The signs were there but no one recognised them as a serial killer in the making. Stalking, ‘accidentally’ ramming women and children with shopping trolleys, pets at the local kindergarten killed and left for the children to find.
When Elizabeth Stevens left Tasmania, seeking a career in the army, she stayed with relatives, finally settling in Langwarrin to finish her studies. On a cold Friday night in June, her worried aunt and uncle wait for her, but she doesn’t come home.
After work Thursday 8 July, Roszsa Toth caught the train home to Seaford. Walking in the dark past the Seaford Reserve, Roszsa saw a man watching her. He suddenly lunged and grabbed her. She fought her way from him and was picked up by a passing car.
Debbie Fream’s new baby was just 12 days old when she invited a friend over for dinner to show him the baby. In the middle of cooking, she ran out of milk and left the friend with the baby while she went to the local store. She never returned.
A frantic hunt for Debbie is shadowed by images of her partner Garry and their tiny baby. He begs for Debbie to come home on the nightly news. Four days later, a farmer discovers her body. The public panics and fears of a serial killer grow.
Natalie Russell was on her way home from school at 2.30 in the afternoon when she was targeted by the serial killer. He had grown cocky and left evidence at the scene that would link him to the murders.
While Natalie’s loved ones spend the night wondering if the body found could be her, police frantically hunt the killer, fearing he’ll strike again. When two cops report checking a car near the murder scene, his name comes up on the computer.
Denyer’s confession is like nothing the police have seen before. He is cocky and boastful and details his crimes with a note of pride in his voice. However, he is cagey about some aspects. He talks to the detectives like they are all friends.
As Natalie’s family holds her funeral, the police prepare the case against Denyer. He pleads guilty and the judge gives him a life sentence. He appeals and is granted a 30-year non-parole period. Widespread community outrage follows.
So who is Paul Denyer? He was a boy with some strange and concerning habits which people noticed. As a 21-year-old in prison, he had to navigate a whole new world. We meet the people who met him in prison.
When Denyer’s reign of terror was over, he left devastation in his wake. Family and friends struggle to make sense of the crimes. Debbie Fream’s son, now nearly 30 speaks of his loss. With the parole bid looming, we all need to be warned.
Stephanie
It's not often I'm moved to tears by a true crime podcast but gosh, this series floored me on more than one occasion. So fantastically done. Props to everyone involved and I'm thrilled to hear Denyer won't be getting out.
Jae Shepard
I searched online for quite a while without luck before coming here... Maybe I misunderstood, but twice now, when describing a family member identifying a body., it sounds like they say, "I am a medical practitioner..." before stating that they identified the body, then describing who they are in relation to the decedent (uncle and grandfather respectively). Is this an Australian thing? A 1990s thing? 🤔 I tried to look it up, but I couldn't find it *anywhere*. So curious.
Beth Roberts
Let's please do a series on the lady that engaged with him in prison. Transgender motivation?? I think not. Riding the wave of the dead body next to the road. Disgusting.
Mary P
Top podcast. Excellent detail, facts and narration. Thank you, Vikki.
Holly Dawson
Safe ways didn't have smoke counters then. smokes were in glass help yourself shelves. my memory from 1993 victorioa. I'm finding big problems with this story in episode 2