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Phoebe's Fall
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Phoebe's Fall

Author: The Age and Sydney Morning Herald

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A major investigation by The Age newsroom in Melbourne, Australia, into the death of Phoebe Handsjuk, who was found at the bottom of a garbage chute in a luxury apartment building.
14 Episodes
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On Father’s Day, 2005, Robert Farquharson crashed his car into a dam. He survived, but his three children who were in the car with him didn’t. At first it seemed like a tragic accident. But quickly, it turned into a murder investigation.   For exclusive content and additional reporting on the case, available to subscribers of The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald, visit theage.com.au/trialbywater or smh.com.au/trialbywater. Subscribe now to access the special Good Weekend investigation, which features never-before-seen 3D models recreating key scientific evidence, video, audio and other interviews.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Phoebe's Fall - New Laws

Phoebe's Fall - New Laws

2018-06-2206:541

Victorian Government announces reforms to Coroner's Act and Phobe's grandfather Lorne responds.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Victorian Government has announced a review of the Coroner's Act amid widespread public concern about the inquest into Phoebe Handsjuk's garbage chute death.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We dissect the coroner's finding in Phoebe's case, raising serious questions about his conclusion and the methods he used to reach it. We examine the consequences of challenging a poor finding. And we reveal the Facebook post that prompted this podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Seven months after Phoebe Handsjuk died, forensic scientists found a piece of paper in the pocket of the jeans she was wearing when she died. Whose number was it? And what did it mean?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Phoebe is remembered by her friends and family. We chronicle the competing memorials and funerals. And we journey to the shores of her Viking farewell.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We explore the difficulties of establishing Phoebe's time of death, and a debate between police and doctors over the value of trying to estimate when somebody has died.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Episode 4: Policework

Episode 4: Policework

2016-10-1335:032

We explore Phoebe's tumultuous last week and examine what she and her partner, Ant Hampel, did on her final day. Then we put the blowtorch to failings and omissions in the police investigation following her death, and the early conclusion that it was a suicide.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Our investigative journalists Richard Baker and Michael Bachelard report back on the tip-offs we've received and the political developments triggered by Phoebe's Fall since we launched.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Episode 3: A Secret Tape

Episode 3: A Secret Tape

2016-10-0630:315

Examines the state of Phoebe's mind and the relationship that dominated her life at the time of her death. We find evidence that she was planning to leave her partner, Ant Hampel. And we play audio of a secret recording made by Phoebe's mother of Ant's reaction to her death.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Episode 2: The Chute

Episode 2: The Chute

2016-09-2827:099

We walk through the final hours of Phoebe Handsjuk's life, challenge the plausibility of the coroner's findings, and examine the gruesome mechanics of her death in a chilling re-enactment. We also hear from a leading forensic pathologist whom we commissioned to review the evidence.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Episode 1: Knowing Phoebe

Episode 1: Knowing Phoebe

2016-09-2225:1117

Starts with the mysterious and gruesome death of 24yo Phoebe Handsjuk and the open possibilities that it was either murder, suicide or a tragic accident. Then it steps back to hear from Phoebe herself and then her friends and family describe her many traits; her beauty, her art, her physical strength, her appetite for drugs and booze, her obsessions with forbidden men.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A major investigation by The Age newsroom in Melbourne, Australia, into the death of Phoebe Handsjuk, who was found at the bottom of a garbage chute in a luxury apartment building.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A new podcast series from The Age, Melbourne, Australia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Comments (28)

Leanne

The boyfriend seems SUPER shady, as does his friend, but I'm surprised that no one has speculated that she was maybe afraid of something or someone and in her confused state, thought that the chute was an alternative route out of the building. Perhaps she had no idea there was a compactor at the bottom, and in her extremely drugged/drunken state she saw it as something she could slide directly down to the ground floor. If he was out at the time, maybe she thought he was on his way back and she wanted to get away fast and didn't want to encounter him on the stairs or elevator. It seems pretty crazy, but who knows how she was interpreting her reality at that point whilst so under the influence :( Such a tragedy.

Feb 9th
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Maz

"....young for the 'role'...", WTF!?

Sep 30th
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monnie🤬

For all those looking for something that they may not have heard.

Jun 2nd
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April

I believe her boyfriend is a sociopathic, narsaccist. He might not be guilty of murder but his self centered actions absolutely caused tons of problems. Along with the incompetent investigation, this is just a nightmare for her family. Obviously, I 100% believe Ant did it and his rich, connected family helped him cover it up.

Apr 29th
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ID19188824

Came here from Morbid!

Apr 20th
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Nikki Withers

keeps stopping grrrr

May 16th
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Vamsi _Hasta_ Ampolu

Wierd podcast, it has only one focus, the boyfriend. it's very strange that everything and everyone else is taken at face value but everything about him has to be questioned. Not saying he is innocent.

Apr 23rd
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Winter Kara May

So sad that such a bright star has been snuffed out. It was obvious that her sadness stemmed from her voice being stifled and therefore living the life she was meant to. Can't help wondering and believing though if Antony's family weren't who they were that this would possibly not be necessary! Way too may things have been lost or are so questionable that it's almost unbelievable including such a poor poor investigation, I thought that the point of an investigation was to investigate...It's awfully hard to be impartial if the decision has already been made. This whole thing screams of influence applied for all the wrong reasons. I really hope that the truth comes out about everything , for Pheobe's family but especially for Pheobe, it seems to me that she deserves at least that much from the judiciary.

Jul 2nd
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Alison Wonderland

another girlfriend of Phoebe's boyfriend has been found dead just recently also under suspicious circumstances 🧐

Jun 30th
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Marilyn Caine

Great podcast, lots of mystery surrounding this tragedy. Loved how you included Phoebe's poetry, she really had talent

May 17th
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Preshwhoa

very sad, but great podcast so far

May 5th
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Linh Nguyen

I appreciate this podcast for bringing this story to light... But I can't help but get the feeling that the presenters were avoiding discussing the hampel family...seems like the family is untouchable.... Disappointed to the nth degree with that.

Mar 7th
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Brent

It was pretty good. Not much of an ending. At least not as good of an ending as Robert Kraft got, amirite? A lot of speculation without much to back it up. Probably could get as much information out of reading a newspaper article. Overall, I enjoyed it.

Feb 26th
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Mathew John

1tt7:

Jan 20th
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KG

Very good podcast. I think they do a very good job of trying to give a balanced view, given the overwhelming lack of police work and the alarming actions of some of those involved. Very sad and shameful the way people with money and power can still influence the outcome of an investigation

Jan 11th
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Luis Tejeda

okey

Dec 4th
Reply (1)

Katie Lawson

I think it was this episode, but is there a link to the song Phoebe's friend wrote for her?

Oct 14th
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Christopher Walle

Another example of someone with connections to people in high places getting away with murder.

Sep 28th
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Heather YyY

No closure smh.

Sep 14th
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Brendan Jones

captivating podcast about mysteries between a middle and upper class relationship turned murder! highly recommend

Aug 31st
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