Shortcut: Australia’s Most Mysterious Conman: John Friedrich

After her rape went unsolved for more than 25 years, Elysha contacted police to have her case reopened. She courageously tells us about what life has been like since her attack when she was 7-years-old, what happened when her case was reopened and why she contacted us to tell her story. This episode was originally aired in 2018. Elysha joins us again on next Monday's episode.  PLEASE NOTE: Listener discretion is advised as this episode details child sexual assault and trauma. 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 380GET IN TOUCH:https://www.australiantruecrimethepodcast.com/Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook Email the show at [email protected]

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. After her rape went unsolved for more than 25 years, Elysha contacted police to have her case reopened. She courageously tells us about what life has been like since her attack when she was 7-years-old, what happened when her case was reopened and why she contacted us to tell her story. This episode was originally aired in 2018. Elysha joins us again on next Monday's episode.  PLEASE NOTE: Listener discretion is advised as this episode details child sexual assault and trauma. 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 380GET IN TOUCH:https://www.australiantruecrimethepodcast.com/Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook Email the show at [email protected]

Award winning journalist Hedley Thomas joins us to discuss Sick to Death, his podcast and bestselling book examining the case of Dr Jayant Patel, the Bundaberg surgeon accused of causing patient deaths after being barred from practising in the United States.  In this conversation, he unpacks how the investigation uncovered deep failures within Australia’s health system and the extraordinary courage of a nurse who chose to speak up. You can listen to "Sick To Death" now, wherever you get your podcasts. 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: Hedley ThomasExecutive 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]

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. Award winning journalist Hedley Thomas joins us to discuss Sick to Death, his podcast and bestselling book examining the case of Dr Jayant Patel, the Bundaberg surgeon accused of causing patient deaths after being barred from practising in the United States.  In this conversation, he unpacks how the investigation uncovered deep failures within Australia’s health system and the extraordinary courage of a nurse who chose to speak up. You can listen to "Sick To Death" now, wherever you get your podcasts. 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: Hedley ThomasExecutive 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]

Teenagers Abby Williams and Libby German were dropped off at a popular hiking trail near the Monon High Bridge, just outside their hometown of Delphi, Indiana. About 40 minutes later, Libby posted a picture on her Snapchat account showing Abby carefully walking across the bridge. It was the last time they made contact with the outside world, although it wasn't the last time Libby recorded their surroundings.  The girls were reported missing later that afternoon, and community members searched for them through the night. But sadly, their bodies were discovered nearby the following day.  in October 2022, a local man was taken into custody. Who is he? Did he know the girls? Is there any truth to the rumors that other people may yet to be charged? The best person to ask these questions is without a doubt, journalist Susan Hendricks.  Click here to purchase Susan Hendricks' book, "Down the Hill". Click here to learn more about the Abby and Libby Memorial Park  Lifeline on 13 11 14   13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) CREDITS: Host: Meshel Laurie Guest: Susan Hendricks Executive Producer: Matthew Tankard Extra content from Inside Edition is used in this episode. GET IN TOUCH:https://www.australiantruecrimethepodcast.com/Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook Email the show at [email protected]

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. Teenagers Abby Williams and Libby German were dropped off at a popular hiking trail near the Monon High Bridge, just outside their hometown of Delphi, Indiana. About 40 minutes later, Libby posted a picture on her Snapchat account showing Abby carefully walking across the bridge. It was the last time they made contact with the outside world, although it wasn't the last time Libby recorded their surroundings.  The girls were reported missing later that afternoon, and community members searched for them through the night. But sadly, their bodies were discovered nearby the following day.  in October 2022, a local man was taken into custody. Who is he? Did he know the girls? Is there any truth to the rumors that other people may yet to be charged? The best person to ask these questions is without a doubt, journalist Susan Hendricks.  Click here to purchase Susan Hendricks' book, "Down the Hill". Click here to learn more about the Abby and Libby Memorial Park  Lifeline on 13 11 14   13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) CREDITS: Host: Meshel Laurie Guest: Susan Hendricks Executive Producer: Matthew Tankard Extra content from Inside Edition is used in this episode. GET IN TOUCH:https://www.australiantruecrimethepodcast.com/Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook Email the show at [email protected]

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. John Friedrich was a mysterious figure in 1980s Australia who transformed the National Safety Council into a high-tech rescue operation while secretly defrauding banks of hundreds of millions. Walkley Award–winning journalist Marc Fennell joins us to unpack the astonishing rise and fall of this enigmatic conman. Australia’s Greatest Conman? premieres Tuesday 24 February at 8.30pm on SBS and SBS On Demand. 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: Marc FennellExecutive 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]

John Friedrich was a mysterious figure in 1980s Australia who transformed the National Safety Council into a high-tech rescue operation while secretly defrauding banks of hundreds of millions. Walkley Award–winning journalist Marc Fennell joins us to unpack the astonishing rise and fall of this enigmatic conman. Australia’s Greatest Conman? premieres Tuesday 24 February at 8.30pm on SBS and SBS On Demand. 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: Marc FennellExecutive 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]

Meshel Laurie is joined by Australian True Crime's producer Matthew Tankard to discuss the Netflix documentary: The Investigation of Lucy Letby. ATC Discusses is our bonus series centred on conversation and commentary about the true crime stories shaping the news cycle and should be received as opinion rather than expert analysis. To learn more about this case, you can visit these links:  https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/nurse-lucy-letby-news-arrest-timeline-b2574674.html  https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/may/14/the-convictions-of-lucy-letby-should-they-be-overturned You can watch this episode and subscribe to 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 Executive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard This episode contains extra content from ITV News, The Telegraph and the Nine Network. GET IN TOUCH:https://www.australiantruecrimethepodcast.com/Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook Email the show at [email protected]

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. We’re back with legendary former homicide detective Charlie Bezzina, reflecting on some of the strangest and most unpredictable investigations from his decades with Victoria Police. 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 [email protected]