Podcast · True Crime

Shandee's Story

by The Australian · English · True Crime

Shandee Blackburn was brutally murdered as she walked home from work - but this cold-case can still be solved. Gold Walkley-winning journalist Hedley Thomas - who created The Teacher’s Pet and The Night Driver - goes deep to find out who killed Shandee, and why. Episodes of the podcast first, plu

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New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 1 hr 14 min
Latest: 13 Sep 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

13 Sep 2026 · 17 min

The Poisoned Wife – and a cop who didn’t buy her husband’s story

Journalist Hedley Thomas joins us with a special insight into where his blockbuster podcast investigation The Poisoned Wife is heading. After the 1986 murder of Rosslyn McQueen, the Homicide Squad rolls into tiny Lockwood, Victoria to question husband Ray, who is infatuated with a teenage girl - and the police interview changes everything. He suspects a neighbour of poisoning his wife Ros. Meanwhile, Ray’s attention is focused on a vulnerable 17-year-old girl. Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel . Husband accused of…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

16 Jun 2026 · 17 min
Why rapists and murderers should be sweating
A man who was acquitted for rape is facing another trial as prosecutors seek leave to invoke Queensland’s new double jeopardy laws, in a huge development arising from The Australian’s podcast Shandee’s Story. This is “the tip of the iceberg”, says our national chief correspondent Hedley Thomas, who’s here today. Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel . Shandee’s Story: Double jeopardy test of rape acquittal after forensic DNA do-over Shandee Blackburn murder: DNA retesting on hold in…
S2 · E18 · 4 Dec 2025 · 1 hr 20 min
Shandee's Legacy Episode 18: Unfinished Business
It's been four years since Hedley, Dr Kirsty Wright and Vicki and Shannah Blackburn first Zoomed in late 2021 about the forensic testing anomalies in Shandee's case. In the final episode of Shandee's Legacy for now, the podcast’s focus turns to the future and a bid to solve Shandee's case. Hedley and Karina look into the status of Shandee's crime scene samples and those from other historical cases as Queensland’s Attorney-General Deb Frecklington pledges they will be re-tested. The senior lawyer in a defamation case brought by Shandee's former boyfriend over an episode of the…
S2 · E17 · 27 Nov 2025 · 53 min
Shandee's Legacy Episode 17: A Fuller Future
The new director of the lab, former NSW Police Force Commissioner Mick Fuller, is tasked with leading the lab out of ruin and transforming it into a world-class facility. He shares his plans for salvaging the lab with Hedley and explains why he is the right person for the top job, even though he's not a scientist. A confidential briefing note from the lab to Queensland Health in March 2023 warned of critical risks and a lack of confidence in the lab's scientists and science. Two years later, Dr Kirsty Wright says the issues demanded a temporary shut down of the lab. Instead, the lab…
S2 · E16 · 20 Nov 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
Shandee's Legacy Episode 16: Magda
The terrible toll for victims affected by the DNA lab’s ongoing failure is laid bare by Magda. Eighteen months after her alleged rape, the mining site worker is still waiting for the lab to tell her what, if anything, is happening with the forensic testing of samples from her ordeal. Magda shares her searing story with Hedley as Dr Kirsty Wright discloses major problems with the lab's testing of rape kits. New managers of the lab in Brisbane put their faith in a United States lab to help with the backlog and bring down the long delays in giving results to victims. And confidential…
17 Nov 2025 · 18 min
Hedley Thomas’ new podcast: Sick To Death
A blockbuster new podcast from The Australian and our investigative star reporter Hedley Thomas: Sick To Death is the horrifying true story of a surgeon who made catastrophic mistakes - and went unchallenged by a broken system. Hedley Thomas is here for a special episode to mark the launch of Sick To Death, available now in Apple Podcasts and at sicktodeathpodcast.com This is an episode of our daily news podcast The Front, presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Joshua Burton with Lia Tsamoglou. Our team includes Kristen Amiet, Lia Tsamoglou, Tiffany Dimmack,…
S2 · E15 · 13 Nov 2025 · 1 hr 9 min
Shandee's Legacy Episode 15: Deja Vu
After a break of two years, the podcast returns with the first of several new bombshell episodes of Shandee’s Legacy. The DNA lab in Queensland is again under close scrutiny for gross scientific failure despite the findings of two public inquiries, major reforms and a huge injection of public funds. Dr Kirsty Wright answers another SOS to lift the lid on what’s going wrong in the lab - and she’s asked to help fix it once and for all. Kirsty reveals her disgust and shock at what’s happened. As serious contamination problems and huge backlogs came to light, Dr Linzi…
27 Aug 2024 · 20 min
From The Front: John Peros defamation case dismissed
In this episode of our daily news podcast, a QLD Supreme Court judge dismisses the defamation action brought against The Australian by the man acquitted of killing Shandee Blackburn. Find out more about The Front podcast here . You can read about this story and more on The Australian's website or on The Australian’s app. This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Tiffany Dimmack. The multimedia editor is Lia Tsamoglou and original music is composed by Jasper Leak. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
31 Jul 2024 · 17 min
From The Front: Can journalists call someone a murderer?
A defamation case sparked by the Shandee’s Story podcast poses the question: can journalists publish evidence that calls a court finding into doubt? Find out more about The Front podcast here . You can read about this story and more on The Australian's website or on The Australian’s app. This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Stephanie Coombes and edited by Joshua Burton. Our team also includes Lia Tsamoglou, Jasper Leak, Kristen Amiet and Tiffany Dimmack. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
30 Jul 2024 · 16 min
From The Front: John Peros v The Australian
From our daily news podcast The Front, John Peros' defamation action against Hedley Thomas, Shannah Blackburn and the publishers of The Australian. For free daily news, search 'The Front' wherever you listen, and subscribe to ensure you never miss an episode. This episode is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Stephanie Coombes and edited by Jasper Leak. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S2 · E14 · 24 Nov 2023 · 1 hr 18 min
Shandee’s Legacy Episode 14: Closing Ranks
There was no fanfare when Commissioner Annabelle Bennett SC handed down her findings from the Project 13 inquiry. Only disappointment that the inquiry failed to hold anyone responsible for the biggest disaster in the lab’s history. In this episode of Shandee’s Legacy, Dr Kirsty Wright joins Hedley Thomas, Claire Harvey, and David Murray to dissect and comment on the findings from this rare second inquiry, the future of a lab at the heart of the criminal justice system, and the case which started all of this: the slaying of Shandee Blackburn in 2013. To read The Australian's…
S2 · E13 · 11 Nov 2023 · 1 hr 21 min
Shandee’s Legacy Episode 13: Science Speak
Public hearings in a second inquiry into the lab and the disastrous Project 13 have concluded. Closing submissions have been delivered. And still questions are left unanswered. Why was the automated process unleashed on precious crime-scene samples? Who wrote the mysterious and damning Project 13 report? And why didn’t the lab’s new boss flag it in the first inquiry? In this episode, Hedley Thomas, David Murray, and Matthew Condon dissect a baffling week in Brisbane’s Magistrates Court – and what it all means for the investigation into the murder of Shandee Blackburn.…
S2 · E12 · 27 Oct 2023 · 1 hr 14 min
Shandee’s Legacy Episode 12: History Repeating
Public hearings for a rare second inquiry into catastrophic failings at Queensland’s besieged forensics lab are about to get underway in Brisbane. In this episode of Shandee’s Legacy, Hedley Thomas, David Murray, Claire Harvey, and Matthew Condon drill down into the questions yet to be answered about Project 13: who knew what and when, and why didn’t the lab’s new boss raise it at the first inquiry? We also get to know the new legal team brought in to lead the new inquiry. To read The Australian's reporting and analysis of the inquiry, search Shandee's Story or visit…
5 Oct 2023 · 14 min
From The Front: Queensland's DNA lab is back under the microscope
The Queensland government will reopen an inquiry into its troubled DNA lab after new evidence of flawed automated testing processes emerged. Find out more about The Front podcast here and subscribe in your podcast app. You can read about this story and more on The Australian's website or on The Australian’s app. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S2 · E11 · 15 Sep 2023 · 1 hr 27 min
Shandee’s Legacy Episode 11: What Linzi Left Out
A cloud has been cast over the new chief of the lab following revelations that a DNA extraction method may have failed across thousands of samples in criminal cases for nine years. Professor Linzi Wilson-Wilde reviewed the automated method for retired judge Walter Sofronoff’s inquiry into the lab in 2022, but in her subsequent report did not mention information that she came across showing it was having serious problems recovering DNA. In this episode, Professor Wilson-Wilde launches a staunch defence of her report for the inquiry, saying she was engaged to examine a separate issue of…
S2 · E10 · 8 Sep 2023 · 1 hr 18 min
Shandee's Legacy Episode 10: Project 13
Dr Kirsty Wright is the remarkable scientist who exposed the worst forensics disaster in Australia’s history, and now she’s identified the ‘smoking gun’ in the Queensland DNA lab disaster. It’s a catastrophe called ‘Project 13’ which has been hiding in plain view -- but Dr Wright is certain that it was deceptive and fraudulent, and it explains why Shandee’s case in 2013 and thousands of others since 2007 have failed. For dedicated followers of this series, the Project 13 report can be found on the inquiry’s website under module four.…
30 Jun 2023 · 1 min
It's back: The Teacher's Pet returns for Australian listeners
The Australian's global smash-hit podcast Teacher's Pet returns for Australian audiences on July 1. You can find it wherever you got this podcast. Just search for "The Teacher's Pet". See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S2 · E9 · 17 Dec 2022 · 1 hr 56 min
Shandee's Legacy Episode 9: Consequences
Will anyone face criminal charges for the disaster at the laboratory? We examine more of Walter Sofronoff’s findings about how this catastrophe unfolded, delve deeper into Cathie Allen’s conduct, and meet a lady who -- when the laboratory couldn’t make sense of DNA results -- was told her own son must have been switched at birth. The Queensland Government moves swiftly to respond to the report, and we cast forward to the laboratory’s future. To read The Australian's reporting and analysis of the inquiry, search Shandee's Story or visit shandee.com.au . For daily updates, subscribe to The…
S2 · E8 · 16 Dec 2022 · 1 hr 27 min
Shandee's Legacy Episode 8: Astounded
At last, Commissioner Walter Sofronoff hands down his 500-plus-page report -- and it is a sweeping denunciation of the laboratory’s failings, and of the conduct of one person in particular: Cathie Allen. He finds the managing scientist lied: to police, to her staff, to ministers and to the Commissioner himself, under oath during the inquiry. Sofronoff exposes a litany of deceit and trickery, compounded by ineptitude and weakness -- but he heralds the bravery of those who stood up, hailing the courage of Dr Kirsty Wright. We hear reactions from Dr Wright and Vicki Blackburn -- and we…
S2 · E7 · 25 Nov 2022 · 1 hr 40 min
Shandee's Legacy Episode 7: Freedom Day
It’s the final week of public hearings in the explosive inquiry into a broken DNA lab and we’re all here because of one person -- Shandee Blackburn. The vicious and unprovoked murder of the defenceless 23-year-old walking home from work is front-and-centre as three independent experts give their verdict on the lab’s failure to find any forensic trace of her killer. It’s been a long and, at times, lonely road for Australia’s Dr Kirsty Wright, but now she gets her day in court alongside the world’s most renowned forensic biologist, Dr Bruce Budowle, and New…
S2 · E6 · 4 Nov 2022 · 1 hr 45 min
Shandee's Legacy Episode 6: Disney Villain
In the harsh spotlight of the inquiry, lab boss Cathie Allen admits to absolutely nothing, tearfully insisting she always acted with the best intentions and has been terribly misunderstood. In her account, white-anting staff were to blame for the toxic culture at the lab, management offered no support, funding was shrinking and the pressure was relentless. We explore her life outside the lab, with some surprising revelations, and examine her claim to have been unfairly portrayed as a ‘Disney villain’. To read The Australian's reporting and analysis of the inquiry, search…
S2 · E5 · 28 Oct 2022 · 1 hr 38 min
Shandee's Legacy Episode 5: Blowtorch
The big guns from the DNA lab - Lara Keller, Justin Howes and Cathie Allen - are rolled into the formal inquiry and subjected to withering questioning by a lawyer on top of his game over alleged cover-up, lies to police, and scientific fraud. The three insist they've been honest at all times, just guilty of misunderstanding the details or being overwhelmed by work and led into human error. The inquiry's lead lawyer Michael Hodge was relentless as he applied a blowtorch to a very broken lab affecting thousands of victims of crime. To read The Australian's reporting and analysis of the…
S2 · E4 · 21 Oct 2022 · 1 hr 37 min
Shandee's Legacy Episode 4: Gaslit
Four weeks in, one question lingers in the Walter Sofronoff-led Commission of Inquiry into Queensland's state-run forensics lab: who knew what and when? In this week's episode, Hedley Thomas, Claire Harvey, Matthew Condon, and David Murray further unpack the toxic treatment of scientists who attempted to raise the alarm about inadequate DNA profiling processes and questionable management practices. We look closely at the behaviour of figures who've loomed large but have yet to enter the witness box: Lara Keller, Cathie Allen, and Justin Howes. Matt Condon also delves into the fascinating…
S2 · E3 · 14 Oct 2022 · 1 hr 43 min
Shandee's Legacy Episode 3: Ingrid's Epic Spray
Humiliated. Belittled. Embarrassed. Toxic behaviour by the lab's managers leads to an epic spray from a reporting scientist in this week's episode. Ingrid Moeller used her time in the witness box to unleash on less-than-stellar management of the state-run lab at the centre of the Commission of Inquiry. Plus, we hear from her colleagues, who tried time and again to raise the alarm about toxic culture and controversial lab practices. We also grapple with the magnitude of the lab's extraordinary backflips on statements provided to Queensland Police, with potentially thousands of cases thrown…
S2 · E2 · 7 Oct 2022 · 1 hr 16 min
Shandee's Legacy Episode 2: Evidence Destruction
We reveal deep concerns that the lab managers put a new, untried and ill-conceived testing system in place immediately after the public inquiry was called. Was it a deliberate strategy of sabotage to try to cover up the mistakes of the past? Or merely accidental - the product of poor judgment? The inquiry is focusing long and hard on this as Dr Kirsty Wright helps identify the errors and potential destruction of evidence. The toxic culture inside the lab are on display along with three of the fascinating legal characters in the inquiry. Join The Australian’s chief national correspondent,…
S2 · E1 · 30 Sep 2022 · 1 hr 30 min
Shandee's Legacy Episode 1: Blame Game
Following the shocking revelations of bungling, secrecy and misconduct within Queensland’s DNA lab exposed in journalist Hedley Thomas’ podcast Shandee’s Story, a major royal commission-style inquiry into the fiasco gets underway in a Brisbane court, headed by retired judge Walter Sofronoff KC. The hearings are immediately rocked by allegations of disharmony and distrust amongst laboratory staff, sound scientific advice being ignored by senior bureaucrats, and warnings that the lab’s prohibitively high DNA testing thresholds were unsafe also being dismissed. Senior…
23 Sep 2022 · 1 min
Introducing Shandee's Legacy
Hedley Thomas, Claire Harvey, David Murray, and Matthew Condon return to cover hearings in a major public inquiry into Queensland's state-run DNA lab. A new episode will be published at the end of every week, for the duration of the inquiry. Search for "Shandee's Story" wherever you listen, and read The Australian's coverage of the inquiry at theaustralian.com.au . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S1 · E20 · 16 Jun 2022 · 54 min
Episode 20: Shoot The Messengers
DNA scientist Dr Kirsty Wright is shown how public servants and DNA laboratory managers behind closed doors have been minimising the serious concerns raised in the podcast series. A raft of internal documents responding to Kirsty's revelations become available and these show the immediate refusal of the managers of the laboratory to start a proper audit or acknowledge anything has gone awry. Many documents are heavily redacted but are likely to be flushed out as the new Commission of Inquiry gathers momentum. Kirsty's other efforts to ensure scrutiny of the lab are revealed along with…
S1 · E19 · 8 Jun 2022 · 1 hr 6 min
Episode 19: Shandee's Legacy
Finally, seven months after the first disclosures by Dr Kirsty Wright in Episode 7 of the podcast about grave concerns over the testing of DNA in Shandee's case and in hundreds of others, a remarkable breakthrough. The Premier of Queensland announces a far-reaching public inquiry to be led by one of Queensland's most respected legal figures and he'll be armed with vast powers and a team of lawyers and investigators to get to the truth in the DNA laboratory. Vicki and Shannah Blackburn were briefed by the premier and the health minister who said they wanted to ensure public confidence in the…
13 May 2022 · 1 hr 3 min
Introducing The Teacher's Trial
From Hedley Thomas and the journalists at The Australian comes The Teacher's Trial. This is the first episode. New episodes of The Teacher's Trial are published every Friday for the duration of the trial of Chris Dawson, who is accused of the murder of his wife Lynette Dawson. Search for "The Teacher's Trial" wherever you listen, or read The Australian's coverage of the trial on The Australian's website . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

About Shandee's Story

Shandee's Story is a English true crime podcast from The Australian. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: The Australian
Language: English
Category: True Crime
New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 1 hr 14 min
Latest episode: 13 Sep 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1589336606
Rights: 2026 News Corp Australia

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