends took to the stand and detailed her “love” of mushrooms and her reputation as an internet sleuth.
‘Friction’: Inside the marriage at centre of mushroom murder trial
They started out as friends and fell in love, but now, defendant Erin Patterson and her estranged husband Simon face each other in a courtroom after poisonous mushrooms changed everything.
The Trial: In sickness and in health. (Subscriber-only episode) | 6
In our first subscriber-only episode, veteran crime reporter Anthony Dowsley joins Brooke to outline his week in court.
Why missing man could have been another Milat victim
A Melbourne man who championed a three decades-long campaign to find his brother now thinks he may have tried to hitchhike and fallen into Ivan Milat’s path.
The Trial: Communication breakdown | 5
On the last day of the first week of trial of Erin Patterson, her ex-husband returned to the stand.
Mushroom trial: Tears flow amid flashback to happier times
The accused and her estranged husband struggled to watch as a video showing a sweet family moment days before the lethal lunch that claimed three lives was played in court.
‘Panicked’: Three ways Rachelle’s killer covered their tracks
Rachelle Childs’ killer made three “panicked” but critical moves that could provide police with a way to use modern DNA testing to find a suspect. See the video, listen to the podcast.
‘What does $200k get you?’: Fury over Police Minister’s reward insult
Startling details about the NSW Police Minister’s handling of rewards for information into cold cases, such as Rachelle Childs’, has been uncovered. Listen to the podcast.
‘Sexual assault’: New details emerge into motive of Rachelle’s killer
An FBI-trained criminal profiler has shed some new light on why Rachelle Childs’ killer murdered her, dumped her body in the bush and burned her remains. Listen to the podcast and watch the video.
Haunting 3D video into nine missing hours
A new 3D video reconstruction aims to piece together what happened on the night she died, which is one of the country’s most perplexing murder mysteries.
Emotional reason man who found Rachelle’s body gets ‘Team Chelle’ tatt
The man who made the chilling discovery of Rachelle’s burning body on the side of the road almost 24 years ago has opened up about why he got inked in her honour. Listen to the podcast.
‘Sleazy’: Creepy men in Rachelle’s life flagged before her brutal murder
Rachelle Childs had raised concerns about various men just before she was murdered, including one who said something that didn’t sit quite right with her childhood friend. Listen to the podcast.
WATCH: Is this car hiding a murder secret?
A new video shows trained dogs searching a car, as police seize the petrol cap for fingerprint testing that could unlock major clues into the case.
Rachelle and Holdens: Was this rare car the reason she was killed?
Rachelle Childs was wild about Holdens, especially the rare Walkinshaw models. Investigators believe the car-as-lure theory could be key to understanding why she was killed. Watch the video and listen to the podcast.
Critical CCTV holds clues to Rachelle’s final hours
CCTV footage from the night Rachelle Childs was murdered will be re-examined to help unearth vital clues about the identity of her killer.
What lies beneath | 8
Rachelle Childs has been dead five years when authorities exhume and re-examine her body. 9 POIs are scrutinised at her explosive inquest.
Mushroom cook husband: The painful story no one should have to tell
The estranged husband of Erin Patterson was almost inconsolable as he shared heartbreaking details of his loved ones’ dying hours, and how he was also invited to the lethal lunch.
Tough-talking magistrate defies police to lock up 16-year-old home invader
A Melbourne magistrate was “staggered” police were not pushing for a tougher penalty for a teen involved in a wild crime spree and says the boy was old enough to know better.
Grooming charges against teacher dropped
Charges against an Aussie teacher who was due to stand trial accused of grooming a 15-year-old male student have been dropped.
Mushroom trial: First came the lies, then came the tears
Erin Patterson, the cook behind the lethal mushroom lunch that killed three people, was overcome with emotion in the dock as her murder trial began.
Bonus: Investigation Update | 2
Police examine new leads via CCTV and Rachelle’s petrol cap.
50 unanswered questions: Key suspect’s silence in Rachelle case
The chief suspect in one of the country’s most perplexing murder mysteries – refused to answer days of questions, as her body was re-examined in a nearby morgue.
The killer and the thin blue line.
The identification of the murder and rapist Mr Stinky is rightly heralded as an extraordinary piece of detective work. What is less told however is the many stumbles that hindered police right from the start of their investigations.
Prince Charming | 7
First it’s the thrill of singles mingles nights, champagne, prawns and flowers. Then, in an instant, the switch is flicked.
‘Inexplicable’: Man took woman to secluded spot, filmed sexual acts
A man who carried an unconscious woman to a “secluded” location in Sydney’s inner west and filmed himself groping her has been jailed. Here’s what happened.
‘Underhanded’: Why main suspect was suddenly fired
The man who became the chief suspect in the cold case was fired weeks after her death for suspected fraud from his job where they had worked together.
Slater’s ‘tragic fall from grace’ amid domestic violence shame
Former Australian cricket star Michael Slater has been released from jail on a suspended sentence after admitting to stalking, strangling and assaulting a woman during an alcohol fuelled spiral.
Suspected killer of Kazem Hamad’s brother-in-law an open secret
The theory is that Hamad was the man who was meant to die when Khaled Abouhasna was shot while sitting next to him in a parked car. 10 years on, the odds are growing longer of the murder being solved.
How I got ‘Chopper’ Read nude behind bars
Former prison officer Steve Bergervoet was just a rookie when he managed to get Mark ‘Chopper’ Read naked on his first day of work. Warning: Graphic
Prison slang quiz: What’s a peter thief?
Think you’ve got what it takes to talk like an inmate? As part of our new On Guard prison podcast series, we put your knowledge of jailhouse lingo to the test.
Prison slang quiz: What’s chicken soup?
Think you’ve got what it takes to talk like an inmate? As part of our new On Guard prison podcast series, we put your knowledge of jailhouse lingo to the test.
Massacre monster trades sex for chocolates
A prison officer who worked with Martin Bryant has revealed the serial killer is just a “big baby” and a nobody within the jail hierarchy. WARNING: Graphic
Top cop’s stern words in cold case search
Police have issued cautionary words to a team of private investigators who are searching for the remains of two girls who disappeared from an AFL match in 1973.
Fresh hope decades after girls abducted
There has been a major development in the search for two girls who were taken from their families in broad daylight more than 50 years ago.
Elite squad to track elusive murderer and cold case fugitive
It’s been almost a year since a confirmed sighting of one of Queensland’s most wanted men, cold case fugitive and convicted murderer Keith Lees, and police are stepping up the hunt.
‘Last ray of hope’ snuffed out with no charges over crayfish farm shooting
The family of a young scientist shot dead while working at a crayfish farm say they lost their “last ray of hope” after an inquest failed to result in charges against two people named by a coroner.
Photos show chilling find at US Wieambilla accused’s house
Prosecutors fighting to allow Australian police to give evidence in the upcoming trial of Donald Day, who is linked to the Wieambilla massacre, say the cases have chilling similarities.
Shock link between UK child killer and Aussie bishop stabbing
The teen who murdered three little girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England had searched for material on the stabbing of a Sydney bishop.
New law to block legal challenge to AN0M sting
New laws will prevent any legal challenge to one of Australia’s most successful covert stings in organised crime using the encrypted AN0M application.
How Assange’s father is derailing his chance of a pardon
Australia spent significant political capital to get Julian Assange out of prison while the US attempted to extradite him on spying charges — but now his father has intervened.
Major update on Janine Balding murder case
A new DNA test will be conducted in the investigation into Janine Balding’s horrific murder, as jailed killer Stephen “Shorty” Jamieson fights for his conviction to be quashed.
Woman claiming to be Madeleine McCann arrested
A Polish woman who claims to be missing British toddler Madeleine McCann has been arrested at a UK airport.
Convicted baby killer Keli Lane in closed hearing
Former elite water polo player Keli Lane is making another legal push for freedom.
DNA bombshell in Janine Balding murder case
It was a horrific murder that shocked the nation. A startling new discovery will now form part of a legal push by one of Janine Balding’s convicted killers.
Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/truecrimeaustralia