Felon: Debrief - Episode 6 - 26th October 2025

1. The Gladstone House Fire A horrific blaze in Toolooa, Queensland, claimed three lives — Jordana Johnson, her son Jordan Norris, and his friend Chazz Mather. Contessa Leigh Marie Richardson has been charged with their murders and two counts of arson. 2. The Wilson Suppression Lifted Accused rapist Michael Simon Wilson failed to block media coverage linking him to childcare worker Joshua Dale Brown, who faces over 70 child sex charges. Wilson’s case, involving multiple rape and assault allegations, will proceed in 2026. 3. Operation Athena: Guns Off the Streets Police across Australia and New Zealand seized more than 1,000 illegal and 3D-printed firearms in a major cross-border crackdown targeting black-market weapons and organised crime. 4. Justice for Arthur Haines After 27 years, Gregory John Walker pleaded guilty to the 1998 firebombing that killed 13-year-old Arthur Haines in Waterloo, NSW — finally closing one of the state’s longest-running cold cases. 5. Death in Custody: Phillip Walton Inquest A Lismore inquest investigates the death of Phillip Mark Walton, who died after being tasered and restrained by police at Casino Station. The inquiry examines police and paramedic conduct during the arrest. 6. The Miss Oceania Scandal Former beauty pageant organiser William Wee Liat Tan faces 31 child abuse charges, accused of running online groups that promoted the sexual assault of children. He remains in custody as investigations widen. 7. The Cheryl Grimmer Confession NSW MP Jeremy Buckingham reignited the 1970 Fairy Meadow Beach cold case by reading the 1971 confession of a 17-year-old who admitted abducting and killing three-year-old Cheryl Grimmer. 8. The Easey Street Murders After 47 years, Perry Kouroumblis is charged over the 1977 killings of Suzanne Armstrong and Susan Bartlett in Collingwood. The case shocked Melbourne, with both women found stabbed to death in their home. 9. The Murder of Thi Kim Tran Three men have been charged with the abduction and murder of Sydney mother Thi Kim Tran, whose body was found in a burnt-out car. Police allege the killing was linked to organised crime revenge plots. 10. Tragedy at Beenleigh Police Station A three-year-old boy died in the foyer of Beenleigh Police Station following a car crash in Ormeau, Queensland. The driver, linked to a domestic violence order, has been charged as investigations continue. 11. The Cocaine Boat Fiasco Three WA men — Mate Stipinovich, Aristides Avlonitis, and Karl Whitburn — were jailed after their cocaine-smuggling operation went wrong and their boat sank, losing 230 kilograms of drugs. 12. The Broome Domestic Killing Bruce Grant Kittimbill, 56, has been charged with the murder of a 58-year-old woman in Broome, WA, in what police describe as a domestic violence-related stabbing. 13. Gym Ambush in Oakleigh East A 29-year-old man was brutally attacked at Derrimut 24:7 Gym by five men armed with machetes or hammers. The victim sustained head injuries; police are searching for the attackers. 14. The Balenciaga Bikie Arrest Notorious ex-Comanchero Tarek Zahed was arrested after a month on the run. Known as the “Balenciaga Bikie,” Zahed survived a 2022 hit that killed his brother and remains under heavy police scrutiny. 15. The Murder of Hannah McGuire Ballarat woman Hannah McGuire was murdered by her boyfriend, Lachlan Young, who staged her death to look like a suicide. He faces a potential life sentence after pleading guilty to her killing.

On the evening of July 20th, 2019, emergency services received a call from a quiet suburban street in St Clair, New South Wales.  The woman on the line was twenty-five-year-old Jessica Camilleri — frantic, disoriented. When police arrived, they found a scene so violent… so surreal… that even the most seasoned officers were left shaken. The victim was Jessica’s mother, Rita Camilleri, a fifty-seven-year-old woman described by neighbours as kind, devoted, and endlessly patient.  Her body was found inside the home. Her head — outside, on the front footpath. And standing nearby, covered in blood, still holding strands of her mother’s hair...was Jessica.

Melbourne’s CBD saw sushi chef Wan Lai stabbed by Lauren Darul, who was out on bail, reigniting debate over offender monitoring and bail laws. In Shellharbour, six teenagers and a 39-year-old woman have been charged with the murder of 25-year-old Jack Westren in a violent train station attack. In Perth, a former soldier admitted killing Rebels bikie Nick Martin, calling it a “community service,” while his alleged employer, David Pye, faces multiple murder charges. Canberra police allege a 78-year-old man was held captive and beaten for three days by a visitor. Broken Hill farmhand Jet Jai Johnson won an appeal and was released after serving part of his sentence for animal cruelty. Human remains believed to be those of missing Melbourne woman Lucinda Miller were found three years after her disappearance. In Canberra, Tshewang Choden was stabbed to death at the National Zoo by colleague Jude Wijesinghe, who remains pathologically infatuated with her. Brisbane jury found Za’id Abdus Samad guilty of stabbing his uncle Abdul Basith Mohammed in a planned ambush; he’ll be eligible for parole in 2038. Homicide investigations continue in Langwarrin and Armadale after two men were killed in separate incidents. In Renown Park, police charged a man after discovering two loaded handguns, while Adelaide authorities probe an alleged arson at a butcher shop that injured several staff. In Melbourne’s St Kilda, two teens were slashed with machetes outside Luna Park; the offenders remain on the run. Meanwhile, Christopher Mark Jordan will stand trial in February 2026 for the murder of 14-year-old Tasmanian teen Shyanne-Lee Tatnell.

On a Friday in March, a quiet city became a crime scene. In less than twenty minutes, fifty-one people who had gone to pray were dead. Lives, families, routines — all cleaved in half. A livestreamed attack, a manifesto sent in advance, weapons modified and named like trophies. The killer had called himself a “regular white man.” This is the tragic account of the Christchurch Mosque Shootings. Christchurch, the largest city on New Zealand’s South Island, had long been known for its wide avenues, English-style gardens, and rivers threading through urban suburbs. In 2011, the city had been reshaped by a devastating earthquake, leaving scars that were still visible in patches of rebuilt infrastructure and partially vacant lots.  The Al Noor Mosque sat in the suburb of Riccarton, a residential area interspersed with schools, small businesses, and community spaces. Its low-slung brick façade and modest minaret presented nothing threatening; the mosque blended into the surrounding streets, quiet and unassuming, bordered by leafy roads and modest homes. The Linwood Islamic Centre, located several kilometres east of Riccarton, occupied a similar suburban setting. The building was unpretentious, a simple hall with windows opening onto a modest lawn and parking area. Both sites were integrated into ordinary city streets, surrounded by daily life: parked cars, pedestrians, children walking home from school, and neighbours going about their routines. It was precisely this ordinariness that made them vulnerable — a reminder that terror often intrudes on the mundane and unsuspecting.

Victoria – Dezi Freeman Manhunt – Nearly seven weeks after allegedly killing two police officers in Porepunkah, fugitive Dezi Freeman remains missing. Mount Buffalo National Park has partially reopened as police admit he may have left the area. A $1 million reward is offered for information. Bega, NSW – A man was found stabbed to death in a riverside park. Police believe it was a targeted attack and are still hunting suspects. WA – Sovereign Citizen Gun Raids – Police seized over 100 firearms in coordinated raids on anti-government “sovereign citizen” properties across Perth. Several people face weapons charges. Bochara, VIC – A coroner confirmed the unlicensed teenage survivor of a 2023 crash was driving when four others died. Families demand stricter road safety measures. QLD – Jordan Spencer – Jordan Spencer was sentenced to 13 years in prison for setting a woman alight during a drug-related dispute in Toowoomba. High Court Ruling – The High Court upheld the AFP’s ANOM sting, confirming the encrypted messaging operation targeting bikies and organised crime was lawful. Croydon Park, NSW – Artemios Mintzas allegedly fired dozens of rifle shots from his apartment, injuring multiple people. Police had conducted a welfare check weeks earlier. Kimberley, WA – Police are searching for Mark Sear after his car was found abandoned in remote bushland. His disappearance is considered suspicious. Tasmania – Victoria Cafasso Cold Case – A $1 million reward was announced for new information into the 1995 beach stabbing of Italian tourist Victoria Cafasso. Revesby, NSW – Police foiled a planned assassination outside a childcare centre, arresting three men linked to a Sydney crime syndicate. NSW – Mark Akers Murder – Lisa Anne Silson was charged with murdering Queensland man Mark Akers, whose body was found beside the Newell Highway in June. Epping, VIC – A Rockbank man was charged with murdering a woman known to him. The investigation is ongoing. Bunbury, WA – A 74-year-old man received a suspended sentence and firearm ban after shooting a neighbour’s dog amid a property dispute. Sydney – MMA Fighter Shot – Ex-UFC fighter Suman Mokhtarian was shot dead while sitting in a car in Riverstone in a suspected targeted hit. VIC – School Lockdown – A Victorian school went into lockdown after two students were attacked by a group of youths. Police are probing gang links. QLD – New Chum Teen Assault – A 17-year-old was charged with torture and kidnapping after allegedly assaulting a 15-year-old with a hammer and knife. NSW – Gordon Kessey Case – The widow of slain Gordon Kessey issued a warning to his killers as police continue investigating the gang-linked shooting.

Whorouly is the kind of place that rarely makes the news. A quiet dot on the map in north-east Victoria, tucked between the vineyards of Milawa and the farming town of Myrtleford. The Ovens River winds its way past open paddocks, dairy herds graze under a big sky, and the streets are lined with weatherboard homes where everyone knows their neighbours. It’s a small town with one school, a general store, and a recreation reserve that serves as the beating heart of the community. Life moves slowly here, marked by the cycles of harvest and the familiar faces at the local footy club. But in January of 2016, that calm was shattered. In a place where unusual cars stand out and strangers are noticed, the disappearance of Karen Chetcuti rippled through Whorouly like a shockwave. What happened here would expose the darkest of human impulses, set against the backdrop of one of Victoria’s most unassuming country towns.

Dezi Freeman Manhunt (VIC) – Police continue their search for fugitive Dezi Freeman in Victoria’s high country. Locals are urged to report even the smallest details, as subtle signs could be crucial in capturing the fugitive. Matt Wright Conviction (NT) – Celebrity crocodile wrangler Matt Wright found guilty of attempting to pervert justice after a fatal 2022 helicopter crash in Arnhem Land. He faces ongoing legal proceedings and has confirmed plans to appeal. Kaiden Morgan Murder (VIC) – The Latrobe Valley mourns the death of 18-year-old Indigenous community leader Kaiden Morgan, fatally stabbed in Morwell. Two teenagers have been charged. Manly West Murder & Assault (QLD) – A 45-year-old man charged with murder and attempted sexual assault after stabbing a man and attacking a young woman in Brisbane. The accused remains in custody. Jayden Selfe Murder (WA) – Three people charged following the discovery of 33-year-old Jayden Selfe’s body in bushland north-east of Wanneroo. All three were remanded in custody. Melbourne Youth Crime & Carjacking Surge (VIC) – Four teenage boys arrested after a high-speed car chase that injured a pedestrian. Meanwhile, Victoria sees a 36% rise in carjackings, with young offenders targeting vulnerable drivers. 15-Year-Old Juvenile Case (VIC) – A teenager accused of multiple armed robberies and threats to kill has been allowed to travel to Europe, sparking debate over juvenile justice and public safety. Teacher Sex Offences (NSW) – Ella Clements, 24, charged with multiple child sex offences involving a student at a private boys’ college. Investigation ongoing. Rapper Accused of Murder (NSW) – Police continue investigating the fatal shooting of Niddal Acherkouk in Surry Hills, seeking information to locate rapper Harley Johan (‘YC EWZY’). Mushroom Killer Appeal (VIC) – Erin Patterson announces plans to appeal her conviction for three murders and one attempted murder, involving poisonings with toxic mushrooms. Firearms Seizure (NT) – Authorities seize more than 240 firearms from 81-year-old former Kakadu National Park ranger Dave Lindner, highlighting ongoing concerns over unsafe storage and licensing breaches. Replica Gun Assault (QLD) – Jarred Drew Heath pleads guilty after pointing a replica revolver at police during a noise complaint. He was sentenced to probation, having already served time in custody. Former Cop Murder Case (NSW) – Beau Lamarra-Condon pleads not guilty to the murder of his ex-boyfriend and partner. Jury trial set for September next year, amid concerns over police firearm access and off-duty gun safety. Brisbane Murder-Suicide (QLD) – An eight-year-old girl and her mother, Dr Tiffany Wilkes, found dead in an Airbnb. Authorities review child safety systems, including school attendance and inter-department communication. Burnt-Out Car Discovery (NSW) – Police appeal for information after a body is found in a burnt-out SUV near Brewarrina. Identity is being investigated, and no further threats to the community are known.

Carl Williams was serving a life sentence, with a minimum of 35 years before he would even be considered for release. From his cell in Barwon Prison, he became an unlikely informant. Williams had begun assisting police, feeding them information that threatened to unravel long-buried crimes and expose those who thought themselves safe. But in the underworld, cooperation with authorities carries a price. On 19 April 2010, that price was paid in blood. Williams was beaten to death inside Barwon’s high-security Acacia unit, struck with the metal stem of an exercise bike. His killer was another inmate—a man already notorious, with his own violent history etched deep into Melbourne’s crime story. That man was Matthew Charles Johnson.

Dezi Freeman manhunt hits grim milestone One month on from the fatal shooting of two police officers in Porepunkah, the suspect remains at large despite one of Victoria’s largest manhunts. Barber accused of involvement in six-hour gang rape granted release Sydney barber Adam Abdul-Hamid, accused of a prolonged gang rape in 2021, has been granted conditional bail, sparking outrage from advocacy groups.  Woman charged with attempted murder after stabbing A 24-year-old woman from Burpengary has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly stabbing a man during a late-night domestic dispute. Two men charged after Brisbane shooting, woman on the run Two men face charges after a drug-related shooting in Slacks Creek, while a female suspect believed to be armed remains at large. Bodies of woman and man found in NSW home Police are investigating the suspicious deaths of Carolyn Campbell and a man in his 60s inside a home near Coffs Harbour. Woman fighting for life after being hit by allegedly stolen car A Logan woman remains in critical condition after being struck by an allegedly stolen car driven by teenagers who were later arrested. More than 1000 mourners farewell boy killed in machete attack Melbourne’s South Sudanese community gathered in mourning to farewell 15-year-old Dau Akueng, killed in an alleged machete attack in Sunshine. Ray and Jennie Kehlet mystery revisited WA Police have returned to Sandstone to re-examine mineshafts and search for clues in the 2015 disappearance of Ray and Jennie Kehlet. Murderer dragged bloodied from Sydney court after guilty verdict Convicted murderer Paul Jason Sultana violently resisted after his guilty verdict, injuring himself and being dragged bloodied from a Sydney courtroom.

Darwin. Northern Territory. The 4th of June 2019. 5.39pm The city moved in its usual rhythm, even under the oppressive weight of the late afternoon humidity. The tropical heat clung to streets and buildings like a wet blanket. The scent of saltwater drifted from the harbour, mingling with the faint aroma of frangipani and tropical blooms.  Palm trees lined the streets, swaying gently in a warm breeze that carried the distant hum of cicadas. Tourists shuffled back toward motels after long days exploring the waterfront, the markets, and the lush greenery of the botanical gardens. Some paused at street-side cafes for a final iced coffee, wiping sweat from their foreheads, unaware that the ordinary rhythm of the city was about to fracture. At the Palms Motel on Finniss Street, tucked among low-rise units and tropical foliage, that calm shattered in an instant. A deafening shotgun blast tore through the air, rattling windows and walls, a violent punctuation against the ordinary hum of city life. Guests screamed and scattered, pressed themselves against bathroom tiles, and crawled beneath beds, clutching whatever they could grab. Each blast ricocheted down narrow corridors, bouncing off walls, doors, and mirrors, creating a chaotic, terrifying symphony that seemed to stretch the moments into eternity. The gunman moved deliberately through the motel, a pump-action shotgun clutched firmly in his hands. His heavy boots thumped against the worn carpet, deliberate, steady. His voice cut through the panic, sharp and demanding: “Where’s Alex? Where the fuck is Alex?” Guests froze, faces pale with shock. Every hallway became a trap. Every doorway a potential threat. The air vibrated with fear, broken only by the echoing blasts and the frantic cries of those caught in the corridor. The ordinary calm of Darwin—a city usually defined by its laid-back, tropical ease—had been replaced with sudden, unpredictable terror.