Unravel
Unravel is an award-winning investigative true crime podcast series from ABC Australia. The latest season, 'What Became of Jack?', follows journalist Rob Burgin as he investigates the mysterious disappearance of 27-year-old Jack McLennan in Queensland. Previous seasons have covered solved and unsolved murders, missing persons, forensic analysis, gangland crimes, scams, drugs, terrorism, Neo-Nazis, and miscarriages of justice, all reported by top Australian journalists.
Episodes
08 What Became of Jack? | BONUS Behind the scenes
Journalist Rob Burgin breaks down his approach to investigating What Became of Jack? with Stephen Stockwell, host of the ABC's true crime podcast, "The Case Of."Stocky asks Rob about the challenges he had reporting the story, what he thinks of the evidence, and what's next for the people at its centre.
07 What Became of Jack? | Two cars
A new theory emerges from tip-offs coming in to ABC journalist Rob Burgin. Rob investigates two cars spotted at Ficks Crossing the night Jack McLennan disappeared, hoping it might lead him to an understanding of what became of Jack.
06 What Became of Jack? | Duke Speaks
The last known person to see Jack alive finally breaks his silence. Chris Duke speaks in detail for the first time, laying out his version of what happened the night Jack McLennan vanished and revealing new details about Jack's last known moments.
05 What Became of Jack? | Whispers
Jack’s mum gets a shocking tip-off from a scared community member. With the rumour mill in overdrive, ABC journalist Rob Burgin tries to decipher what’s true and what’s not about the disappearance of Jack McLennan.
04 What Became of Jack? | The Wondai house
One of the last places Jack was seen was a house in Wondai. Rob goes there, despite being told the people inside that night have links to the region's darker side, to investigate why Jack visited that night and what happened after he left.
03 What Became of Jack? | The dark side
Rob retraces Jack's final hours via CCTV footage and meeting people who saw him in his last days. He also learns about another item found in Jack's wallet that reveals a different side to what went on that night. And finally, ABC journalist Rob Burgin gets a call through to the last known person to see Jack alive, and he agrees to speak publicly for the first time.
02 What Became of Jack? | The breakup
The day he vanished, Jack moved his stuff out of Carlee's place. They'd just broken up. Carlee hasn't spoken publicly about what led up to that day or why she called police twice in the days before Jack disappeared — until now. She thinks Jack's disappearance is suspicious, but tells ABC journalist Rob Burgin how speculation, rumours and aggression have flooded the vacuum of info
01 What Became of Jack? | Vanished
When Jack's mate turns around, he's just… gone. Vanished. His mate says that's how fit 27-year-old Jack McLennan disappeared from a bush picnic spot 3 hours from Brisbane. But when searchers discover a trail of baffling clues, suspicions begin to deepen among friends and family. They start questioning what this is — it doesn't seem like the average missing person's case to them.
INTRODUCING — What Became of Jack?
When a fit young man disappears from a picnic spot, leaving a trail of strange clues behind him, a community begins to suspect the worst. The belongings he leaves behind are discarded in a way that seems nonsensical, and to some, even sinister. Is he missing, has he left town or has there been a crime? Concern turns to suspicion and online speculation as weeks turn into months, w
08 Blood On The Tracks | Finally, a new inquest
It's 2025, and the NSW Deputy Coroner is holding a fresh inquest into the death of Gomeroi teenager Mark Haines, who was found dead on the train tracks back in 1988.As the inquest hearings spiral over a year a half, new witnesses appear with explosive allegations and police make surprising admissions.Allan heads to Tamworth and dives back into a story that's gripped him for over
07 Blood On The Tracks | Face To Face
Years of investigation have led to this moment … a major breakthrough in the case, a potential answer to thirty years of mystery and pain for the Haines family.An alleged confession has revealed who might have placed Mark's body on the train tracks on that summer night in 1988.Now it's time to put the question to him — did he have anything to do with Mark's death? Will Allan Clar
06 Blood On The Tracks | Revelation
Allan and the team shift their focus to Tamworth and the truth starts to emerge from a fog of rumours. As Allan builds on the case, he discovers the police aren't far behind.An eyewitness comes forward. Key witnesses are confronted for the first time. An alleged confession emerges which takes the investigation in a completely new direction.If it turns out to be true, this new lea
05 Blood On The Tracks | The Driver
More than two decades have passed since the coronial inquest into Mark Haines' death. The family have been forgotten about — until news reporter Allan Clarke arrives in Tamworth on a routine story and becomes convinced this is a major injustice.Allan's reporting unearths fresh information. A mother comes forward with a story about her son's involvement.Police aren't quick to foll
04 Blood On The Tracks | Whitewash
Nine months after Mark's death, an inquest is held. The family are hopeful it will give them answers, but the police won't budge from their theory that he put himself on the tracks.As the hearing unfolds, the family find out just how mediocre the initial investigation was.One person is in the family's corner though. The railway worker who found Mark on the tracks is adamant the p
03 Blood On The Tracks | The Boxer
On the surface, Tamworth in 1988 is a typical Aussie town with rodeos, farmers and an active Country Women's Association. But beneath the friendly veneer, there's a thriving criminal underbelly. Large marijuana crops grow on the outskirts of town and there are reports of bikie gangs with links to corrupt cops on the take.The police investigation into Mark's death has stalled, all
02 Blood On The Tracks | Foul Play
When Mark Haines dies, news of the teenager's death spreads quickly through Tamworth and beyond. His family are on summer holidays in different parts of the state and rush home to be together in grief.While the family mourns and Mark's body is in the morgue, their town is in full party mode. The Tamworth Country Music Festival is on and Australia is celebrating 200 years of colon
01 Blood On The Tracks | Blood On The Tracks
Just outside Australia's country music capital, a young man's body is found on the train tracks, surrounded by shattered Christmas presents and discarded wrapping paper.For decades, the mystery has haunted Tamworth. After Unravel's first season Blood on the Tracks brought national attention to the case and won a Walkley award, a new inquest was launched.Now, Muruwari and Gomeroi
REINTRODUCING: Blood On The Tracks (reprise)
Back in 2018, our first season Blood on the Tracks investigated the suspicious death of 17-year-old Mark Haines, whose body was found on the railway line outside Tamworth in January 1988.Since Allan Clarke first reported this story, there's been a fresh inquest, with new witnesses and explosive allegations.Dive back into Blood on the Tracks. We're republishing the original series
BONUS | Behind the scenes on Mr Big
Go behind the scenes of the podcast with reporter Alicia Bridges, who answers questions about how she investigated Mr Big.Asking the hard questions is Rachael Brown, the host of the ABC's first true crime podcast, Trace.They discuss some of the challenges and dilemmas around reporting on the story, how Alicia came across the case, and some of the things that didn't make it in to
07 Mr Big | Through the looking glass
As Alicia Bridges investigates the beginnings of an epic deception, she finds it spans across continents. At the heart of the deception is an upside-down world of gang crime, and a series of dilemmas. What secrets should stay secret? How far would you go to catch a killer?One man is in jail, convicted for murder. But are there other people behind bars who might be innocent, here
06 Mr Big | The knife
A knife is found near a drain, but is it the one police looking for? A man is put on trial, and the court hears the evidence against him. But as each side mounts their case, which piece of evidence will really matter when the time comes for the jury to decide?
05 Mr Big | A story about murder
A life filled with diamond deals, drug money, bribes and corruption is strange enough. But the truth is even stranger. Deeper forces are at work, with a bigger purpose. Mr Big's web of secrets is revealed.As Alicia digs further into what happened in this case, the ingenious techniques of the gang are laid bare, and a series of strange scenarios begins to make sense as part of a l
04 Mr Big | You're it
Mr Big, the mysterious head of a criminal gang, calls a meeting at Crown Towers Casino and demands to know everything about the murder of Mary Cook. For hours, two men talk. Lies are told, and a confession emerges. But how do you tell the truth from the lies? And who is Mr Big?
03 Mr Big | A bee in the ear
If you're under investigation, the last thing you should do is commit more crimes. But this suspect is on a slippery slope. Small jobs become bigger jobs. Fake diamonds, huge sums of cash, and guns pass hands. A network of corrupt cops, government and court officials and shady underworld figures seem to form a gang with far-reaching tentacles.
02 Mr Big | Two suspects, one killer
Everyone says one man in the neighbourhood, Terry Britton, is dangerous. But could there be someone else who wished Mary harm? Terry has a temper and a history of violence. He threatened Mary Cook and her kids. Then Mary was murdered, and her house was set alight. But police are also looking into someone else: a much quieter man with no serious criminal record.When detective Ron
01 Mr Big | The secret recording
A killer is caught on tape talking about a murder with a mysterious crime boss. Earlier, on a summer's night in suburban Melbourne, a mother of three is stabbed, and her house is set on fire. Firefighters race to the house, but the blaze is too intense. Police begin their investigation close to the home of the victim, Mary Cook.Journalist Alicia Bridges looks into the case. She w
INTRODUCING — Mr Big, a new true crime series from Unravel
On a secretly recorded tape, a confident-sounding man boasts of his influence with corrupt police. He sounds like a crime boss, or some kind of underworld Mr Big. He says he can help make problems with the law go away. But first, he wants the truth about a murder.But who is Mr Big? Alicia Bridges investigates.Mr Big is the latest season of Unravel, the ABC's award-winning true cr
Firebomb BONUS | Behind the scenes
Go behind the scenes of the podcast with co-reporters Crispian and Alex as they describe how they made this season of Unravel True Crime.More InformationHost and co-reporter: Crispian ChanCo-reporter: Alex MannProducer and researcher: Dunja KaragicResearch and fact checking: Johnny LieuRollout producer: Amelia MerthaTheme and music composition: Martin PeraltaSound design and addi
Firebomb 07 | Close to Home
Crispian and Alex find troubling signs among current-day extremist groups. Meanwhile, in this episode of Unravel True Crime the restaurant kids discuss how they processed what happened to their families.
Firebomb 06 | Track Jack
Crispian and Alex hit the road to track down the gang's leader, Jack Van Tongeren. It turns out that Jack's past contains some big surprises. Meanwhile, in this episode of Unravel True Crime a former member of the gang reveals its secrets.
Firebomb 05 | The Gang Rises
A decade later, the gang reemerges. In this episode of Unravel True Crime, Crispian and Alex come face to face with a former follower of the gang at a men's health and yoga retreat, sparking a bizarre and emotional reckoning.More InformationHost and co-reporter: Crispian ChanCo-reporter: Alex MannProducer and researcher: Dunja KaragicResearch and fact checking: Johnny LieuRollout
Firebomb 04 | Operation Jackhammer
A risky undercover operation strikes at the heart of the firebombing gang. But in this episode of Unravel True Crime, hatred reverberates around the city, and lives are lost. (Audio of Russell Willey courtesy of Anthony Buckley AM, from the film ‘Nazi Supergrass’)
Firebomb 03 | Punks and Ninjas
As police struggle to keep up with a wave of terrorism, unlikely defenders emerge to confront the city's gangs.In this episode of Unravel True Crime, activists are badly beaten, and the neo-Nazi gang is starting to push its luck, but the police still can't nail anyone over the restaurant firebombings.
Firebomb 02 | The Posters
The city has been blanketed in threatening posters. The list of suspects narrows as the fire bombers' potential motivations become clearer.In this episode of Unravel True Crime, Police become suspicious of a hardened and fanatical group of neo-Nazi activists, who are thumbing their nose at law enforcement and threatening Asian communities in Perth.
Firebomb 01 | The Man Lin
Chinese restaurants are being firebombed in the dead of night. As the attacks spread, police scramble to work out what is happening in the city.In this episode of Firebomb, host Crispian Chan sets out to investigate the events surrounding the fire that destroyed his family's restaurant.
INTRODUCING — Firebomb
Chinese restaurants are being firebombed in the dead of night. The police arson squad is racing against the clock to stop the next attack. Along the way, there are buried weapons, secret informers, punks, ninjas, and political manoeuvres.As the rest of Australia celebrates the nation's bicentenary, a campaign of terror is getting underway in Perth. Now, in this deeply personal se
Snowball 07 | The Morning After
After the confrontation in the supermarket carpark, Ollie is left feeling confused — has he been charmed just like everyone else in this story? Will Lezlie fail to keep her promises to Ollie or leave him and his family hanging?
Snowball 06 | Stakeout
Ollie and Simon have criss-crossed California to find themselves parked in a supermarket car park staking out where Lezlie supposedly works. They may only have one shot to talk to her and finally get some answers. It doesn't go the way Ollie imagined.
Snowball 05 | Black Widow
Ollie and his brother Simon follow the trail of broken dreams and failed restaurants to Paso Robles, California. It's apparent Lezlie's exploits didn't stop when she left New Zealand. Ollie discovers his former sister-in-law had manufactured an image of a successful restaurateur in Hawaii, Lake Tahoe and New Zealand. Her exotic CV and exciting stories pull a new family into her w
Snowball 04 | Charmed
Following the trail to Lezlie Manukian, Ollie and his other brother Simon end up in California. With a muscle car and loud Hawaiian shirts, the brothers look every bit like '80s TV detectives as they head off on their very first stakeout. But, when the trail runs cold, they decide to chase down a lead at Lezlie's first restaurant in the resort town of Lake Tahoe. Meanwhile, Lezli
Snowball 03 | The Coconut Wireless
Lezlie Manukian's stories about her time in Hawaii usually ended with murderous local mobsters running her off the island. So, to track down his brother Greg's ex-wife, Ollie Wards needs to understand her past. What really happened according to "the coconut wireless"?
Snowball 02 | The Great Houdini
Ollie and Greg's dad, David Wards, picks through the clues left behind by Greg's American wife, Lezlie. He realises that the entire family may have been victims of an elaborate con job.David is obsessed with finding answers, launching his own investigations and even becoming a 60-something computer hacker.
Snowball 01 | The Girl With The Dragonfly Tattoo
When Ollie Wards' brother Greg marries his American dream girl in New Zealand and they go into business together, it seems like a perfect start to a new life. But only a few months later, Greg is heartbroken, the family home is gone — and so is Lezlie.
INTRODUCING — Snowball
Ollie Wards' family lost everything after their brush with a charming Californian con woman. As he embarks on a quest to find out how she did it, why she did it, and where she is now, he opens the door on a mystery that spans decades and across continents.
Last Seen Katoomba BONUS | Seeing Is Believing
Host Gina McKeon interviews film-maker Helen Barrow about her coverage of Belinda Peisley’s inquest and the behind-the-scenes moments that we can’t hear in the audio.Helen’s one-hour tv documentary WHO KILLED BELINDA PEISLEY? is available on the streaming platform ABC iView. Download the app or visit the website: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/who-killed-belinda-peisley
Last Seen Katoomba 05 | The Visitor
Some of the most explosive moments in Belinda Peisley’s inquest happen between lawyer Phil Strickland and the man we’re calling Luke.Luke admits to using heroin and to staying on Belinda’s floor from time to time, like a lot of their crowd in Katoomba at the time. He’s got a violent past and a long rap sheet, but denies being a standover man or ever demanding money from Belinda.I
Last Seen Katoomba 04 | The Best Friend's Boyfriend
Jeremy Ward Douglas was going out with Belinda Peisley’s best friend, Heidi Wailes, at the time Belinda disappeared. The inquest into her death heard Jeremy had a reputation around town as a violent and controlling guy with a short temper who would hang around Belinda’s house, often against her wishes. Heidi says that, after Belinda disappeared, she remembers Jeremy behaving like
Last Seen Katoomba 03 | The Best Friend
Heidi Wailes was close to Belinda and says she looked out for Belinda like an older sister would. But a break-in at Belinda’s house just days before she disappeared suggests Heidi might not have always been the friend she claimed to be.Many, including the coroner at Belinda’s inquest, believe Heidi may know more about what happened to Belinda than she is revealing. As pressure mo
Last Seen Katoomba 02 | The Boyfriend
We go inside the courtroom at Belinda Peisley's inquest to hear firsthand the arguments, phone taps and witness testimony. Jason*, Belinda's boyfriend at the time, says he met up with her on the night she disappeared. They had an argument at her house and he left. It's the last time he ever saw her. Jason is from a footy family in the Mountains and his father John* wasn't impress
Last Seen Katoomba 01 | Belinda
Belinda Peisley's life descended into chaos after her 18th birthday when she received a big inheritance and bought her own place in Katoomba. Her family hoped the house would set her up for life but, instead, her new address became a magnet for a world of drugs and crowd of people who’d turn up at all hours.Six months later, Belinda disappeared. In the months before she vanished,
INTRODUCING — Last Seen Katoomba
19-year-old Belinda Peisley vanished after she left a Blue Mountains hospital, west of Sydney, on the night of September 26, 1998.The single mum-of-two disappeared within a year of inheriting a significant sum of money from a distant relative and buying a house in Katoomba, a small town in the Mountains.Six persons of interest were named in Belinda’s case. By piecing together the
Barrenjoey Road 07 | Christmas Tree Hill
It’s the lead Ruby and Neil have hoped for — a tip-off from an old law enforcement source about a potential burial site for Trudie Adams.Deep in Kur-ing-gai National Park is a place called Christmas Tree Hill and, rumour has it, a guy nicknamed "Chicken Wire Man" is responsible for disposing of Trudie’s body there.It’s time for one last trip to the bush.
Barrenjoey Road 06 | The Unholy Relationship
Investigating the link between a career criminal, Trudie ... and a corrupt cop.For decades, Neville Tween evaded scrutiny by law enforcement, despite being a well-known career criminal. But what if he was protected?Not long after Trudie’s inquest, Mark Standen — one of Australia’s most powerful law enforcement officers — went down as a corrupt cop. It turns out Tween was one of S
Barrenjoey Road 05 | The Big Bad Wolf
Neville Tween appeared at the inquest into Trudie’s disappearance in 2011. Unravel has been given access to Tween’s evidence — and for the first time ever, his voice is being aired.This is the man that multiple detectives think is responsible for the assaults on the northern beaches in the '70s, as well as the disappearance of Trudie Adams.As the evidence is presented against Twe
Barrenjoey Road 04 | The Green Kombi Van
Despite the similarities between the disappearance of Trudie Adams and the assaults on fourteen women on Sydney’s northern beaches, the case goes cold for almost two decades.That is until 1992, when fresh eyes re-examine an old lead and police think they might be close to cracking the case.Is it the breakthrough they think it is? Ruby Jones sits down with a former detective who k
Barrenjoey Road 03 | The Hunting Ground
A chilling visit to bushland where abducted hitch-hikers are taken. In the days and weeks after Trudie’s disappearance, a series of women come forward to the police telling similar, terrible stories about being targeted by two men on the northern beaches.At least 14 women have been abducted while hitchhiking or walking home. They are taken out to bushland, sexually assaulted and
Barrenjoey Road 02 | Suspicious Minds
Trudie Adams was last seen hitching a ride home from a dance in Newport on Sydney’s northern beaches. The last known person to see her alive was her boyfriend, Steve Norris. Or more accurately, her soon to be ex-boyfriend.Police label Steve as a person of interest in the days following Trudie’s disappearance. The couple were in the process of breaking up. There were rumours of an
Barrenjoey Road 01 | Saturday night on Barrenjoey Road
A heart breaking search for the hitch-hike girl. For a free-spirited teenager, growing up on Sydney’s northern beaches in the '70s was as good as it gets. Endless perfect surf breaks, days spent lounging on the beach with mates, parties every weekend. 18-year-old Trudie Adams was typical, hanging out with her girlfriends and looking forward to a trip to Bali.On a Saturday night o
INTRODUCING — Barrenjoey Road
The story of Barrenjoey Road explores the disappearance of Trudie Adams in 1978 from Sydney’s northern beaches in 1978 leaving a family and community devastated. When 18-year-old Trudie Adams goes missing hitchhiking home on Sydney’s northern beaches in 1978, a family and community are devastated. The case exposes the dark underbelly of the “insular peninsula”… a world where
Blood On The Tracks 07 | Face To Face
Years of investigation have led to this moment ... a major breakthrough in the case, a potential answer to thirty years of mystery and pain for the Haines family.An alleged confession has revealed who might have placed Mark’s body on the train tracks on that summer night in 1988.Now it’s time to put the question to him — did he have anything to do with Mark’s death? Will Allan fi
Blood On The Tracks 06 | Revelation
Allan and the team shift their focus to Tamworth and the truth starts to emerge from a fog of rumours. As Allan builds on the case, he discovers the police aren’t far behind.An eyewitness comes forward. Key witnesses are confronted for the first time. An alleged confession emerges which takes the investigation in a completely new direction.If it turns out to be true, this new lea
Blood On The Tracks 05 | The Driver
More than two decades have passed since the coronial inquest into Mark Haines’ death. The family have been forgotten about — until news reporter Allan Clarke arrives in Tamworth on a routine story and becomes convinced this is a major injustice.Allan’s reporting unearths fresh information. A mother comes forward with a story about her son’s involvement.Police aren’t quick to foll
Blood On The Tracks 04 | Whitewash
The family's hopes for an answer at the inquest fade fast.Nine months after Mark’s death, an inquest is held. The family are hopeful it will give them answers, but the police won’t budge from their theory that he put himself on the tracks.As the hearing unfolds, the family find out just how mediocre the initial investigation was. Lost evidence, an unsecured crime scene ... and a
Blood On The Tracks 03 | The Boxer
Violence erupts as Uncle Duck and the family confront their number one suspect.On the surface, Tamworth in 1988 is a typical Aussie town with rodeos, farmers and an active Country Women’s Association. But beneath the friendly veneer, there’s a thriving criminal underbelly. Large marijuana crops grow on the outskirts of town and there are reports of bikie gangs with links to cor
Blood On The Tracks 02 | Foul Play
Mark Haines' family challenge the police investigation. When Mark Haines dies, news of the teenager's death spreads quickly through Tamworth and beyond. His family are on summer holidays in different parts of the state and rush home to be together in grief.While the family mourns and Mark’s body is in the morgue, their town is in full party mode. The Tamworth Country Music Festiv
Blood On The Tracks 01 | Blood On The Tracks
Thirty years of mystery surrounds the death of 17-year-old Mark Haines.It’s the summer of 1988. A train hits a person early in the morning on its way out of Tamworth. Straight away, something doesn’t add up about the scene where the body is found. A rail worker notices strange inconsistencies at the scene. If this was suicide, why is there so little blood?The boy on the tracks is
INTRODUCING — Blood On The Tracks
Blood On The Tracks investigates the suspicious death of 17-year-old Mark Haines, whose body was found on the railway line outside Tamworth in January 1988.
