40 episodes

Shandee Blackburn was brutally murdered as she walked home from work - but this cold-case can still be solved. Gold Walkley-winning journalist Hedley Thomas - who created The Teacher’s Pet and The Night Driver - goes deep to find out who killed Shandee, and why. 

Episodes of the podcast first, plus exclusive stories, videos, pictures and extraordinary evidence are available with a subscription through The Australian's app, or at shandee.com.au

To contact Hedley Thomas anonymously with any information on Shandee's Story email here - Shandee@theaustralian.com.au

 

Shandee's Story Crime X

    • True Crime
    • 4.7 • 87 Ratings

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

Shandee Blackburn was brutally murdered as she walked home from work - but this cold-case can still be solved. Gold Walkley-winning journalist Hedley Thomas - who created The Teacher’s Pet and The Night Driver - goes deep to find out who killed Shandee, and why. 

Episodes of the podcast first, plus exclusive stories, videos, pictures and extraordinary evidence are available with a subscription through The Australian's app, or at shandee.com.au

To contact Hedley Thomas anonymously with any information on Shandee's Story email here - Shandee@theaustralian.com.au

 

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

    Hear Live Lehrmann trial updates

    Hear Live Lehrmann trial updates

    We're covering another huge trial every day on The Australian's daily news podcast The Front.

    Find out more about The Front podcast here. You can read about this story and more on The Australian's website or on The Australian’s app.

    This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet, and edited by Lia Tsamoglou. Original music is composed by Jasper Leak.
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 24 min
    Shandee’s Legacy Episode 14: Closing Ranks

    Shandee’s Legacy Episode 14: Closing Ranks

    There was no fanfare when Commissioner Annabelle Bennett SC handed down her findings from the Project 13 inquiry.

    Only disappointment that the inquiry failed to hold anyone responsible for the biggest disaster in the lab’s history. 

    In this episode of Shandee’s Legacy, Dr Kirsty Wright joins Hedley Thomas, Claire Harvey, and David Murray to dissect and comment on the findings from this rare second inquiry, the future of a lab at the heart of the criminal justice system, and the case which started all of this: the slaying of Shandee Blackburn in 2013.

    To read The Australian's reporting and analysis of the inquiry, search Shandee's Story or visit shandee.com.au.

    For daily updates, subscribe to The Front in your podcast app.

    If you need support, Lifeline can be reached on 13 11 14.
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 1 hr 17 min
    Shandee’s Legacy Episode 13: Science Speak

    Shandee’s Legacy Episode 13: Science Speak

    Public hearings in a second inquiry into the lab and the disastrous Project 13 have concluded. Closing submissions have been delivered. And still questions are left unanswered.

    Why was the automated process unleashed on precious crime-scene samples? Who wrote the mysterious and damning Project 13 report? And why didn’t the lab’s new boss flag it in the first inquiry?

    In this episode, Hedley Thomas, David Murray, and Matthew Condon dissect a baffling week in Brisbane’s Magistrates Court – and what it all means for the investigation into the murder of Shandee Blackburn.

    To read The Australian's reporting and analysis of the inquiry, search Shandee's Story or visit shandee.com.au.

    For daily updates, subscribe to The Front in your podcast app.If you need support, Lifeline can be reached on 13 11 14.
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 1 hr 20 min
    Shandee’s Legacy Episode 12: History Repeating

    Shandee’s Legacy Episode 12: History Repeating

    Public hearings for a rare second inquiry into catastrophic failings at Queensland’s besieged forensics lab are about to get underway in Brisbane. 

    In this episode of Shandee’s Legacy, Hedley Thomas, David Murray, Claire Harvey, and Matthew Condon drill down into the questions yet to be answered about Project 13: who knew what and when, and why didn’t the lab’s new boss raise it at the first inquiry? 

    We also get to know the new legal team brought in to lead the new inquiry.

    To read The Australian's reporting and analysis of the inquiry, search Shandee's Story or visit shandee.com.au.

    For daily updates, subscribe to The Front in your podcast app.

    If you need support, Lifeline can be reached on 13 11 14.
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 1 hr 14 min
    From The Front: Queensland's DNA lab is back under the microscope

    From The Front: Queensland's DNA lab is back under the microscope

    The Queensland government will reopen an inquiry into its troubled DNA lab after new evidence of flawed automated testing processes emerged.

    Find out more about The Front podcast here and subscribe in your podcast app. You can read about this story and more on The Australian's website or on The Australian’s app.
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 13 min
    Shandee’s Legacy Episode 11: What Linzi Left Out

    Shandee’s Legacy Episode 11: What Linzi Left Out

    A cloud has been cast over the new chief of the lab following revelations that a DNA extraction method may have failed across thousands of samples in criminal cases for nine years.

    Professor Linzi Wilson-Wilde reviewed the automated method for retired judge Walter Sofronoff’s inquiry into the lab in 2022, but in her subsequent report did not mention information that she came across showing it was having serious problems recovering DNA.

    In this episode, Professor Wilson-Wilde launches a staunch defence of her report for the inquiry, saying she was engaged to examine a separate issue of the method contaminating crime scene samples soon after its introduction in 2007.

    To read The Australian's reporting and analysis of the inquiry, search Shandee's Story or visit shandee.com.au.

    If you need support, Lifeline can be reached on 13 11 14.
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 1 hr 26 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
87 Ratings

87 Ratings

rosie7117 ,

You MUST listen to this podcast!!

This is the best podcast I have ever ever listened to. You were so unbiased the entire time and truly dug deep to discover really important information within the DNA lab. Hedley, you are an amazing journalist and should be very proud of this. I believe this podcast is going to make history and hopefully put some dangerous people behind bars

Gerogie ,

Superb

Another great piece of work from Hedley Thomas. Well done!

JaBarbs ,

Shandee’s Story

Gosh Hedley you are an amazing journalist. This story is unbelievable!!! And so well reported, with actual facts and real scientists..!!

I couldn’t stop listening. My heart goes out to Shandee’s Mum and sister. Just crazy!!

Hopefully justice is prevailed..! 🤞🤞🤞

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