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Description
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.
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.
10 Episodes
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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 NearlySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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 NearlySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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 ScarfSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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 ScarfSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2This 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 ScarfSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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