Unravel

Key inquest lawyer says other suspects weren't adequately investigated by police. Philip Strickland SC acted as counsel assisting the coroner for the recent inquest into the death of Simone Strobel. He tells Richard Baker that there's "some validity" to Tobias Moran's claim that police got tunnel vision. He says the "extremely unwise" lies told by Tobias Moran distorted the investigation. Credits Host and reporter: Richard Baker Producer and fact checker: Romy Sher Supervising producer: Alicia Bridges Special thanks: Chiara Holzhaeuser; Joanne Shoebridge and everyone at ABC North Coast Additional reporting: Cath Adams Theme composition and additional music: Martin Peralta and Ashley Cadell Sound design: Tim Symonds Executive Producers: Tim Roxburgh, Eric George Head of Audio on Demand: Jessica Radburn

A fresh inquest holds surprises and examines the alleged confessions. A new investigation begins, with the police work in different hands — but will it find justice for Simone? The coroner points to a piece of clothing she was wearing on the night as a potential source of DNA evidence to help solve the crime. STATEMENT FROM GABI AND GUSTAV STROBEL Mr Baker's letter sets out Tobias Moran and Katrin Suckfuell's versions of certain important matters. We deny these accounts are truthful. Tobias Moran has admitted that he and his sister lied about matters relating to Simone's disappearance and murder because the police were not taking her disappearance seriously enough. We have never found that explanation logical or convincing as he told these lies on his first encounter with police, before anyone could have known a crime had occurred. The Coroner and Counsel Assisting described Tobias' lies as "persistent", "numerous" and "reprehensible". If Tobias Moran lied because police were not taking him seriously, what…

Parts of the police investigation seem confusing, even bizarre. Looking into how the detective work unfolded leads journalist Richard Baker to raise questions about the decisions made during the Simone Strobel case. He examines a crime scene analysis, and a strange 'quid-pro-quo' arrangement between detectives and a writer. Editorial note: An earlier version of this episode said that the West Australian Supreme Court agreed with Tobias Moran that the Virginia Peters book implied he was guilty. What the judge actually said was that an imputation of guilt is arguably capable of being made. But he said the book must be read as a whole, and it wouldn’t be straightforward to assess if the whole book conveys an imputation that Tobias was guilty. The judge said that Tobias had an arguable – but as he assessed it, not strong – defamation case. Credits Host and reporter: Richard Baker Producer and fact checker: Romy Sher Supervising producer: Alicia Bridges Special thanks: Chiara Holzhaeuser; Joanne Shoebridge and…

Multiple people are alleged to have confessed to murdering Simone, so why were they ruled out as suspects? Journalist Richard Baker hits the road to try to find them, and the people who heard their alleged confessions, to understand more. Credits Host and reporter: Richard Baker Producer and fact checker: Romy Sher Supervising producer: Alicia Bridges Special thanks: Chiara Holzhaeuser; Joanne Shoebridge and everyone at ABC North Coast Additional reporting: Cath Adams Theme composition and additional music: Martin Peralta and Ashley Cadell Sound design: Tim Symonds Executive Producers: Tim Roxburgh, Eric George Head of Audio on Demand: Jessica Radburn

Decades on, police make an arrest and lay charges for the murder of Simone Strobel. But what is the new evidence they've found? Richard Baker tries to figure out what led police to this dramatic arrest years into the investigation. Credits Host and reporter: Richard Baker Producer and fact checker: Romy Sher Supervising producer: Alicia Bridges Special thanks: Chiara Holzhaeuser; Joanne Shoebridge and everyone at ABC North Coast Additional reporting: Cath Adams Theme composition and additional music: Martin Peralta and Ashley Cadell Sound design: Tim Symonds Executive Producers: Tim Roxburgh, Eric George Head of Audio on Demand: Jessica Radburn

He's never spoken publicly about the night Simone disappeared, until now. Breaking his silence in an interview with journalist Richard Baker, he answers questions about what happened that night, and why he didn't tell police the full story. Credits Host and reporter: Richard Baker Producer and fact checker: Romy Sher Supervising producer: Alicia Bridges Special thanks: Chiara Holzhaeuser; Joanne Shoebridge and everyone at ABC North Coast Additional reporting: Cath Adams Theme composition and additional music: Martin Peralta and Ashley Cadell Sound design: Tim Symonds Executive Producers: Tim Roxburgh, Eric George Head of Audio on Demand: Jessica Radburn

Simone's diary reveals arguments amongst travellers, police say they're being lied to, and the investigation into who caused Simone's death begins to narrow its focus. An inquest into Simone Strobel's death is eventually held, but some key people don't attend. Years pass and fellow travellers refuse to speak to the media, but investigative journalist Richard Baker learns one of them might finally break this silence and talk to him. Credits Host and reporter: Richard Baker Producer and fact checker: Romy Sher Supervising producer: Alicia Bridges Special thanks: Chiara Holzhaeuser; Joanne Shoebridge and everyone at ABC North Coast Additional reporting: Cath Adams Theme composition and additional music: Martin Peralta and Ashley Cadell Sound design: Tim Symonds Executive Producers: Tim Roxburgh, Eric George Head of Audio on Demand: Jessica Radburn

On a dream trip to Australia, Simone disappears. Her boyfriend Tobias reports her missing, and the search begins. Six days later Simone Strobel's body is found under palm fronds just a short distance away. It's clear her death is no accident and her boyfriend, Tobias Suckfuell, is questioned by police. It's been more than 20 years, and still no one has been found responsible for Simone's murder. Investigative journalist Richard Baker wants to know why. Richard attempts to unravel the truth about what happened to Simone in Lismore that night in 2005, amongst a tangle of decades-old lies. Credits Host and reporter: Richard Baker Producer and fact checker: Romy Sher Supervising producer: Alicia Bridges Special thanks: Chiara Holzhaeuser; Joanne Shoebridge and everyone at ABC North Coast Additional reporting: Cath Adams Theme composition and additional music: Martin Peralta and Ashley Cadell Sound design: Tim Symonds Executive Producers: Tim Roxburgh, Eric George Head of Audio on Demand: Jessica Radburn

Simone Strobel was 25 and travelling in Australia when she disappeared from a Lismore caravan park. Six days later, her body was found hidden under palm fronds. Ever since, questions have followed her boyfriend, Tobias Suckfuell, who's always insisted that he's innocent. But the truth is difficult to find when lies are layered upon lies. Now there are new twists in the story, and more potential suspects coming into focus. Has the truth been hiding in plain sight? Or did a killer escape without scrutiny? Acclaimed investigative journalist Richard Baker investigates. Credits Host and reporter: Richard Baker Producer and fact checker: Romy Sher Supervising producer: Alicia Bridges Special thanks to: Chiara Holzhaeuser; Joanne Shoebridge and everyone at ABC North Coast Theme composition and additional music: Martin Peralta and Ashley Cadell Sound design: Tim Symonds Executive Producers: Tim Roxburgh, Eric George Head of Audio on Demand: Jessica Radburn Additional reporting: Cath Adams

After almost forty years, two inquests and because of one family that never gave up, the Coroner has finally delivered her findings into the death of Gomeroi teenager Mark Anthony Haines. Journalist Allan Clarke has spent close to a decade investigating Mark's death. His Walkley Award-winning coverage for the ABC reignited public attention on the case and helped drive it to this final inquest. Allan reflects on the findings and what it means to reach the end of a story he's carried for so long.

Journalist Rob Burgin breaks down his approach to investigating What Became of Jack? with Stephen Stockwell, host of the ABC's true crime podcast, "The Case Of." Stocky asks Rob about the challenges he had reporting the story, what he thinks of the evidence, and what's next for the people at its centre.

A new theory emerges from tip-offs coming in to ABC journalist Rob Burgin. Rob investigates two cars spotted at Ficks Crossing the night Jack McLennan disappeared, hoping it might lead him to an understanding of what became of Jack.

The last known person to see Jack alive finally breaks his silence. Chris Duke speaks in detail for the first time, laying out his version of what happened the night Jack McLennan vanished and revealing new details about Jack's last known moments.

Jack’s mum gets a shocking tip-off from a scared community member. With the rumour mill in overdrive, ABC journalist Rob Burgin tries to decipher what’s true and what’s not about the disappearance of Jack McLennan.

One of the last places Jack was seen was a house in Wondai. Rob goes there, despite being told the people inside that night have links to the region's darker side, to investigate why Jack visited that night and what happened after he left.

Rob retraces Jack's final hours via CCTV footage and meeting people who saw him in his last days. He also learns about another item found in Jack's wallet that reveals a different side to what went on that night. And finally, ABC journalist Rob Burgin gets a call through to the last known person to see Jack alive, and he agrees to speak publicly for the first time.

The day he vanished, Jack moved his stuff out of Carlee's place. They'd just broken up. Carlee hasn't spoken publicly about what led up to that day or why she called police twice in the days before Jack disappeared — until now. She thinks Jack's disappearance is suspicious, but tells ABC journalist Rob Burgin how speculation, rumours and aggression have flooded the vacuum of information around what happened to Jack.

When Jack's mate turns around, he's just… gone. Vanished. His mate says that's how fit 27-year-old Jack McLennan disappeared from a bush picnic spot 3 hours from Brisbane. But when searchers discover a trail of baffling clues, suspicions begin to deepen among friends and family. They start questioning what this is — it doesn't seem like the average missing person's case to them. Could it be murder? Is it someone who's just gone missing? ABC journalist Rob Burgin picks up the case, determined to find out what became of Jack.

When a fit young man disappears from a picnic spot, leaving a trail of strange clues behind him, a community begins to suspect the worst. The belongings he leaves behind are discarded in a way that seems nonsensical, and to some, even sinister. Is he missing, has he left town or has there been a crime? Concern turns to suspicion and online speculation as weeks turn into months, with no sign of Jack. Now, ABC journalist Rob Burgin investigates what became of Jack, tracing the fragments of that night through a web of small Queensland towns, where everyone knows everyone, everyone knows something, but no one can agree on what became of Jack. Coming soon, What Became of Jack?: the latest season of the ABC's award-winning true crime podcast, Unravel. Follow or favourite to be notified when the first episode releases. Credits Host and reporter: Rob Burgin Producer and fact checker: Jake Morcom Supervising producers: Alex Mann and Yasmin Parry Theme composition and additional music: Martin Peralta and Ashley Cadell…

It's 2025, and the NSW Deputy Coroner is holding a fresh inquest into the death of Gomeroi teenager Mark Haines, who was found dead on the train tracks back in 1988. As the inquest hearings spiral over a year a half, new witnesses appear with explosive allegations and police make surprising admissions. Allan heads to Tamworth and dives back into a story that's gripped him for over a decade. Will he finally find the answers to this mystery he's been looking for? Blood on the Tracks is the first ever series we made for Unravel, back in 2018. It is intended to be listened to as a whole, so we encourage you to go back to episode 1 and listen to the entire series. To binge more great episodes of Unravel, the ABC's award winning investigative true crime podcast documentary series, search 'Unravel podcast' on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you'll find previous series covering various crimes and crime-related topics including solved and unsolved murder cases, forensic…

Years of investigation have led to this moment … a major breakthrough in the case, a potential answer to thirty years of mystery and pain for the Haines family. An alleged confession has revealed who might have placed Mark's body on the train tracks on that summer night in 1988. Now it's time to put the question to him — did he have anything to do with Mark's death? Will Allan Clarke finally have some answers for Uncle Duck? Blood on the Tracks is the first ever series we made for Unravel, back in 2018. But we're re-releasing it now with a new episode because the NSW Deputy State Coroner is currently holding a fresh inquest into this case. Keep listening to the end of this series to find out about the new information that's recently been revealed in the inquest hearings. This season of Unravel is intended to be listened to as a whole. If you haven't heard all the episodes, you shouldn't draw any conclusions, because you haven't heard all the sides of this story. To binge more great episodes of Unravel, the…

Allan and the team shift their focus to Tamworth and the truth starts to emerge from a fog of rumours. As Allan builds on the case, he discovers the police aren't far behind. An eyewitness comes forward. Key witnesses are confronted for the first time. An alleged confession emerges which takes the investigation in a completely new direction. If it turns out to be true, this new lead could help finally solve the 30-year-old mystery. Blood on the Tracks is the first ever series we made for Unravel, back in 2018. But we're re-releasing it now with a new episode because the NSW Deputy State Coroner is currently holding a fresh inquest into this case. Keep listening to the end of this series to find out about the new information that's recently been revealed in the inquest hearings. This season of Unravel is intended to be listened to as a whole. If you haven't heard all the episodes, you shouldn't draw any conclusions, because you haven't heard all the sides of this story. To binge more great episodes of…

More than two decades have passed since the coronial inquest into Mark Haines' death. The family have been forgotten about — until news reporter Allan Clarke arrives in Tamworth on a routine story and becomes convinced this is a major injustice. Allan's reporting unearths fresh information. A mother comes forward with a story about her son's involvement. Police aren't quick to follow up. But, after a flurry of protests and phone calls … the case finally starts to gain traction. Blood on the Tracks is the first ever series we made for Unravel, back in 2018. But we're re-releasing it now with a new episode because the NSW Deputy State Coroner is currently holding a fresh inquest into this case. Keep listening to the end of this series to find out about the new information that's recently been revealed in the inquest hearings. This season of Unravel is intended to be listened to as a whole. If you haven't heard all the episodes, you shouldn't draw any conclusions, because you haven't heard all the sides of this…

Nine months after Mark's death, an inquest is held. The family are hopeful it will give them answers, but the police won't budge from their theory that he put himself on the tracks. As the hearing unfolds, the family find out just how mediocre the initial investigation was. One person is in the family's corner though. The railway worker who found Mark on the tracks is adamant the police and the forensic pathologist have it wrong. He's remained silent for the last thirty years but finally comes forward to set the record straight. Blood on the Tracks is the first ever series we made for Unravel, back in 2018. But we're re-releasing it now with a new episode because the NSW Deputy State Coroner is currently holding a fresh inquest into this case. Keep listening to the end of this series to find out about the new information that's recently been revealed in the inquest hearings. This season of Unravel is intended to be listened to as a whole. If you haven't heard all the episodes, you shouldn't draw any…

On the surface, Tamworth in 1988 is a typical Aussie town with rodeos, farmers and an active Country Women's Association. But beneath the friendly veneer, there's a thriving criminal underbelly. Large marijuana crops grow on the outskirts of town and there are reports of bikie gangs with links to corrupt cops on the take. The police investigation into Mark's death has stalled, allowing gossip and innuendo to take hold. The family know Mark occasionally smoked marijuana, but now they're hearing whispers that he might've got on the wrong side of some serious criminals. The family decide to confront a man rumoured to have been involved… with ugly consequences. Blood on the Tracks is the first ever series we made for Unravel, back in 2018. But we're re-releasing it now with a new episode because the NSW Deputy State Coroner is currently holding a fresh inquest into this case. Keep listening to the end of this series to find out about the new information that's recently been revealed in the inquest hearings. This…

When Mark Haines dies, news of the teenager's death spreads quickly through Tamworth and beyond. His family are on summer holidays in different parts of the state and rush home to be together in grief. While the family mourns and Mark's body is in the morgue, their town is in full party mode. The Tamworth Country Music Festival is on and Australia is celebrating 200 years of colonisation. For Mark's uncles, it feels like the death of a young Aboriginal boy is the last thing on anyone's mind. The police come up with a theory that Mark might've killed himself … but the family aren't buying it. In the days and weeks ahead, his uncles return repeatedly to the train tracks looking for answers. They're worried the police have missed vital clues and they become convinced Mark met with foul play. In their quest to disprove the police theory, the family find an unlikely ally. The railway worker who first found Mark's body on tracks is just as convinced the evidence out there on the tracks just doesn't add up. Blood…

Just outside Australia's country music capital, a young man's body is found on the train tracks, surrounded by shattered Christmas presents and discarded wrapping paper. For decades, the mystery has haunted Tamworth. After Unravel's first season Blood on the Tracks brought national attention to the case and won a Walkley award, a new inquest was launched. Now, Muruwari and Gomeroi journalist Allan Clarke returns to where it all began for Unravel, revisiting Tamworth and uncovering what's happened since, as the long-awaited final chapter of the story unfolds, and major new revelations are heard at the inquest. But before then, let's return to episode one. We trace Mark's movements on the night before his death, as he hit the town on a big night out with a bunch of friends, dancing, drinking and having fun. Mark's friends and girlfriend say they left him in the early hours. Just after, a nearby resident hears voices on the street, what sounds like an argument, and a car driving dangerously. But the next few…

Back in 2018, our first season Blood on the Tracks investigated the suspicious death of 17-year-old Mark Haines, whose body was found on the railway line outside Tamworth in January 1988. Since Allan Clarke first reported this story, there's been a fresh inquest, with new witnesses and explosive allegations. Dive back into Blood on the Tracks. We're republishing the original series plus a brand new episode, where we delve into the latest from the new inquest.

Go behind the scenes of the podcast with reporter Alicia Bridges, who answers questions about how she investigated Mr Big. Asking the hard questions is Rachael Brown, the host of the ABC's first true crime podcast, Trace. They discuss some of the challenges and dilemmas around reporting on the story, how Alicia came across the case, and some of the things that didn't make it in to the podcast.

As Alicia Bridges investigates the beginnings of an epic deception, she finds it spans across continents. At the heart of the deception is an upside-down world of gang crime, and a series of dilemmas. What secrets should stay secret? How far would you go to catch a killer? One man is in jail, convicted for murder. But are there other people behind bars who might be innocent, here or overseas? In Canada, a secret recording captures another man admitting to murder, and the same story begins again, but this time with a different ending. In this case, Andy Rose is under suspicion for the murder of two German travellers, Andrea Scherpf and Bernd Göricke. His lawyer Tania Chamberlain recounts her shock at the contents of a VHS tape that arrives at her office one day. Eventually, the issue ends up in the Canada's highest court, and one of the country's highest-profile litigators, Marie Heinen, gets involved. Back in Melbourne, Mary Cook's daughters speak about what happened to their mother, and give their thoughts…

A knife is found near a drain, but is it the one police looking for? A man is put on trial, and the court hears the evidence against him. But as each side mounts their case, which piece of evidence will really matter when the time comes for the jury to decide?

A life filled with diamond deals, drug money, bribes and corruption is strange enough. But the truth is even stranger. Deeper forces are at work, with a bigger purpose. Mr Big's web of secrets is revealed. As Alicia digs further into what happened in this case, the ingenious techniques of the gang are laid bare, and a series of strange scenarios begins to make sense as part of a larger picture.

Mr Big, the mysterious head of a criminal gang, calls a meeting at Crown Towers Casino and demands to know everything about the murder of Mary Cook. For hours, two men talk. Lies are told, and a confession emerges. But how do you tell the truth from the lies? And who is Mr Big?

If you're under investigation, the last thing you should do is commit more crimes. But this suspect is on a slippery slope. Small jobs become bigger jobs. Fake diamonds, huge sums of cash, and guns pass hands. A network of corrupt cops, government and court officials and shady underworld figures seem to form a gang with far-reaching tentacles.

Everyone says one man in the neighbourhood, Terry Britton, is dangerous. But could there be someone else who wished Mary harm? Terry has a temper and a history of violence. He threatened Mary Cook and her kids. Then Mary was murdered, and her house was set alight. But police are also looking into someone else: a much quieter man with no serious criminal record. When detective Ron Iddles interviews the other suspect, Glenn Weaven, things get tense.

A killer is caught on tape talking about a murder with a mysterious crime boss. Earlier, on a summer's night in suburban Melbourne, a mother of three is stabbed, and her house is set on fire. Firefighters race to the house, but the blaze is too intense. Police begin their investigation close to the home of the victim, Mary Cook. Journalist Alicia Bridges looks into the case. She will spend years trying to work out what the tape really means, and finding out about the crime boss on it, Mr Big.

On a secretly recorded tape, a confident-sounding man boasts of his influence with corrupt police. He sounds like a crime boss, or some kind of underworld Mr Big. He says he can help make problems with the law go away. But first, he wants the truth about a murder. But who is Mr Big? Alicia Bridges investigates. Mr Big is the latest season of Unravel, the ABC's award-winning true crime podcast.

Go behind the scenes of the podcast with co-reporters Crispian and Alex as they describe how they made this season of Unravel True Crime. More Information Host and co-reporter: Crispian Chan Co-reporter: Alex Mann Producer and researcher: Dunja Karagic Research and fact checking: Johnny Lieu Rollout producer: Amelia Mertha Theme and music composition: Martin Peralta Sound design and additional music: Simon Branthwaite Commissioning editor: Alice Brennan Executive Producer: Tim Roxburgh

Crispian and Alex find troubling signs among current-day extremist groups. Meanwhile, in this episode of Unravel True Crime the restaurant kids discuss how they processed what happened to their families.

Crispian and Alex hit the road to track down the gang's leader, Jack Van Tongeren. It turns out that Jack's past contains some big surprises. Meanwhile, in this episode of Unravel True Crime a former member of the gang reveals its secrets.

A decade later, the gang reemerges. In this episode of Unravel True Crime, Crispian and Alex come face to face with a former follower of the gang at a men's health and yoga retreat, sparking a bizarre and emotional reckoning. More Information Host and co-reporter: Crispian Chan Co-reporter: Alex Mann Producer and researcher: Dunja Karagic Research and fact checking: Johnny Lieu Rollout producer: Amelia Mertha Theme and music composition: Martin Peralta Sound design and additional music: Simon Branthwaite Commissioning editor: Alice Brennan Executive Producer: Tim Roxburgh

A risky undercover operation strikes at the heart of the firebombing gang. But in this episode of Unravel True Crime, hatred reverberates around the city, and lives are lost. (Audio of Russell Willey courtesy of Anthony Buckley AM, from the film ‘Nazi Supergrass’)

As police struggle to keep up with a wave of terrorism, unlikely defenders emerge to confront the city's gangs. In this episode of Unravel True Crime, activists are badly beaten, and the neo-Nazi gang is starting to push its luck, but the police still can't nail anyone over the restaurant firebombings.

The city has been blanketed in threatening posters. The list of suspects narrows as the fire bombers' potential motivations become clearer. In this episode of Unravel True Crime, Police become suspicious of a hardened and fanatical group of neo-Nazi activists, who are thumbing their nose at law enforcement and threatening Asian communities in Perth.

Chinese restaurants are being firebombed in the dead of night. As the attacks spread, police scramble to work out what is happening in the city. In this episode of Firebomb, host Crispian Chan sets out to investigate the events surrounding the fire that destroyed his family's restaurant.

Chinese restaurants are being firebombed in the dead of night. The police arson squad is racing against the clock to stop the next attack. Along the way, there are buried weapons, secret informers, punks, ninjas, and political manoeuvres. As the rest of Australia celebrates the nation's bicentenary, a campaign of terror is getting underway in Perth. Now, in this deeply personal season of Unravel True Crime, Crispian Chan will investigate what really happened after his family's restaurant went up in flames. Episode 1 will be released on the 15th of August 2023. Unravel True Crime is the ABC's award-winning true crime podcast. Previous seasons include 'Blood on the Tracks', 'Barrenjoey Road', 'Last Seen: Katoomba' and 'Snowball'.

After the confrontation in the supermarket carpark, Ollie is left feeling confused — has he been charmed just like everyone else in this story? Will Lezlie fail to keep her promises to Ollie or leave him and his family hanging?

Ollie and Simon have criss-crossed California to find themselves parked in a supermarket car park staking out where Lezlie supposedly works. They may only have one shot to talk to her and finally get some answers. It doesn't go the way Ollie imagined.

Ollie and his brother Simon follow the trail of broken dreams and failed restaurants to Paso Robles, California. It's apparent Lezlie's exploits didn't stop when she left New Zealand. Ollie discovers his former sister-in-law had manufactured an image of a successful restaurateur in Hawaii, Lake Tahoe and New Zealand. Her exotic CV and exciting stories pull a new family into her web — with disastrous consequences.

Following the trail to Lezlie Manukian, Ollie and his other brother Simon end up in California. With a muscle car and loud Hawaiian shirts, the brothers look every bit like '80s TV detectives as they head off on their very first stakeout. But, when the trail runs cold, they decide to chase down a lead at Lezlie's first restaurant in the resort town of Lake Tahoe. Meanwhile, Lezlie's emails become stranger than fiction.