The Ultimate Sacrifice

What if the full story behind Australia's most notorious serial killer Ivan Milat has never been told?In episode one of this special series of Motive&Method, forensic scientist Dr Xanthe Weston and criminal psychologist Tim Watson-Munro break down the unsolved missing & murdered cases being re-examined in a landmark parliamentary inquiry.Tim & Xanthe have been working for years, alongside family members, on many of these cases. Now they're being called to give their expert submissions, highlighting the evidence and potential links in some of the investigations.  In Australia's Killer Secrets, Tim & Xanthe are taking you inside the hearings to explore the evidence -  talking to family, police and politicians - in this new search for answers in some of Australia's most enduring mysteries. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if the full story behind Australia's most notorious serial killer Ivan Milat has never been told? And what if more recent cases point to a copycat killer - or worse?In this special series of Motive&Method, forensic scientist Dr Xanthe Weston and criminal psychologist Tim Watson-Munro take you inside a landmark parliamentary inquiry examining dozens of unsolved murders and disappearances.From new evidence to long-overlooked links, Australia’s Killer Secrets explores the mysteries that continue to haunt a nation. Series launches Wednesday June 10. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weeks out from the third anniversary of the Wieambilla shootings, the State Coroner hands down his report - finding the actions of the Trains on 12 December, 2022 was not a ‘terrorist act’.  Some, but not all, of the key issues raised in the inquest are addressed in the Coroner's 10 recommendations - including drones for regional police, mandatory mental health checks for gun licences, intelligence sharing and training for triple 0 call operators. The McCrow and Arnold families voice their disappointment at the findings and recommendations. They pledge to continue to channel their grief into bringing about systemic changes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A major update in Donald Day Jr’s case - the man originally accused of inciting the deadly police ambush has struck a surprise plea deal in the United States. Melissa Downes is joined by Arizona journalist Cody Lillich to unpack the legal twists, the FBI recordings and how Day walked away with a watered-down conviction.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A year after the Wieambilla shootings, on the other side of the world, FBI agents swarmed a petrol station in a remote Arizona town, making a dramatic arrest and revealing the man behind the name “Don”.  Donald Day Jr. is now heading to trial on five federal charges and the evidence against him has been laid bare in new court documents; disturbing videos praising the Trains, online comments boasting about being “an x-con, who’s armed to the teeth”, and the cache of guns found at his home.  In this episode, U.S Correspondent Jonathan Kearsley breaks down the evidence and how rejected plea deals, and attempts to throw out the charges, have drawn out this case.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Heartache and disappointment consumed the coronial inquest on its final day. The mothers of Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold deliver emotional statements, sharing the many “what ifs” that still haunt them from that day, and the critical questions that remain unanswered. In this episode, new details come to light around radio blackspots, body worn cameras, the Arnold family’s agonising five-hour wait for answers, and Rachel McCrow’s final message. And as Internal Investigations hone in on opportunities for improvement, the families are demanding more be done; fighting for Matt and Rachel’s legacy to be one of change, so their sacrifice will protect others.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ominous final emails sent by Gareth Train never made it into the hands of Queensland police.  Why were those four young constables sent to that property, into that ambush, without all the information? Would it have even made a difference? This episode takes us back to the start, unravelling the missing persons report that set this whole series of tragic events in motion.  More than a dozen New South Wales and Queensland police officers are called into the witness box; every conversation, phone call and email scrutinised.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Was the Wieambilla attack an act of terrorism? An expert in political and religious extremism dissects the evidence to address this question. He breaks down Gareth, Stacey & Nathaniel’s radicalisation into five phases, highlighting their dramatic shift through the pandemic along with the part Donald Day Jr played in the rapid escalation of the Train’s extremist religious beliefs. The Coronial Inquest hears about prison letters, more Youtube videos and cryptic diary entries, and the actions the Train’s took to “bunker down” believing they were nearing their “time in battle”.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gareth, Stacey and Nathanial Train had descended into a world of paranoia and conspiracy, experiencing a shared psychotic disorder; Folie à troix, “madness of three”. This is the assessment of one of Australia’s leading forensic psychiatrists who, after dissecting their upbringing, communications and relationships, has delivered a deep and comprehensive analysis of the Train’s mental state, concluding they were experiencing “identical persecutory and religious beliefs and delusions”.  In this episode we hear how Gareth's diagnosis may stem all the way back to birth, how this delusional disorder evolved and how he was able to transfer his delusions to his wife and brother, as he revealed his 'Grand Opus' - ultimately leading them to believe the police were devils, and that they must fight to the death to reach religious salvation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

They’re some of the most highly trained police officers in Australia; and now, specialist operatives take us inside “the most dangerous operation” they’ve ever faced - Wieambilla in December 2022.  The team leader recalls the extraordinary ‘volley of gunfire’ that shook their heavy, armoured vehicles. The SERT commander lays out their mission to ‘isolate, contain and arrest’, and their tactical approach, fearing the Trains would escape. Plus, the court releases new recordings of negotiation attempts, appeals to the Trains to end the situation without violence, that went unheeded... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Untold stories of bravery and courage emerge as the first responding officers step into the witness box, delivering confronting and emotional testimony. Before now, we didn’t know their names, or the extent of their selfless actions, to rescue Constable Keeley Brough, retrieve their fallen colleagues and protect the community.  Losing daylight, with limited information and unreliable radio communications, they mapped out their plan on the bonnet of a car and volunteered to risk their lives, completing their mission just minutes before the Trains opened fire once again. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alan Dare saw his killer seconds before he was shot, his neighbour by his side. Now, after almost two years, the video Alan was filming at the very moment he went to investigate the explosions and gunshots next door has been made public - and we hear from that neighbour for the first time.   As Alan ventured out to the Train’s property, his wife Kerry was on the phone to 000, with recordings of those calls now also released. They shed light on a crucial question for Kerry; Had police warned them not to leave their home?  And the real reason Alan's body was not recovered for hours is finally explained by the police who attended.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Confronting recordings are released by the court from Constable Randall Kirk’s body worn camera. We hear exactly how the ambush played out from the officer’s point of view as he dived for cover, saw his colleague executed, attempted to kill one of the Trains, and ran for his life. We also hear, for the first time, the voices of all four of those young officers, as they walked down the Train’s driveway and into that ambush.  Constable Randall Kirk -  one of the two surviving officers -  has never spoken publicly before. Stoic in the witness box, he recounts those harrowing minutes on that property, including his attempt to kill one of the Trains.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first witness takes the stand; Queensland Detective Inspector Sue Newton, who led the 16-month-long police investigation.  Her evidence, and never-seen-before photos, take us inside the Train's property and house, revealing the weapons, the hiding places and some inexplicably bizarre items. The police investigation lays bare the Train’s depraved actions, stripping the gear from the fallen officers bodies, and haunting images captured on one of those officers body worn cameras finally reveals who fired the fatal shots that killed Constable Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold.  In this podcast episode, host Melissa Downes is joined by producer Jess Lodge to break down the Detective Inspector’s evidence.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chilling evidence was played to the Coroners Court on the opening day of the coronial inquest into the Wieambilla massacre, unveiling the tragic moments that led to the deaths of officers Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold, and neighbour Alan Dare. Footage from police body cameras established a clear timeline of the ambush, capturing the unfolding tragedy - and the heroic actions of the four young officers - in real time. There was also emotional testimony from the victim's families, a joint statement made outside the court. The McCrow and Arnold families said there was “no escaping our devastating loss … the all-consuming grief … and the tears”.In this podcast episode, host Melissa Downes is joined by 9News court reporter Anna Rawlings to discuss the opening day's key details and the nine key questions Queensland state coroner Terry Ryan seeks to answer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who were the Trains? In the days after the siege, detectives scoured the property, uncovering shocking evidence. It was the start of a years-long investigation that would reveal a twisted tale of conspiracy theories and extremism. Once-respected teachers had turned into cop killers. But what detectives uncovered in the United States would add an even more chilling dimension to the case. Content warning: This episode contains sensitive material related to violent crime and extreme religious beliefs, and may be distressing to some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A nightmare scenario was unfolding in Queensland's Western Downs: two officers had been murdered and two others were in extreme danger. In the face of untold peril, 16 brave local officers put their lives on the line to save their colleagues. Heavily armed units then moved in, engaging in an hours-long gunfight with the killers: Nathaniel, Stacey and Gareth Train. It was "one of the most dangerous and complex situations police have witnessed in Australia". Content warning: This episode contains descriptions of violence, including gun violence and death. Listener discretion is advised.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alan Dare was killed when he went to investigate the gunfire and smoke, but his wife doesn't want him remembered as a hero. Kerry Dare has more questions than most about what happened in Wieambilla that day—questions she hopes the inquest will answer. In this episode, we visit Kerry at her home, neighbouring the crime scene, to relive that day through her eyes. Episodes 3 & 4 of The Ultimate Sacrifice are out Monday, July 22nd.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia was left in shock when four young police officers were ambushed on the driveway of a property in the Queensland outback town of Wieambilla: two were executed in cold blood, two were forced to fight for their lives, and an innocent neighbour was murdered. Before the coronial inquest begins, we take you back to the 12th of December, 2022. How did a routine missing persons callout end in the deaths of Constables Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow, and neighbour Alan Dare? And how did two officers survive?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Four young officers ambushed; two escaped, two executed in cold blood, an innocent neighbour murdered. How did a routine callout turn into Queensland’s deadliest police shooting? Episodes 1-4: The events as we knew them prior to the Coronial Inquest. Then, this podcast follows the coronial inquest as new evidence and information is released.  The Ultimate Sacrifice is the new podcast from the acclaimed team of 9News presenter Melissa Downes and producer Jessica Lodge, following their multiple award-winning podcast Hannah's Story, and is produced in partnership with 9News and 9Podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.