Hedley Thomas reopens 40-year murder mystery in new podcast

The Australian has launched a new investigative true crime podcast from Hedley Thomas, national chief correspondent for The Australian, reopening the 1986 cold-case murder of Rosslyn McQueen.

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The Poisoned Wife launches with a two-week subscriber-first window, giving The Australian subscribers early access before the series rolls out weekly across major podcast platforms. Long-time Thomas sponsor Harvey Norman is backing the new investigation.

A 40-year-old case returns to the spotlight

McQueen was a 30-year-old pregnant mother when she died in rural Victoria in 1986. Thomas first encountered the case after receiving a suitcase of documents while investigating The Teacher’s Pet.

He is joined on The Poisoned Wife by lawyer-turned-producer Karina Berger and retired private investigator Rex Bakes. The series draws on new interviews, witness testimony, archived police files and fresh information, including interviews with senior police.

Thomas said: “This case has sat unresolved for a long time, and there are people who have waited many years to be heard. My aim with this podcast is to give them that chance, and to look honestly and carefully at what happened, and we hope that new evidence will also emerge as the series unfolds.”

The Australian bets on subscriber-first audio

Episodes one and two are available to subscribers from Friday, 21 August through The Australian app and website. Subscribers can also listen through Apple Podcasts by linking their The Australian subscription.

After the two-week exclusive window, episodes will be released weekly across major podcast platforms. The strategy gives the masthead a period of exclusivity around one of its highest-profile investigative journalism franchises before opening the series to a wider audience.

Michelle Gunn, editor-in-chief of The Australian, said the podcast continued the masthead’s focus on investigative reporting.

“Hedley Thomas has built an unmatched track record for bringing overlooked cases back into the light, and The Poisoned Wife continues that work,” Gunn said. “This is a story about the people who have carried this loss for years, told with the care it deserves.”

Building on almost 170 million downloads

The launch follows Thomas’ earlier investigations including The Teacher’s Pet, Bronwyn and Shandee’s Story. Together, his previous podcasts have recorded close to 170 million downloads globally.

Harvey Norman will again sponsor the series, continuing its long-running support of Thomas’ investigative audio work.

The project also extends beyond the podcast feed. The Australian is supporting the investigation with digital features, video, photography and other editorial coverage through the series website.

Slade Gibson, who has worked with Thomas since The Teacher’s Pet, is audio engineer on the series. Claire Harvey, editorial director at The Australian, serves as executive producer.