Case 125
The Angels of Wynarka & Belanglo
Case 125
The Angels of Wynarka & Belanglo
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The Karoonda Highway is a 172 kilometre long roadway that connects the South Australian riverside township of Murray Bridge with Loxton further north, on the cusp of the state’s border with Victoria. Largely desolate, the highway cuts through expansive agricultural landscapes with several remote houses and small towns dotted along the way, including Wynarka.
By mid-March 2015, roadworks along a stretch of the Karoonda Highway two kilometres east of Wynarka were completed. Shortly afterwards, a large, grey suitcase was sighted on the roadside. It appeared as though it had fallen off a passing truck. Sun-bleached, stained, and dirty from having been exposed to the elements for an extended period of time, the Lanza-brand suitcase caught the attention of multiple highway travellers, with one stopping to investigate. Upon partially emptying the bag behind a bush and realising it contained soiled children’s clothing infested with insects, they disregarded the find and dragged the bag back to the roadside.
On Tuesday July 14 2015, a motorist travelling down the highway pulled over to relieve himself. As he made his way into the thick bushland framing the side of the road, he noticed an array of dirty and torn children’s clothing strewn under a patch of trees. In front was the abandoned suitcase. He crouched down to unzip the case and rummaged through its contents for himself, noticing a small human jawbone.
________
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
Victim Connect: support for victims of crime: 855 484 2846
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:
Episode researched and written by Alyssa Fletcher, Elsha McGill and Milly Raso
Additional edits by Erin Munro
Creative director: Milly Raso
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:
BOOKS:
Milat: Inside Australia’s Biggest Manhunt – Clive Small 2014, Allan & Unwin
Belanglo: The Next Chapter – Roget Maynard 2010, New Holland
The Lost Girls – Ava Benny Morrison 2019, Harper Collins
ARTICLES:
Human bones found at Belanglo forest – The Sydney Morning Herald
Human skull among new remains found in Belanglo, says trail biker – The Sydney Morning Herald
Cop search Belanglo State Forest after bones found, dumping ground for Ivan Milat’s victims – The Daily Telegraph
Belanglo bones don’t fit Milat profile: Clive Small – The Sydney Morning Herald
Police release woman’s face after human bones were found in Belanglo State Forest – News.com.au
Who is she? Belanglo girl’s skull reconstructed – The Sydney Morning Herald
Bones of ‘murdered’ child found near highway in SA’s Murray Mallee, search states for clues – ABC News
SA remains in suitcase: Tutu found with child’s skeleton – The Age
Wynarka child murder: Police release digital image of quilt patches – The Advertiser
Body in suitcase sparks Maddie questions – The Sun
‘It’s not over’: Heartbroken family of Khandalyce and Karlie Pearce-Stevenson to hold a joint funeral for the murdered mother and daughter – The Daily Mail
Wynarka suitcase murder: Prison inmate a key suspect – The Daily Telegraph
Karlie Pearce-Stevenson and Khandalyce Pearce farewelled in funeral at Alice Springs – NT News
From Angel to Karlie Pearce-Stevenson: the DNA behind NSW’s baffling crime – Sydney Morning Herald
Gruesome details revealed into how mother and daughter died at the hands of Daniel Holdom – Sydney Morning Herald
Family of Karlie Pearce-Stevenson reveal ‘hate’ for killer Daniel Holdom – 9 News
Daniel Holdom’s phone detected in Belanglo forest near mother’s remains, police allege – The Guardian
Karlie Pearce-Stevenson’s daughter’s birth certificate found at house allegedly linked to accused killer Daniel James Holdom – Sydney Morning Herald
Karlie-Khandalyce case: Accused killer Daniel Holdom found in possession of murdered mum’s bank card – The Advertiser
Police question former partner of Karlie Pearce-Stevenson’s accused killer, Hazel Passmore – The Advertiser
Daniel Holdom told how he crushed windpipe of young mum, court told – The Daily Telegraph
Daniel Holdom: Car crash civil case against double-murder accused settled – ABC News
ONLINE ARCHIVES:
Media Releases, Photographs, and Press Conferences of Task Force Mallee – South Australia Police
VIDEOS:
Angel: Unidentified Body – Real Police Stories
Australia’s most sadistic killer – 60 Minutes Australia
Ten News Reports:
Bones in Belanglo (29 August 2010)
Belanglo Bones (30 August 2010)
Belanglo Bones (31 August 2010)
Crucial New Clue in Belanglo (15 September 2010)
ABC News Reports:
THIS EPISODE’S SPONSORS
In the Shadow of the Moon – New psychological thriller directed by Jim Mickle. Watch on Netflix, 27 September
Calm – Get 25% off Calm Premium subscription
SimpliSafe – Get free shipping and a money-back guarantee
Listen On
The Karoonda Highway is a 172 kilometre long roadway that connects the South Australian riverside township of Murray Bridge with Loxton further north, on the cusp of the state’s border with Victoria. Largely desolate, the highway cuts through expansive agricultural landscapes with several remote houses and small towns dotted along the way, including Wynarka.
By mid-March 2015, roadworks along a stretch of the Karoonda Highway two kilometres east of Wynarka were completed. Shortly afterwards, a large, grey suitcase was sighted on the roadside. It appeared as though it had fallen off a passing truck. Sun-bleached, stained, and dirty from having been exposed to the elements for an extended period of time, the Lanza-brand suitcase caught the attention of multiple highway travellers, with one stopping to investigate. Upon partially emptying the bag behind a bush and realising it contained soiled children’s clothing infested with insects, they disregarded the find and dragged the bag back to the roadside.
On Tuesday July 14 2015, a motorist travelling down the highway pulled over to relieve himself. As he made his way into the thick bushland framing the side of the road, he noticed an array of dirty and torn children’s clothing strewn under a patch of trees. In front was the abandoned suitcase. He crouched down to unzip the case and rummaged through its contents for himself, noticing a small human jawbone.
______
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
Victim Connect: support for victims of crime: 855 484 2846
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:
Episode researched and written by Alyssa Fletcher, Elsha McGill and Milly Raso
Additional edits by Erin Munro
Creative director: Milly Raso
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:
BOOKS:
Milat: Inside Australia’s Biggest Manhunt – Clive Small 2014, Allan & Unwin
Belanglo: The Next Chapter – Roget Maynard 2010, New Holland
The Lost Girls – Ava Benny Morrison 2019, Harper Collins
ARTICLES:
Human bones found at Belanglo forest – The Sydney Morning Herald
Human skull among new remains found in Belanglo, says trail biker – The Sydney Morning Herald
Cop search Belanglo State Forest after bones found, dumping ground for Ivan Milat’s victims – The Daily Telegraph
Belanglo bones don’t fit Milat profile: Clive Small – The Sydney Morning Herald
Police release woman’s face after human bones were found in Belanglo State Forest – News.com.au
Who is she? Belanglo girl’s skull reconstructed – The Sydney Morning Herald
Bones of ‘murdered’ child found near highway in SA’s Murray Mallee, search states for clues – ABC News
SA remains in suitcase: Tutu found with child’s skeleton – The Age
Wynarka child murder: Police release digital image of quilt patches – The Advertiser
Body in suitcase sparks Maddie questions – The Sun
‘It’s not over’: Heartbroken family of Khandalyce and Karlie Pearce-Stevenson to hold a joint funeral for the murdered mother and daughter – The Daily Mail
Wynarka suitcase murder: Prison inmate a key suspect – The Daily Telegraph
Karlie Pearce-Stevenson and Khandalyce Pearce farewelled in funeral at Alice Springs – NT News
From Angel to Karlie Pearce-Stevenson: the DNA behind NSW’s baffling crime – Sydney Morning Herald
Gruesome details revealed into how mother and daughter died at the hands of Daniel Holdom – Sydney Morning Herald
Family of Karlie Pearce-Stevenson reveal ‘hate’ for killer Daniel Holdom – 9 News
Daniel Holdom’s phone detected in Belanglo forest near mother’s remains, police allege – The Guardian
Karlie Pearce-Stevenson’s daughter’s birth certificate found at house allegedly linked to accused killer Daniel James Holdom – Sydney Morning Herald
Karlie-Khandalyce case: Accused killer Daniel Holdom found in possession of murdered mum’s bank card – The Advertiser
Police question former partner of Karlie Pearce-Stevenson’s accused killer, Hazel Passmore – The Advertiser
Daniel Holdom told how he crushed windpipe of young mum, court told – The Daily Telegraph
Daniel Holdom: Car crash civil case against double-murder accused settled – ABC News
ONLINE ARCHIVES:
Media Releases, Photographs, and Press Conferences of Task Force Mallee – South Australia Police
VIDEOS:
Angel: Unidentified Body – Real Police Stories
Australia’s most sadistic killer – 60 Minutes Australia
Ten News Reports:
Bones in Belanglo (29 August 2010)
Belanglo Bones (30 August 2010)
Belanglo Bones (31 August 2010)
Crucial New Clue in Belanglo (15 September 2010)
ABC News Reports:
THIS EPISODE’S SPONSORS
In the Shadow of the Moon – New psychological thriller directed by Jim Mickle. Watch on Netflix, 27 September
Calm – Get 25% off Calm Premium subscription
SimpliSafe – Get free shipping and a money-back guarantee
CONNECT WITH US