Australian True Crime

On March 19, 2004, Brianna Maitland’s car was discovered backed into an abandoned farmhouse known as the Dutchburn House, with personal items left behind but no sign of the 17-year-old.  Brianna had been building an independent life, working two jobs and studying for her GED, and was last seen leaving her shift at the Black Lantern Inn late the night before. On this episode of Australian True Crime International, we speak with Tim Pilleri and Lance Reenstierna, hosts of the podcast Missing. You can listen to Missing, and all other podcasts from Crawlspace Media, wherever you get your podcasts. If you have information about the disappearance of Brianna Maitland, you can anonymously report it here. You can watch our episodes by visiting our Youtube Channel here. Join our Facebook Group here. Wanting to hear about certain kinds of crime? Check out our Spotify playlists for a curated list of our episodes. For Support: Lifeline  on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732Blue Knot Helpline: 1300 657 380CREDITS:Host: Meshel Laurie Guest: Tim Pilleri and Lance ReenstiernaExecutive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard GET IN TOUCH:https://www.australiantruecrimethepodcast.com/Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook Email the show at AusTrueCrimePodcast@gmail.com

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. On March 19, 2004, Brianna Maitland’s car was discovered backed into an abandoned farmhouse known as the Dutchburn House, with personal items left behind but no sign of the 17-year-old.  Brianna had been building an independent life, working two jobs and studying for her GED, and was last seen leaving her shift at the Black Lantern Inn late the night before. On this episode of Australian True Crime International, we speak with Tim Pilleri and Lance Reenstierna, hosts of the podcast Missing. You can listen to Missing, and all other podcasts from Crawlspace Media, wherever you get your podcasts. If you have information about the disappearance of Brianna Maitland, you can anonymously report it here. You can watch our episodes by visiting our Youtube Channel here. Join our Facebook Group here. Wanting to hear about certain kinds of crime? Check out our Spotify playlists for a curated list of our episodes. For Support: Lifeline  on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732Blue Knot Helpline: 1300 657 380CREDITS:Host: Meshel Laurie Guest: Tim Pilleri and Lance ReenstiernaExecutive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard GET IN TOUCH:https://www.australiantruecrimethepodcast.com/Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook Email the show at AusTrueCrimePodcast@gmail.com

In 2007, Australia was captivated by the two week run of father and son outlaws Gino and Mark Stocco. They evaded police by driving laps around the southern states of Australia, while social media went wild with sightings and memes. Eventually, they were captured, and the real story, more bizarre than anyone could have imagined, could finally be told. Journalist Nino Bucci has written the definitive account in his book, "The Stoccos: Like Father Like Son" and he joins us to talk about it. This is a re-issue of episode 53. You can purchase your copy of "The Stoccos: Like Father Like Son" here. You can watch our episodes by visiting our Youtube Channel here. Join our Facebook Group here. Do you have information regarding any of the cases discussed on this podcast? Please report it on the Crime Stoppers website or by calling 1800 333 000. Wanting to hear about certain kinds of crime? Check out our Spotify playlists for a curated list of our episodes. For Support: Lifeline  on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732Blue Knot Helpline: 1300 657 380 GET IN TOUCH:https://www.australiantruecrimethepodcast.com/Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook Email the show at AusTrueCrimePodcast@gmail.com

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 2007, Australia was captivated by the two week run of father and son outlaws Gino and Mark Stocco. They evaded police by driving laps around the southern states of Australia, while social media went wild with sightings and memes. Eventually, they were captured, and the real story, more bizarre than anyone could have imagined, could finally be told. Journalist Nino Bucci has written the definitive account in his book, "The Stoccos: Like Father Like Son" and he joins us to talk about it. This is a re-issue of episode 53. You can purchase your copy of "The Stoccos: Like Father Like Son" here. You can watch our episodes by visiting our Youtube Channel here. Join our Facebook Group here. Do you have information regarding any of the cases discussed on this podcast? Please report it on the Crime Stoppers website or by calling 1800 333 000. Wanting to hear about certain kinds of crime? Check out our Spotify playlists for a curated list of our episodes. For Support: Lifeline  on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732Blue Knot Helpline: 1300 657 380 GET IN TOUCH:https://www.australiantruecrimethepodcast.com/Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook Email the show at AusTrueCrimePodcast@gmail.com

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. Join our Facebook Group here. Do you have information regarding any of the cases discussed on this podcast? Please report it on the Crime Stoppers website or by calling 1800 333 000. Wanting to hear about certain kinds of crime? Check out our Spotify playlists for a curated list of our episodes. For Support: Lifeline  on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732Blue Knot Helpline: 1300 657 380CREDITS:Host: Meshel Laurie Guest: Holly HalesExecutive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard GET IN TOUCH:https://www.australiantruecrimethepodcast.com/Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook Email the show at AusTrueCrimePodcast@gmail.com

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. Join our Facebook Group here. Do you have information regarding any of the cases discussed on this podcast? Please report it on the Crime Stoppers website or by calling 1800 333 000. Wanting to hear about certain kinds of crime? Check out our Spotify playlists for a curated list of our episodes.For Support: Lifeline  on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732Blue Knot Helpline: 1300 657 380CREDITS:Host: Meshel Laurie Guest: Holly HalesExecutive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard GET IN TOUCH:https://www.australiantruecrimethepodcast.com/Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook Email the show at AusTrueCrimePodcast@gmail.com

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. Join our Facebook Group here. Do you have information regarding any of the cases discussed on this podcast? Please report it on the Crime Stoppers website or by calling 1800 333 000. Wanting to hear about certain kinds of crime? Check out our Spotify playlists for a curated list of our episodes. For Support: Lifeline  on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732Blue Knot Helpline: 1300 657 380CREDITS:Host: Meshel Laurie Guest: Charlie BezzinaExecutive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard GET IN TOUCH:https://www.australiantruecrimethepodcast.com/Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook Email the show at AusTrueCrimePodcast@gmail.com

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. Join our Facebook Group here. Do you have information regarding any of the cases discussed on this podcast? Please report it on the Crime Stoppers website or by calling 1800 333 000. For Support: Lifeline  on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732Blue Knot Helpline: 1300 657 380CREDITS:Host: Meshel Laurie Guest: Charlie BezzinaExecutive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard GET IN TOUCH:https://www.australiantruecrimethepodcast.com/Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook Email the show at AusTrueCrimePodcast@gmail.com

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 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732Blue Knot Helpline: 1300 657 380 GET IN TOUCH:https://www.australiantruecrimethepodcast.com/Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook Email the show at AusTrueCrimePodcast@gmail.com

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. Do you have information regarding any of the cases discussed on this podcast? Please report it on the Crime Stoppers website or by calling 1800 333 000. Wanting to hear about certain kinds of crime? Check out our Spotify playlists for a curated list of our episodes. Join our Facebook Group here.  For Support: Lifeline  on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732Blue Knot Helpline: 1300 657 380CREDITS:Host: Meshel Laurie Guests: 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 AusTrueCrimePodcast@gmail.com