Australia was left in shock when four young police officers were ambushed on the driveway of a property in the Queensland outback town of Wieambilla: two were executed in cold blood, two were forced to fight for their lives, and an innocent neighbour was murdered. Before the coronial inquest begins, we take you back to the 12th of December, 2022. How did a routine missing persons callout end in the deaths of Constables Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow, and neighbour Alan Dare? And how did two officers survive? Episodes 3 & 4 of The Ultimate Sacrifice are out Monday, July 22nd.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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New from us: The Ultimate Sacrifice
A year on from Hannah's Story, host Melissa Downes and producer Jess Lodge share an update and invite you to listen to their new podcast, The Ultimate Sacrifice. Tap here for episodes 1 & 2, droping Monday, July 15th Apple Podcasts Spotify Two weeks before Christmas in 2022, what should have been a routine check by four young police officers on a remote property in Wieambilla turned into a massacre. Two officers and an innocent neighbour were murdered by religiously motivated conspiracy theorists before a six-hour firefight ended in the killers' deaths. As the coronial inquest approaches, a haunting question remains unanswered: how could this happen in our own backyard?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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6. Hannah's Legacy
Amidst the grief, there is a story of hope. There has to be, to give Hannah a voice and to ensure her legacy. So how are Hannah's family, friends and all those touched by the tragedy finding a way forward? Sue & Lloyd Clarke are working tirelessly to turn Small Steps 4 Hannah into a movement: changing laws, education and conversation. Their commitment inspires others like the mysterious “Mr X” helping them turn a big dream into reality. Learn more here about Small Steps 4 Hannah If you or anyone you know is experiencing domestic or family violence, please reach out for help. 1800 RESPECT 1800 737 732 Mensline 1300 78 99 78 Lifeline 13 11 14 Beyond DVSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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5. Lessons Learned
We cannot talk about Hannah Clarke without acknowledging the other women killed in similar circumstances. It’s Australia’s shame - on average one woman is killed every week by a partner or former partner. In this episode, we ask Queensland’s Police Commissioner and former Attorney General what has changed since Hannah's death, from education to policing and legislation. While DV experts and academics explain what we all need to do to create change in our community. Learn more here about Small Steps 4 Hannah If you or anyone you know is experiencing domestic or family violence, please reach out for help. 1800 RESPECT 1800 737 732 Mensline 1300 78 99 78 Lifeline 13 11 14 Beyond DV See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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4. The Inquest
Two years have passed since the unimaginable murder of Hannah and her children. Now the Coronial Inquest begins, with new evidence drawing back the curtain on how this young family’s life was lived and lost. Disturbing details made public for the first time, along with CCTV footage, phone calls, a secret letter and police camera recordings. Intense interest surrounds the Inquest as Hannah’s parents watch on, reliving the worst day of their lives, over and over again. Learn more here about Small Steps 4 Hannah If you or anyone you know is experiencing domestic or family violence, please reach out for help. 1800 RESPECT 1800 737 732 Mensline 1300 78 99 78 Lifeline 13 11 14 Beyond DV Episode 5: Lessons Learned, coming June 12See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
NEW: The Ultimate Sacrifice
On Apple Podcasts, tap the 9Podcasts logo above.
Listen via Spotify
Listen via Apple Podcasts
The Ultimate Sacrifice is the new podcast from host Melissa Downes and producer Jess Lodge. This podcast examines the shocking Wieambilla Police Shootings. It was just two weeks before Christmas, when four constables were ambushed as they walked down a driveway of a remote property. Two young officers were murdered, and an innocent neighbour was also gunned down. The property turned into a battleground, an hours-long gunfight ending with the deaths of three radicalised killers.
A year and a half on, the haunting question remains: how did a routine callout lead to Queensland's deadliest police shooting?
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It was one of the most horrific acts of domestic violence Australia has seen.
On Wednesday the 19th of February 2020 Hannah Clarke and her three young children Aaliyah, Laianah and Trey were killed by Rowan Baxter, their father & Hannah’s estranged husband - set on fire in their car in a quiet Brisbane street.
It sparked outrage, shock and a community conversation about a form of domestic violence few had even heard of - coercive control.
Now, Nine News Presenter Melissa Downes, alongside Producer Jess Lodge, delve deeper to better understand what happened: speaking to family, friends, first responders, witnesses, domestic violence experts and political leaders - some speaking for the very first time to reveal the whole story... Hannah’s Story.
This podcast explores details from the days, months, even years, leading up to the crime that the public hasn’t been told. Details that will shock you, disappoint you and leave you asking - how did this happen? And what needs to be done to make sure it never happens again? What needs to change to protect other women, and men, in abusive relationships?
We also hope to help spread the messages Hannah’s parents Sue & Lloyd are advocating, through their organisation Small Steps 4 Hannah.
New episodes weekly, starting Monday May 22nd.
Episode 1: Hannah Clarke - May 22
Episode 2: Red Flags - May 22
Episode 3: 19th February 2020 - May 29
Episode 4: The Inquest - June 5
Episode 5: Lessons Learned - June 12
Episode 6: Hannah’s Legacy - June 19
Australia