Case 203
Bob Chappell
On January 26 2009, defacto couple Bob Chappell and Sue Neill-Fraser spent the public holiday working on their yacht, The Four Winds, in Tasmania’s Sandy Bay. After finding yet another issue, Bob decided to stay on board overnight to continue working on the repairs. The following morning, Sue received an alarming phone call from the police – The Four Winds was sinking and Bob was nowhere to be found.
As the investigation progresses, it becomes clear that Sue isn’t telling the full truth. But what exactly is she trying to hide, and how did DNA belonging to teenager Meaghan Vass end up on board? Is this an open and shut case, or a miscarriage of justice that will haunt Australia’s legal system forever?
CREDITS
EPISODE:
Research – Jessica Forsayeth
Writing – Elsha McGill
Creative direction – 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
PREMIUM
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RESOURCES
COURT DOCUMENTS
State of Tasmania Vs. Susan Blyth Neill-Fraser
Record of Investigation Into Death (Without Inquest): Robert Adrian Chappell
Blow J Sentencing Remarks Susan Neill-Fraser
Neill-Fraser v Tasmania [2012] TASCCA 2 (6 March 2012)
Neill-Fraser v Tasmania [2019] TASSC 10 (21 March 2019)
BOOKS
Southern Justice – Colin McClaren
Murder by the prosecution – Andrew L. Urban
VIDEOS
Undercurrent Season 1: Episodes 1-6 – Channel Seven
Witness to Bob Chappell murder breaks 10 year silence – 60 Minutes Australia
ONLINE ARTICLES
Twist in boat murder mystery of Hobart man Bob Chappell – news.com.au
Talk all you like, but Susan’s lies clinch it – Sunday Herald Sun
Susan Neill-Fraser murder case subject of new play An Inconvenient Woman – ABC News
Sue Neill-Fraser case: ‘Extremely strong’ new evidence for appeal bid, family of murderer says – ABC News
$160m cocaine bust on Brisbane yacht – ABC News
Obituary – Robert Adrian Chappell – Australian Physical and Engineering Sciences in Medicine
Meghan Vass tells court she was present on Bob Chappell’s yacht the night he disappeared – ABC News
Key witness in Susan Neill-Fraser murder appeal recants evidence – ABC News
Sue Neill-Fraser’s fate still to be decided after appeal against murder conviction wraps early – ABC News
Susan Neill-Fraser loses appeal against murder conviction over 2009 Bob Chappell disappearance – ABC News
Meaghan Vass tells court what happened the night Bob Chappell disappeared from his yacht – The Advocate
Susan Neill-Fraser loses murder appeal – The Canberra Times
WEBSITES
Australian Missing Persons Register
OTHER
Department of Police and Emergency Management Annual Report Tasmania 2008-2009 – Tasmania Police