Australian True Crime

Latest Episodes:

Nancy & Victoria: The Beaumaris Beach Mystery Apr 12, 2023

Show notes

Two young female tourists are staying in the same quiet spot in Tasmania…one disappears, never to be seen again and two years later, the other woman is brutally murdered.

The women are 26-year-old German Nancy Grunwaldt, reported missing on April 15th 1993. Getting around on a bike, she was spending some time at Beaumaris Beach, reading a book. What happened after that is a mystery…so far. Nancy’s never been found but she was declared deceased by the coroner in 2003. Read the reports here: https://www.magistratescourt.tas.gov.au/about_us/coroners/coronialfindings/g/182_of_2004

Italian woman Victoria Cafasso who was 20, was found dead on 11 October 1995 on Beaumaris beach. She’d been stabbed numerous times and had been beaten. Victoria was staying in the tiny hamlet of Beaumaris with her cousin and had been there less than a week. Read the Coroners’ report here: https://www.magistratescourt.tas.gov.au/about_us/coroners/coronialfindings/c/2005_tascd_125_-_cafasso,_victoria_anna_elizabeth

Tasmanian journalist and author Melanie Calvert was on a trip back to her home state not long after Victoria’s murder. It’s haunted her ever since and she spent years researching and wrote a book Tasmania’s Beaumaris Beach Mystery: What Happened to Nancy and Victoria?

There’s been suspects for Victoria’s murder and could it be coincidence that Nancy disappeared from the same place? The initial police investigation into Victoria’s murder has come under scrutiny too.

Melanie’s book is Tasmania’s Beaumaris Beach Mystery: What Happened to Nancy and Victoria? And it’s available online. There’s details in the show notes for this episode.

If you have any info to share with police phone crime stoppers on 1800 333 000 or go to https://www.crimestopperstas.com.au/

If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:

Lifeline on 13 11 14

13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)

For ad-free listening, early access and exclusive content, join Australian True Crime Plus on Apple Podcasts here: http://apple.co/australiantruecrime

More information Melanie Calvert and where to buy her books can be found here: https://melaniecalvert.com/buy-freycinet/

GET IN TOUCH:

Send us a question or comment on this episode to be used in our "Episode Download" series: https://www.speakpipe.com/ATC

Email the show at team@smartfella.com.au

Australian True Crime is a podcast by Smart Fella Media. Your story matters and how you tell it matters even more.

Shortcut: Nancy & Victoria: The Beaumaris Beach Mystery Apr 11, 2023

Show notes

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.

Two young female tourists are staying in the same quiet spot in Tasmania…one disappears, never to be seen again and two years later, the other woman is brutally murdered.

Melanie’s book is Tasmania’s Beaumaris Beach Mystery: What Happened to Nancy and Victoria? And it’s available online. There’s details in the show notes for this episode.

If you have any info to share with police or phone crime stoppers

More information Melanie Calvert and where to buy her books can be found here: https://melaniecalvert.com/buy-freycinet/

If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:

Lifeline on 13 11 14

13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)

For ad-free listening, early access and exclusive content, join Australian True Crime Plus on Apple Podcasts here: http://apple.co/australiantruecrime

GET IN TOUCH:

Send us a question or comment on this episode to be used in our "Episode Download" series: https://www.speakpipe.com/ATC

Email the show at team@smartfella.com.au

How Jeffrey Morgan went from serving 18 years in prison to becoming a community leader Apr 09, 2023

Show notes

When he was 12, Jeffrey Morgan ran away from his country NSW home to Redfern to stay with his mum. He thought his dad was being too strict and he wanted more freedom. This was the time in Redfern when the inner-city suburb was the centre of Aboriginal life and activism and it was a tough place.

Jeffrey spent a lot of time on the streets, getting involved in minor offences a s a means of survival – namely stealing food to eat - but eventually this escalated to stealing cars and then, robbing banks. He started cycling through maximum security prisons which added up to 18 years of his life. He was always into fitness and taking care of his health.

During his last stint in prison, Jeffrey had one of those moments where he knew he had to change. And he did it through education and peer support and keeping fit and healthy. His passion is health and fitness – making it realistic and sustainable and role-modelling a different path for men, just like him.

Jeffrey wears a lot of hats now, making the most of the life he’s made on the other side of prison. He’s a community leader, corporate speaker, and sought-after life and mindset coach. His latest online program is CUT THE BULLSHIT – which basically is encouraging people to make sustainable habit changes for a healthy, purposeful life.

Find out more at https://jeffreymorgan.com.au

If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:

Lifeline on 13 11 14

13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)

For ad-free listening, early access and exclusive content, join Australian True Crime Plus on Apple Podcasts here: http://apple.co/australiantruecrime

GET IN TOUCH:

Send us a question or comment on this episode to be used in our "Episode Download" series: https://www.speakpipe.com/ATC

Email the show at team@smartfella.com.au

Australian True Crime is a podcast by Smart Fella Media. Your story matters and how you tell it matters even more.

Shortcut: How Jeffrey Morgan went from serving 18 years in prison to becoming a community leader Apr 09, 2023

Show notes

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.

Find out more at https://jeffreymorgan.com.au

If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:

Lifeline on 13 11 14

13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)

For ad-free listening, early access and exclusive content, join Australian True Crime Plus on Apple Podcasts here: http://apple.co/australiantruecrime

GET IN TOUCH:

Send us a question or comment on this episode to be used in our "Episode Download" series: https://www.speakpipe.com/ATC

Email the show at team@smartfella.com.au

Australian True Crime is a podcast by Smart Fella Media. Your story matters and how you tell it matters even more.

The Soldier On Podcast: Tiny Little Spark Apr 07, 2023

Show notes

For the last year or so, we've been working away on a very special project called The Soldier On Podcast.

Soldier On is an incredible not for profit organisation that delivers holistic support services for current and former Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel.

We joined up with them to help share the remarkable stories of those they work with. Hosted by the wonderful Hugh Riminton, each episode you’ll hear a first-hand account of a life touched by involvement in the Defence industry.

If you're a fan of Australian True Crime, then rest assured you're going to love this podcast - these stories are truly amazing.

The whole series can be streamed now, wherever you get your podcasts.

I'm sorry I missed a brutal multiple murder Apr 02, 2023

Show notes

Our guest today is from Toowoomba in Queensland, and he thought he'd seen his fair share of violence and mayhem by the time he'd sobered up in his mid-twenties.

On today's episode, we're talking about a terrible turn of events that landed him back in the middle of incredibly senseless violence, just as he was pulling his life together.

On the evening of May 30th 2005, three teenage boys brutally murdered Michael Thompson, 30, and teenagers David Lyons and Tyson Wilson, both just 17.

Our guest, who was literally on his way to Thompson's flat, was distracted that night by an old mate. It was a distraction that may well have saved his life, but it's also left him guilt ridden ever since.

If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:

Lifeline on 13 11 14

13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)

For ad-free listening, early access and exclusive content, join Australian True Crime Plus on Apple Podcasts here: http://apple.co/australiantruecrime

CREDITS:

Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram

Co-Host: Emily Webb. You can find her on Instagram here and listen to her podcast Killer Content here.

Guests: Anonymous

Executive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard

GET IN TOUCH:

Send us a question or comment on this episode to be used in our "Episode Download" series: https://www.speakpipe.com/ATC

Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AustralianTrueCrimePod/

Email the show at team@smartfella.com.au

Australian True Crime is a podcast by Smart Fella Media. Your story matters and how you tell it matters even more.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shortcut: I'm sorry I missed a brutal multiple murder Apr 02, 2023

Show notes

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 today is from Toowoomba in Queensland, and he thought he'd seen his fair share of violence and mayhem by the time he'd sobered up in his mid-twenties.

On today's episode, we're talking about a terrible turn of events that landed him back in the middle of incredibly senseless violence, just as he was pulling his life together.

On the evening of May 30th 2005, three teenage boys brutally murdered Michael Thompson, 30, and teenagers David Lyons and Tyson Wilson, both just 17.

If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:

Lifeline on 13 11 14

13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)

For ad-free listening, early access and exclusive content, join Australian True Crime Plus on Apple Podcasts here: http://apple.co/australiantruecrime

CREDITS:

Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram

Co-Host: Emily Webb. You can find her on Instagram here and listen to her podcast Killer Content here.

Guests: Anonymous

Executive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard

GET IN TOUCH:

Send us a question or comment on this episode to be used in our "Episode Download" series: https://www.speakpipe.com/ATC

Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AustralianTrueCrimePod/

Email the show at team@smartfella.com.au

Australian True Crime is a podcast by Smart Fella Media. Your story matters and how you tell it matters even more.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How I changed after 37 years of addiction, drama and hopelessness Mar 26, 2023

Show notes

Robyn Lewis’s life was, frankly, hectic and destructive for 37 years. Multiple addictions, trauma from a brutal childhood, crime…she was just trying to survive. Robyn had tried and tried to change her life and then something happened. Now she’s sharing her story with her community and now, with us, to show that change is possible.

And a note before listening - Our guests share their experience. Each person has their own way they deal with life. So if there’s something you hear that prompts questions for you whether it’s about mental health, medication, ways of dealing with certain situations, make sure you speak to someone you trust like your doctor, counsellor, specialist.

More info:

Robyn talks on WIN News about her ice addiction (Video, 31 August 2017)

Robyn addresses Griffith Community Drug Action Team (Video, 8 Novmber 2017)

Robyn Lewis knows a bit about drug addiction in regional NSW (Sydney Morning Herald)

There’s a number of services and programs for addiction. Robyn mentioned SMART Recovery. For more information on other options and services go to Turning Point Australia’s national addiction treatment, training and research centre.

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)

Blue Knot Foundation - National Centre of Excellence for Complex Trauma

Sexual assault and family violence services in your State

CREDITS:

Host:Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram

Co-Host: Emily Webb. You can find her on Instagram here

Guests: Robyn Lewis

Executive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard

If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:

Lifeline on 13 11 14

13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shortcut: How I changed after 37 years of addiction, drama and hopelessness Mar 25, 2023

Show notes

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.

More info:

Robyn talks on WIN News about her ice addiction (Video, 31 August 2017)

Robyn addresses Griffith Community Drug Action Team (Video, 8 Novmber 2017)

Robyn Lewis knows a bit about drug addiction in regional NSW (Sydney Morning Herald)

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)

Blue Knot Foundation - National Centre of Excellence for Complex Trauma

Sexual assault and family violence services in your State

CREDITS:

Host:Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram

Co-Host: Emily Webb. You can find her on Instagram here

Guests: Robyn Lewis

Executive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shortcut: Why should we care about conspiracy theorists and so-called sovereign citizens? Mar 17, 2023

Show notes

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.

Is it that bad if people believe in conspiracy theories? According to our guests for this episode, at first it’s funny, irritating (we all had someone we know who was sharing things that seemed a bit off beam over the past three years) and seemingly ridiculous…until it’s not.

SOS and Sandee are two women who live in outer suburban Melbourne and have day jobs and families but they have also been deep diving into the world of places and spaces where people who believe in conspiracy theories and have such a distrust in Governments that they don’t acknowledge the laws that we all have to adhere to…like having a driver's licence, paying council rates and there’s more.

SOS and Sandee go to the protests, they watch endless videos and livestreams and are among a network of others who are doing important work to get people to understand this world and the people who have positioned themselves as leaders, or ‘gurus’, in many cases who are making lots of money from followers. Some also have disturbing political motives for what they are doing.

More info:

You can find SOS and Sandee on Twitter - @SOS149 and @sunnysandeel

Tinfoil Tales is on the feed of The Conditional Release Podcast

Background on Chase Allan - Chase Allan: 5 fast facts you need to know

What is the Sovereign Citizens movement in USA?

Pseudo-law Adherents in Australia - an interview with someone who clawed his way out

Some more people to check out to learn more about what we discussed in this episode:

Tom Tanuki (Independent Australia)

The White Rose Society - anti-fascist researchers in Australia

Celery Sorbet on Twitter

Vaxatious Litigant on Twitter

Southern Poverty Law Centre (US)