The Bondi Terror Attack

Bondi Beach, Sydney. One of Australia’s most recognisable coastal locations. A public beach on the eastern edge of the city, bordered by residential streets, parks, and a large pedestrian promenade. Routinely crowded, particularly in summer, it regularly hosts public events. The beach sits beside Archer Park and the Bondi Pavilion, an area commonly used for festivals and community gatherings. The space is open, exposed, and visible from surrounding roads and elevated walkways. On the evening of 14 December 2025, a public event was underway. Around one thousand people were present. Families, children, elderly couples. The beach remained open. The sun was still up. At 6:47 p.m., gunfire began.

Christmas is usually a time of warmth, family, and celebration—a time when loved ones come together to share meals, exchange gifts, and make memories. But for the Wake family in Tasmania, the holiday of 2021 would be anything but ordinary. Tensions that had been simmering for years between Darren and his former wife, Rachel, came to a devastating head. What should have been a day of joy and togetherness instead became a day of fear, anger, and unimaginable loss—a Christmas that would leave scars on everyone involved, especially their children. Darren and Rachel Wake married in 2001. They separated ten years later, in 2011, and divorced in 2012. In the years that followed, their relationship remained difficult, particularly around parenting arrangements for their son, Gabriel, who had been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. In 2016, the Family Court made formal parenting orders, establishing a shared custody arrangement—one week with each parent. Over time, that arrangement shifted, as the children grew older and began to exercise their own judgment about where they wished to live. In mid-2019, when Romany turned seventeen, she chose to live with her mother full-time. Between 2020 and 2021, Gabriel lived with Darren full-time for approximately twelve months. This arrangement occurred at Darren’s insistence. In April 2021, Gabriel decided he wanted to return to living with his mother full-time. He told others his decision was driven by Darren’s behaviour—behaviour he experienced as angry, aggressive, and emotionally manipulative. Gabriel became frightened of his father, and he later said that Rachel had also expressed fear of Darren. Those fears would prove to be well-founded.

This episode presents the raw courtroom audio from the sentencing of Tom Silvagni. Recorded as the judge delivers final remarks, the audio captures the gravity of the proceedings. In January 2024, a young woman reported being sexually assaulted at a private residence in Melbourne’s inner east. The allegations related to events that occurred late at night, after a social gathering, inside a bedroom where the complainant believed she was alone. The prosecution case was that Tom Silvagni entered the room, deliberately misled the complainant as to who he was, and carried out sexual acts without consent. The court later heard that, in the days following the incident, steps were taken to obscure what had occurred, including attempts to alter records and shape a false timeline. Silvagni was charged later that year. For much of the legal process, strict suppression orders prevented his identification or any reporting of his family background. Those orders were eventually lifted, and the matter proceeded to trial in the Victorian County Court. At trial, the defence denied the allegations and challenged the complainant’s account. The jury ultimately rejected that version of events. In December, Silvagni was found guilty on two counts of rape. What follows is the court’s final response to those verdicts — the sentencing remarks delivered in open court. There is no commentary, no interpretation, and no embellishment. Just the words of the judge, explaining how the law assessed the offending, the harm caused, and the punishment imposed.

NSW Triple Murder (Kwang Kyung Yoo) – Taekwondo instructor Yoo pleaded guilty to killing Min Cho, her husband Steven, and a seven-year-old boy in North Parramatta and Baulkham Hills in February 2024. Families gave victim-impact statements in court, describing the lasting trauma. Police have not identified a clear motive but noted Yoo’s history of lying about achievements and possessions. Sentencing is ongoing. Perth Cyber Offender (Michael Clapsis) – Clapsis, 44, was sentenced to seven years and four months after admitting to stealing intimate images from 17 women over six years and using a fake Qantas Wi-Fi network to capture passenger data. Victim statements highlighted the long-term impact, and Clapsis’s autism diagnosis and job loss were noted. Missing Man in Mackay (Wayne Pedro Morseu) – Police declared two properties crime scenes as they investigate the suspicious disappearance of 71-year-old Morseu, missing since November 10. Detectives are examining both properties and asking the public for information. Melbourne School Stabbing (Aaron Sykes) – Principal Aaron Sykes was stabbed at Keysborough Secondary College but suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect, known to Sykes, was arrested, and the school briefly went into lockdown. Investigation is ongoing. Darwin Murder Conviction (Brendan Kantilla) – Kantilla was found guilty of murdering 23-year-old student Isfaqur Rahman in May 2023, who was attacked in his share house with a paving stone and fire extinguisher. The defence’s diminished-responsibility claim was rejected. Sentencing is forthcoming. Sea World Helicopter Collision Inquest (Ashley Jenkinson) – Helicopter pilot Jenkinson, who died in a midair collision in January 2023 along with three others, had a history of cocaine use and a recent mental breakdown. Inquest testimony suggests he was unlikely impaired at the time; the investigation continues. Bevan Spencer von Einem (Adelaide Child Murders) – Von Einem, 79, convicted of murdering 15-year-old Richard Kelvin, remains silent about other suspected victims linked to “The Family” killings in the late 1970s–1980s. His failing health has reignited public reflection on the unsolved cases. Chris Robertson Investigation (Adelaide) – Police seized a Mitsubishi Triton linked to the September 2024 death of 49-year-old Robertson, found assaulted in a warehouse. Forensic analysis of the vehicle is underway as investigators pursue multiple leads. Melbourne Doctor Murder (Ashley Gordon) – Dr Gordon, 16 at the time of the attack, was fatally stabbed during a botched home invasion in January 2024. His killer, eligible for parole in 12 years, prompted family outrage over the perceived leniency. Northern Beaches Manslaughter (Guy Haymes) – Jayson Brett Dal Molin pleaded guilty to manslaughter after assaulting surfer Guy Haymes during a money dispute in Manly. Haymes later died from a traumatic brain injury; Molin’s murder charges were withdrawn. Blacktown Shooting (Mal Seve) – Two men, Taine Crompton (25) and Hoani Tewhare (18), were charged with the murder of 28-year-old Mal Seve in a daylight shooting linked to gang associations. Police are investigating the incident, which followed a vehicle chase.

Australia has seen moments when ordinary life was torn apart by sudden violence. In 1942, the mining town of Boulder was struck by bombings that killed fourteen and injured fifteen, carried out by miner Pero Raecivich, whose motives remain unclear. In 1978, Sydney faced the Hilton Hotel bombing. A bomb hidden in a rubbish bin killed three men, injured eleven, and exposed gaps in security during a Commonwealth leaders’ meeting. The legal aftermath raised questions about justice and intelligence failures. Melbourne endured the Russell Street Police bombing in 1986. The attack killed Constable Angela Taylor, injured more than twenty others, and revealed the deadly coordination of criminal networks, reshaping policing in the city. Finally, in 2010, Darwin’s CBD was rocked when Paul Wayne Clarke detonated petrol and fireworks inside the Territory Insurance Office, wounding nineteen. Amid the chaos, civilians and police acted with extraordinary bravery. This episode explores these four bombings—the human toll, the investigations, and the communities forever changed by sudden acts of terror.

1. Domestic Violence Escalates to Murder A woman and her three children were killed in a deliberate act of domestic violence. Investigations later revealed prior reports of abuse, stalking, and threats were not fully acted upon by authorities, raising questions about police inaction and systemic failures. 2. Prisoner Challenges Vegemite Ban A long-term prisoner has launched a legal challenge against a longstanding ban on Vegemite in Victorian correctional facilities, claiming the restriction breaches his cultural rights and wellbeing, sparking debate over prison policies and prisoners’ rights. 3. Australian Tourists Killed Abroad Two brothers were murdered during a trip overseas, with the accused facing extremely long prison sentences. The case involves allegations of violent robbery, cartel connections, and multiple accomplices, highlighting the dangers faced by Australians traveling abroad. 4. Hit-and-Run Fatality A former lawyer was sentenced for causing a fatal hit-and-run while intoxicated, leaving the pedestrian dead and fleeing the scene. The case underscores the consequences of reckless driving and drink-driving offences. 5. Police Shooting in Queensland Police shot and killed a man after he stabbed one person and threatened another. Investigations are ongoing, with oversight from multiple agencies, including the Crime and Corruption Commission. 6. Police Use of Excessive Force in Sydney A coroner found police used unreasonable force in a fatal shooting following a pursuit. The incident exposed issues with proactive policing, use of body-worn cameras, and procedural failures. 7. Teen Murder in Melbourne A teenager was sentenced for a brutal attack on a 14-year-old, involving a stolen vehicle, machetes, and multiple wounds. The case highlights the severity of youth-perpetrated violent crime. 8. Grisly Regional Murder Trial An elderly man was found murdered, with mutilation and images carved into his body. The trial focuses on alleged confessions and DNA evidence linking the accused to the crime. 9. Cold Case: Missing Schoolboy A boy disappeared in the 1970s, with evidence pointing to a nearby mine shaft. Family-led searches continue, frustrated by lack of government funding, highlighting challenges in resolving decades-old cold cases. 10. Fatal Rural Shooting in Queensland Three people ambushed police during a missing persons call, killing officers. Coronial findings revealed the perpetrators suffered from severe delusional disorder, and recommendations aim to improve law enforcement responses to such threats. 11. Toddler Stolen from Vehicle A young child was taken from an unlocked, running car and later found unharmed in a box. Police arrested the perpetrator, who faces multiple charges, highlighting risks to children in seemingly everyday situations.

1. Toyah Cordingley Murder Trial – Cairns, QLD Rajwinder Singh, 41, is on trial for the murder of 24-year-old animal shelter volunteer Toyah Cordingley, whose body was found buried at Wangetti Beach with stab wounds and a slashed throat on October 22, 2018. Singh’s sudden flight to India, combined with mobile tower data, traffic camera footage, DNA evidence, and his vehicle, forms the basis of the Crown case, while the trial also examined the movements and alibi of Cordingley’s boyfriend, Marco Heidenreich. The case continues, with covert recordings yet to be heard. 2. Ray McCormack Murder – Wollongong, NSW Aaron Michael Lord, 38, was found not criminally responsible for the murder of 68-year-old homeless man Ray McCormack, whose body was discovered in a train station stairwell on May 12, 2024. Evidence, including security footage and psychological reports, confirmed Lord, diagnosed with schizophrenia, attacked McCormack under the influence of persistent hallucinations. The court acknowledged the tragic circumstances, and Lord remains in custody under the Mental Health Review Tribunal. 3. Ms Skeen Murder – Jilkminggan, NT Steven John, 48, was found guilty of murdering his wife, Ms Skeen, during a drunken domestic dispute in July 2023, despite his claim of provocation. The court highlighted the disproportionate nature of the attack, shaped by alcohol abuse and intergenerational domestic violence, and John received a life sentence with a 20-year non-parole period. 4. Gordon Kessey Stabbing – Bega, NSW Gordon Kessey was fatally stabbed on October 6, 2025, during an altercation between known parties in Bega. Police have conducted searches, recovered a secondary weapon and devices, and investigated a possible link to a house fire, but no arrests have been made and the investigation remains ongoing. 5. Brenton Young / Shantelle Nielsen – Port Pirie, SA Brenton Young was initially reported as murdered on October 3, 2025, leading to charges against his partner Shantelle Nielsen, which were later dropped after a post-mortem confirmed a heart attack. The case’s mishandling caused public criticism, and Nielsen left Port Pirie due to the psychological impact of false accusations. 6. Michael Simon Wilson – Hoppers Crossing, VIC Michael Simon Wilson pleaded not guilty to over 60 charges, including rape and child abuse material, on November 14, 2025. The case will return to court in December, with a trial expected in 2026, and has led to broader investigations revealing offences by former childcare worker Joshua Dale Brown. 7. Bradley Wilkinson – Blackett, NSW Bradley Wilkinson was sentenced to 16 years in prison, with a 12-year non-parole period, for the June 2024 manslaughter of tradesman Rhyce Harding during a road rage incident in Sydney’s west. CCTV footage confirmed Harding was pinned and dragged under Wilkinson’s ute, and the sentence considered Wilkinson’s remorse and prior violent record. 8. Simone Strobel Cold Case – Lismore, NSW Twenty years after Simone Strobel, a 25-year-old German backpacker, was murdered in Lismore, a coronial inquest confirmed homicide but could not identify the perpetrator. DNA recovered from her clothing is now being re-examined by the NSW Unsolved Homicide Team for renewed investigation. 9. Stanley Obi Inquest – Logan, QLD Stanley Obi died in March 2022 after being doused in fuel and set alight by his former partner, Sarah Mudge. The coronial inquest examined coercive control, systems failures, and gender-based assumptions that left Obi at risk, with findings expected in early 2026. 10. Victoria Youth Crime Law Update – VIC Victoria will treat children aged 14 and over who commit serious violent crimes as adults, with sentences ranging from youth detention to life imprisonment, prioritising community safety while raising concerns about disproportionate impacts on Indigenous youth and adolescent development. 11. Casula Machine Gun Attack – Sydney, NSW A home in Casula was sprayed with over 40 rounds from a high-powered machine gun on November 15, 2025, in a suspected targeted hit. No one was injured, and police are pursuing leads linked to a fleeing black Audi while urging public assistance.

Felon will return shortly with Season Five. The new season is progressing, and release is not far off. Until then, the feed will include a number of shorter episodes — brief examinations of individual cases and incidents that sit outside the main season’s structure. Season Five is on the way. In the meantime, these mini episodes will bridge the gap. This week, we examine three cases where violence was delivered not through force, but through patience, calculation, and substances chosen for their silence. These stories span more than a century, yet each reveals the same unsettling truth: the most deliberate forms of harm are often carried out by those who stand closest.

1. Logan Road Rage Verdict Umar Al Enizi, 24, has been found not guilty of murder over the 2021 death of Troy Vandenberg during a Brisbane road rage incident. The court heard the fatal collision followed escalating confrontations and aggressive behaviour by Vandenberg. The jury accepted Al Enizi acted in self-defence, acquitting him of murder and manslaughter. 2. “Bike Boy” Lawsuit Against Daniel Andrews Ryan Meuleman, who was 17 at the time of a 2013 collision involving Daniel Andrews’ family car, has filed a civil lawsuit against the former Victorian premier and his wife. The case, tied to longstanding controversy over police handling and political influence, alleges serious injuries caused by the Andrews family. Details of the proceedings remain limited. 3. Erin Patterson Appeals Conviction Convicted triple murderer Erin Patterson is appealing her life sentence for the murders of her in-laws and aunt-in-law, as well as the attempted murder of Ian Wilkinson. Her legal team argues there were miscarriages of justice in cross-examination, the Crown’s closing address, jury management, and exclusion of forensic evidence. The Supreme Court has accepted the appeal filing. 4. Melbourne Stabbing Incident A 37-year-old man is in critical condition after being stabbed inside his car in Narre Warren. The 52-year-old suspect, known to the victims, allegedly attacked the man, who then crashed into another vehicle. The accused has been charged with intentionally causing serious injury. 5. Sydney Police Officer Stabbed A probationary police officer is in serious condition after being stabbed in the leg with a sword during an arrest in Grasmere. The 20-year-old suspect had also thrown a spear at officers. He has been charged with 11 offences, including attempted murder, and refused bail. 6. Sydney Murder of Claire Austin A 44-year-old man has been charged with the murder and coercive control of 38-year-old Claire Austin, who died after sustaining injuries inside her Randwick unit in April. Strike Force Lyndoch is investigating, and the accused is due in court shortly. 7. Liverpool Murder Conviction Danny Zayat has been found guilty of murdering his ex-girlfriend Tatiana Dokhotaru in Liverpool in 2023. Dokhotaru, 34, was killed in front of her four-year-old son. Zayat faces sentencing in December, with the victim’s friend expected to deliver a statement. 8. Simone Strobel Cold Case An inquest confirms German backpacker Simone Strobel was murdered in 2005 in Lismore, NSW, though her killer remains unknown. The coroner recommended further DNA testing on two unmatched samples. Strobel’s former boyfriend was charged in 2022, but the case remains unsolved despite a $1 million reward. 9. Roberta Williams Speaks on Carl Williams Roberta Williams reflects on her late husband Carl Williams, Melbourne underworld figure, who was murdered in Barwon Prison in 2010. She criticised the circumstances of his death, questioned prison oversight, and described his character, family devotion, and the realities of underworld life. 10. John Versace Murder Charges Two men, aged 19 and 43, have been charged over the May 2025 gangland-style shooting of John Versace in Condell Park. The 43-year-old allegedly staged vehicles and drove the shooter, while the 19-year-old assisted with planning. Versace had no known criminal links, and the case is part of Sydney’s ongoing underworld violence investigations.

From the creator of Felon. A podcast exploring the secrets of the Great Southern Land... Listen to more episodes wherever you get your podcasts. Some roads are ordinary. They take us from point A to point B, lined with familiar landmarks and the comfort of the known. But some roads are different. They carry a weight that cannot be measured in kilometres or signs. They are etched with history, tragedy, and stories that linger long after the last car has passed. These roads seem to remember. Every rut, every bend, every stretch of tar or dirt hums with something older than the traffic that wears it down. On certain nights, when the air is too still and the dark too thick, you can feel it pressing against you—the sense that you are no longer alone. The headlights cut only a narrow path forward, and beyond their glow the world feels watchful, waiting. The silence isn’t empty. It breathes. Along these roads, the ordinary twists into the uncanny. The echoes of past tragedies seep into the present. You catch movement in the periphery of your vision—shadows that gather at the edge of the trees, shapes that vanish when you look too directly. Figures standing by the roadside, pale and patient, as if they’ve been waiting all along. The temperature drops without warning. Your chest tightens. The car feels smaller, fragile, and the road ahead stretches out not as a promise, but as a question: what lies waiting in the dark?