14 episodes

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?

BLACK HANDS - A family mass murder Stuff

    • True Crime
    • 4.7 • 601 Ratings

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?

    Bloodied Fingerprints, Broken Glasses

    Bloodied Fingerprints, Broken Glasses

    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.
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    • 37 min
    House Of Horrors

    House Of Horrors

    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.
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    • 37 min
    Mrs Bain, The Diary And The Devil

    Mrs Bain, The Diary And The Devil

    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?
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    • 47 min
    A Family's Final Days

    A Family's Final Days

    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.
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    • 42 min
    "The Bastard Killed His Family"

    "The Bastard Killed His Family"

    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.
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    • 39 min
    Incest, Blackmail, Murder

    Incest, Blackmail, Murder

    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.
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    • 44 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
601 Ratings

601 Ratings

lt9284 ,

D Bain

Of course David is guilty

It’s a typical case of justice to the highest bidder

If Karam had not financed D life he still would rightfully be behind bars meanwhile Robin was murdered so he had no ability to give his defence & his movements of that morning

The type of people that support D are the gullible, haters, poorly educated, poorly experienced, low intellect

Fan to be ,

Brilliant Podcast

Binge listening to it now. Great job Martin.

djdjekkfj ,

Excellent effort to boil a complex case to its elements

Excellent effort to boil a complex case to its elements

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