At around midday on Thursday, February 5 2015, two walkers were strolling along the eastern banks of the Maribyrnong River in Moonee Ponds, a suburb 6 kilometres out of Melbourne. They passed the renowned Boathouse Restaurant, owned by celebrity chef Gary Mehigan, which was bustling as usual, as was the Anglers Tavern, a riverside pub located a little further downstream on the adjacent shore. The Maribyrnong Park, which flanks the popular eatery, was full of visitors, dog walkers, joggers and children enjoying the warm summer day.

At 1:30 pm, as the pair continued along the palm and gum-tree lined track, they noticed something floating upstream in the murky waters of the river. It was a white plastic grocery bag with something inside. Upon taking a closer look, they immediately contacted police who promptly arrived at the riverbank. Curious patrons of the nearby establishments watched on as officers stood on a wooden jetty and used a pole to fish the bag from the water…

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Our episodes deal with serious and often distressing incidents. If you feel at anytime you need support, please contact your local crisis centre. Some suggestions for confidential support for men, women and children:

 

AUSTRALIA:

Lifeline Crisis Support: 13 11 14

Beyond Blue: Depression and anxiety support: 1300 22 46 36

Rape & Domestic Violence Services: 1800 737 732

Men's Line: 1300 78 99 78

Headspace: Youth Mental Health Foundation: see headspace.org.au for your local centre

 

USA:

Distress &  Lifeline: 1800 273 8255

Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741 741

Domestic Violence Helpline: 1800 799 7233

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MTC program: maketheconnection.net/resources/spread-the-word

 

UK:

Mind: mental health support: 0300 123 3393

SANE: mental health support: 0300 304 7000

Samaritans support network: 116 123

National Stalking Helpline: 0808 802 0300

 

CANADA:

For a list of Canadian crisis centres: https://thelifelinecanada.ca/help/call/

 

NEW ZEALAND:

Lifeline: 0800 543354

Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (Text 4202)

CREDITS

 

NARRATION:

Episode narrated by the Anonymous Host

 

EPISODE:

Researched and written by Rick Best

Edited by Milly Raso and Elsha McGill

 

MUSIC:

‘Flatline intro’ and ‘Come play with me’ intro and outro www.dl-sounds.com

All other music and audio clean up performed by Mike Migas and Andrew Joslyn 

 

OTHER:

Logo design by Paulina Szymanska

 

RESOURCES

 

COURT DOCUMENTS:

DPP v Spaliaras [2015]Hill, Edward v The Queen; Brennan, Matthew v The Queen; Spaliaras, Constantinos George v The Queen [2018]

Hill v The Queen; Brennan v The Queen; Spaliaras v The Queen [2018] 

ARTICLES:

Devil tattoo clue in human arm found floating in Maribyrnong River, Moonee Ponds – The Age

Maribyrnong mystery: More remains found, but identity still unknown – The Age

Maribyrnong River remains: person identified as more body parts surface – The Age

Web sleuths quickly link devil tattoo and punk band – The Age

Maribyrnong murder mystery man identified as Brendan Bernard – The Age

Maribyrnong River murder victim Brendan Bernard an ‘itinerant’, estranged from family – The Age

Three charged with murder of Brendan Bernard, whose remains were found in Maribyrnong River – The Age

Trio to stand trial for murder over remains found in Maribyrnong River – The Age

Tattooed arm in river led to men accused of Brendan Bernard’s murder, court told – The Age

Melbourne men admit chopping up drug buddy’s body but deny his murder – The Age

Long jail terms for trio who killed over $60 debt, threw victims’ limbs in river – The Age

Man charged with murder after remains found in Maribyrnong River admitted guilt, court told – The Age

Three guilty over murder of man whose limbs they dumped in the Maribyrnong – The Age

Remains found in Maribyrnong River not that of slain man – The Age

‘Where’s the rest of my son’s body’, dad asks killers who dumped limbs in river – The Age

Police search Maribyrnong River, Moonee Ponds, after human body part found by walkers – Herald Sun

Police appeal for help to identify mystery victim dredged from Maribyrnong River – Herald Sun

Devil tattoo found on limb, linked to Sydney punk band – Herald Sun

Dismembered man with a devil tattoo found in the Maribyrnong River identified as Brendan David Bernard – Herald Sun

Devil-tattooed man found in Maribyrnong likely killed over drugs – Herald Sun

Brendan David Bernard fatally bashed over $60 drug debt: witness – Herald Sun

Trio sentenced for murder, dismemberment of Melbourne man Brendan Bernard – Herald Sun

Distinctive tattoo could hold key to gruesome Melbourne body parts mystery – 9News

Mystery surrounding body parts found in Melbourne river solved with victim finally identified – 9News

Police identify victim whose body parts were dumped in Melbourne river – 9News

Vic body parts murder: key facts – 9News

Three charged over Melbourne body parts – 9News

Woman present at torture, death: Vic court – 9News

Men chopped up body but didn’t kill: court – 9News

Grieving Melbourne dad presses son’s killers – The West Australian

Vic killers jailed but family ‘tormented’ – 9News

Body washed in bath for a week before being chopped up, dumped – Yahoo News

‘Where is the rest of my son’s body?’ Victims family tormented by missing remains – Yahoo News

Body part found floating in Melbourne river – MSN

Human remains found in Melbourne river – MSN

Walkers’ shocking discovery – MSN

Clue in body mystery – MSN

Experts examine Melbourne river remains – MSN

Tattoo to help identify body – MSN

More body parts found in Melbourne’s Maribyrnong river – MSN

Cops warn killer they’re getting closer – MSN

Detectives close in on killer – MSN

Human remains, including arm, found in Maribyrnong River at Moonee Ponds – ABC News

Maribyrnong River search: Tattoo found on floating severed arm could help identify victim – ABC News

Maribyrnong River body parts: Police believe they have identified victim – ABC News

Dismembered body found in Maribyrnong River identified 32yo Brendan Bernard – ABC News

Three charged with murder of man whose remains were found in Maribyrnong River – ABC News

Body parts murder case: Victim tortured before being dismembered to conceal his identity – ABC News

Maribyrnong River ‘body parts’ victim killed over $260 drug debt, Melbourne court hears – ABC News

More human remains found in Melbourne river thought to belong to Brendan David Bernard – ABC News

Man identified after Vic body parts found – SBS

Three in court over Vic river body – SBS

Murder trial over Vic river body parts – SBS

Accused discussed eating body: Vic court – SBS

Guilty verdict over Vic river body parts – SBS News

More body parts found in Melbourne’s Maribyrnong river – Daily Mail

Distinctive tattoo led to the unofficial identification of Melbourne man – Daily Mail

Melbourne man accused of killing his housemate said he stashed his body in the bath – Daily Mail

 

VIDEOS:

Third body part found in Maribyrnong River – 9News

Press conference Re: body parts in Maribyrnong River

 

OTHER RESOURCES:

Bernard’s Tattoo origin – DOWNTIME Tooth & Nail reviews

 

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