Case 46
The Frankston & Tynong North Serial Killer
*** Content Warning: serial killer, child victim ***
In the 18 month period between May 1980 and October 1981, six women went missing from the Frankston and Tynong North areas in Melbourne’s south-east. The victims – Bertha Miller, Catherine Headland, Ann-Marie Sargent, Narumol Stephenson, Allison Rooke and Joy Summers – were later found murdered and dumped in remote scrubland. Obvious efforts had been made by the offender to prevent the victims from being identified.
The two investigations were initially handled separately by their respective jurisdictions – until the evidence that they were linked became overwhelming. Police were convinced the same person was responsible for the entire crime spree, sparking fears that a prolific serial killer was on the loose.
[UPDATE]
An important update on the case from Victoria police on October 21st, 2017
CREDITS
EPISODE:
Research – Anonymous Host and Anna Priestland
Writing – Anonymous Host and Anna Priestland
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
MAPS:
Frankston and Tynong North points of interests map
BOOKS:
Underbelly 3 – by John Silvester and Andrew Rule (One chapter is dedicated to the Frankston and Tynong case)
Suburban Nightmare, Australian True Crime Stories – by Emily Webb (One chapter is dedicated to the Frankston and Tynong case)
AUDIO/VIDEO:
Tynong Nth Murders Channel 7 – The Channel 7 news report mentioned at the end of the podcast
ARTICLES:
Frankston has one of the highest rates of crime in Victoria – Herald Sun
Six women murdered but still no conviction – The Sydney Morning Herald
Tynong North and Frankston killings remain some of Australia’s worst unsolved murders – Herald Sun
Six unsolved murders remain one of Australia’s most baffling mysteries – Courier Mail
Public revelation of serial murder suspect sparks debate – ABC
Retired detectives back in the hunt – The Age
Tynong North Murders – Big Footy