Digest

This episode of Small Town Murder Express delves into the murder of Bruce Saunders, a butcher found dead in a wood chipper in the remote Australian town of Gumborian. The episode focuses on the investigation surrounding Bruce's death, particularly the involvement of his girlfriend, Sharon Graham, and her relationships with multiple men, including Peter Koenig and Gary Roser. The hosts explore Sharon's past relationships, her manipulative behavior, and her potential motives for involvement in Bruce's death. They discuss the police investigation, including surveillance, phone taps, and recordings that reveal incriminating conversations between Sharon, Greg, and Peter. The episode highlights Sharon's desire to lower Bruce's life insurance and her belief that Greg's statements to the police were inconsistent. The podcast also explores Greg's medication and its potential side effects, as well as a mysterious note found in Sharon's mailbox suggesting a guilty conscience. The episode culminates in the arrests of Sharon, Greg, and Peter, their trials, and the eventual convictions of Sharon and Greg for murder.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction and Show Promotion

The episode begins with a brief advertisement for Wondery Plus, followed by introductions from the hosts, James Petrogallo and Jimmy Wismann. They promote their other podcasts, Crime in Sports and Your Stupid Opinions, and encourage listeners to support them on Patreon.

00:00:07

Small Town Murder Express: Gumborian, Australia

The hosts announce their destination for this week's episode: Gumborian, Australia. They discuss the town's remote location and its unique blend of Florida and Arizona vibes.

00:03:31

The Murder of Bruce Saunders

The episode delves into the murder of Bruce Saunders, a butcher who was found dead in a wood chipper. The hosts introduce Sharon Graham, Bruce's girlfriend, and discuss her unconventional lifestyle and her relationships with multiple men.

00:51:57

The Investigation and Suspects

The hosts detail the investigation into Bruce's death, highlighting the suspicious circumstances surrounding his demise. They introduce Peter Koenig and Gary Roser, two of Sharon's boyfriends, and discuss their involvement in the events leading up to Bruce's death.

00:54:49

Sharon's Past and Potential Motives

The hosts explore Sharon's past relationships, including her ex-boyfriend Barry Collins, and uncover potential motives for her involvement in Bruce's death. They discuss Sharon's manipulative behavior and her desire for financial gain.

00:59:02

Sharon's Reaction to Bruce's Death

The podcast discusses Sharon's initial hysterical reaction to Bruce's death, followed by a sudden shift to calmness when discussing his will. It also mentions Sharon's unusual sleeping arrangements the night of Bruce's death.

01:00:16

Police Surveillance and Recordings

The podcast details the police investigation, including surveillance, phone taps, and listening devices placed in Bruce's house. Recordings reveal Sharon's discussions with Greg and Peter, expressing her desire to lower Bruce's life insurance policy.

01:03:23

Sharon's Incriminating Statements and Greg's Trial

The podcast focuses on Sharon's conversations with Greg, where she makes incriminating statements about her desire to lower Bruce's life insurance and her belief that Greg's statements to the police are inconsistent. The episode also covers Greg's trial, focusing on his involvement in the plan and his claims that he refused to participate in the murder.

01:09:34

Arrests, Legal Proceedings, and Sentencing

The podcast describes the arrests of Sharon, Greg, and Peter in 2018. Their lawyers argue for bail, claiming a lack of evidence. The prosecution seeks separate trials, citing the complexity of the case and the potential for each defendant to blame the others. The episode also covers Peter's testimony against Sharon and Greg, revealing the truth about the murder. The podcast concludes with Sharon's trial, where the prosecution argues that she chose Greg over Bruce due to his rebellious nature and Bruce's money. The defense claims that Greg and Peter are lying. Sharon is found guilty and sentenced to life in prison.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is the unique characteristic of Gumborian, Australia?

  Gumborian is a small town in Queensland, Australia, known for its remote location and unique blend of Florida and Arizona vibes. It is described as a mix of the wild and the rural.

• Who is Sharon Graham and what is her role in the murder of Bruce Saunders?

  Sharon Graham was Bruce Saunders' girlfriend. She is a central figure in the investigation, as she had relationships with multiple men, including the two suspects, Peter Koenig and Gary Roser. Her motives for potentially being involved in Bruce's death are explored throughout the episode.

• What are the suspicious circumstances surrounding Bruce Saunders' death?

  Bruce Saunders was found dead in a wood chipper, with evidence suggesting he was dragged into the machine. The presence of a blood pool and drag marks, along with the conflicting accounts from the suspects, raise serious doubts about the official narrative of an accident.

• What evidence suggests that Sharon Graham may have been involved in Bruce Saunders' death?

  Sharon Graham's manipulative behavior, her desire for financial gain, and her relationships with multiple men, including the suspects, Peter Koenig and Gary Roser, point to her potential involvement in Bruce's death. Additionally, notes found at Greg Roser's property detailing Bruce's schedule and a conversation about taking someone out fishing raise further suspicions.

• What was Sharon's initial reaction to Bruce's death, and how did it change?

  Sharon initially reacted hysterically to Bruce's death, but she quickly became calm when discussing his will. This sudden shift in behavior raised suspicions about her involvement in his death.

• What evidence did the police gather against Sharon, Greg, and Peter?

  The police gathered evidence through surveillance, phone taps, and listening devices. Recordings revealed incriminating conversations between Sharon, Greg, and Peter, including Sharon's desire to lower Bruce's life insurance and her belief that Greg's statements to the police were inconsistent.

• What was the outcome of the trials for Sharon, Greg, and Peter?

  Sharon and Greg were both found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison. Peter was given a suspended sentence after testifying against Sharon and Greg.

Show Notes