True Crime

The Poisoned Wife

Who killed Rosslyn McQueen? The Australian’s Hedley Thomas and Karina Berger investigate the unsolved 1986 murder of a 30-year-old pregnant mother, poisoned with strychnine in her own home in country Victoria, as her toddler played nearby. Rosslyn’s husband, Ray McQueen, told police and ambulance officers she had terminal cancer. But Ros didn’t have cancer and nobody believed she would have taken her own life. This podcast, from the creator of The Teacher’s Pet, Bronwyn and Shandee’s Story, also features Rex Bakes, a relentless, retired private investigator who once worked for Ray McQueen’s defence team. Now, Rex is determined to help get justice for Ros. Subscribers to The Australian hear new episodes first on Apple Podcasts, on The Australian’s app and thepoisonedwife.com, where you’ll find photos, videos, timelines, stories and more.

Latest Episodes:

Episode 6: Fearful Oct 01, 2026

Show notes

Former detective Ron Blackshaw breaks his silence to reflect on critical aspects of the police case, 40 years after charging Ray with Ros's murder.

Ray told friends, neighbours, work colleagues and teenager Donna that Ros had cancer and might die. Ros and her doctors told a very different story.

A former neighbour of Ray and his first wife Jeanette speaks publicly for the first time about helping Jeanette flee the family home.

Peter and Yvonne Dixon "call bullshit" on Ray's claims their neighbour Vin McKenzie supplied the strychnine that killed Ros. They say Vin went to his grave heartbroken from the smear.

Rex's reasons for relentlessly investigating Ros's death become clearer.

Subscribers hear new episodes of The Poisoned Wife first. Listen at thepoisonedwife.com, in The Australian’s app or search for The Poisoned Wife on Apple Podcasts to connect your subscription.

Join the conversation and hear more from Hedley Thomas in The Poisoned Wife Podcast Official Discussion Group on Facebook

Do you know more? Contact the team at thepoisonedwife@theaustralian.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 5: The Charge Sep 24, 2026

Show notes

Donna drops a bombshell during her police interview. Two months after Rosslyn's sudden death, Ray asked Donna to live with him in a "husband and wife relationship". Her mother and stepfather are horrified.

Ray tells his friend Evan Doherty that Donna had offered to live with him to repay him for his help to her. Evan doubts Ray's supposedly altruistic motives in relation to Donna.

Donna endures an intrusive medical examination to test her claim to police that she has not had sex with Ray.

After hours of questioning by homicide detectives, Ray is charged with murdering his wife. He maintains his innocence, telling detectives he loved Ros, was devoted to her and wouldn't do a thing to hurt her.

Subscribers hear new episodes of The Poisoned Wife first. Listen at thepoisonedwife.com, in The Australian’s app or search for The Poisoned Wife on Apple Podcasts to connect your subscription.
Join the conversation and hear more from Hedley Thomas in The Poisoned Wife Podcast Official Discussion Group on Facebook
Do you know more? Contact the team at thepoisonedwife@theaustralian.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 4: Volatility Sep 17, 2026

Show notes

Ray's mother Beryl McQueen tells police they used strychnine to poison foxes on the family farm, where Ray lived for about 25 years.

Ray's first wife Jeanette McQueen makes startling disclosures to police about the tumultuous end of her marriage to Ray and his violence towards her.

Ros is so concerned about Ray and Donna's closeness that she involves her mother-in-law. Friends notice Ray and Donna's intimacy and ask Ros if something is going on.

In the months before Ros dies, Donna and Ray are often seen close together in Ray's car at the local tennis club. Members of the club are highly suspicious of the friendship.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 3: Contradictions Sep 10, 2026

Show notes

Homicide squad detectives rush from Melbourne to Bendigo. They hit the ground running, questioning Donna and Ray within days of one another. Detectives identify contradictions in their accounts, including when Ray denies kissing Donna before Ros's death.

Ray suggests that his neighbour Vin, who found Ros's body, might have been the source of the strychnine that killed Ros.

Ros's mother pleads with her daughter's best friend, Wendy, to tell the police everything she knows.

Subscribers hear new episodes of The Poisoned Wife first. Listen at thepoisonedwife.com, in The Australian’s app or search for The Poisoned Wife on Apple Podcasts to connect your subscription.
Join the conversation and hear more from Hedley Thomas in The Poisoned Wife Podcast Official Discussion Group on Facebook
Do you know more? Contact the team at thepoisonedwife@theaustralian.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 2: False Trail Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

Documents from the brief of evidence reveal that when police ask Ray McQueen whether he has any idea why his wife died at the kitchen table, he tells them “Yes, she’s had cancer”.

Police decide there are no suspicious circumstances, but her general practitioner refuses to provide a death certificate. Almost three months later, toxicology tests show strychnine killed Rosslyn.

Hedley Thomas, Karina Berger and Rex Bakes meet in Bendigo for new interviews and investigations.
Subscribers hear new episodes of The Poisoned Wife first. Listen at thepoisonedwife.com, in The Australian’s app or search for The Poisoned Wife on Apple Podcasts to connect your subscription.
Join the conversation and hear more from Hedley Thomas in The Poisoned Wife Podcast Official Discussion Group on Facebook
Do you know more? Contact the team at thepoisonedwife@theaustralian.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 1: The Suitcase Aug 20, 2026

Show notes

A cold case murder by strychnine poisoning of a pregnant mother of one is revived when a suitcase filled with documents is sent to the newsroom by a retired private investigator.

Secrets and lies surrounding the death of Rosslyn McQueen in a small rural community four decades ago spill out of the suitcase and trigger a new investigation into this unsolved homicide.

And a vulnerable teenager groomed by a married man more than twice her age breaks her silence.
Subscribers hear new episodes of The Poisoned Wife first. Listen at thepoisonedwife.com, in The Australian’s app or search for The Poisoned Wife on Apple Podcasts to connect your subscription.
Join the conversation and hear more from Hedley Thomas in The Poisoned Wife Podcast Official Discussion Group on Facebook
Do you know more? Contact the team at thepoisonedwife@theaustralian.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Introducing The Poisoned Wife Aug 20, 2026

Show notes

Who killed Rosslyn McQueen?

Join Hedley Thomas, Karina Berger and retired private eye Rex Bakes as they mine dark secrets in Victoria’s gold-rush country. The mysterious 1986 death by poisoning of a 30-year-old mum and her unborn baby has become one of Australia’s most intriguing cold cases.

Subscribers hear episodes first at Apple Podcasts, thepoisonedwife.com and The Australian’s app.

To contact the team, email us at thepoisonedwife@theaustralian.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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