In May 1999, two detectives followed a trail of suspicious missing persons cases to an old, red-brick bank in Snowtown, South Australia. 

As they head inside, they head straight for the bank’s vault where they find six large plastic barrels containing human remains. They also find handcuffs, knives, a saw, boxes of disposable gloves and bottles of hydrochloric acid. 

They’d come to realise they'd found the dumping grounds of Australia’s worst serial killings, crimes that would see four men sent to prison with lengthy sentences. 

But now in 2026, James Vlassaki is set to walk free.

THE END BITS

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CREDITS

Guest: Jeremy Pudney

You can find more info about his book Snowtown: The Bodies in Barrels Murders here.

Host: Gemma Bath

Executive Producer: Gia Moylan

Audio Producer: Scott Stronach

The story is not the first time we've covered the Snowtown Murders. Hear our past episode with Debi Marshall here.

GET IN TOUCH:

Feedback? We’re listening! Email us at truecrime@mamamia.com.au or send us a voice note, and one of our Podcast Producers will come back to you ASAP.

Tell us what you really think so we can give you more of what you really want. Fill out this survey and you’ll go in the running to win one of five $100 gift vouchers.

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.

In May 1999, two detectives followed a trail of suspicious missing persons cases to an old, red-brick bank in Snowtown, South Australia.&nbsp;
As they head inside, they head straight for the bank&rsquo;s vault where they find six large plastic barrels containing human remains. They also find handcuffs, knives, a saw, boxes of disposable gloves and bottles of hydrochloric acid.&nbsp;
They&rsquo;d come to realise they'd found the dumping grounds of Australia&rsquo;s worst serial killings, crimes that would see four men sent to prison with lengthy sentences.&nbsp;
But now in 2026, James Vlassaki is set to walk free.
THE END BITS
<a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe/?utm_source=shownotes&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=tcc">Subscribe to Mamamia</a>
<a href="https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8954679/HF-BUS-2026">We want to hear from you! Take our quick 3-minute survey for your change to win a $100 gift card.</a>
CREDITS<a href="https://go.skimresources.com?id=53410X1291869&amp;xs=1&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.booktopia.com.au%2Fthe-good-girls-sonia-faleiro%2Fbook%2F9781408876732.html"></a>
Guest: Jeremy Pudney
You can find more info about his book Snowtown: The Bodies in Barrels Murders <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/sa/podcast/the-story-behind-snowtown/id1469153910?i=1000513440182">here</a>.
Host: Gemma Bath
Executive Producer: Gia Moylan
Audio Producer:&nbsp;Scott Stronach
The story is not the first time we've covered the Snowtown Murders. Hear our past episode with Debi Marshall <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/sa/podcast/the-story-behind-snowtown/id1469153910?i=1000513440182">here</a>.
GET IN TOUCH:
Feedback? We&rsquo;re listening! Email us at <a href="mailto:truecrime@mamamia.com.au">truecrime@mamamia.com.au</a> or <a href="https://help.mamamia.com.au/en-US/send-a-podcast-voice-note-467960" data-stringify-link="https://help.mamamia.com.au/en-US/send-a-podcast-voice-note-467960" data-sk="tooltip_parent">send us a voice note</a>, and one of our Podcast Producers will come back to you ASAP.
Tell us what you really think so we can give you more of what you really want. Fill out&nbsp;<a href="https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7711442/Mamamia-Audience-Survey-March-April-2024" data-stringify-link="https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7711442/Mamamia-Audience-Survey-March-April-2024" data-sk="tooltip_parent">this survey</a>&nbsp;and you&rsquo;ll&nbsp;go in the running to win one of five $100 gift vouchers.
If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via<a href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/">&nbsp;Lifeline</a>&nbsp;on 13 11 14 or<a href="https://www.beyondblue.org.au/">&nbsp;Beyond Blue</a>&nbsp;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.

True Crime Conversations explores the world's most notorious crimes by speaking to the people who know the most about them. Hosted by Gemma Bath.

True Crime Conversations explores the world's most notorious crimes by speaking to the people who know the most about them. Hosted by Gemma Bath.

True Crime Conversations

UPDATE: One Of The Snowtown Murderers Is A Free Man

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/3ea926be-9be7-482a-8ac3-a44f016e43d1/clips/918db66d-313a-4cdd-8c8a-b4cc00363143/transcript