Advertise on podcast: BLACK HANDS - A family mass murder

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★★★★☆

4.4

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326 reviews

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This is the story of a mass-murder that divided a nation - a story that began in a rickety old home on a cold June morning in 1994, where five members of a seemingly ordinary New Zealand family were gunned down. There were two suspects. One lay dead from a single bullet to the head. The other was the only survivor: David Bain. Since then the country has asked: who killed the Bain family? David or his father Robin? In this podcast, Martin van Beynen explores the case from start to finish, picking through evidence, the mysteries and motives, and interviewing never-before-spoken-to witnesses. He seeks to finally answer the question: Who was the killer? Podcasts like this one take a lot of time and resources to create. To help cover some of that cost, you will hear some ads during this episode. For an ad-free experience go to listen.stuff.co.nz/truecrime to get access to this and three other Stuff True Crime podcasts ad-free, for about the price of a cup of coffee… and you’ll be helping us make more great podcasts, like this one.

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Check latest episodes from BLACK HANDS - A family mass murder podcast

Trailer: Quarantine Nation

2026/03/03

A lethal virus. A drastic lockdown. A nation turned upside down. From the makers of acclaimed podcasts The Commune, Gone Fishing, The District and True Story, this eight-part narrative series revisits the Covid-19 pandemic with the benefit of hindsight and powerful interviews. Adam Dudding and Eugene Bingham delve into what really happened – and what it taught us about ourselves. Subscribe to "Quarantine Nation" wherever you get your podcasts, or follow the links here: ⁠Quarantine Nation Player Links⁠, Made with the support of NZ on Air for Stuff by Te Pūrongo Productions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

BONUS: Newsable Interview with Martin van Beynen, Host of Black Hands

2023/07/16

In this special bonus episode Imogen Wells and Emile Donovan take a peek behind the scenes of Black Hands in their conversation with host, Martin van Beynen. This interview originally appeared in Newsable, Stuff's daily news podcast.

The Journalist And The Judge

2017/07/13

In 2012 Canadian judge Justice Binnie said David Bain was innocent on the balance of probabilities. Why? Hear what Binnie says and what Martin van Beynen makes of his arguments. And why does Binnie compare van Beynen to Inspector Javert, a fictitious fanatical police inspector? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who Did It?

2017/07/12

The equation is simple: It had to be either Robin or David. Now it's time to make a decision. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Recovered Memories

2017/07/11

Despite giving evidence in court only once, David Bain has said a lot about the shootings in various contexts. He has steadfastly maintained his innocence but the details of his story have changed. How plausible is it? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Suicide Puzzle

2017/07/10

If Robin murdered his wife and children, his final task would be to shoot himself. But how likely is it that a right-handed man would shoot himself in the left temple? Is it even possible? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Case Against Robin

2017/07/09

Could Robin have murdered his children and then taken his own life? Robin had blood and bruising on his hands. His foot size was more likely to fit bloody footprints in the house. Was a mysterious note left on the family computer Robin's final words? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bloodied Fingerprints, Broken Glasses

2017/07/08

Although police initially regarded the shootings as a murder/suicide, evidence began to mount against David Bain. His fingerprints were on the rifle, he had blood on his T-shirt, a lens from glasses in his bedroom were found in his dead brother's room and he had injuries that were consistent with a fight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Incest, Blackmail, Murder

2017/07/07

Motive has always been the most puzzling aspect of the Bain shootings. Neither Robin nor David seemed like mass killers. But both had reasons to kill. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"The Bastard Killed His Family"

2017/07/06

The shootings appalled the country and deeply shocked the community and wider Bain family. Yet sole survivor David Bain's unusual reaction surprised many. Loyalties were tested. Suspicions were raised. And then an arrest is made. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Family's Final Days

2017/07/05

From the outside, the Bain family seemed to have settled into a new life in Dunedin. Eldest son David was on a new path, while sister Laniet appeared to have given up prostitution and Arawa was thriving as a budding teacher. But in the six months before the shootings, cracks began to emerge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mrs Bain, The Diary And The Devil

2017/07/04

By any standard, this family was unusual, even bizarre. Mother Margaret Bain's complicated spiritual life and beliefs meant the family was constantly encouraged to put Satan behind them. She practised self hypnosis, meditation and channelling. Their life in Papua New Guinea helped to concentrate the family's oddness. How did it influence the slaughter? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

House Of Horrors

2017/07/03

It's June 20, 1994. Police are called to a rundown home in Dunedin, New Zealand. They're not sure what to expect after a panicked phone call. But inside were five dead bodies, a chaotic scene and and several clues pointing to the killer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Black Hands - Trailer

2017/07/02

A groundbreaking new podcast series on the most controversial murders in New Zealand history - the killing of five members of the Bain family in 1994. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Podcast reviews

Read BLACK HANDS - A family mass murder podcast reviews

4.4 out of 5

326 reviews

★☆☆☆☆

SE Wa, CD 2024/09/17

Biased and one-sided

Super disappointed in this podcast. To me, it came across as completely biased and one-sided. Martin went out of his way to do nothing but support his...

★★★★☆

miss cgh 2023/12/12

Solid & In-Depth Reporting

Was very interested in this case, as I’d never heard of it living in the US. I love the amount of detail put into research, but I will say that the am...

★★★★☆

StaticLighthouse 2023/07/19

Great work

Really enjoying the work on this! Great job

★★★★★

Arthur's a Snowboarder 2023/03/19

Well done!

This was very in-depth and kept me enthralled. Thanks!

★★★☆☆

eclaire782 2023/03/10

Hmmmm

I listened but I’m disappointed. So much speculation and complete disregard for mental health and how it impacts behavior. Also huge assumptions and c...

★☆☆☆☆

kayferguson13 2021/11/22

Disappointing

It goes on & on naming victims never making clear WHO they are. And definitely not making clear who they are in relation to the survivor. Phrases like...

★☆☆☆☆

CapeCodDub 2021/08/25

Incredibly biased

Host makes a throw away comment about anti-police culture and African-American resentment towards police-you can not equate African Americans experien...

★★★★★

Kyary pamyurind 2021/08/11

Excellent research and narration

Excellent research and narration. I really liked how the narrator tells the story, his voice and his use of other voices. Top notch

★★★★★

Craig D.C. 2020/11/12

Brilliant Detailed Podcast

This is a fantastic highly detailed podcast. Let’s the facts and case talk. Horrific account.

★★★★☆

Mojo1934 2020/09/05

Great podcast

I really enjoyed this podcast