Sodeman: The Schoolgirl Strangler

The case of Leongatha’s Erin Patterson, who was recently convicted of murdering three relatives with a deadly mushroom meal, captured headlines around the world. But did you know an even more prodigious killer lived in the same small Victorian farming community in the 1930s? Join Leongatha journalist Matt Dunn, alongside author Katherine Kovacic and former Victoria Police detective Narelle Fraser, as they uncover the chilling story of Arnold Sodeman—a serial killer who terrorised Victoria in the 1930s. In this final episode we examine the court case and eventual conviction of Sodeman. While his lawyers would argue that his acts were demonstrative of insanity sparked by alcohol, the jury and the judge were having none of it - and the killer was ordered to hang. Despite the sentence, his lawyers would eventually take his case to the Privy Council in London. It was all in vain. The hangman would wait a little while longer, but not indefintely. Explore the overlooked details, the investigative missteps, and the terrifying escalation of Sodeman’s crimes. How did one of Victoria’s worst killers evade justice for so long? Tune in as we piece together the dark legacy of a murderer who walked unnoticed among the community—until the truth finally caught up. For more information and insights on the show and the life and crimes of Arnold Sodeman, check out arnsodpod.com Facebook & Instagram Email

The case of Leongatha’s Erin Patterson, who was recently convicted of murdering three relatives with a deadly mushroom meal, captured headlines around the world. But did you know an even more prodigious killer lived in the same small Victorian farming community in the 1930s? Join Leongatha journalist Matt Dunn, alongside author Katherine Kovacic and former Victoria Police detective Narelle Fraser, as they uncover the chilling story of Arnold Sodeman—a serial killer who terrorised Victoria in the 1930s. In this episode we look into Sodeman's past, working to establish an idea of who he was and why he did what he did. Studying his early beginnings as a teenage criminal, right up to his time as Australia's most reviled child killer, we beg the question 'was he psychopath and could such a man love'? Explore the overlooked details, the investigative missteps, and the terrifying escalation of Sodeman’s crimes. How did one of Victoria’s worst killers evade justice for so long? Tune in as we piece together the dark legacy of a murderer who walked unnoticed among the community—until the truth finally caught up. For more information and insights on the show and the life and crimes of Arnold Sodeman, check out arnsodpod.com Facebook & Instagram Email

The case of Leongatha’s Erin Patterson, who was recently convicted of murdering three relatives with a deadly mushroom meal, captured headlines around the world. But did you know an even more prodigious killer lived in the same small Victorian farming community in the 1930s? Join Leongatha journalist Matt Dunn, alongside author Katherine Kovacic and former Victoria Police detective Narelle Fraser, as they uncover the chilling story of Arnold Sodeman—a serial killer who terrorised Victoria in the 1930s. In this episode we investigate the murder of six-year-old June Rushmer, who would become Sodeman's final victim. With the net closing on the killer, Sodeman's behaviour raises suspicions with a workmate, who takes his concerns to police. A confession will be elicited, not just for June's murder, but for three others as well. As angry locals gather to dish out some rough justice, Sodeman is whisked to Melbourne. Meanwhile, the bereft Rushmer family mourns the loss of the "little golden flower of the family". Explore the overlooked details, the investigative missteps, and the terrifying escalation of Sodeman’s crimes. How did one of Victoria’s worst killers evade justice for so long? Tune in as we piece together the dark legacy of a murderer who walked unnoticed among the community—until the truth finally caught up. For more information and insights on the show and the life and crimes of Arnold Sodeman, check out arnsodpod.com Facebook & Instagram Email

The case of Leongatha’s Erin Patterson, who was recently convicted of murdering three relatives with a deadly mushroom meal, captured headlines around the world. But did you know an even more prodigious killer lived in the same small Victorian farming community in the 1930s? Join Leongatha journalist Matt Dunn, alongside author Katherine Kovacic and former Victoria Police detective Narelle Fraser, as they uncover the chilling story of Arnold Sodeman—a serial killer who terrorised Victoria in the 1930s. In this episode, we delve into the unsettling murder of 12-year-old Ethel Belshaw, whose carefree New Year's Day at the Inverloch beach carnival in 1935 became her last. The spotlight for her murder quickly fell on 18-year-old Gordon Knights, one of Ethel's travelling companion. Early missaprehensions by police, made him an easy target for suspicion. With fear gripping the coastal town and authorities under pressure, Knights was thrust into the role of accused, as whispers of the hangman’s rope stirred the air. Again, the police case was flimsy and the real killer evaded capture. Remarkably, he would even give testimony against the unfortunate Knights. Explore the overlooked details, the investigative missteps, and the terrifying escalation of Sodeman’s crimes. How did one of Victoria’s worst killers evade justice for so long? Tune in as we piece together the dark legacy of a murderer who walked unnoticed among the community—until the truth finally caught up. For more information and insights on the show and the life and crimes of Arnold Sodeman, check out arnsodpod.com Facebook & Instagram Email

The case of Leongatha’s Erin Patterson, who was recently convicted of murdering three relatives with a deadly mushroom meal, captured headlines around the world. But did you know an even more prodigious killer lived in the same small Victorian farming community in the 1930s? Join Leongatha journalist Matt Dunn, alongside author Katherine Kovacic and former Victoria Police detective Narelle Fraser, as they uncover the chilling story of Arnold Sodeman—a serial killer who terrorised Victoria in the 1930s. In this episode we look into the murder of sixteen-year-old Hazel Wilson, who was found murdered near her Ormond home in January 1931—strangled with her own stocking, her belongings scattered, her body bound with her clothes. It was a deeply disturbing crime that echoed an earlier killing: that of twelve-year-old Mena Griffiths just months prior. Not that police put the clues together. As far as they were concerned, Hazel's father was the culprit and Mena's murderer was safely locked away. Explore the overlooked details, the investigative missteps, and the terrifying escalation of Sodeman’s crimes. How did one of Victoria’s worst killers evade justice for so long? Tune in as we piece together the dark legacy of a murderer who walked unnoticed among the community—until the truth finally caught up. For more information and insights on the show and the life and crimes of Arnold Sodeman, check out arnsodpod.com Facebook & Instagram Email