Case 102
Britt Lapthorne
21-year-old Britt Lapthone developed a passion for travel at a young age, so it came as no surprise to her friends and family when she announced her plans to backpack solo through Europe. In mid-2008, Britt took off in search of adventure, lapping up many unforgettable experiences before eventually arriving in the Croatian town of Dubrovnik.
After seeing the sights of the medieval city, Britt joined some fellow backpackers for a night out at local hotspot, Club Fuego. The next morning, they found her hostel bed empty but her mobile phone, passport and belongings right where she left them. Was she just another Aussie who had too much to drink in a foreign country, or was she the victim of something far more serious?
CREDITS
EPISODE:
Research & writing – Elsha McGill and Milly Raso
Narration – Anonymous Host
MUSIC:
‘Flatline intro’ and ‘Come play with me’ intro and outro – www.dl-sounds.com
Audio production – Mike Migas
Scoring – Mike Migas and Andrew Joslyn
OTHER:
Logo and website design – Paulina Szymanska
RESOURCES
REPORTS:
Coroner’s Inquest into the Death of Britt Lapthorne
VIDEOS:
Sunday Night: Britt Lapthorne – Part One
Sunday Night: Britt Lapthorne – Part Two
Sunday Night: Britt Lapthorne – Part Three
Sunday Night: Britt Lapthorne – Part Four
Sunday Night: Britt Lapthorne – Part Five
Sunday Night: Britt Lapthorne – Part Six
ARTICLES:
Disappearance leaves walled city in shock – The Sydney Morning Herald
Mother’s plea: ‘Why hasn’t Britt been found?’ – The Sydney Morning Herald
Searching for Britt – The Sydney Morning Herald
‘No stone unturned’ in search for Britt: PM – The Sydney Morning Herald
Britt’s disappearance not reported for two days – The Sydney Morning Herald
Claims Britt security footage was wiped – The Sydney Morning Herald
Mystery on Britt Footage – Herald Sun
Britt Lapthorne was set to meet up with fellow traveller again – News.com.au
Privacy fears led to delay on Britt case – The Sydney Morning Herald
Britt’s Russian room-mate revealed – The Sydney Morning Herald
Bouncer saw missing Britt leave club with two men – The Age
Britt Lapthorne’s mum ‘heartbroken’ over promiscuous claims – News.com.au
Police take owner’s son to Dubrovnik hostel – The Sydney Morning Herald
Lapthorne case: hostel son set to be released – The Sydney Morning Herald
Croatian police chief sacked – Brisbane Times
Photofit faces under investigation – Nacional Dnevno Online
Please help me find my Britt: father Dale Lapthorne pleads – The Daily Telegraph
Family speaks of body find ‘nightmare’ – The Sydney Morning Herald
Britt Lapthorne’s body ‘weighed down’ – The Sydney Morning Herald
Family search for Britt’s body parts – The Sydney Morning Herald
Father to share Britt’s final journey home – The Sydney Morning Herald
A picnic in the sun to remember Britt’s spirit – The Sydney Morning Herald
Hundreds mourn Britt by candlelight – The Sydney Morning Herald
Parents hold private funeral for Britt – The Sydney Morning Herald
Mourners gather, in mauve and red, for Britt Lapthorne – The Sydney Morning Herald
Mourners gather to remember Lapthorne – The Sydney Morning Herald
‘A real character’: tears and laughter as proud family remembers Britt Lapthorne – The Sydney Morning Herald
Family gathers for Britt Lapthorne memorial – The Sydney Morning Herald
Backpacker Britt wasn’t only victim – The Advertiser
No evidence of violence: Britt autopsy – The Age
Britt Lapthorne: Coroner to deliver open finding on death of Australian backpacker in Croatia – ABC News
Top cop raises hope on Britt – The Sydney Morning Herald
Britt Lapthorne breakthrough: Croatian police back down on suicide theory – News.com.au
Sleep the only way for Britt’s mother to escape her living nightmare – The Sydney Morning Herald
Croatian judge Djordjo Benussi swims against Britt Lapthorne storm – News.com.au