Podcast · True Crime

The Missing Australia

Someone, somewhere, knows something. Almost 38,000 missing people are reported to police every year in Australia; that’s one every 14 minutes. Some do not return home. For their families, it’s a never-ending nightmare. For police, the search for answers can sometimes last for decades. The Missing A

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New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 34 min
Latest: 15 Mar 2025
Language: English

Latest episode

15 Mar 2025 · 34 min

Did Milat kill Keren Rowland? | 2

Acting on a desperate plea from her family, retired Detective Hugh Hughes has spent years investigating the unsolved 1971 murder of Keren Rowland, his wife's cousin. He believes Keren was one of Ivan Milat's earliest victims, citing Milat's presence in the area and key similarities to his known crimes. Frustrated by what they see as police inaction, the family is still fighting for answers more than half a century on. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

S4 · E5 · 15 Mar 2025 · 28 min
The night I hid from Ivan Milat | 5
Trapped beneath a caravan with a killer nearby - former undercover cop Roy speaks publicly for the first time about his covert mission inside Ivan Milat's property. Tasked with planting listening devices, he discovered a caravan filled with weapons before being forced to hide beneath it as Milat returned home. In this gripping account, Roy reveals the dangers of the operation, his belief that Milat didn't act alone, and the lasting toll it took on him. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 · E3 · 15 Mar 2025 · 40 min
Searching for Joanne and Caroline | 3
Two women set off on an adventure, never to be seen again. Former Detective Neville Scullion speaks publicly for the first time about leading the investigation into the disappearance of British backpackers Joanne Walters and Caroline Clarke, whose bodies were found months after their April 1992 disappearance in the Belanglo State Forest. He coordinated with British authorities and faced the heartbreaking task of informing the victims' families. Neville reflects on the brutality of the case, the unprecedented efforts to find the girls, and the lasting impact it had on his life. He believes…
S4 · E6 · 15 Mar 2025 · 32 min
The arrest of Ivan Milat | 6
Former Detective Paul Gordon speaks for the final time in this second interview, recounting the dramatic arrest of Ivan Milat. Unexpectedly placed on the arrest team, he recalls the moment he handcuffed Milat, the terror he felt, and the overwhelming media attention that followed. Paul reflects on the evidence found, his belief that Milat had many more victims, and the lasting impact the case had on his life. Our thanks to Detective Gordon, who died shortly after he recorded this episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 · E1 · 15 Mar 2025 · 37 min
The overlooked report | 1
Former Detective Paul Gordon uncovered the Paul Onions report - the lead that should have cracked the case wide open. But within weeks of joining Task Force Air, he was told to look for reasons why Ivan Milat wasn't the killer, despite the evidence. In this interview, Detective Gordon recalls the moment he named Milat as a suspect, the frustrations inside the taskforce, and the six square metres of files he sifted through to find the truth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 · E4 · 15 Mar 2025 · 56 min
20 years of letters to Ivan Milat | 4
What crucial clues does a killer spill to their pen pal? Criminologist Amanda Howard spent two decades communicating with jailed serial killer Ivan Milat, gaining his trust through years of letters. She uncovered his claims of innocence, his disdain for lead investigator Clive Small, and rare glimpses of his human side. In this episode, Amanda shares excerpts from Milat's letters, his chilling mindset, and why she also believes he may have had more victims than officially recorded. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 · 9 Mar 2025 · 2 min
Introducing The Missing Australia - MILAT UNTOLD
Serial killer Ivan Milat died in prison in 2019… but for those left behind, the horror may never end. How many more victims lie in unmarked graves? Investigative journalist, former police officer and host of blockbuster, award winning The Missing Australia podcast, Meni Caroutas uncovers stories never heard before from key figures involved in the Milat task force. From the cops who caught him (and were broken in the process), to Milat's prison pen pal, guests share new information, taking us inside one of Australia's darkest minds. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more…
S3 · E7 · 18 Apr 2024 · 35 min
Bonus episode: Q&A with Meni Caroutas
Meni answers your questions and tells the behind-the-scenes stories from the last season of The Missing Australia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 · E6 · 11 Apr 2024 · 1 hr 1 min
Snatched at the footy | 6
Confronting claims are made about the abduction of two children, Joanne Ratcliffe and Kirste Gordon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 · E5 · 4 Apr 2024 · 41 min
Vanishing shadows | 5
A detective wishes things could have been different in the case of 12-year-old Rhianna Barreau Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 · E4 · 28 Mar 2024 · 43 min
The Pakenham man | 4
An unidentified man last seen catching a train in suburban Melbourne has left unanswered questions If this episode raises any issues for you, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 · E3 · 21 Mar 2024 · 48 min
Without a trace | 3
Joining the search for Warren Meyer, who disappeared while hiking in the Victorian High Country Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 · E2 · 14 Mar 2024 · 44 min
The missing mum | 2
Mother-of-five Lorrin Whitehead was last seen at a shopping centre in Geelong and her children do not believe she ran away Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 · 9 Mar 2024 · 13 min
One step closer | Bonus episode
A potential breakthrough in one of the most heartbreaking cases in Australian history Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 · E1 · 7 Mar 2024 · 31 min
Echoes of an abduction | 1
New witnesses come forward with new evidence about the disappearance of 16-year-old Gordana Kotevski Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
15 Feb 2024 · 3 min
Introducing The Missing Australia - Season 3
Season 3 of The Missing Australia launches on the 25 February. Series host Meni Caroutas has news of breakthroughs in cases that featured in Season 2. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 · E6 · 5 Jul 2023 · 36 min
Still missing | 6
In 2012 Paul Stevenson vanished without a trace. One morning he got up to go on a motorcycle ride and he was never seen again. A decade later his family is still searching for answers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 · E5 · 28 Jun 2023 · 28 min
Echo Point man | 5
Science, art and chance combine to identify an unnamed man’s body found at the bottom of a cliff in the Blue Mountains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 · E4 · 27 Jun 2023 · 34 min
Who killed Katie? | 4
Mum-of-five Katie O’Shea disappears and her family face a terrible decision over who to suspect. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 · E3 · 21 Jun 2023 · 36 min
Two new suspects | 3
A breakthrough on the baby in the post episode. False leads and fresh hope in the case of missing teenager Gordana Kotevski. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 · E2 · 14 Jun 2023 · 29 min
A baby in the post | 2
A clerk makes a grim discovery in a Darwin post office, uncovering a mystery that spans the continent. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 · E1 · 7 Jun 2023 · 40 min
Milat and my daughter | 1
Sixteen–year-old Debbie Ashby goes missing a few footsteps from her home, leaving her family to fear the very worst. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
26 May 2023 · 2 min
Introducing: The Missing Australia - Season 2
Introducing series two of The Missing Australia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E23 · 6 Nov 2022 · 27 min
Saving Lives
Two years ago Detective Inspector Glen Brown established the NSW Police Missing Persons Registry, revolutionising the way police investigate missing persons cases. I speak to Glen about the stunning success of the Registry, and how police are now not only finding people who disappear faster, but also saving the lives of people who are vulnerable by using the latest technologies to locate them before it's too late. Please note: this is an older episode of The Missing from a few years ago. The audio quality is better in series 2 (from June 2023), but the content and story is just as important.…
S1 · E22 · 31 Jul 2022 · 27 min
"Don't Forget Us."
You have seen my face on a poster, and heard my name. I am a mother, a father, a brother or sister, someone's dearly loved relative and friend. We are nearly 3,000 of us. We are missing, and we must be found. Please Don't Forget Us. Please note: this is an older episode of The Missing from a few years ago. The audio quality is better in series 2 (from June 2023), but the content and story is just as important. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E21 · 10 Apr 2022 · 16 min
Bodies in the bag.
A man reports to police that his wife has gone missing. 17 days later her crumpled body is discovered inside a bag buried in a popular suburban park. As police follow every lead to catch her killer, they stumble upon a shocking and gruesome find. Please note: this is an older episode of The Missing from a few years ago. The audio quality is better in series 2 (from June 2023), but the content and story is just as important. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E20 · 6 Dec 2021 · 35 min
Magic Mushrooms and Witchcraft.
Bill Roach was a loving son and brother who disappeared suddenly in 1993. Police are convinced the outgoing university student was murdered, and a large team of forensic experts and police divers descend on the remote farmhouse where Bill lived to search for his remains. Police discover a potential crime scene inside the farmhouse. Follow the police investigation as they eagerly await the results of blood tests to confirm if it is Bill's blood or not. Please note: this is an older episode of The Missing from a few years ago. The audio quality is better in series 2 (from June 2023), but the…
S1 · E19 · 25 Jul 2021 · 17 min
The Free Spirit.
Mother of four Joanne Butterfield disappeared from far North Queensland in June, 1998, after visiting a friend. Three days later personal property belonging to Joanne including the dress she was wearing when she was last seen alive, was found near a railway track 150 kilometers away. This month Police renewed an appeal for information into Joanne's disappearance. Please note: this is an older episode of The Missing from a few years ago. The audio quality is better in series 2 (from June 2023), but the content and story is just as important. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more…
S1 · E18 · 1 Apr 2021 · 38 min
A Faceless Man. A Missing Tourist.
In Episode 18, “A Faceless Man. A Missing Tourist”, we crack not one but two long-term missing persons cases. Learn how a call from a listener, helped shed light on the unsolved cases that have baffled police for nearly 20 years. Please note: this is an older episode of The Missing from a few years ago. The audio quality is better in series 2 (from June 2023), but the content and story is just as important. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E17 · 14 Feb 2021 · 30 min
Taken.
Crimes against children horrify us. Australia has a tragic history of children going missing. From the Beaumont children in 1966 to toddler William Tyrell more recently. In this episode Meni examines three chilling child kidnappings that remain unsolved. Please note: this is an older episode of The Missing from a few years ago. The audio quality is better in series 2 (from June 2023), but the content and story is just as important. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

About The Missing Australia

The Missing Australia is a English true crime podcast from Meni Caroutas. 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: Meni Caroutas
Language: English
Category: True Crime
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 34 min
Latest episode: 15 Mar 2025
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1476656511
Rights: 2025 Meni Caroutas

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