BLACK HANDS - A family mass murder

4.6 (558)
TRUE CRIME
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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.

See All Season 1 (16)

TRAILER

Black Hands - Trailer

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

S1

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2 min

One ordinary day almost a decade ago, John Beckenridge abducted his stepson, Mike, from school and vanished. Police investigated for four years, but with no proof of what happened, asked a court to make sense of the crime. That court heard dozens of hours of evidence, and tried to determine how a marriage breakdown became a manhunt and then a mystery. As well as a kidnapping, the story includes cryptic phone messages, a car plunging from an 80-metre cliff and allegations of secret bank accounts, criminal accomplices and illegal border crossings. We'll take you inside the courtroom as two opposing theories are put to the test. Are John and Mike alive or dead? From Stuff Audio, New Zealand’s leader in true crime podcasts, and The Press newspaper, this is the story of a calculating man with a dark past, the 11-year-old boy he controlled and the distraught mother left behind. Podcasts like this take lots of time and resources to produce, which is why we’re asking you to subscribe to The Lost Boy. Subscribe to Stuff Extra on Apple podcasts, or by Clicking here. You'll get exclusive ad-free access to the remaining episodes instantly, for about the price of a cup of coffee, and in doing so you'll be supporting our gutsy, independent journalism. CREDITS Scripted, hosted and produced by Michael Wright and Shannon Redstall Sound design, audio editing and mixing by John Ropiha Visual design: Aaron Wood Producer: Jen Black Executive producer: Chris Reed Special thanks to Kamala Hayman and Wei Shao from The Press; Laura Heathcote, Elmo Johnstone, and Matt Slaughter Warning: The Lost Boy podcast contains strong language, content that may be distressing and references to self-harm and suicide. If you or anyone you know needs help, call or text 1737 for free assistance, 24 hours a day.

4.5 (51)

TRUE CRIME
Stuff Audio, New Zealand’s award-winning leader in true crime podcasts, presents The Trial. Stuff’s expert journalists spend weeks at High Court hearings and pore over hundreds of hours of recordings to deliver compelling and in-depth insights into some of New Zealand’s most intriguing cases - as they happen. NEW: Season 2 - Police are called to the multi-million dollar Auckland home of a successful couple to find the body of Pauline Hanna. A year and a half later, her husband, eye surgeon Philip John Polkinghorne is charged with murder, a charge he denies. Presented by Philippa Tolley. Season 1 - In 2017 49-year-old builder Michael McGrath disappeared. No body, crime scene or weapon were found. So how could his longtime friend, David Benbow, be arrested and charged with murder? Presented by Michael Wright. WARNING: This series talks about suicide and content that may upset some people. If you need help, text or call 1737, 24 hours. 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 podcast. For an ad-free experience and early access to new episodes subscribe to Stuff Extra. Subscribe on Apple or Spotify, or go to listen.stuff.co.nz/extra to get access to this and other Stuff True Crime podcasts ad-free… and you’ll be helping us make more great podcasts, like this one.

4.6 (286)

TRUE CRIME
A 12-part documentary podcast about the notorious free-love commune, Centrepoint. There are crimes. But this isn’t a whodunnit. It’s a whydunnit. 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.

4.8 (411)

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4.6

out of 5

558 Ratings

Incredible objective journalism

19 July

Moraus00

Easily one of the best true crime podcasts ever. I grew up in NZ when this happened and so many of the details contained in this podcast went unreported at the time. Great to finally see the full picture. Or as close to it as the evidence and time will allow. Well done.
Surprisingly biased

20 Sept

Flannel_bulgogi

I came to this podcast after listening to both seasons of The Trial by Stuff, which were excellent and provided very balanced reporting on the cases at hand. This earlier podcast, however, is surprisingly biased against David, and the host often jumps to conclusions that I absolutely disagree with (as a reasonable and completely uninvested person). It’s disappointing because I always prefer to receive an impartial and balanced portrayal of events, without the podcaster weighing in with their personal views. Also, the amount of ads is just obscene! Like, every few minutes! Give us a break, I beg of you!
Balanced yet compelling

7 May

truecrimejanet

Van Beynen is clear from the beginning on who he believes committed this atrocity; however, in my opinion provides a balanced view of both sides. The relaxed narrative is strangely compelling and bingeable without doubt. Refreshingly fewer adverts than many other true crime podcasts.
Guilty!!

05/07/2023

reviewstore

I hope his family sleep with one eye open

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.