Advertise on podcast: The Frankston Murders

Rating

4.7

from

344 reviews

Description

In June 1993, Elizabeth Stevens, 18, was murdered on her way home from the bus stop. Her death began a seven-week reign of terror for the people of Frankston. A serial killer was on the loose. No one was safe, not young mother, Debbie Fream, 22, taken on a trip to the shops, nor Natalie Russell, 17, murdered on her way home from school. The serial killer, Paul Denyer was captured and sentenced to life in prison. On appeal, he was granted a 30-year minimum sentence. Fast forward 30 years and Denyer has applied for parole. Award winning crime writer Vikki Petraitis was on patrol with police the night the final murder took place. She wrote the bestselling book, The Frankston Murders which has never been out of print. Vikki has revisited the case in a longform podcast to remind the world why Denyer must never be released. The Frankston Murders Podcast uncovers new material and new victims stalked by Denyer in the lead-up to the killings. Vikki interviews prison guards, police officers, family members, and people caught in the periphery of a serial killer.Credits:Created by Vikki PetraitisResearch and writing by Vikki PetraitisAudio production and scoring by Mike Migas (https://mikemigas.com/)Audio production by Anthony TelferArchive production by Catherine Seccombe/Arcdive (https://www.arcdive.com/)Archival audio supplied by The Footage Company / Nine Network Australia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Podcast episodes

Check latest episodes from The Frankston Murders podcast

Episode 1: In the lead up

2023/03/29

The signs were there but no one recognised them as a serial killer in the making. Stalking, ‘accidentally’ ramming women and children with shopping trolleys, pets at the local kindergarten killed and left for the children to find. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 2: Stalking turns to murder

2023/03/29

When Elizabeth Stevens left Tasmania, seeking a career in the army, she stayed with relatives, finally settling in Langwarrin to finish her studies. On a cold Friday night in June, her worried aunt and uncle wait for her, but she doesn’t come home. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 3: Attempted abduction

2023/03/29

After work Thursday 8 July, Roszsa Toth caught the train home to Seaford. Walking in the dark past the Seaford Reserve, Roszsa saw a man watching her. He suddenly lunged and grabbed her. She fought her way from him and was picked up by a passing car. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 4: A young mother vanishes

2023/03/29

Debbie Fream’s new baby was just 12 days old when she invited a friend over for dinner to show him the baby. In the middle of cooking, she ran out of milk and left the friend with the baby while she went to the local store. She never returned. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 5: The investigation

2023/03/29

A frantic hunt for Debbie is shadowed by images of her partner Garry and their tiny baby. He begs for Debbie to come home on the nightly news. Four days later, a farmer discovers her body. The public panics and fears of a serial killer grow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 6: Natalie, the final victim

2023/03/29

Natalie Russell was on her way home from school at 2.30 in the afternoon when she was targeted by the serial killer. He had grown cocky and left evidence at the scene that would link him to the murders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 7: The net closes in

2023/03/29

While Natalie’s loved ones spend the night wondering if the body found could be her, police frantically hunt the killer, fearing he’ll strike again. When two cops report checking a car near the murder scene, his name comes up on the computer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 8: The confession

2023/03/29

Denyer’s confession is like nothing the police have seen before. He is cocky and boastful and details his crimes with a note of pride in his voice. However, he is cagey about some aspects. He talks to the detectives like they are all friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 9: The sentence that didn’t last

2023/03/29

As Natalie’s family holds her funeral, the police prepare the case against Denyer. He pleads guilty and the judge gives him a life sentence. He appeals and is granted a 30-year non-parole period. Widespread community outrage follows. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 10: We need to talk about Denyer

2023/03/29

So who is Paul Denyer? He was a boy with some strange and concerning habits which people noticed. As a 21-year-old in prison, he had to navigate a whole new world. We meet the people who met him in prison. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 11: The ever after

2023/03/29

When Denyer’s reign of terror was over, he left devastation in his wake. Family and friends struggle to make sense of the crimes. Debbie Fream’s son, now nearly 30 speaks of his loss. With the parole bid looming, we all need to be warned. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Read The Frankston Murders podcast reviews

4.7 out of 5

344 reviews

Sharon L. Clark 2024/09/29

Excellent, but grab your tissues

Vicki, what an excellent job on this. It was almost as if I was there amongst the crowds, feeling both anger and profound sadness. These poor families...

CFicken 2024/08/31

Well done!

This podcast was well researched, well organized, and very well done. A chilling series of crimes that I didn’t know about before and the sick, twiste...

KaraMara1988 2024/09/03

Pronouns

Why are respecting a serial killers prounouns?🙄

Luleelmom 2024/01/05

Sooo good.

This podcast was so well organized and the stories/interviews/history of each girl was so well done. I highly recommend!!!

Eli W. 2023/12/04

This is an exceptional podcast mini-series

I like a lot of listeners consume a lot of true crime. This far and away is the best I’ve ever heard. There was clearly an exceptional amount of inte...

mhs1994 2023/10/07

Incredibly moving and important story that needed to be told

I’ve listened to many, many true crime series, but very few have been as impactful, as effective, and as compassionately told as this one. At the conc...

ClaraBowie 2023/11/02

Great podcast, extremely irritating commercials.

I can’t tell you how jarring it is when you’re listening to a podcast, and they’re discussing the horrific murder of women, and then, with no warning ...

YayaYelper 2023/10/04

Really found this podcast fascinating.

It was gripping from the start and was very easy to follow the way the storylines were laid out.

Sarahlee137 2023/08/20

Great Storytelling

The pace and layout of this podcast were excellent! Plenty of details without getting “lost in the margins”. Informed, complete reporting while honori...

eg portland 2023/07/23

The best of true crime

High quality true crime podcasting. This is a case unfamiliar to most in the US and stands out from most of the new podcasts out there. Great writing ...

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