Australian True Crime
Bravecasting
Charlie Bezzina has been in confined spaces with some of the most monstrous people imaginable. People who have committed crimes so terr...
- 29 minutes 21 secondsDezi Freeman Dead After Months in Hiding
Fugitive Dezi Freeman has been shot dead by Australian police after seven months on the run, following the fatal shooting of two officers, Neal Thompson and Vadim De Waart-Hottart, at his rural Porepunkah property last August.
Authorities say the 56-year-old, linked to sovereign citizen ideology, died after an hours-long stand-off in bushland when he refused to surrender.
We unpack what is known so far about the case, the manhunt and the broader concerns around anti-government extremism with Holly Hales, Chief of Staff at Australian Associated Press.
You can visit the Australian Associated Press at: https://www.aap.com.au/
You can watch our episodes by visiting our Youtube Channel here.
Lifeline on 13 11 14
13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)
1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732
Blue Knot Helpline: 1300 657 380
CREDITS:
Host: Meshel LaurieGuest: Holly Hales
Executive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard
GET IN TOUCH:
https://www.australiantruecrimethepodcast.com/
Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook
Email the show at [email protected]1 April 2026, 5:05 pm - 11 minutes 9 secondsShortcut: Dezi Freeman Dead After Months in Hiding
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.
Fugitive Dezi Freeman has been shot dead by Australian police after seven months on the run, following the fatal shooting of two officers, Neal Thompson and Vadim De Waart-Hottart, at his rural Porepunkah property last August.
Authorities say the 56-year-old, linked to sovereign citizen ideology, died after an hours-long stand-off in bushland when he refused to surrender.
We unpack what is known so far about the case, the manhunt and the broader concerns around anti-government extremism with Holly Hales, Chief of Staff at Australian Associated Press.
You can visit the Australian Associated Press at: https://www.aap.com.au/
You can watch our episodes by visiting our Youtube Channel here.
Lifeline on 13 11 14
13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)
1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732
Blue Knot Helpline: 1300 657 380
CREDITS:
Host: Meshel LaurieGuest: Holly Hales
Executive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard
GET IN TOUCH:
https://www.australiantruecrimethepodcast.com/
Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook
Email the show at [email protected]1 April 2026, 5:00 pm - 55 minutes 2 secondsStrange Investigations with Charlie Bezzina - Part 2
This is part 2 of our conversation with former Homicide Detective, Charlie Bezzina about the lesser known cases from his 38 year career with Victoria Police.
You can listen to part 1 "Episode 737: Strange Investigations with Charlie Bezzina" here.
You can watch our episodes by visiting our Youtube Channel here.
Lifeline on 13 11 14
13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)
1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732
Blue Knot Helpline: 1300 657 380
CREDITS:
Host: Meshel LaurieGuest: Charlie Bezzina
Executive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard
GET IN TOUCH:
https://www.australiantruecrimethepodcast.com/
Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook
Email the show at [email protected]29 March 2026, 5:05 pm - 16 minutes 45 secondsShortcut: Strange Investigations with Charlie Bezzina - Part 2
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.
This is part 2 of our conversation with former Homicide Detective, Charlie Bezzina about the lesser known cases from his 38 year career with Victoria Police.
You can listen to part 1 "Episode 737: Strange Investigations with Charlie Bezzina" here.
You can watch our episodes by visiting our Youtube Channel here.
Lifeline on 13 11 14
13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)
1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732
Blue Knot Helpline: 1300 657 380
CREDITS:
Host: Meshel LaurieGuest: Charlie Bezzina
Executive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard
GET IN TOUCH:
https://www.australiantruecrimethepodcast.com/
Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook
Email the show at [email protected]29 March 2026, 5:00 pm - 45 minutes 42 secondsShould Sex Offenders Keep Their Super? Re-Issue
Yesterday, (March 25th 2026), the Albanese Government introduced legislation known as the Survivors Law, aimed at preventing convicted child sexual abusers from using superannuation to shield assets from unpaid court-ordered compensation.
If passed, the reforms would allow victim-survivors to seek access to certain additional super contributions from their offenders, and would ensure those debts can still be pursued even if an offender declares bankruptcy.
Today, we are re-issuing episode 265 from July 2022. In this conversation, Andrew Carpenter and Adam Washbourne join us to explain why advocates have long called for these changes, and what meaningful reform could mean for survivors seeking justice and financial support to rebuild their lives.
Sign the petition here: https://www.change.org/p/strip-paedophiles-of-their-superannuation-and-give-it-to-survivors-of-child-sexual-abuse
Learn more about Fighters Against Child Abuse Australia here: https://www.facaaus.org/
Learn more about Andrew Carpenter's work here: https://websterslawyers.com.au/lawyers/andrew-carpenter
CREDITS:
Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram
Guests: Andrew Carpenter and Adam Washbourne
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)
1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732
Blue Knot Helpline: 1300 657 380
GET IN TOUCH:
https://www.australiantruecrimethepodcast.com/
Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook
Email the show at [email protected]25 March 2026, 10:20 pm - 16 minutes 21 secondsShortcut: The Disappearance of Pauline Sowry
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.
Pauline Sowry disappeared from Wollongong’s northern suburbs in December 1993 at the age of 49.
An inquest in 2008 found she likely died after a reported sighting the following year, yet her body has never been located, and the case has continued to develop with a dedicated police task force in 2022, a 500 thousand dollar reward announced in 2024, and a charge laid then withdrawn in 2025.
One of Pauline's children, Jason Lawrence joins us to share who his mother was and the lasting impact her disappearance has had on their family.
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)
1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732
Blue Knot Helpline: 1300 657 380
CREDITS:
Host: Meshel LaurieGuests: Jason Lawrence
Executive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard
GET IN TOUCH:
https://www.australiantruecrimethepodcast.com/
Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook
Email the show at [email protected]23 March 2026, 1:17 am - 42 minutes 9 secondsThe Disappearance of Pauline Sowry
Pauline Sowry disappeared from Wollongong’s northern suburbs in December 1993 at the age of 49.
An inquest in 2008 found she likely died after a reported sighting the following year, yet her body has never been located, and the case has continued to develop with a dedicated police task force in 2022, a 500 thousand dollar reward announced in 2024, and a charge laid then withdrawn in 2025.
One of Pauline's children, Jason Lawrence joins us to share who his mother was and the lasting impact her disappearance has had on their family.
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)
1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732
Blue Knot Helpline: 1300 657 380
CREDITS:
Host: Meshel LaurieGuests: Jason Lawrence
Executive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard
This episode contains extra content from NINE Entertainment.
GET IN TOUCH:
https://www.australiantruecrimethepodcast.com/
Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook
Email the show at [email protected]22 March 2026, 5:00 pm - 52 minutes 18 secondsA victim’s perspective of the mental impairment defence *re-issue*
David Cammarata’s childhood best friend is currently a forensic patient in a secure psychiatric facility. He was found not guilty of the machete murder of his own brother at a suburban shopping centre and of stalking and attempting to murder David, because the judge believed he was suffering from severe mental illness when he committed the offences.
David and his family were terrorised for years before his former friend Jonathan was apprehended. Now he lives in fear that he’ll one day be released.
David’s former best friend, the best man at his wedding is a man by the name of Jonathan Dick.
This episode was first aired on September 18th, 2022.
You can watch our episodes and subscribe to our Youtube channel here.
Lifeline on 13 11 14
13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)
1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732
Blue Knot Helpline: 1300 657 380
GET IN TOUCH:
https://www.australiantruecrimethepodcast.com/
Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook
Email the show at [email protected]18 March 2026, 5:05 pm - 17 minutes 44 secondsShortcut: A victim’s perspective of the mental impairment defence *re-issue*
David Cammarata’s childhood best friend is currently a forensic patient in a secure psychiatric facility. He was found not guilty of the machete murder of his own brother at a suburban shopping centre and of stalking and attempting to murder David, because the judge believed he was suffering from severe mental illness when he committed the offences.
David and his family were terrorised for years before his former friend Jonathan was apprehended. Now he lives in fear that he’ll one day be released.
David’s former best friend, the best man at his wedding is a man by the name of Jonathan Dick.
This episode was first aired on September 18th, 2022.
You can watch our episodes and subscribe to our Youtube channel here.
Lifeline on 13 11 14
13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)
1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732
Blue Knot Helpline: 1300 657 380
GET IN TOUCH:
https://www.australiantruecrimethepodcast.com/
Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook
Email the show at [email protected]18 March 2026, 5:00 pm - 1 hour 8 minutesThe Young Woman a Country Town Didn’t Believe
In 2016, a woman reported that she was sexually assaulted at a birthday party in the small western Victorian town of Balmoral.
The case divided the close-knit community and led to a complex legal process involving an appeal, a retrial and a key witness who later changed her evidence, though two juries ultimately found the men guilty of rape.
Journalists Andy Burns and Charlotte King join us to discuss their investigation for the ABC podcast Hometown Boys and the impact the case had on the town.
PLEASE NOTE: This episode contains graphic descriptions of sexual violence.
You can listen to Hometown Boys on the Background Briefing podcast by the ABC.
You can watch our episodes and subscribe to our Youtube channel here.
Lifeline on 13 11 14
13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)
1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732
Blue Knot Helpline: 1300 657 380
CREDITS:
Host: Meshel LaurieGuests: Andy Burns and Charlotte King
Executive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard
GET IN TOUCH:
https://www.australiantruecrimethepodcast.com/
Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook
Email the show at [email protected]15 March 2026, 2:25 pm - 17 minutes 40 secondsShortcut: The Young Woman a Country Town Didn’t Believe
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.
In 2016, a woman reported that she was sexually assaulted at a birthday party in the small western Victorian town of Balmoral.
The case divided the close-knit community and led to a complex legal process involving an appeal, a retrial and a key witness who later changed her evidence, though two juries ultimately found the men guilty of rape.
Journalists Andy Burns and Charlotte King join us to discuss their investigation for the ABC podcast Hometown Boys and the impact the case had on the town.
PLEASE NOTE: This episode contains graphic descriptions of sexual violence.
You can listen to Hometown Boys on the Background Briefing podcast by the ABC.
You can watch our episodes and subscribe to our Youtube channel here.
Lifeline on 13 11 14
13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)
1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732
Blue Knot Helpline: 1300 657 380
CREDITS:
Host: Meshel LaurieGuests: Andy Burns and Charlotte King
Executive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard
GET IN TOUCH:
https://www.australiantruecrimethepodcast.com/
Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook
Email the show at [email protected]15 March 2026, 2:23 pm - More Episodes? Get the App