11 episodes
The Frankston Murders Casefile Presents
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- True Crime
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4.8 • 773 Ratings
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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 Petraitis
Research and writing by Vikki Petraitis
Audio production and scoring by Mike Migas (https://mikemigas.com/)
Audio production by Anthony Telfer
Archive production by Catherine Seccombe/Arcdive (https://www.arcdive.com/)
Archival audio supplied by The Footage Company / Nine Network Australia
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Episode 1: In the lead up
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.
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Episode 2: Stalking turns to murder
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.
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Episode 3: Attempted abduction
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.
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Episode 4: A young mother vanishes
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.
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Episode 5: The investigation
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.
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Episode 6: Natalie, the final victim
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.
Customer Reviews
Who is vikki???
Honestly vikki petraitis has done an exceptional job when it comes to Denyer and the Frankston case… the baby Jake addition really rung out that extra bit although I was always very uncomfortable with using that name. Bit exploitative if you ask me.
I really enjoy vikkis work and utter professionalism in this case. Yet I cannot forget her talking to meshel Laurie about her now representing Paul dale and how much he needed a voice. I don’t quiete get riding one killer into the ground over 30years yet jump straight onto the bandwagon of another with same number of victims really. And also when taking to meshel who is ultra left wing and liberal and utter feminist I couldn’t help but be awestruck that when talking about said Paul dale you as a highly professional true crime journalist had supposedly never heard of that man at all as you were far far too busy as a mother and woman and didn’t even take note of the media. And felt utterly compelled to tell his side of the story.
Why? You seem so concerned about public and family feelings yet that dirty dirty cooper you must advocate for? Also why would Sarah madairmids body be somehow not far from kananook train station? The fact it was never smelt all the way back then is a pretty clear sign it wasn’t there yet now you have drummed up hopes and more money for yourself there. Honestly it’s a bit fishy if you ask me. Maybe vikki should take the psychopathy test herself as baby Jake and finding sarah are both manipulative especially for a highly paid journo that then works for dale.
Jaguar is Ty the one who has a car in his driveway that I
The first thing I did was to make a new one for my phone and I had to do it on the computer so that it would work on the computer and I had a new one on my computer so I could use it on the computer so it
Great podcast, thoroughly researched and well put together
I personally really enjoy Vikki’s calm voice. The severity of this podcast was well tempered by this imo.
The way the psychology/psychiatry expert put it: Denyer lacks 3 key ingredients that would reasonably demonstrate suitability for release:
1. Insight into the reality of his actions
2. Empathy for any other living being
3. Remorse
I agree that given his actions and behaviours combined with the current tools available to us; he cannot be rehabilitated and should remain in prison for the safety of the community.