Australian True Crime

This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. In 1995, Adrian Pendergast accepted an exciting job opportunity in South Africa. Less than a week after he got there, he was found dead in a jail cell.For almost 30 years, his family have been trying to understand what happened and how he died. But it seems that everything new that they learn, it only leads to more questions.Our guest today is Adrian's younger sister, Courtney. Courtney only got to know her older brother until she was 15. She has asked for our listener's to reach out if anyone knows anything about Adrian. If that's you, please contact us at team@smartfella.com.auFor Support: Lifeline  on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732CREDITS:Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram Guest: Courtney PendergastExecutive Producer/Editor: Matthew TankardGET IN TOUCH:Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook  Email the show at team@smartfella.com.au

In 1995, Adrian Pendergast accepted an exciting job opportunity in South Africa. Less than a week after he got there, he was found dead in a jail cell.For almost 30 years, his family have been trying to understand what happened and how he died. But it seems that everything new that they learn, it only leads to more questions.Our guest today is Adrian's younger sister, Courtney. Courtney only got to know her older brother until she was 15. She has asked for our listener's to reach out if anyone knows anything about Adrian. If that's you, please contact us at team@smartfella.com.auFor Support: Lifeline  on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732CREDITS:Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram Guest: Courtney PendergastExecutive Producer/Editor: Matthew TankardGET IN TOUCH:Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook  Email the show at team@smartfella.com.au

This episode is only available for subscribers of Australian True Crime Plus. To access all ATC Plus episodes, plus ad free and early listening of all Australian True Crime episodes, you can subscribe on Apple Podcasts.In this episode, we're going to the movies. We're looking at the real story behind the 1995 classic film, Dog Day Afternoon, starring Al Pacino.It's known as a classic heist flick. But the true story is based on the complicated gay relationship between a Vietnam veteran, and a man desperate to transition and live as a woman.If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact: Lifeline on 13 11 14 13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)CREDITS:Hosted and created by Meshel LaurieExecutive Producer: Matthew TankardGET IN TOUCH:Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AustralianTrueCrimePod/Email the show at team@smartfella.com.au

This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. Our guest today, Nathan Crisfield, embodies a story of duality like no other.From Albury, He was born into a tumultuous home life, with his father taking him under his wing at an early age to steal whatever they could off the back of trucks.From ages 15 to 19, Nathan was out of school, using and dealing any drugs he could get his hands on. Remarkably though, he was also very capable and ambitious in his career as a truck mechanic. He quickly became foreman, then workshop manager at more than half the age of his fellow workmates.This is all while selling and smoking copious amounts of ice. As you'll hear, this kind of dichotomy can only last for so long. Nathan's life soon becomes one of unbelievable chaos.He descends so deep into a life of crime, that the fact that he has become who he is today is a true testament to the human capacity for change.For Support: Lifeline  on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732CREDITS:Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram Guest: Nathan Crisfield. You can find him on Instagram, or by visiting Peakshape's website.Executive Producer/Editor: Matthew TankardGET IN TOUCH:Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook  Email the show at team@smartfella.com.au

This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. Our guest today, Nathan Crisfield, embodies a story of duality like no other.From Albury, He was born into a tumultuous home life, with his father taking him under his wing at an early age to steal whatever they could off the back of trucks.From ages 15 to 19, Nathan was out of school, using and dealing any drugs he could get his hands on. Remarkably though, he was also very capable and ambitious in his career as a truck mechanic. He quickly became foreman, then workshop manager at more than half the age of his fellow workmates.This is all while selling and smoking copious amounts of ice. As you'll hear, this kind of dichotomy can only last for so long. Nathan's life soon becomes one of unbelievable chaos.He descends so deep into a life of crime, that the fact that he has become who he is today is a true testament to the human capacity for change.For Support: Lifeline  on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732CREDITS:Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram Guest: Nathan Crisfield. You can find him on Instagram, or by visiting Peakshape's website.Executive Producer/Editor: Matthew TankardGET IN TOUCH:Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook  Email the show at team@smartfella.com.au

This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. Anna is a fabulous, vivacious woman who seems to have lived many lifetimes. But the deeper we get into the business of why she joins us on Australian True Crime, the darker forces that drives people like Anna and their fast paced lives becomes more apparent.For many years, Anna was trying to cope with the fact that she'd been preyed upon by a teacher, Trenton John Wickers, and the matter had never felt resolved in any way. An unbelievable chance encounter changed Anna's life and led her to confront the situation and her attacker. This is Anna's story.For Support: Lifeline  on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732CREDITS:Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram Guest: AnnaExecutive Producer/Editor: Matthew TankardThis episode contains extra content from Channel 10 News.GET IN TOUCH:Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook  Email the show at team@smartfella.com.au

Anna is a fabulous, vivacious woman who seems to have lived many lifetimes. But the deeper we get into the business of why she joins us on Australian True Crime, the darker forces that drives people like Anna and their fast paced lives becomes more apparent.For many years, Anna was trying to cope with the fact that she'd been preyed upon by a teacher, Trenton John Wickers, and the matter had never felt resolved in any way. An unbelievable chance encounter changed Anna's life and led her to confront the situation and her attacker. This is Anna's story.For Support: Lifeline  on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732CREDITS:Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram Guest: AnnaExecutive Producer/Editor: Matthew TankardThis episode contains extra content from Channel 10 News.GET IN TOUCH:Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook  Email the show at team@smartfella.com.au

This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. Mary (not her real name) is a recently retired Victoria Police officer.Mary's husband and father of her two children committed serious family violence for many years. He was also a Victoria Police officer - a very high ranking one.Mary joins us to tell us about the attempts she and her children have made to have their allegations of family violence fully investigated by Victoria Police.In 2021, Victoria Police announced the formation of a specialist unit to investigate cases of family violence involving its own employees. It was placed within the existing Ethical Standards Command, which investigates complaints against police.Despite this, as you'll hear in this episode, there are still serious concerns in the way that Victoria Police handles their offending members.We are also joined by Jeremy King, the Principal Lawyer and head of the Police Misconduct team at Robinson Gill.Victoria Police have issued a statement in response to this episode's conversation. It can be viewed on the Australian True Crime Facebook page.For Support: Lifeline  on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732CREDITS:Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram Guest: Mary (not her real name) and Jeremy KingExecutive Producer/Editor: Matthew TankardGET IN TOUCH:Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook  Email the show at team@smartfella.com.au

Mary (not her real name) is a recently retired Victoria Police officer.Mary's husband and father of her two children committed serious family violence for many years. He was also a Victoria Police officer - a very high ranking one.Mary joins us to tell us about the attempts she and her children have made to have their allegations of family violence fully investigated by Victoria Police.In 2021, Victoria Police announced the formation of a specialist unit to investigate cases of family violence involving its own employees. It was placed within the existing Ethical Standards Command, which investigates complaints against police.Despite this, as you'll hear in this episode, there are still serious concerns in the way that Victoria Police handles their offending members.We are also joined by Jeremy King, the Principal Lawyer and head of the Police Misconduct team at Robinson Gill.Victoria Police have issued a statement in response to this episode's conversation. It can be viewed on the Australian True Crime Facebook page.For Support: Lifeline  on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732CREDITS:Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram Guest: Mary (not her real name) and Jeremy KingExecutive Producer/Editor: Matthew TankardGET IN TOUCH:Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook  Email the show at team@smartfella.com.au