News Corp Australia’s true crime podcast Dear Rachelle has won Gold at New York’s prestigious Signal Awards overnight for its investigation into an unsolved murder.
Dear Rachelle claimed Gold in the True Crime Show category at the awards, which recognise the most meaningful and unprecedented audio projects being made today.
Other winners included podcasts from Universal Pictures, Michelle Obama, CNN, and Travis Kelce.
The podcast focused on the mysterious murder of Rachelle Childs, a 23-year-old woman from Bargo, south-west of Sydney, who disappeared after work in June 2001.
Her half-naked body was dumped by the side of a remote highway, about 100km from where she was last seen, and set on fire.
Sarah Blake
Global recognition for powerful storytelling
News Corp Network National Editor and Executive Editor of Dear Rachelle, Sarah Blake, said the international recognition was a powerful validation of the work behind the series.
“For Dear Rachelle to be recognised on a global stage is a true honour for the team who brought Rachelle’s story to life. All credit goes to Ashlea Hansen, whose determined journalism and impactful storytelling continues to draw new audiences to Dear Rachelle,” Blake said.
She also acknowledged the crucial role played by Childs’ family.
“We also thank Rachelle’s family and friends, including her sister Kristy and mother Anne, for sharing her story with us. We’ll continue working with them to find all of the answers to what happened to Rachelle.”
In an interview with Mediaweek earlier this year, Blake attributed the podcast’s success to
Australia’s enduring fascination with true crime and the public’s role in seeking justice.
“People enjoy playing the armchair detective,” Blake noted, emphasising the podcast’s ability to offer hope and potentially unearth new leads.
“We’re always looking for stories of hope, and even though, at its heart, this is a terribly sad story about a woman’s murder, we hope that we’re offering a little bit of hope that maybe we’re going to get some answers,” she said.
The investigation has captivated listeners globally, claiming the number one crime series position on Apple and Spotify for months and generating more than 4.5 million downloads to date.
Its mix of powerful journalism, emotional storytelling, and continued pursuit of justice has made it one of News Corp Australia’s most successful podcast releases.
The Signal Award win comes just weeks after Dear Rachelle was awarded Investigation of the Year at the 2025 News Awards.