On an ordinary Melbourne afternoon in 1997, suburban mum of three Jane Thurgood-Dove pulled into her driveway with her kids in the back seat. As Jane got out of her car, a stolen Commodore pulled in behind her. A man with a gun chased her around the car and then shot Jane as her kids looked on in horror.

For years, police were convinced she was killed by a man with an obsession, but they were wrong. This murder of a young Melbourne mother is believed to be a devastating case of mistaken identity.

Australia’s longest-serving crime reporter, John Silvester, speaks with us today.

You can find John’s book Dark City here.

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Find out more about Mamamia's charity partner RizeUp Australia here.

CREDITS

Guest: John Silvester

Host: Gemma Bath

Producer: Tahli Blackman

Audio Producer: Scott Stronach

GET IN TOUCH:

Feedback? We’re listening! Email us at truecrime@mamamia.com.au or send us a voice note, and one of our Podcast Producers will come back to you ASAP.

If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Rachel Barber failed to return home from dance practice one evening in 1999, her family reported her missing and launched a desperate search. They plastered Melbourne with over 2,000 posters, hoping for any news of her whereabouts.

After days of searching, their hopes shattered on day 12 when they learned Rachel had been murdered. Her killer was a 19-year-old former babysitter and family friend who had been consumed by jealousy and obsession with Rachel, stalking her for years.

Criminal court reporter Megan Norris co-wrote a book with Rachel’s mother, Elizabeth, titled Perfect Victim, detailing the families tragic loss and the details of the case.

You can find Megan’s book with Elizabeth Southall Perfect Victim here.

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Subscribe to Mamamia

Find out more about Mamamia's charity partner RizeUp Australia here.

CREDITS

Guest: Megan Norris

Host: Gemma Bath

Producers: Tahli Blackman & Christel Cornilsen

Audio Producer: Scott Stronach

GET IN TOUCH:

Feedback? We’re listening! Email us at truecrime@mamamia.com.au or send us a voice note, and one of our Podcast Producers will come back to you ASAP.

If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From solving cold-cases to putting multiple serial-killers behind bars, Matt Murphy is one of America’s top homicide prosecutors. Many of his cases are known as some of America’s biggest crimes that have made headlines worldwide, including the Dirty John case that became a global media phenomenon.

In this episode, we dive deep into the cold-case of Cathy Torrez that Matt successfully prosecuted, as well as what makes a serial killer different from a “one-off” murderer, and the dangers of online dating for women.

After never losing a homicide case and spending 17 years assigned to the Homicide Unit of Orange County, California, Matt has released his first book: THE BOOK OF MURDER: A Prosecutor’s Journey Through Love and Death, available here.

THE END BITS

Subscribe to Mamamia

Find out more about Mamamia's charity partner RizeUp Australia here.

And if this episode has brought up anything for you or if you just feel like you need to speak to someone, call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732).

CREDITS

Guest: Matt Murphy

Host: Gemma Bath

Executive Producers: Liv Proud & Christel Cornilsen

Audio Producer: Scott Stronach

GET IN TOUCH:

Feedback? We’re listening! Email us at truecrime@mamamia.com.au or send us a voice note, and one of our Podcast Producers will come back to you ASAP.

If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.