The first glimpse into Norma’s life in prestigious Mandeville Crescent, Toorak and an overview of her last day alive. 

We begin to question some of the events of that day and the actions of those involved.

Expert consulting Forensic Pathologist, Byron Collins, is introduced, providing his interpretation of the 1929 pathology report. Accidental death was ruled out then, as it is now.

 

More information - www.murderarchives.com.au

Contact Emma - emma@murderarchives.com.au

 

Thanks to all those who added their voices to this podcast (in alphabetical order):

Daniel Alfieri

Courtney Carthy

Simon Curtin

Alan Hands

Cassidy Krygger

Ben Mitchell

Elaine Mitchell

Gill Neale

And our experts:

Charlie Bezzina

Dr Byron Collins

Dr Karen Scally

Andrea Scarf

The first glimpse into Norma&rsquo;s life in prestigious Mandeville Crescent, Toorak and an overview of her last day alive. 
We begin to question some of the events of that day and the actions of those involved.
Expert consulting Forensic Pathologist, Byron Collins, is introduced, providing his interpretation of the 1929 pathology report. Accidental death was ruled out then, as it is now.
&nbsp;
More information - <a href="http://www.murderarchives.com.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.murderarchives.com.au</a>
Contact Emma - <a href="mailto:emma@murderarchives.com.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">emma@murderarchives.com.au</a>
&nbsp;
Thanks to all those who added their voices to this podcast (in alphabetical order):
Daniel Alfieri
Courtney Carthy
Simon Curtin
Alan Hands
Cassidy Krygger
Ben Mitchell
Elaine Mitchell
Gill Neale
And our experts:
Charlie Bezzina
Dr Byron Collins
Dr Karen Scally
Andrea Scarf

We’ve started this podcast to create a dialogue with you, that may help solve a 1929 murder in Toorak. 

If you want to know more, or help in the amateur sleuthing, we’ve uploaded documents and images to our website www.murderarchives.com.au to complement the podcast.

About the case.

On 9 September 1929, Norma McLeod, an unmarried 29-year-old teacher was found unconscious in her parent’s home in the prestigious suburb of Toorak. 

A pair of men’s underpants lay across her forehead. By 5pm that day she was dead. 

An autopsy revealed a seven-inch crack in the back of her skull caused by violent trauma from a blunt object. 

The case attracted huge press and public attention; accusations were plentiful, but an inquest returned an open verdict.

Almost 90 years after this mysterious death, an extensive three-year investigation involving a re-examination of the police files, combined with an in-depth look at Norma’s family, raises questions about the rigour of the original investigation. 

With the aid of the victim’s descendants and a group of renowned experts we’ve discovered long-held secrets, connections in high places and people who weren’t who they seemed to be.

Experts who provide input: forensic pathologist, Byron Collins; ex-homicide detective, Charlie Bezzina; criminal barrister, Alan Hands; psycho-physiologist, Elizabeth Martin; forensic psychologist, Dr Karen Scally and graphologist, Andrea Scarfe

Some of Norma’s descendants, who are also actors, ‘voice’ various parts throughout the podcast.

Re-examining mysterious deaths, reimagining private lives and giving voice to long forgotten victims of crime.

Murder Archives

1: Norma’s last day

In this second part, once again with the help of experts and family members, we talk about: The murder suspects themselves, Asmodeus and some new information from the Toorak Bowls Club that suggests Norman did indeed have friends in high places!

Murder Archives is written and presented by Emma Curtin.

www.muderarchives.com.au

Editing and sound by Courtney Carthy

Produced in partnership with Nearly

In this second part, once again with the help of experts and family members, we talk about: The murder suspects themselves, Asmodeus and some new information from the Toorak Bowls Club that suggests Norman did indeed have friends in high places!
Murder Archives is written and presented by Emma Curtin.
<a href="http://www.murderarchives.com.au/">www.muderarchives.com.au</a>
Editing and sound by Courtney Carthy
Produced in partnership with <a href="http://www.nearly.com.au/">Nearly</a>

Your theories - Part 2

In this first part, with the help of experts and family members, we talk about: The underpants, the idea of incest, Norma’s physical and mental health, the land in Heidelberg, as well as thoughts around pregnancy and Norma’s sexuality.

Murder Archives is written and presented by Emma Curtin.

www.muderarchives.com.au

Editing and sound by Courtney Carthy

Produced in partnership with Nearly

In this first part, with the help of experts and family members, we talk about: The underpants, the idea of incest, Norma&rsquo;s physical and mental health, the land in Heidelberg, as well as thoughts around pregnancy and Norma&rsquo;s sexuality.
Murder Archives is written and presented by Emma Curtin.
<a href="http://www.murderarchives.com.au">www.muderarchives.com.au</a>
Editing and sound by Courtney Carthy
Produced in partnership with <a href="http://www.nearly.com.au">Nearly</a>

Your theories - Part 1

In this final episode, we bring in a handwriting expert, Andrea Scarfe, to review the Asmodeus letter and cross-reference the handwriting with that of potential writers, including Walter Maxwell Dumont Dunn.

We also examine the life of this man more thoroughly.

We wrap up where we’ve got to so far in our investigation and leave the listener with some potential theories.

More importantly, we leave the listener with some remaining questions in the hope that the podcast will stimulate discussion and open up new avenues for investigation.

 

Murder Archives is written and presented by Emma Curtin.

www.muderarchives.com.au

Editing and sound by Courtney Carthy

Produced in partnership with Nearly

 

Thanks to all those who added their voices to this podcast (in alphabetical order):

Daniel Alfieri

Courtney Carthy

Simon Curtin

Alan Hands

Cassidy Krygger

Ben Mitchell

Elaine Mitchell

Gill Neale

And our experts:

Charlie Bezzina

Dr Byron Collins

Dr Karen Scally

Andrea Scarf

In this final episode, we bring in a handwriting expert, Andrea Scarfe, to review the Asmodeus letter and cross-reference the handwriting with that of potential writers, including Walter Maxwell Dumont Dunn.
We also examine the life of this man more thoroughly.
We wrap up where we&rsquo;ve got to so far in our investigation and leave the listener with some potential theories.
More importantly, we leave the listener with some remaining questions in the hope that the podcast will stimulate discussion and open up new avenues for investigation.
&nbsp;
Murder Archives is written and presented by Emma Curtin.
<a href="http://www.murderarchives.com.au">www.muderarchives.com.au</a>
Editing and sound by Courtney Carthy
Produced in partnership with <a href="http://www.nearly.com.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nearly</a>
&nbsp;
Thanks to all those who added their voices to this podcast (in alphabetical order):
Daniel Alfieri
Courtney Carthy
Simon Curtin
Alan Hands
Cassidy Krygger
Ben Mitchell
Elaine Mitchell
Gill Neale
And our experts:
Charlie Bezzina
Dr Byron Collins
Dr Karen Scally
Andrea Scarf

1: Norma’s last day

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