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Australian True Crime
ATC Plus: Russell Manser and the lonely old life of being a bank robber
We thought you might like to hear some more from Russell Manser. So as a special treat for Australian True Crime Plus members, we have an extra episode with him for you. Of course you know that these days, Russell is a company director, a podcaster, public speaker and victims advocate. But for most of his life, he had a different career - he was a bank robber.
To hear more from Russell, as well as the stories of his amazing guests, you can listen to his podcast called The Stick Up with Russell Manser
You can also learn more about The Voice of a Survivor at www.thevoiceofasurvivor.com
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)
For ad-free listening, early access and exclusive content, join Australian True Crime Plus on Apple Podcasts here: http://apple.co/australiantruecrime
CREDITS:
Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram
Co-Host: Emily Webb. You can find her on Instagram here and listen to her podcast Killer Content here.
Guests: Russell Manser
Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard
Executive Producer: Jacqueline Tonks
Recorded at a Hub Australia Media Studio. Find the workspace that's right for you at https://www.hubaustralia.com/
GET IN TOUCH:
Send us a question or comment on this episode to be used in our "Episode Download" series: https://www.speakpipe.com/ATC
Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AustralianTrueCrimePod/
Email the show at team@smartfella.com.au
Australian True Crime is a podcast by Smart Fella Media. Your story matters and how you tell it matters even more
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574. Shortcut: Do Not Approach Keith Lees
27:25||Season 1, Ep. 574This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed.Keith Lees is a very dangerous man who is living somewhere in Australia, and is sought by police across two states for the 1997 murder of Meaghan Louise Rose.He's probably living under an assumed name. He may have stolen someone else's identity and he definitely should not be approached or confronted.In this part one of our story, we hear from one of the children of Keith Lees, Wren Dawnsong. Wren was living with Keith when he murdered Barry Waters, for which he was convicted and served prison time.Wren was also living with her father when Keith's then partner, Meaghan Louise Rose, was found dead at the foot of a cliff on the Sunshine Coast on July 18th, 1997.In part two of this series, we will be speaking with Meaghan's sister. That episode will be available later this week. ATC Plus subscribers will get early and ad-free access.Do you have information regarding any of the cases discussed on this podcast? Please report it on the Crime Stoppers website or by calling 1800 333 000.You can check out Wren's youtube channel, where she has uploaded her own video regarding this story here.Click here to subscribe to ATC Plus on Apple Podcasts and access all ATC episodes early and ad-free, as well as exclusive bonus episodes. Got a True Crime question you want answered on the podcast? Send us a question by recording a voice message here.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: Wren Dawnsong & Sergeant Anthony JohnsExecutive Producer/Editor: Matthew TankardGET IN TOUCH:https://www.australiantruecrimethepodcast.com/Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook Send us a question to have played on the show by recording a voice message here.Email the show at AusTrueCrimePodcast@gmail.com573. Do Not Approach Keith Lees
01:29:31||Season 1, Ep. 573Keith Lees is a very dangerous man who is living somewhere in Australia, and is sought by police across two states for the 1997 murder of Meaghan Louise Rose.He's probably living under an assumed name. He may have stolen someone else's identity and he definitely should not be approached or confronted.In this part one of our story, we hear from one of the children of Keith Lees, Wren Dawnsong. Wren was living with Keith when he murdered Barry Waters, for which he was convicted and served prison time.Wren was also living with her father when Keith's then partner, Meaghan Louise Rose, was found dead at the foot of a cliff on the Sunshine Coast on July 18th, 1997.In part two of this series, we will be speaking with Meaghan's sister. That episode will be available later this week. ATC Plus subscribers will get early and ad-free access.Do you have information regarding any of the cases discussed on this podcast? Please report it on the Crime Stoppers website or by calling 1800 333 000.You can check out Wren's youtube channel, where she has uploaded her own video regarding this story here.Click here to subscribe to ATC Plus on Apple Podcasts and access all ATC episodes early and ad-free, as well as exclusive bonus episodes. Got a True Crime question you want answered on the podcast? Send us a question by recording a voice message here.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: Wren Dawnsong & Sergeant Anthony JohnsExecutive Producer/Editor: Matthew TankardGET IN TOUCH:https://www.australiantruecrimethepodcast.com/Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook Send us a question to have played on the show by recording a voice message here.Email the show at AusTrueCrimePodcast@gmail.com572. The Forty-Year Cold Case of Lesley Larkin
31:27||Season 1, Ep. 572At about 12:30pm on the 9th of November,1984, Lesley Larkin was found lying naked and unconscious across a mattress in her unit in Noosa Heads.She had suffered a severe head injury, and would later pass away in hospital. Lesley was a beloved member of her community, and last month signalled 40 years since her murder. Despite more than 150 interviews conducted at the time, the motive for this crime has never been determined. No signs of robbery, no evidence of sexual assault, and no apparent forced entry. On today's episode of Australian True Crime, our guest host and Criminologist Dr. Xanthe Mallett will be speaking with Lesley Larkin's sister, Juanita Wotherspoon.Do you have information regarding any of the cases discussed on this podcast? Please report it on the Crime Stoppers website or by calling 1800 333 000.Click here to subscribe to ATC Plus on Apple Podcasts and access all ATC episodes early and ad-free, as well as exclusive bonus episodes. Got a True Crime question you want answered on the podcast? Send us a question by recording a voice message here.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 Host: Dr. Xanthe MallettGuest: Juanita WotherspoonExecutive Producer/Editor: Matthew TankardGET IN TOUCH:https://www.australiantruecrimethepodcast.com/Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook Send us a question to have played on the show by recording a voice message here.Email the show at AusTrueCrimePodcast@gmail.com571. Shortcut: The 1950s Glamour Model Who Murdered Her Boyfriend
16:49||Season 1, Ep. 571This 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 1954, Sydney man Arthur Griffith died at the hands of his girlfriend, a former Miss Australia semifinalist, Shirley Beiger. Their lives up to that point are fascinating to look back on, but what happened afterwards is positively extraordinary. Our guest today is Sheridan Harbridge. Sheridan is an actor and playwright, and she's co-written a theatre show inspired by Shirley Beiger to be performed in one of Australia's oldest courtrooms as part of the 2025 Sydney Festival in January.You can book tickets to Sheridan's production, A Model Murder here.Click here to subscribe to ATC Plus on Apple Podcasts and access all ATC episodes early and ad-free, as well as exclusive bonus episodes. Got a True Crime question you want answered on the podcast? Send us a question by recording a voice message here.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: Sheridan HarbridgeExecutive Producer/Editor: Matthew TankardGET IN TOUCH:https://www.australiantruecrimethepodcast.com/Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook Send us a question to have played on the show by recording a voice message here.Email the show at AusTrueCrimePodcast@gmail.com570. The 1950s Glamour Model Who Murdered Her Boyfriend
43:42||Season 1, Ep. 570This 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 1954, Sydney man Arthur Griffith died at the hands of his girlfriend, a former Miss Australia semifinalist, Shirley Beiger. Their lives up to that point are fascinating to look back on, but what happened afterwards is positively extraordinary. Our guest today is Sheridan Harbridge. Sheridan is an actor and playwright, and she's co-written a theatre show inspired by Shirley Beiger to be performed in one of Australia's oldest courtrooms as part of the 2025 Sydney Festival in January.You can book tickets to Sheridan's production, A Model Murder here.Click here to subscribe to ATC Plus on Apple Podcasts and access all ATC episodes early and ad-free, as well as exclusive bonus episodes. Got a True Crime question you want answered on the podcast? Send us a question by recording a voice message here.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: Sheridan HarbridgeExecutive Producer/Editor: Matthew TankardGET IN TOUCH:https://www.australiantruecrimethepodcast.com/Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook Send us a question to have played on the show by recording a voice message here.Email the show at AusTrueCrimePodcast@gmail.com569. Shortcut: Australian Gospel - Part Two
18:47||Season 1, Ep. 569This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed.This is part two of our two part episode with author, Lech Blaine. Listen to part one here.You can get your copy of Lech's book, "Australian Gospel" here.Click here to subscribe to ATC Plus on Apple Podcasts and access all ATC episodes early and ad-free, as well as exclusive bonus episodes. Got a True Crime question you want answered on the podcast? Send us a question by recording a voice message here.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: Lech BlaineExecutive Producer: Matthew TankardGET IN TOUCH:https://www.australiantruecrimethepodcast.com/Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook Send us a question to have played on the show by recording a voice message here.Email the show at AusTrueCrimePodcast@gmail.com568. Australian Gospel - Part Two
56:55||Season 1, Ep. 568This is part two of our two part episode with author, Lech Blaine. Listen to part one here.You can get your copy of Lech's book, "Australian Gospel" here.Click here to subscribe to ATC Plus on Apple Podcasts and access all ATC episodes early and ad-free, as well as exclusive bonus episodes. Got a True Crime question you want answered on the podcast? Send us a question by recording a voice message here.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: Lech BlaineExecutive Producer: Matthew TankardGET IN TOUCH:https://www.australiantruecrimethepodcast.com/Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook Send us a question to have played on the show by recording a voice message here.Email the show at AusTrueCrimePodcast@gmail.com567. Shortcut: Australian Gospel - Part One
13:39||Season 1, Ep. 567This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed.Lech Blaine was ten years old when his family was located by Australia's most notorious stalkers.Religious fanatics, Michael and Mary Shelley had been convicted multiple times by then of harassing politicians, religious figures and private citizens all over the world.They were particularly interested in the Blaine's because they were fostering three of the Shelly's biological children.Lech Blaine is now one of our country's brightest young writing talents, and telling his family's incredible story in a new book called Australian Gospel. In part one of this two part edition of Australian True Crime, we learn about the backgrounds of the families and the beginnings of the Shelley's rampage around the globe.You can get your copy of Lech's book, "Australian Gospel" here.Click here to subscribe to ATC Plus on Apple Podcasts and access all ATC episodes early and ad-free, as well as exclusive bonus episodes. Got a True Crime question you want answered on the podcast? Send us a question by recording a voice message here.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: Lech BlaineExecutive Producer: Matthew TankardGET IN TOUCH:https://www.australiantruecrimethepodcast.com/Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook Send us a question to have played on the show by recording a voice message here.Email the show at AusTrueCrimePodcast@gmail.com566. Australian Gospel - Part One
40:04||Season 1, Ep. 566Lech Blaine was ten years old when his family was located by Australia's most notorious stalkers.Religious fanatics, Michael and Mary Shelley had been convicted multiple times by then of harassing politicians, religious figures and private citizens all over the world.They were particularly interested in the Blaine's because they were fostering three of the Shelly's biological children.Lech Blaine is now one of our country's brightest young writing talents, and telling his family's incredible story in a new book called Australian Gospel. In part one of this two part edition of Australian True Crime, we learn about the backgrounds of the families and the beginnings of the Shelley's rampage around the globe.You can get your copy of Lech's book, "Australian Gospel" here.Click here to subscribe to ATC Plus on Apple Podcasts and access all ATC episodes early and ad-free, as well as exclusive bonus episodes. Got a True Crime question you want answered on the podcast? Send us a question by recording a voice message here.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: Lech BlaineExecutive Producer: Matthew TankardGET IN TOUCH:https://www.australiantruecrimethepodcast.com/Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook Send us a question to have played on the show by recording a voice message here.Email the show at AusTrueCrimePodcast@gmail.com