"Dirty John" Meehan, a serial con artist and violent criminal, was Terra Newell's stepfather. He had married her mother and spent years manipulating and abusing her until she finally left him. Enraged by her departure, he sought revenge.

One day, after finishing her shift at work, Terra was walking to her car when John suddenly grabbed her from behind, wrapping his arm around her waist and trying to abduct her.

In a desperate attempt to escape, she bit him. But his response was brutal—he began stabbing her repeatedly with a large knife.

With every ounce of strength she had, Terra fought for her life. In a fierce struggle, she managed to knock the knife from his hand. Realising the only way to survive was to stop him for good, she knew she had to act fast.

This is the story of Dirty John’s demise, told by the woman who lived through it.

CREDITS 

Guest: Terra Newell

Host: Gemma Bath

Producer: Tahli Blackman

Audio Producer: Jacob Round

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Email us at truecrime@mamamia.com.au or send us a voice note to give us feedback or suggest a case for the podcast.

Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review. You can also leave a comment for us on Spotify. 

If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

"Dirty John" Meehan, a serial con artist and violent criminal, was Terra Newell's stepfather. He had married her mother and spent years manipulating and abusing her until she finally left him. Enraged by her departure, he sought revenge.
One day, after finishing her shift at work, Terra was walking to her car when John suddenly grabbed her from behind, wrapping his arm around her waist and trying to abduct her.
In a desperate attempt to escape, she bit him. But his response was brutal&mdash;he began stabbing her repeatedly with a large knife.
With every ounce of strength she had, Terra fought for her life. In a fierce struggle, she managed to knock the knife from his hand. Realising the only way to survive was to stop him for good, she knew she had to act fast.
This is the story of Dirty John&rsquo;s demise, told by the woman who lived through it.
CREDITS&nbsp;
Guest: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/terranewell/?hl=en">Terra Newell</a>
Host: Gemma Bath
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-murphy-52121979/?originalSubdomain=au"></a>Producer:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tahli-blackman-205a891b7/?originalSubdomain=au">Tahli Blackman</a>
Audio Producer: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobroundsound/?originalSubdomain=au">Jacob Round</a>
GET IN TOUCH
Email us at <a href="mailto:truecrime@mamamia.com.au">truecrime@mamamia.com.au</a>&nbsp;or <a href="https://help.mamamia.com.au/en-US/send-a-podcast-voice-note-467960">send us a voice note </a>to give us feedback or suggest a case for the podcast.
Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review. You can also leave a comment for us on Spotify.&nbsp;
If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on <a href="tel:1300 22 4636">1300 22 4636</a>.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

True Crime Conversations explores the world’s most notorious crimes by speaking to the people who know the most about them. 

Follow us on TikTok @truecrimeconversations

Want us to cover a case on the podcast? Email us at truecrime@mamamia.com.au

True Crime Conversations explores the world&rsquo;s most notorious crimes by speaking to the people who know the most about them.&nbsp;
Follow us on TikTok <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@truecrimeconversations?lang=en">@truecrimeconversations</a>
Want us to cover a case on the podcast? Email us at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:truecrime@mamamia.com.au">truecrime@mamamia.com.au</a>

True Crime Conversations

"I Had to Kill Him": The Woman Who Survived Dirty John

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/3ea926be-9be7-482a-8ac3-a44f016e43d1/clips/c1f28713-1189-4769-b935-b2ce00610e58/transcript

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