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An investigative podcast hosted by ABC journalist Rachael Brown, Trace examines the fractures in Australia's criminal justice system, and the decades-long ripples they have caused.
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Since Trace was first released, the ABC has received over 50 emails from the community with leads and tip offs. In this bonus update, reporter Rachael Brown follows up with two women who got in touch to say they saw men acting suspiciously around Maria's bookshop at the time of her murder. Send us your tips: trace@abc.net.au
June, 1980, suburban Melbourne: Mother of two Maria James is stabbed to death in the back of her bookshop. Her killer has never been found. Was it a scorned lover? A random stranger? Or was Maria's murder tied up in the sins of the Catholic Church?
1On a winter morning in June 1980, Maria James turned to her son Mark and looked him in the eyes. "If anything happens to me, look after your brother." Later that day she was found stabbed to death at the back of her suburban Melbourne bookshop.
Rachael Brown's investigation into the death of Maria James turns to the local Church, and Rachael tracks down a new witness who saw someone covered in blood around the time of Maria's death.
A second person of interest emerges within the church. Rachael Brown investigates their past and discovers a dark and disturbing history.
There's a major break in the case, as Trace uncovers a police bungle in the murder of Maria James. But it only serves to throw up more questions than answers, as the James brothers continue their desperate search for justice.
The fall-out from major revelations in the Maria James cold-case continue, as her sons make a desperate plea to the Coroner.
New evidence has been found. So can police test it for a trace of the killer? What happened to crucial documents? And a new confession.It is nearly a year since the James brothers applied for a new coronial inquest into their mum's murder, but the case hangs in legal limbo.
More than a year on from their plea for a new coronial inquest, the James brothers get a decision.Will they finally get answers to the burning questions they've carried for 38 years about the murder of their mother?And what about those items Trace has been given that might have DNA on them?Can they identify the killer?We take them to one of the world's best DNA labs, with some of the most sensitive equipment, to find out.
The discovery of a police exhibit - thought to be missing for around three decades - could finally help unmask the killer in the 1980 cold case of Maria James.
The new coronial inquest into the murder of Maria James has wrapped up. Will the Coroner be able to name her killer? And of the police exhibits that haven't disappeared, what DNA testing can be done? This episode nears us closer to the end of the James brothers' 41-year-fight for answers for their mum.
A Victorian Coroner has failed to name a killer in the 1980 cold case of Maria James. Her sons are devastated. But there's still hope, in leads yet to be chased by police.
Victoria Police is set to announce a one million dollar reward for information that finally solves the case of Maria James, who was murdered in the back of her bookshop 44 years ago. And for the first time in seven years of investigating this case, police grant an interview to Rachael Brown.
Lawyer Nicola Gobbo represented some of Australia's most dangerous criminals, all the while secretly working as a police informer. Why did she do it?
We meet Nicola Gobbo in a secret location, in hiding, now that her double life as a police informer is out, and she begins telling us her full story.
As the gangland war explodes, both police and criminals start questioning Nicola's allegiances. Where do her loyalties lie?
A drug house burglary smells of police corruption and a police informer is executed.
Nicola crosses the point of no return and becomes a police informer. She'll represent clients, while passing on the underworld's secrets to Victoria Police.
Nicola wants to be the best source ever, and she leads police to the biggest target of all: the mafia. Her double life is getting riskier, but she can't stop. This episode charts an addiction and a crash.
Nicola hits rock bottom, but Victoria Police wants her to take on a new role ... as a witness.
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finally listen after getting non stop ads for the Nicola Gabbo lawyer x case. ever time I hear a cause in Australia I'm not surprised when it comes to Victoria police and corruption/misconduct.
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God bless you Mark and Adam ❤ I hope you find answers and peace. RIP Maria James 🙏 Fantastic work Rachael Brown - keep fighting for justice! 👏👏
I'm sorry but no sympathy. She is a very intelligent women who knew exactly what she was doing and the consequences of being caught out by the people she was spilling the beans on. As if the people she turned on don't want her hurt, the ones saying they dont are full of it. If she wasn't so arrogant in the begining she should have taken the police offer of witness protection. She was never going to come out of it looking glowing, so she'd be safer to stay out of the country. If the father of her children was so concerned about being a part of their lives then perhaps he should move to where she is.
A curse on all thier houses! A bunch of bastards, the lot of them.
Love this podcast. I have followed this story since it first broke. I can’t wait for more updates and season 2!!
where is the interview with gobo?
Love this podcast, can't wait for the upcoming follow up on Season 1!
Freaking amazing podcast!
the bookshop in Preston?
Interesting but still a bit vague churnolasim... some actual hard facts would be helpful. Need more than a scoop/interview for me to form opinion
Maybe Nicola is the ultimate manipulator able to dance with the legal, criminal and police elements. Then using the media to portrayal her as the victim rather than the architect. Is it arguable that much of drama portrayed here may have been self instigated? Certainly, only the children are the innocent victims of this mess that was always to end as it has.
Absolutely amazing podcast! Really well presented. Unbelievable story of ultimately the human condition entangled with our failed justice system. Manipulation, corruption, desperation. I'm shocked to my core. Definitely have a listen!!
And what would that add to the episode?
I hear a lot of podcasts that question the police integrity, and would like to point out that, yes the police in Maria James case DID make a mistake, but let's at least be thankful for the INTEGRITY HONESTY AND WILLINGNESS to ADMIT WRONG by Australian police that NOW allow this case to be REEXAMINED AND HOPEFULLY SOLVED. If they had chosen to keep this quiet and not admit the mistake, the case may have never been solved. I commend the police for their integrity, that decision wasn't easy for them to make.
I have only just found and listened to the Trace podcast today. What an amazing investigation and well done to all involved. My heartfelt sympathy goes to Mark and Adam on the loss of their dear Mother Maria. What you have both suffered over the years is unimaginable and I hope you get the answers you justly deserve very soon. As a mother of 3 sons I can say with certainty that your Mum would be so proud of you both. To Maria I hope whoever did this to you is finally named and shamed for you and your boys. I found it incredible on what has been found within the Catholic Church and the atrocities they have inflicted on our children. May they all be damned for eternity. I hope that Father O'Keefe and Father Bongiorno are now both discredited for all they have done and any tributes adorning any monument or anything glorifying their contribution to society is taken down. They deserve no gratification for their so called Christian work. They are monsters for what they did to children and f
This was such an outstanding piece of work! I just listened to the last episode and as I type this I am crying after hearing "I'd like to thank my good friend Rach." I would say that is the BEST reward of all for all her hard work. I'm from the US and I was SO frustrated with the laws and mistakes of the police. My heart truly goes out to her sons and to the other abuse victims.
AHH!! I feel so frustrated listening to the DNA rollercoaster, I can only imagine how you feel actually investigating!
really annoying when show host refuses to give any details about the ritual abuse inflicted by the preists...if you are to squeamish to talk about it maybe your in the wrong genre....maybe you should try something safer like....gardening.
Great podcast. On the same level as Serial in my opinion.