Murder Archives

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Murder Archivesinactive

Publisher |: Nearly Media

Media Type |: audio

Podknife tags |: Society & Culture,; True Crime

Categories Via RSS |: True Crime

We’ve started this podcast to create a dialogue with you, that may help solve a 1929 murder in Toorak.

If you want to know more, or help in the amateur sleuthing, we’ve uploaded documents and images to our website www.murderarchives.com.au to complement the podcast.

About the case.

On 9 September 1929, Norma McLeod, an unmarried 29-year-old teacher was found unconscious in her parent’s home in the prestigious suburb of Toorak.

A pair of men’s underpants lay across her forehead. By 5pm that day she was dead.

An autopsy revealed a seven-inch crack in the back of her skull caused by violent trauma from a blunt object.

The case attracted huge press and public attention; accusations were plentiful, but an inquest returned an open verdict.

Almost 90 years after this mysterious death, an extensive three-year investigation involving a re-examination of the police files, combined with an in-depth look at Norma’s family, raises questions about the rigour of the original investigation.

With the aid of the victim’s descendants and a group of renowned experts we’ve discovered long-held secrets, connections in high places and people who weren’t who they seemed to be.

Experts who provide input: forensic pathologist, Byron Collins; ex-homicide detective, Charlie Bezzina; criminal barrister, Alan Hands; psycho-physiologist, Elizabeth Martin; forensic psychologist, Dr Karen Scally and graphologist, Andrea Scarfe Some of Norma’s descendants, who are also actors, ‘voice’ various parts throughout the podcast.

People |: Emma Curtin
Country Of Origin |: Australia
Produced In |: Melbourne, Victoria
Frequency |: Periodic
Explicit |: No

This podcast currently has no reviews.

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11 Available Episodes (12 Total) / Average duration: 00:33:45

Date Duration Most Reviewed Highest Rated

11 Available Episodes (12 Total)Average duration: 00:33:45

Jun 17, 2019

00:31:26

In this second part, once again with the help of experts and family members, we talk about: The murder suspects themselves, Asmodeus and some new information from the Toorak Bowls Club that suggests Norman did indeed have friends in high places!

Murder Archives is written and presented by Emma Curtin.

www.muderarchives.com.au

Editing and sound by Courtney Carthy

Produced in partnership with Nearly

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 17, 2019

00:33:59

In this first part, with the help of experts and family members, we talk about: The underpants, the idea of incest, Norma’s physical and mental health, the land in Heidelberg, as well as thoughts around pregnancy and Norma’s sexuality.

Murder Archives is written and presented by Emma Curtin.

www.muderarchives.com.au

Editing and sound by Courtney Carthy

Produced in partnership with Nearly

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 20, 2019

00:01:46

Murder Archives will have some bonus episodes soon!

But until we do, there's a new show you might like.

Chapter One

Hear the whole first chapter of new books every episode.

Top publishers, great books, regular episodes, links if you'd like to buy or find out more.

Host Nelly Thomas traded stand-up comedy and the big stage for the “quiet life” of an author, professional MC, keynote presenter, health advocate media personality.

Share the podcast with a friend and join our Facebook Group.

Find other great shows at Nearly.com.au

Produced by Nearly Media.

Contact the show - hi@nearly.com.au

Produced by Courtney Carthy

Chapter One copyright Nearly Media 2019

Theme music - "Mornings Like These"

Written by Edward Hogston - (PRO is P.R.S. UK)

Performed by Finn's Fandango

Dec 20, 2018

00:45:05

In this final episode, we bring in a handwriting expert, Andrea Scarfe, to review the Asmodeus letter and cross-reference the handwriting with that of potential writers, including Walter Maxwell Dumont Dunn.

We also examine the life of this man more thoroughly.

We wrap up where we’ve got to so far in our investigation and leave the listener with some potential theories.

More importantly, we leave the listener with some remaining questions in the hope that the podcast will stimulate discussion and open up new avenues for investigation.

Murder Archives is written and presented by Emma Curtin.

www.muderarchives.com.au

Editing and sound by Courtney Carthy

Produced in partnership with Nearly

Thanks to all those who added their voices to this podcast (in alphabetical order):

Daniel Alfieri

Courtney Carthy

Simon Curtin

Alan Hands

Cassidy Krygger

Ben Mitchell

Elaine Mitchell

Gill Neale

And our experts:

Charlie Bezzina

Dr Byron Collins

Dr Karen Scally

Andrea Scarf

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 20, 2018

00:58:18

We introduce another expert, forensic psychologist, Dr Karen Scally, to help us look at each McLeod family member through a psychological lens.

We present three scenarios of what may have led to Norma’s death.

And look at a potential new suspect – Walter Maxwell Dumont Dunn – poet, writer, fantasist, and a friend of the McLeods who had been suggested as a possible Asmodeus.

How was he involved in the case, if at all?

And what do we know of this man?

Murder Archives is written and presented by Emma Curtin.

www.muderarchives.com.au

Editing and sound by Courtney Carthy

Produced in partnership with Nearly

Thanks to all those who added their voices to this podcast (in alphabetical order):

Daniel Alfieri

Courtney Carthy

Simon Curtin

Alan Hands

Cassidy Krygger

Ben Mitchell

Elaine Mitchell

Gill Neale

And our experts:

Charlie Bezzina

Dr Byron Collins

Dr Karen Scally

Andrea Scarf

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 20, 2018

00:34:37

This episode focuses on the police themselves and the kind of environment they were working in in 1929 – a world of social distinctions and only six years after a major police strike that rocked public confidence in the constabulary.

Retired detective Charlie Bezzina provides some more insights into the nature of murder investigations and his opinion on the thoroughness of the McLeod investigation.

We also examine accusations at the time that Norman McLeod had ‘friends in high places’ and how this may have had an impact on the case.

Murder Archives is written and presented by Emma Curtin.

www.muderarchives.com.au

Editing and sound by Courtney Carthy

Produced in partnership with Nearly

Thanks to all those who added their voices to this podcast (in alphabetical order):

Daniel Alfieri

Courtney Carthy

Simon Curtin

Alan Hands

Cassidy Krygger

Ben Mitchell

Elaine Mitchell

Gill Neale

And our experts:

Charlie Bezzina

Dr Byron Collins

Dr Karen Scally

Andrea Scarf

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 20, 2018

00:33:55

What kind of men were Norma’s father and brother (Norman and Rhys McLeod)?

And what clues their stories might provide about her death?

Once again, we hear from family members to help us develop a picture of the McLeods.

We look at the reasons why Norman apparently didn’t want the police involved, question why Rhys seemed almost missing from the police investigation and examine more letters from the public, this time pointing the finger at Rhys.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 20, 2018

00:37:58

This episode goes beyond the police and newspaper records and focuses on the lives of Norma and Edith through the eyes of those who knew them.

We meet some of Norma’s relatives and examine information passed down the family line.

We learn about Norma’s growing independence and a secret that remained hidden until 20 years after her death.

And we began to develop a picture of the relationship between mother and daughter, which once again raises questions about Edith’s guilt.

Murder Archives is written and presented by Emma Curtin.

www.muderarchives.com.au

Editing and sound by Courtney Carthy

Produced in partnership with Nearly

Thanks to all those who added their voices to this podcast (in alphabetical order):

Daniel Alfieri

Courtney Carthy

Simon Curtin

Alan Hands

Cassidy Krygger

Ben Mitchell

Elaine Mitchell

Gill Neale

And our experts:

Charlie Bezzina

Dr Byron Collins

Dr Karen Scally

Andrea Scarf

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 20, 2018

00:38:53

The police focus on their prime suspect – Norma’s mother, Edith McLeod.

Importantly, it introduces an anonymous letter written to police by someone using the pseudonym ‘Asmodeus’.

This letter was central to the police focus on Edith.

We examine its contents and explore who the writer may have been. We also provide a glimpse into the inquest, looking at the approach taken by police and the evidence provided by several witnesses.

Once again, Byron Collins and Charlie Bezzina bring their expertise to respond to various aspects of the inquest.

The case begins to unravel as we question whether Edith was really guilty.

Murder Archives is written and presented by Emma Curtin.

www.muderarchives.com.au

Editing and sound by Courtney Carthy

Produced in partnership with Nearly

Thanks to all those who added their voices to this podcast (in alphabetical order):

Daniel Alfieri

Courtney Carthy

Simon Curtin

Alan Hands

Cassidy Krygger

Ben Mitchell

Elaine Mitchell

Gill Neale

And our experts:

Charlie Bezzina

Dr Byron Collins

Dr Karen Scally

Andrea Scarf

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 20, 2018

00:29:27

This episode examines the initial theories about how Norma died and the theories that were dismissed.

A number of letters were sent from the public to police with a variety of hypotheses about the ‘who’, ‘how’ and ‘why’.

Forensic Pathologist, Byron Collins, once again brings his expertise, this time discussing the likely weapon used to cause the violent trauma to Norma’s head and the nature of the attack.

We also introduce retired Homicide Detective Charlie Bezzina to provide some insight into public input into well-publicised crimes.

Murder Archives is written and presented by Emma Curtin.

www.muderarchives.com.au

Editing and sound by Courtney Carthy

Produced in partnership with Nearly

Thanks to all those who added their voices to this podcast (in alphabetical order):

Daniel Alfieri

Courtney Carthy

Simon Curtin

Alan Hands

Cassidy Krygger

Ben Mitchell

Elaine Mitchell

Gill Neale

And our experts:

Charlie Bezzina

Dr Byron Collins

Dr Karen Scally

Andrea Scarf

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 17 | 00:31:26

Your theories - Part 2

Jun 17 | 00:33:59

Your theories - Part 1

Feb 20 | 00:01:46

Introducing Chapter One

Dec 20 | 00:45:05

8: Where to now?

Dec 20 | 00:58:18

7: Scenarios of death

Dec 20 | 00:34:37

6: Watching the detectives

Dec 20 | 00:33:55

5: The men in Norma’s life

Dec 20 | 00:37:58

4: Who was Norma?

Dec 20 | 00:38:53

3: The prime suspect

Dec 20 | 00:29:27

2: Initial theories

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