Case 112
Rachel Barber
15-year-old Rachel Barber was thrilled to make the move from conventional high school to a special performing arts school in Melbourne’s inner-city suburb of Richmond. On the evening of March 1 1999, she waved goodbye to her classmates after making plans to meet them for breakfast the following morning. Little did they know, it was the last they’d ever see of her.
After Rachel vanishes without a trace, police find a list in her room that says: “Station, go to Manni, $50-$80, 3 special things.” They consider all possibilities, from suicide to sex work, but nothing could prepare them for what really happened.
CREDITS
EPISODE:
Research & writing – Gemma Harris, 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
COURT DOCUMENTS:
The Queen v. Caroline Reed Robertson
ARTICLES:
Caroline Reed Robertson’s deadly obsession with beautiful dancer Rachel Barber led to murder – Herald Sun
When the drama spills offscreen – The Weekend Australian
A deadly fantasy – The Age
Family friend plotted to kill teen, court told – The Age
Woman to face trial for teens murder – The Age
Caroline Reed Robertson, who strangled dancer Rachel Barber in 1999, freed on parole – Herald Sun
Woman to face court on murder – The Age
Dance student murdered – The Sydney Morning Herald
Plea from mum to close Facebook page bearing daughter Rachel Barber’s name – Herald Sun
Plea to Parole Board as Caroline Reed Robertson who killed teenager Rachel Barber may get out early – Herald Sun
Rachel Barber’s parents shocked over killer Caroline Reed Robertson’s chilling transformation – Herald Sun
Killer’s father fears for others – The Age
20 years’ jail for envious killer – The Age
Former babysitter pleads guilty to murder of teen dancer – The Age
Killer jealous of girl’s ‘perfect life’ – The Age
Tears flow in memory of their beautiful Rachel – The Age
Dancer’s fixated killer ‘a real danger’: parole rejection bid – The Age
Story of obsession and Rachel’s murder airs at last – The Sydney Morning Herald
Fatal attraction – The Age
Elizabeth Barber fears daughter’s killer will strike again – News.com.au
Friends and family remember their beautiful butterfly – The Age
BOOKS:
Perfect victim – Elizabeth Southall and Megan Norris
WEBSITES:
Identity Killer Caroline Reed Robertson
I Am You The Movie – Rachel Barber
Rachel Barber. Her sister, Heather, sings Sarah McLachlan’s ‘Angel’