Holly Deane-Johns grew up in a wealthy area of Perth. When her family’s real estate business went bust, her mother started a successful escort agency to keep their lavish lifestyle intact. But her parent’s relationship was abusive, and when they finally split Holly’s mum met someone new that changed everything. 

Simon was a heroin addict. Pretty soon her mother was too, and the family’s comfortable lifestyle collapsed as addiction took over. It didn’t take long for Holly and her siblings to also become reliant on heroin. 

By the age of 20, Holly was in prison on drugs charges. By the age of 21 her mother had died of an overdose. But Holly’s hell was only just beginning. 

In August 2000, she was arrested in Thailand on more drugs charges - except there, the ramifications were much, much more serious. 

THE END BITS

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CREDITS

Guest: Holly Deane-Johns. You can find out more about her book Holly's Hell: Seven Years in a Thai Prison here.

Host: Gemma Bath

Executive Producer: Gia Moylan

Audio Producer: Scott Stronach

GET IN TOUCH:

Feedback? We’re listening! Email us at truecrime@mamamia.com.au  

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

Mamamia acknowledges 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.