Trace
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Trace

Author: ABC listen

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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.
22 Episodes
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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.
S1 Bonus | The Inquest

S1 Bonus | The Inquest

2021-11-0301:05:27

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.
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.
S2 BONUS — The Price

S2 BONUS — The Price

2020-12-1640:53

The Royal Commission has released its final report into defence lawyer turned police informer Nicola Gobbo.
S2 08 | End game

S2 08 | End game

2020-09-2142:32

We reveal the story of Nicola Gobbo's audacious bid to return to Australia.
S2 07 | Reckoning

S2 07 | Reckoning

2020-09-1440:35

Everything unravels, for Nicola Gobbo and Victoria Police. Their secret is out.
Nicola hits rock bottom, but Victoria Police wants her to take on a new role ... as a witness.
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.
S2 04 | Rubicon

S2 04 | Rubicon

2020-08-2437:47

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.
A drug house burglary smells of police corruption and a police informer is executed.
As the gangland war explodes, both police and criminals start questioning Nicola's allegiances. Where do her loyalties lie?
S2 01 | Nicola

S2 01 | Nicola

2020-08-0335:43

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.
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?
S1 07 | Hope

S1 07 | Hope

2018-12-0336:57

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.
S1 06 | Limbo

S1 06 | Limbo

2018-06-1229:12

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.
S1 05 | Wait

S1 05 | Wait

2017-09-0624:18

The fall-out from major revelations in the Maria James cold-case continue, as her sons make a desperate plea to the Coroner.
S1 04 | DNA

S1 04 | DNA

2017-07-1232:02

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.
S1 03 | Sins

S1 03 | Sins

2017-07-0527:54

A second person of interest emerges within the church. Rachael Brown investigates their past and discovers a dark and disturbing history.
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
S1 02 | Confessions

S1 02 | Confessions

2017-06-2735:40

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.
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Comments (34)

Elizabeth Stout

l

Jun 29th
Reply

Unicorn 1

God bless you Mark and Adam ❤ I hope you find answers and peace. RIP Maria James 🙏 Fantastic work Rachael Brown - keep fighting for justice! 👏👏

Dec 3rd
Reply

ebony e

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.

Jul 5th
Reply

Seth Hamon

A curse on all thier houses! A bunch of bastards, the lot of them.

Jan 2nd
Reply

ID20488291

Love this podcast. I have followed this story since it first broke. I can’t wait for more updates and season 2!!

Dec 5th
Reply

Scott Little

where is the interview with gobo?

Nov 16th
Reply

Beth Velasquez

Love this podcast, can't wait for the upcoming follow up on Season 1!

Oct 19th
Reply (1)

me!

Freaking amazing podcast!

Oct 7th
Reply

Michelle Szwedyc

the bookshop in Preston?

Oct 6th
Reply

Malinda Smith

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

Sep 29th
Reply

George Karapas

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.

Sep 22nd
Reply (1)

phoebe ely

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!!

Sep 22nd
Reply

Kristian Andaway

And what would that add to the episode?

Aug 14th
Reply

lisa bradford

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.

Nov 3rd
Reply

Sharon Foskett

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

Oct 26th
Reply

Alana Phillips

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.

Jul 9th
Reply

Marcus Zervos

AHH!! I feel so frustrated listening to the DNA rollercoaster, I can only imagine how you feel actually investigating!

Feb 8th
Reply

dsparry08

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.

Jan 17th
Reply

Max Hibbert

Great podcast. On the same level as Serial in my opinion.

Dec 4th
Reply

Pocket Glitter

I couldn't disagree more, I absolutely loved someone knows something. Maybe the title is wrong for the cases they are in search of but it's a really good podcast.

Sep 6th
Reply
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