The serial murders that shook Melbourne | Forensic Files

foreign [Music] s deal with serious and often distressing incidents if you feel at any
time you need support please contact your local crisis center for suggested phone numbers for confidential support
and for a more detailed list of content warnings please see the show notes for this episode on your app or on our
website the names of several witnesses in this case have been changed [Music] Melbourne resident Irene Langley was
looking through the herald Sun newspaper when she came across a job ad for phone
sex workers the customer would ring a 1900 number and hear pre-recorded messages from
various women when they heard one they liked they'd dial a PIN number that directed the call
to that particular person Irene took on the job and had the calls come through to her home phone
after a year in the role only three calls left her feeling disturbed One customer told Irene that he'd become
sexually aroused while watching his sister shower another expressed a desire to have sex
with his own daughter the third man wanted to speak to an older woman to appease him Irene pretended she was
55 years old in a mean angry voice the caller asked do you know what I did to the [ __ ]
when Irene asked who the men responded my mother the [ __ ] he said he'd pressed his hand on her
neck before cutting across one of her breasts and slicing through her nipple as the man spoke of the blood his voice
became animated and his breathing increased as though he were aroused how does that make you feel he asked
horrified Irene ended the call the man called back shortly after warning listen don't hang up I know where you
live and who you are again he started talking about attacking a woman he's tone low and hateful
Irene listened in stunned fear struggling to take in what the caller was saying he said he looked into the
woman's eyes as he put the steel down her stomach he didn't say knife specifically but
Irene knew that's what he meant she tried to interrupt but it only made the man Angry
he mentioned the blood again how it had seeped out of the cut nipple and the cotton on him
he then spoke of quote [ __ ] the woman with the blade Irene could hear his excitement growing
and believed he was now masturbating his description of the mutilation was so vivid Iran could picture the woman as a
real person she called him a sick prick and hung up Irene waited then picked up the receiver
again the man was still there old [ __ ] He barked before Irene swiftly pulled the phone's cord from the wall
foreign [Music] [Music] [Music] it was a little after 1pm on Saturday October 4 1997 when pensioners Ronald
and Muriel McDonald drove down Clifford's Road the unsealed Back Road framed the
craigieburn railway line on the industrial outskirts of Somerton a suburb 21 kilometers north of Melbourne
the area Drew little traffic and was used as an illegal dump site for hard rubbish
the McDonald's often took Clifford's Road on their route home keeping an eye out for any new junk piles to rummage
through sometimes they'd uncover something worth selling the couple were joined that day by
Muriel's sister Elaine the trio spotted an assortment of computer parts and boxes discarded among
the overgrown grass and pulled over to examine the pile Ronald had lifted a sheet of cardboard
and exclaimed oh what's that he could say a hand and part of a leg Muriel thought her husband had exposed
the store mannequin I don't think so Ronald replied he observed rings on the fingers her
bracelet on the wrist and a tattoo on the leg he knew it was a human body Ronald returned to his car where he had
a phone fitted and called the police officers arrived and identified the body as a middle-aged woman with bleached
blonde hair her pants and underwear had been pulled down and her blouse and top were pushed
up a large wound was visible on the left side of her chest there was also something poking out of
the woman's lips it was a nipple her left breast had been removed and stuffed into her mouth
foreign the victim was known to authorities and Welfare Services she was 40 year old Margaret ma from the
neighboring suburb of craigieburn Margaret typically lived alone but her teenage daughter had been staying with
her as they endeavored to bridge a gap that had formed between them Margaret had lived an ordinary life as a
bank worker until she was introduced to heroin by October 1997 she was a recovering
long-term drug user and sex worker an autopsy concluded that Margaret had been killed elsewhere then dumped on the
side of Clifford's Road in the early hours of the day she was found she had bruising and stub wounds across
her neck abdomen and Limbs and had sustained a severe blow to the upper right side of her head
her left wrist had a particularly deep incision and her neck featured evidence of compression though her exact cause of
death couldn't be ascertained Margaret's left abreast had been mutilated postmortem by a knife used in
a ragged soaring motion a timeline of her final movements was pieced together Margaret left home at seven on the night
of Friday October 3 to visit a local news agency by the time she returned home her
daughter had gone out and taken the house keys with her leaving Margaret locked out
she asked a neighbor for help but they didn't have the tools needed to get into her house
at around 7 45 PM Margaret was cited hitchhiking on the nearby Hume Highway this wasn't unusual as Margaret often
relied on hitchhiking to get around [Music] at 805 she was spotted entering a pharmacy in the nearby suburb of
Strathmore where she bought medication she then got herself several kilometers North to a shopping complex in Broad
Meadows Margaret was a familiar face in the supermarket there and was seen by staff
browsing the health Beauty and hygiene aisles before paying for several items at around midnight a woman saw Margaret
walking through the complex's car park carrying several shopping bags she wasn't seen again
it was likely that Margaret crossed paths with her killer as she hitchhiked to each destination
a single black Woolen glove found alongside a Margaret's body was thought to be the key to solving her murder
it was tested but limitations in forensic technology prevented any significant discoveries
[Music] a 15-minute Drive South from where Margaret Mar's body was found is the expansive and Serene grounds of forkner
cemetery in the month following Margaret's murder a woman named Janet Morton visited
fawkner Cemetery to research her family tree Janet stood alone in a Rose Garden examining plaques when she glanced up
and noticed the middle-aged man on the opposite side of the flower bed he was short and overweight with thin
light-colored hair styled in a bowl cut and Janet smiled at the unassuming man but he ignored her
Janet went to another section where she soon spotted the man again she then headed to an area 50 feet away
only to realize the man had seemingly followed her there too Janet glanced over and met his gaze
realizing then that he'd been watching her Janet moved on to an older area of the
cemetery where she intended to find two particular Graves her attention was casted downward as she
scanned the headstones when suddenly she heard something to her left it was the man
he was moving quickly and intently towards her with a look in his eyes Janet described as frightening
he got so close that she instinctively put her hand up at him in a stopping motion and nervously stepped backwards
she either screamed or yelled but couldn't remember In the Heat of the Moment whatever she did it startled the man and
he walked away but he didn't leave Janet spotted his feet poking out from behind a cluster of trees close by
overcome by fear she turned and ran leaping over Graves until she reached her husband who was waiting in their car
she told him about the encounter and led him to where the man was hiding he was nowhere to be seen
Janet didn't consider herself to be easily scared but she was so troubled by the experience that she gave up on her
research and refused to go back to Faulkner Cemetery Janet wasn't the only one who'd
encountered this man in October 1997. his behavior revealed a prolonged campaign of harassment during which
alone women in fawkner Cemetery were watched stalked confronted and chased some noted his prescription glasses
within gold frames he once donned blue overalls akin to those worn by Tradesmen no one saw him carrying a weapon though
he kept his right hand in his jacket pocket as though hiding something the women either dismissed the man's
actions as misinterpreted and likely harmless or chose not to report him out of fear that he was indeed dangerous
thank you on the morning of Saturday November 1 Lima Berman was maintaining the Latvia Memorial section of fawkner
cemetery when the men approached wreaking of alcohol he introduced himself as John Roberts
he kept his hands in his jacket pockets as he engaged a Lima in conversation twice he motioned to a nearby hedge and
asked what was behind it he then pointed out a nearby grave and said it belonged to his adoptive mother
Lima sensed something unusual about the man she felt like he was trying to lead her
away she offered him a rake to tidy the gravesite of his adoptive mother and carried on with her work
later Lima went by the grave the man had singled out it remained in a neglected state
throughout the day the same man was spotted multiple times after 3 pm a woman noticed him coming
towards her but he backed off when her boyfriend approached shortly before 4 pm the cemetery's
mournful silence was shattered by a woman's sharp and sudden scream it was coming from the north where the
Greek Orthodox Memorial was located a second screen rang out barely a minute later
the cries decreased in Pitch into volume before gradually turning into subdued moaning
the area soon fell silent again [Music] at 6 45 PM Angelo gorgevski arrived home
from work to find his house unusually quiet and empty his fiancee 25 year old Messina
halivargas should have been there the couple were planning to have dinner out together and Messina was typically
reliable but hours passed with no sign of her Angelo was aware that Messina had planned to visit Faulkner Cemetery
earlier that afternoon although she didn't like cemeteries Messina visited her grandmother's grave
fortnightly to pray lay flowers or light a candle it was still dark at 4 30 a.m when
Angelo arrived at the cemetery to see if Messina was there the grounds were closed but Messina's
locked car was alone in the parking lot Angelo called the police and escorted officers to the Greek Orthodox section
where Messina's grandmother was buried they wandered down Rowan and came across Messina how Vargas not far from her
grandmother's grave lying between two headstones she had been stabbed to death in a
frenzied attack the ground around her was covered in blood as were the surrounding headstones
flowers scattered across the scene indicated that Messina had been set upon unexpectedly while tending to her
grandmother's grave a chaotic altercation ensued with Messina's glasses and shoes coming off
during the fight Messina's attacker pulled her upper clothing over her head the garments remained Tangled in her
arms and bunched up around her chest partially exposing her bra injuries to Messina's hands showed she'd
fought desperately for control of the knife she endured 85 injuries in total including stub wounds to her neck
abdomen and limbs the killer had zeroed in on Messina's chest and breasts which featured severe
wounds the crime was particularly disconcerting as Messina had been killed just before
4pm in broader daylight in an inhabited public space the motive also wasn't abundantly clear
Messina halvargas who worked for a bank was described as selfless and caring her
family was close-knit she had no known enemies and she had an expressed concern for her safety prior to her death
the killer had likely been covered in blood yet they only had to run 40 meters to reach the car park to escape without
being seen every Bush and blade of grass around the crime scene was checked as well as the
Craig bed nearby all potential Clues were thoroughly examined including several cigarette
Parts found at the crime scene and unique tire tracks in the parking lot but it was soon realized that Messina's
killer hadn't left anything behind that could lead to their identification her heartbroken family fronted the Press
requesting the Public's help her father said every day is nothing but misery in our
house there has to be someone who knows something or suspects something that's not going to make me feel better
but at least we would know who did it visitors to the cemetery on the day of the killing came forward to report what
they now believed was the sound of Messina screaming mid attack as none had reported or investigated the
screams the cemetery gates were closed at 8 pm with Messina lying dead Within more reports soon came in of the
frightening man who distalked women in the weeks leading up to Messina's death Witnesses placed him in the cemetery on
the day Messina was targeted where he had loited for hours police was certain he was Messina's
killer and that every other encounter was a fortunate near Miss this told detectives that they weren't
dealing with an irrational person but a cold and calculated killer with the presence of mind to stalk and hide
a photo fit of the stalker was publicized and a million dollar reward was offered
six large binders were filled with information pertaining to the health Argus case
detectives worked 18 hours a day pursuing 400 leads and questioning 1500 people several suspects were interviewed but no
charges were laid Messina's mother asked herself between sobs why Why Us what did we ever do to deserve this
[Music] meanwhile the investigation into the murder of Margaret Marr in Somerton had
also gone cold [Music] a year and a half passed with no breakthroughs then at 7pm on Monday April 19 1999 Rena
Hoffman approached the weatherboard cottage rented by her good friend Nicole Patterson
28 year old Nicole worked from home in the suburb of Northcote a short distance from Melbourne CBD
the pair had dinner plans that night but Rina was running late she had left a message on Nicole's
mobile to let her know but hadn't heard anything back Rayna parked her car outside Nicole's
home on Harper Street and made her way up the driveway where a light illuminated The Veranda
Rina rang the doorbell Nicole's dog Bella started barking from the backyard but Nicole didn't appear
Reina rang the doorbell several more times and waited growing concerned she forced herself in
Nicole's home was lived in but tidy lights were on throughout and music was playing from a radio in the lounge room
Rina headed towards a room at the front of the house used as Nicole's home office
there she found Nicole lying on the floor face up in the crucifix position she was naked from the waist to down
with her underwear looped around one ankle her cardigan was pushed up revealing what appeared to be an orange or yellow
top underneath the carpet around Nicole's body was soaked red and deep gashes were visible
along her wrists Rina rushed to a phone in the lounge room and called Emergency Services
the operator instructed her to check if Nicole was still breathing Nicole didn't react to Arena's Voice or
touch her skin was cold and her pulse was imperceptible Rena placed her hand on the Cole's chest
to see if she could feel it rising and falling Nicole's bra was a skew and Arena
quickly realized she had been mistaken her friend wasn't wearing an orange or yellow top
it was fatty tissue Nicole's breasts had been removed the brutal depravity of Nicole
Patterson's murder confronted this season homicide detectives tasked with investigating the crime
she had sustained 27 stab wounds to her back chest abdomen and limbs further incisions in her thigh wrists
and hands were deemed defensive there were no signs of forced entry into Nicole's home
the rear door was locked as were all the windows Nicole's large dog was secured in the
backyard meaning the killer had likely entered from the front the presence of mugs and a spilled
coffee pot in the Coal's office suggested that she'd engaged her killer with pleasantries before the attack
she was struck as her back was turned it couldn't be ascertained with absolute certainty that Nicole had been sexually
assaulted however what came next was deemed sexually motivated [Music] once the bulk of the attack was over
Nicole was rolled onto her back her top was cut away with scissors and her breasts were removed with a knife in
a ragged soaring motion Nicole's killer then moved throughout her house leaving blood stains on a
hallway wall interior door jamb the front door and inside her bedroom Nicole's breasts weren't found at the
crime scene indicating the killer might have taken them as a souvenir her purse and a driver's license were
also missing residents along Harper Street were stunned by news of the murder recalling
that Nicole was a lovely and happy young woman no one had witnessed anyone coming or
going from Nicole's home on Monday April 19 but one neighbor had heard something
strange they were walking past the Nicole's home just after 9am when they heard a woman
yell twice you [ __ ] [ __ ] she didn't sound angry just upset the passerby assumed it was a domestic
argument and carried on unwilling to pry another neighbor named Bruce Thompson lived Three Doors Down from Nicole
he was smoking on his Veranda just after 9am when he heard what sounded like an injured woman scream from the direction
of Nicole's home Bruce looked up the street but didn't see anything untoward he stayed outside for a little longer
just in case soon he spotted a stocky short statured man walking intently with his hands in
his pockets towards westgarth Street they locked eyes and Bruce gave a friendly nod but the man carried on
without responding Bruce didn't recall seeing any blood on the man which correlated with the crime
scene while Nicole's injuries were extensive they weren't the type to cause extensive
blood splatter none of her arteries had been necked and her breasts were removed post-mortem
any mild splatter her killer might have received could have been absorbed by his
clothing leaving little visible detectives believed the man Bruce had witnessed was Nicole's killer whose car
was likely parked in West Garth Street [Music] scraps of Note Paper found next to
Nicole's answering machine provided a clue scrawled in her handwriting at the top
of one page was the name Malcolm the word Depression was written underneath Nicole was a certified psychotherapist
and a youth worker described as someone always willing to help others she had established a
private practice at her home in an attempt to grow her client base Nicole advertised her services in the
Northcote Leader newspaper the weekend before her death Nicole spoke to her friends and family about
the very first client she'd taken on named Malcolm he'd seen Nicole's newspaper ad and
booked a session at her home for 9am the day she was killed Nicole didn't elaborate out of respect
for confidentiality but she was looking forward to the meeting there was evidence that the killer had
claimed up after himself by wiping down surfaces and had scoured the home for Clues before fleeing
detectives knew they were dealing with an experienced Defender who knew how to beat the system yet he'd missed
something very important Nicole's appointment book was hidden under clothing and couch cushions in the
lounge room in it she had noted her meeting with Malcolm and circled it most importantly she had also jotted
down her mobile phone number [Music] the number was traced to a 24 year old international student named Harbor gun
collie locally known as Harry he told police that he had purchased the number as part of a phone plan in
mid-march 1999 a little over a month before Nicole was killed it was just after Harry had arrived in
Melbourne from India to study a masters of business administration Harry assured police that the phone had
remained in his possession the entire time and no one else had used it detectives placed Harry under covert
surveillance to see if he did anything that would Elevate him as a suspect all they determined was that he was a
normal law-abiding young man speaking with Harry again detectives learned that he'd recently applied for
general labor cleaning and gardening work he was given a contact to name to Peter
who told him work would commence in mid-may Harry provided Peter with his mobile
number so that he could be contacted closer to the start date detectives believed Peter had contacted
Nicole Patterson under the fake name Malcolm using Harry's number as his own so that it couldn't be traced back to
him it was a clever and calculated cover-up but flawed phone records from Nicole's landline
revealed she had received 15 calls from a number in the lead-up to her fatal meeting
[Music] the number was associated with a landline in the suburb of Pascoe Vale and registered to a man named Peter
dupas [Music] three decades earlier on the afternoon of Thursday October 3 1968 fifteen-year-old Peter du pass left his
home in the Inland suburb of Mount Waverley Victoria after a short and purposeful walk he
arrived at his neighbor's house and knocked on their back door pass was well acquainted with his
neighbors and got along well with the man of the house but he wasn't home that day
only his wife 27 year old Ian ackhurst was she was nursing their five-week-old baby
and opened the Laundry Door to dupas who was still wearing his uniform after a day at school
with urgency jupas asked to borrow a sharp knife to peel some potatoes for his mother
after commending him for being a good son Ian retrieved a small knife and handed it over
dupas stood silently with the knife's blade pointed towards Anne he then launched himself towards her
Peter what's wrong and asked frantically as he forced her to the ground by her hair
the teenager straddled in before wordlessly slashing at her hands face and neck wounded and bloody and desperately tried
to grab the knife while begging to be let go pass replied it's too late in I can't stop now
they'll lock me up losing strength against the determined teen Ian screamed as loud as she could
pass covered Anne's mouth and nose with the palm of his free hand then pushed his fingers down her throat to silence
her just as he began to bash Ian's head against the floor du pass went still as if moving in slow motion he looked at
the knife and turned it towards himself Anne wriggled away she had sustained mostly cuts and
bruises across her head and neck there were several deeper wounds to her fingers and face which would require a
couple of stitches at most and a coach to Due pass to hand over the knife she hid the weapon before returning to
dupas who broke down in tears and begged her to call the police in a subsequent police interview du pass
offered a no explanation for the attack he had no criminal history and was described by those who knew him as
ordinary at home Peter Drew pass's upbringing was reportedly normal he was treated warmly and lovingly by
his Taxi Driver father and a tupperware selling mother they raised the due pass as an only
child as his two siblings were many years older he was spoiled and never beaten school was a far more hostile and
isolating environment while Peter du pass was well regarded by Educators for being polite and quiet his
peers found him strange and unfriendly few took any notice of him and to those that did bullied him for being short and
overweight prominent deposits of fat formed over his pectoral muscles which quote had the
appearance of female breasts and led to further insecurities due pass was physically weak and only
got into typical schoolyard scraps never showing signs of extreme violence with few friends and The Limited social
skills dupasa's life was dominated by his parents he felt his mother was overprotective and smothering as he
grappled with feelings of inadequacy brought about by his perfectionist father following the teens seemingly out of
character attack on Ian ackhurst the courts concluded that he was quote caught in an emotional conflict between
the need to conform to the expectations of his parents and the unconscious urges
to express his aggression and his developing masculinity jupas avoided serious punishment and was
instead placed on probation for 18 months and ordered to undergo psychiatric treatment
when speaking in the immediate aftermath of the attack he explained I must have been trying to kill Anne or
something I don't know why I was trying to do this as far as I am concerned there is no reason for me to do anything
to her but I couldn't help myself [Music] during psychiatric observation Peter du
pass was considered a model young man he seemed caring and helpful and was released from hospital within two weeks
by March 1972 18 year old jupas had finished school and was working as an apprentice Craftsman
one evening he went to the suburb of Oakley when at around midnight he approached a residence and appeared
through a bathroom window there was a woman showering inside her husband spotted jupas peeping and a
chasing shoot when apprehended to pass asserted that he had only been taking a shortcut
through the couple's yard to get to his car he was given a 50 fine almost two years later in November 1973
police arrived at the due pass home and requested Peter dupas accompany them back to the station
when he asked if the matter would take long the officers informed him that they were inquiring about a rape
du pass became flustered the officers told him if you are not involved you have nothing
to worry about du pass started to cry and told his father I don't want to go with them
his father asked how his son came to be a suspect in the rape two weeks earlier in the nearby suburb
of Mitchum 23 year old Caroline Barton was at home with her 18 month old son when there was a knock at the front door
it was a man Caroline didn't know he gestured towards a red car parked on the strait with its Bonnet up saying
that it had broken down he asked if he could use Caroline's phone then remarked that he might be
able to fix it himself if she had a screwdriver as Caroline went to retrieve one the man
entered her home he pulled out a knife and grabbed Caroline's baby to force her to comply
before binding the frightened mother with a cord and violently raping her in the next Fortnight two other women
reported incidents involving a man entering their home after requesting a screwdriver for his broken down car
in the first case he only stole money and fled he left the second woman's house abruptly when she said that her husband
would be back shortly Peter due pass and his car were positively identified by all three women
the now 21 year old faced charges for house breaking housebreaking with intent to commit a felony and a rape
the trial judge stated this was one of the worst rapes That Could Be Imagined you invaded the sanctity of her home by
a false story relying upon her willingness to help in order to gain admission you threatened her with a knife you tied
her up with a cord you struck her and worst of all you threatened to harm her baby when she tried to resist
the judge reflected on jupasa's 1968 attack against the neighbor in acurst a psychiatric report at the time
asserted that you pass had lost to normal control when becoming overwhelmed by pent-up feelings of sexual needs and
aggression the judge over saying Peter due passes rape trial rejected this explanation for
his most recent offending saying this was no sudden impulse because you must have left home that morning armed
with a knife and provided with the cord to bind your victim given that you pass had entered two
other women's homes under similar pretenses further indicated that he was driven by premeditation and did not
impulse little could be ascertained from Psychiatric examination of jupas as he wouldn't admit any guilt
it was believed he used a denial as a coping mechanism and he was diagnosed with an undefined psychosexual problem
in a letter to the prosecution a detective wrote Peter du pass is a very dangerous young
person who will continue to offend where females are concerned and will possibly
cause the death of one of his victims if he is not straightened out Peter dupas was found guilty and
sentenced to a cumulative six-month incarceration for each of the breaking counts with a further nine years for
Caroline's rape due pass remained a Placid and compliant prisoner in preparation for his first
parole beard he said he felt certain he wouldn't reoffend and his supportive parents
sought his release as early as possible a report by a parole officer revealed that psychiatric treatment for dupas's
type of Personality Disorder had been ineffective although marking Peter du pass as an
ongoing threat to the community the officer recommended he be paroled on the condition that he have a great deal of
supervision jupas was released in September 1979 after serving just half of his decade-long sentence
he moved back in with these parents who were now living in the Beachside city of
Frankston du pass was required to receive outpatient treatment at a psychiatric hospital
he was permitted to come and go as he pleased and no arrival or departure records were kept
shortly after jupasa's release at a campsite in the seaside town of McRae some young girls were bathing in a
women's shower block when they spotted a man at the open doorway watching them one of the girls screamed causing him to
flee when two more incidents were reported police conducted a Stakeout of the amenities and caught Peter due pass in
the act although he denied peeping on anyone he was charged with loitering with intent
and offensive behavior and fined 140 dollars on the night of Friday November 9 Nina
cadden entered a women's toilet Block in Frankston as she went to leave the cubicle Nina
was confronted at knife Point by a man wearing a balaclava he ordered her to do as he said or she'd
be killed the man pushed Nina back into the cubicle and proceeded to rape her when other people entered the toilet
block the assailant pressed his knife to Nina's throat to keep her quiet two nights later Erica Danes was walking
alone down cars Street a residential road on the cusp of Frankston CBD she soon realized the man was following
her unnerved Erica quickened her pace the men matched her Spate when Erica turned to confront him he
rushed in that's when she noticed the blue balaclava over his face and the knife in
his hand Erica ran into the middle of the road and screamed her pursuer gestured to her to quieten
down but when Erica continued to yell he fled [Music] a week later just after 9 pm on November
18. Dorothy Elmore was walking along the Nepean Highway in Frankston when she was
grabbed from behind the elderly woman was dragged to a vacant block of land and forced to the
ground by a masked man don't scream or I'll kill you he warned as he straddled Dorothy with a knife in
hand he attempted to remove her cardigan but Dorothy resisted and screamed prompting
her attacker to run away Dorothy sustained a knife wound to the left side of her chest that required 14
stitches [Music] the following night Amanda folds was walking along Dandenong Road East a
stretch that ran beside the Frankston Railway line when she too was grabbed into dragged to a vacant block of land
her mask wearing assailant growled as he tried to overpower Amanda who screamed for attention
the man gave up and fled investigations quickly LED police to Peter du pass who admitted to carrying
out the 10-day spree of frankston-based attacks he said it's all true I was going to find a
woman to rape in addition to the knife du pass revealed that he'd also been carrying
robe to bind his victims with hatal police it just comes over me I can't help myself
I've had a problem for about six years I'm glad I got caught it all started again about two weeks ago
I just find it hard to mix with people and I haven't many friends I just don't know what to say
[Music] detectives noted that whenever dupas spoke with men he appeared timid and
nervous he avoided eye contact speaking quietly with his shoulders hunched forward
and doctors believed that the introverted cowering loner sought Power by scaring women
due pass was convicted of assault with intent to Rob malicious wounding indecent assault and rape
on the surface the pudgee baby-faced the non-descript man appeared harmless but when it came to Peter du pass police
quickly learned that looks can be deceiving they found him deceptive manipulative
and intelligent he knew when to talk or when to claim up and deny everything to better his
outcome his offending was growing in number and severity a report stated there is little that can be said in
jupasa's favor he remains an extremely Disturbed immature and dangerous man his release on parole was a mistake
yet the police and prosecution were flawed when Peter du pass was sentenced to just six and a half years jail
they had formed the belief that dupas could not be rehabilitated and should be kept away from society
yet he was released in February 1985 at age 31 after serving his minimum term of
five years like McRae and Frankston the town of blairgowrie is located within an area
along Victoria's southeast coast called the Mornington peninsula the peninsula is a popular destination
in the warmer months but it was quiet on blairgowrie beach when 21 year old Hannah Gadsden arrived on March 3 1985.
only a few Figures were visible in the distance she reached the water stripped down to
her bathing suit then went for a short walk upon reaching an area of jagged rocks
Hannah passed a shirtless man who was wearing jeans it was Peter du pass the rocks are sharp Hannah remarked
offhandedly as they crossed paths dupas smiled and watched as Hannah returned to her things nearby
he then approached her while saying something about a purple-colored starfish and the poor condition of the
surf as dupas closed in he swiftly curled his arm around Hannah's throat and pressed a
knife against her neck he warned her not to struggle or he'd hurt her Jew pass ordered Hannah to get down on
the sand she screamed out but you pass clasped his hand over her mouth Hannah saw the knife on the sand beside
her and reached out for it dupas noticed and told her not to be foolish he then raped Hannah
when she asked why he was hurting her du pass didn't respond afterwards he asked the Petrified young
woman if she wanted a lift when she refused he left two men walking along a beach track soon
came across Hannah who revealed what had happened one rushed off in search of the
assailant while the other helped Hannah to her car to get help they soon spotted Peter dupas who was
walking along a road unable to find where he parked his car he was swiftly apprehended
jupas initially claimed the encounter was consensual but eventually confessed otherwise
he'd only been out of prison for four days two pass offered a no explanation for
his behavior he claimed he was enjoying laying back on the beach when he saw Hannah Gadsden
and couldn't help himself he said he knew what he did was wrong adding I'm sorry for what happened everyone was
telling me I'm okay now I never thought it was going to happen again I only wanted to live a normal life
[Music] du pass was relocated to Frankston police station for further processing
where he attempted to take his own life though police doubted his sincerity at a trial in June 1985 due pass pleaded
guilty to indecent assault with aggravating circumstances and rape the judge explained that recidivism
rates in cases like his were between 80 to 90 percent and to that due pass was walking around with a loaded time bomb
in his pocket quote there seems to be a very good chance if you were at large again that some other
girl might suffer in the same way [Music] the judge accepted Peter jupas's assertions of remorse adding
one must have sympathy for you but the community must also be protected he slammed the lenient sentence handed
to dupas previously saying it was inadequate and acknowledged that the community would be outraged and
apprehensive if dupas was a free man he was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment he was to serve a minimum of 10 years
and be given appropriate treatment prior to release [Music] Depo-Provera was suggested a drug that
reduces offensive sexual behavior shortly after arriving in prison du pass penned a letter to his parents
apologizing for his actions he blamed his deviancy on vague extrenuous circumstances saying
the way I feel at the moment and have for ages is that I'm far better off out of it all
I tried I really tried to work on myself and my problems but I never felt I was getting anywhere
we'll meet again someday after writing the letter due pass attempted to take his own life
a psychiatrist had described his personality as brittle and concluded that it'd take some considerable time to
resolve his issues due passes unwillingness to admit the full truth about his offending hampered
Rehabilitation efforts prescribed to drugs that restricted sexual urges were administered with
little success it was found that he lacked motivation for prolonged treatment and instead
wanted a non-existent quick fix 52-year-old Grace McConnell was a mental health nurse who came to meet Peter du
pass during his time in the prison psychiatric division due pass initially viewed Grace as a
motherly figure given their 16-year age Gap but in time he became infatuated with
her and eventually admitted to have fallen in love he told Grace that she could help him
come out of himself and to be a normal person up until this point Grace had only
fostered a professional relationship with dupas driven by pity she became closer to him
when he successfully applied to transfer to another prison in rural Victoria Grace moved to continue their regular
visits even though she suspected he was isolating her dupas made Grace right to him every day
and displayed jealousy when she didn't give him her full attention she came to learn that du pass had a
superiority complex and was a possessive domineering man Grace was surprised when jupas asked her
to marry him despite feeling their relationship was more mother and son than husband and
wife Grace agreed to the union she felt a moral expectation to quote help Peter become a useful member of
their community they tied the nod in a prison ceremony Grace never felt any real love towards
Peter dupas nor did she believe he felt any for her she doubted he had the capability
instead she believed he viewed her as a possession like a piece of furniture dupas cited his marriage to Grace when
he began plotting his parole beard he referred to her as a beautiful person who would stop him from sexually
offending he attended programs aimed at preparing inmates to return to society and was
even approved for temporary release to work for a library cemetery and Recycling Depot
he also took a vocational training course at a local Tafe institution to retrain himself in fitting and machining
work in reference to jupasa's sex attacks a psychiatrist reported he believes all of that is behind him
since he understands himself better and has become more assertive by 1992 Peter dupas had served seven out
of his 12-year prison sentence and was granted release he settled with Grace in the Country
Town of wood and the community were unaware of his violent history Peter gained work as a maintenance
manager while Grace became a cleaner theirs was a humble and eventful life as dupas spent most of his spare time in
front of the television he had few interests or hobbies and didn't care for anything in particular
he confided in Grace about his unhappy childhood and how he was teased by his peers for being overweight
his parents kept their home uncomfortably sterile and argued often due pass stopped assured of describing
his teen years though mentioned with a hint of bitterness that having once been engaged to a woman who gave the ring
back Grace and due pass didn't consummate their marriage until he was out of prison where he felt it was more
appropriate Grace described to their sex life as basic and said she went along with it
out of a sense of responsibility while due pass didn't reveal any deviant sexual proclivities with Grace had
reached the point where she couldn't bear him touching her she otherwise appreciated that he was an
overall well-mannered even-tempered man and believed she had successfully reformed him
he didn't lash out when upset instead he just sit and stare he got lost in thought often
then there were the random moments he'd break out in sweats and begin shaking without ever explaining why
Peter dupas stayed out of trouble for the 12 months he was under parole restrictions
once they lifted he was no longer under any supervision [Music] on Monday January 3 1994 Lucy irons was
water skiing with a group of friends at Lake epilogue and hours drive north of woodend
Lucy went by herself to a women's toilet block and while inside her cubicle door
pushed inwards Lucy pressed her hand against the door and firmly said no to indicate the
cubicle was occupied a long black-handled knife suddenly appeared from around the door
a man wearing a cream-colored balaclava tried to squeeze in Lucy fought to hold the door shut but
the men managed to slash her left hand just turn around he ordered while trying to force Lucy to face the war
her palm and two of her fingers were dripping blood Lucy knew she was about to be raped but
she tried to remain calm as to not aggravate her assailant I'm very frightened she said repeatedly
just tell me what's going on the man kept the knife close to her face and neck when Lucy refused to let him push her
against the wall the man grabbed her right arm and dragged her out of the toilet block
his demeanor then abruptly shifted he let go of Lucy put both his hands in the air and told her to go before he
left Lucy glimpsed her attacker heading towards a blue Ford station wagon she alerted her friends and they rushed
at the car just as its driver reversed and sped off Lucy's friends and fiance gave Chase in
their own car eventually meeting up with the blue Ford at a roundabout it drove on at high speeds before making
a sharp left turn onto a dirt road and spinning out of control [Music] when the vehicle came to a stop the
pursuers pulled in front to block it and carefully approached on foot upon realizing the driver was unarmed
they grabbed him and forced him out the police were contacted and the offender taken into custody
he was identified as Peter du pass a search of his car revealed two makeshift balaclavas duct tape condoms
handcuffs a plastic sheet and a shovel there were also three knives one of which was stained with Lucy Iron's blood
there were traces of her blood on his clothing as well due pass was reluctant to speak to
police before contacting a solicitor first after doing so he said little else to
investigators other than no comment prosecutors were in a difficult position there was no doubt about what dupas had
intended to do to Lucy yet the evidence didn't support and attempted rape charge
Peter ultimately pleaded guilty to unlawful imprisonment in order to have the more serious charges of kidnapping
assault with a weapon and indecent assault dropped sentencing took place in November 1994.
jupasa's criminal history was referred to in court as breathtaking his most recent attack was deemed
calculated he had watched and waited until Lucy was separated from her friends concealed his identity and used
a weapon with other equipment at hand the judge accepted that the crime was sexually motivated but clarified
I must punish you only for the offense charged and not for what I think you are going to do but did not
highlighting that the victim was held captive for only a few minutes and was voluntarily released the judge told a
due pass you acted in such a manner to give rise to at least the hope and perhaps the
prospect that realization of the significance of what you were about to do activated your conscience
I cannot therefore preclude the possibility of Rehabilitation taking into account the guilty plea
which the judge referred to as evidence of due passes hints of conscience due pass was sentenced to three years and
nine months imprisonment this was a major blow to Victoria Police a year prior the state government had
passed a controversial law to protect the community from serial sex offenders it enabled courts to sentence criminals
to indefinite jail terms however the law could only be activated in cases where the defendant had
committed a so-called serious offense unlawful imprisonment fell short as it was considered too minor
a group of parents contacted the parole board urging that Peter du pass never be
released yet by now he'd mastered the legal system realizing that denying his crimes
jeopardized his chance of parole he started admitting to them and seemingly accepting treatment
one counselor remained skeptical of due pass writing through long-term association with
various professionals he has learned to manipulate any individual who has endeavored to challenge his offending
Behavior by the way of saying the right things and behaving in a convincing manner in a supervised environment
despite this and other scathing reports police were powerless to stop Peter dupas
he was granted release again in September 1996 at age 43 after serving his two-year minimum sentence
by this point he'd spent 17 of his last 20 years in jail for sexual offenses his wife Grace conceded their marriage
was over telling the Sunday Herald Sun newspaper Adar was two people living inside one
shell one was kind and gentle the other was Pure Evil jupasa's parents no longer supported him
and had moved interstate he resettled in the suburb of Pascoe Vale in Melbourne's North where no one
knew of his past [Music] when Peter dupas was linked to psychotherapist Nicole Patterson through
calls made from his home investigators were certain they had found Nicole's killer
given his history it seemed due pass had escalated just as police predicted they moved quickly and attracted you
pass to a hotel where they found him playing a slot machine in the gaming room a glint of surprise appeared on his face
when police encircled him a search of jupas's clothing revealed nothing of significance though officers
did notice two curved scratches on his left cheek they looked recent and were the type
caused by fingernails dupas denied everything he said he didn't know Nicole Patterson and had
never been to Harper Street in Northcote when asked about the scratches on his face jupas who was now a self-employed
woodworker claimed a piece of wood had flung up while he was using a lathe Machine Tool in his Workshop garage
before participating in any further interviews Drew pass called his solicitor and a priest he'd met while
incarcerated he then resorted to a previous tactic of responding to all questions put to him
with no comment a search of dupas's Pasco Vale home was underway a node attached to the side of his
fridge featured the name Harry and the phone number belonging to Indian student Harbor gun collie that was provided to
Nicole Patterson by the mysterious Malcolm also found was a copy of a Herald Sun
newspaper dated several days after Nicole Patterson's murder the front page featured an article on
the case titled psycho knife killer someone had slashed the accompanying image of Nicole's face
examination of dupasa's Workshop failed to uncover the lathe he claimed caused the scratches on his face
a bag inside his wheelie bin contained torn up pieces of newspaper they had come from the advertising
section of the Northcote leader where Nicole Patterson had advertised her therapy services
someone had written Nicole's home address on the page along with the words Nikki Northcutt Malcolm 9am and mo
believed to be shortened for morning the other side contained Nicole's home phone and mobile numbers
a handwriting expert concluded that this information was scrawled by Peter du pass
dupas ultimately admitted to making these notes and placing the calls to Nicole Patterson's home
he said he'd found her ad in the paper and set up an appointment on the day of her murder to address his gambling and
relationship problems du pass confessed to providing Nicole with a fake name and number in panic
because he didn't want his girlfriend to know he was seeking therapy he claimed that he had second thoughts
about this session and rang to cancel Nicole apparently understood and said if you need to contact me contact me
in dupas insisted that he'd spent the morning doing work errands and domestic chores and didn't go near Nicole's home
at all [Music] inside his work shed on the bottom shelf of a cupboard police found a jacket
bundled up with other clothing inside one of its Pockets was a balaclava the jacket was also splattered with
blood testing revealed the blood belonged to both Nicole Patterson and Peter dupas
CCTV footage was obtained from a petrol station that jupas had visited shortly before Nicole was killed confirming he'd
been wearing the jacket jupas admitted the jacket was his and that it worn it the morning Nicole was
killed but denied knowing how her blood got on it foreign the circumstantial evidence was
damning and as a result Peter due pass was formally charged with Nicole Patterson's murder
he pleaded not guilty and faced trial in August 2000. homicide detectives had worked
diligently to ensure their case was solid the defense team had a limited options
and resorted to insinuating that evidence against their client was planted by police
they implied that a detective had taken a vial of Nicole Patterson's blood to jupasa's home and to dripped the liquid
on his jacket acclaimed the police denied a soft-spoken Jew pass took the stand where he appeared nervous
when asked if he killed Nicole dupas asserted no I did not he intimated that the evidence against
him was just bad luck the prosecution remarked and it's just bad luck too isn't it that
the jacket you say you were probably wearing on that morning happens to have the deceased blood on it
jupas replied for me it is yes a smile appeared on his face as he accused police of setting him up
everything else dupas admitted to from hindering identification efforts to destroying evidence he insisted wasn't
done with bad intent the prosecution worked to prove the impossibility of police planting
evidence then they had one final question for due pass where have you hidden your trophies the
breasts you cut off the deceased her driver's license and her purse dupas replied
I don't know what you're talking about it took a jury less than three hours to find Peter du pass guilty for Nicole
Patterson's murder the judge told him you regarded Nicole Patterson as nothing more than prey to being trapped and
killed her life Youth and personal qualities assumed importance in your mind only by
reason of this sense of satisfaction and power which you experienced in taking them from her
you carried out your crime with remorseless deliberation and after careful manipulation of the situation in
full understanding of the significance of your actions you are now 47 years with a deeply
entrenched desire to engage in sexually violent Behavior you have not responded in anything
remotely approaching an appropriate fashion to sentences of imprisonment psychiatric treatment or Community
Supervision realistically considered the prospects of your eventual Rehabilitation must be
regarded as close to hopeless that they can be effectively discounted payday due pass was sentenced to life
imprisonment without the possibility of parole Nicole's loved ones had mixed reactions
her boyfriend wanted you Past Dead Nicole's father was just grateful the chapter was closed while her mother said
it helps to know he's not going to be out there doing it again if he were to walk free he would kill
again Victoria police were elated that after 30 years of hurting women Peter dupas
would finally spend the rest of his Natural Life Behind Bars but their work wasn't over yet
they believed he held many more dark secrets the first centered around the unsolved
murder of Margaret Marr in 1997. her mutilated remains were found on the side of an industrial Back Road in
Somerton following Nicole Patterson's murder links were drawn back to Margaret notably both women had one or both of
their breasts removed the now imprisoned Peter dupas was interviewed about Margaret Mars murder
he began shaking detectives asked if he knew Margaret or if he had attended the same Supermarket
she had on the night of her murder they also asked if he owned any gloves in reference to the single black Woolen
glove recovered at the crime scene du pass reverted to answering all questions with no comment though he did
agree to have his mouth swabbed for DNA analysis with technological advancements in
forensic testing the black love from the Marquise was re-examined Margaret hadn't worn it
biological mixture of at least two people were detected but because they were mixed it was impossible to confirm
who wore the glove at the time of the murder one of the samples was from a random
person police couldn't ascertain the other was consistent with Peter du pass the clothing Margaret had worn at the
time of her murder was also re-examined her tops had been cut away with sharp smooth-bladed scissors similar to how
Nicole Pattersons had been removed examination of jupasa's phone records revealed that at the time of Margaret's
murder he had made multiple calls to phone sex lines one was traced to wiring Langley
she never forgot the disturbing call she received around October 1997. she told detectives how the male caller
detailed hurting a woman with a knife most significantly he referred to cutting off one of her breasts
a second attempt at interviewing dupas went nowhere he remained as tight-lipped as ever
despite this he was charged with the murder of Margaret Ma at trial in July 2004 the prosecution
relied on the treatment of Margaret's body in relation to Nicole Patterson quote
we say The Cutting of the breasts is so unique as to effectively be a signature a stamp
in fact after examining almost 4 000 homicides throughout Australia between 1989 and 2000 the only other case
involving breast mutilation was that of Nicole Patterson while Peter dupas didn't take the stand
on this occasion 51 other Witnesses did by the end of proceedings the jury reached a guilty verdict
the judge told dupas after you murdered Margaret Marr you left her by the side of the road in a
desolate place as a disgusting display of loathing for the deceased and contempt for her dignity
not content with what you had done to her in life you robbed her of her dignity in death
sentencing dupas would have no practical effect as he was already serving life without parole
still the judge insisted that punishing him for Margaret's murder was not futile
by doing so it Vindicated Margaret's rights and to those Left Behind to struggle with the grief and Trauma of
her murder for that pay did you pass was handed another life sentence without the
possibility of parole Margaret's loved ones thanked Victoria Police for their efforts to bring her
killer to Justice her brother remarked Margaret lived her life the way she chose and no one had the right to take
that life from her members of Nicole Patterson's family attended the trial as a show of support
to Margaret's loved ones outside Court Nicole's sister said it's such a rare evil that comes into
this world that's destroyed these women and our lives we're just praying that this man is
accountable for everything he has done [Music] by the time Peter due pass was handed
his second life sentence in 2004. police was certain he was also responsible for
Messina how vargas's 1997 murder jupasa's grandfather was buried in Faulkner Cemetery just 128 meters west
of where Messina's grandmother lay nine women had since come forward to identify due pass as the man who had
harassed them in the cemetery before Messina was struck one described him as having a unique
tear in the right pocket region of his jacket which matched a blemish on the jacket you pass War when he killed
Nicole Patterson he'd also been seen wearing gold framed eye glasses and blue Tradesmen overalls
two items that you pass was known to wear at the time in the immediate aftermath of mercina's
murder it was discovered that jupas had visited a salon to have his hair cut and
dyed as though to prevent him from being matched to the photo fit of the cemetery
stalker Messina's upper clothing had become bunched up and Tangled in her arms investigators believed this had
prevented you pass from mutilating her like he had his other victims he couldn't risk the time it would take
to remove it and adopted to flee questioning dupas about Messina's murder was characteristically futile as he
immediately resorted to his typical no comment answers detectives contacted inmates who were
imprisoned with Peter dupas hoping he might have said something incriminating while on the inside
one prisoner a former high-profile solicitor named Andrew Fraser was serving time for his role in the
importation and trafficking of the commercial quantity of cocaine given Fraser's previous employment
detectives assumed he'd refuse working with them and encouraged due pass to keep quiet
to their surprise Fraser told Detectives you had better come and see me Andrew Fraser provided a false statement
in which he detailed his relationship with Peter dupas the pair were in protective custody
together and were both tasked on Garden duties they also interacted while watching the
prison television Fraser found a due pass to be quiet socially inept suspicious and
introspective he was reluctant to talk but when he did he spoke in disjointed short sentences
interspersed by long breaks as though he censored himself to avoid saying anything he'd regret
Fraser also witnessed to dupas breaking out in mysterious full-body shakes Sweat
and Tears in time dupas opened up to Fraser as much as he thought the man was capable
of Fraser described to dupas as the most dangerous and unpredictable person I have ever met
Fraser recalled a group conversation involving himself due pass and a convicted rapist and a murderer named
Raymond Edmonds better known as Mr Stinky Edmund's crimes are covered in episode
131 of casefile Edmonds was 20 years into his prison sentence and was telling the others that
he had committed a bad offense regretted it and was paying the heavy price he turned to Due pass and asked
what about you Pete jupas went quiet before admitting offhandedly to killing Nicole Patterson
what's done is done and I have to wear it he said one occasion Andrew Fraser was working
in the garden with the Jew pass when he uncovered a makeshifter knife in the dirt
he showed it to jupas who examined it and began to sweat a strange expression appeared on his
face before he uttered the word Messina another time Fraser observed an inmate approach to pass and to say you are
Peter du pass when jupas confirmed the man revealed that he was Messina how vargas's cousin
he called jupas an animal and threatened to kill him when he got the chance shaken to pass said to Andrew Fraser
how does that [ __ ] know I did it when due pass was charged with Margaret Mars murder he told Fraser he thought
they might charge him with Messina's murder as well jupa stressed that no one witnessed the
attack he also remarked that he hadn't left any forensics at fawkner Cemetery it was true that Messina's killer hadn't
left behind any forensic evidence but that information wasn't public at the time
Andrew Fraser quote it was clear to me that there was only one way Peter would have known that fact
and that is he is the Killer Andrew Fraser's statement came with a degree of criticism
there was a million dollar reward on offer in Messina how vargas's case and Fraser was given an undisclosed
percentage of it yet homicide detectives stressed that this reward was offered a month before
Fraser entered the case and that if he were motivated by money he would have reached out to them not the other way
around following Fraser's statement detectives questions do pass merely as a matter of
procedure though they knew he was unlikely to concede anything as expected he kept a deadpin expression
and responded no comment to everything jupas was informed that a witness had provided a statement asserting he had
confessed to Messina how vargas's murder for the first time in all their encounters with due pass detectives felt
he was genuinely shocked no comment he responded he was then charged with Messina's
murder his legal team tried to argue that he had become so Infamous that a fair trial
was impossible the judge disagreed and the trial went ahead in 2007. the defense attempted to pin the crime
on Messina's fiancee Angelo gorgevski though their efforts were in vain pass was ultimately found guilty for
Messina how vargas's murder the judge told a due pass Messina's last actions were typical of
her a fine young woman in a place of peace and Beauty thinking not of herself but of others devoted considerate and
good then you struck just as Messina's Presence at the cemetery was typical of her goodness
Your Presence at the cemetery was typical of your evil cunning predatory and homicidal
she had no chance against your strength your knife and your hate then with your bloody knife you vanished
from the scene but it was your cunning that was to bring you undone for you left to know forensics at
Faulkner Words which would come back to haunt you you have no prospects of Rehabilitation
none you do not suffer from any mental illness rather you are a psychopath motivated by a deeply entrenched
perverted and sadistic hatred of women a complete contempt for them and their right to live
Peter du pass was handed his third life sentence he appealed but failed in 2012 he was granted a retrial for
Messina how vargas's murder only to be found guilty again but his story wasn't over
[Music] authorities believed to Due pass held the answers to more unsolved violent
acts sexual assaults and murders in his statement to detectives prison informant Andrew Fraser wrote of an
instance where du pass was talking about the murders being pinned on him and sad
I reckon I'm going to end up wearing the old Sheila Downs too it seemed a due pass was referring to 95
year old Kathleen Downs Kathleen was stabbed three times and her throat was slit while she lay in bed in
a Brunswick Nursing Home in December 1997 a month after Messina how Vargas was killed
Kathleen described as a dear lady with a wonderful nature was considered the matriarch of the nursing home
evidence indicated that her killer had broken into the building in the early hours between routine checks of the
residents records showed that Peter du pass was home when two calls were made to
Kathleen's nursing home one was made in the month before the other occurred the morning of
jupas was questioned about Kathleen's murder in 2013 but he denied any involvement
hey assured Andrew Fraser they will never get me for that yet due pass was ultimately charged with
Kathleen's murder and set to go to trial in 2019. by this stage star witness Andrew Fraser
was suffering from spinal cancer and was too unwell to give evidence and withstand cross-examination
as a result the trial was discontinued [Music] the presiding judge asserted that the
decision didn't constitute an acquittal and that due pass could be reindited on the murder charge at any time
Kathleen downs's family were disappointed but understanding and grateful to the police and prosecutors
efforts Peter due pass is also a suspect in the murders of 48 year old Helen McMahon and
31 year old Renita Brunton the specifics of Helen's murder are withheld by police though they've
established she was violently attacked while sun-baking in the seaside town of Rye
Helen was killed 16 days before due pass raped Hannah Gadsden on a beach four kilometers away in blairgowrie
he denied involvement in Helen McMahon's murder and it was initially thought that
he couldn't have done it as he was technically meant to be imprisoned during this time
years later it emerged that he was actually on pre-release the day Helen was targeted
police believe Helen McMahon could be dupasa's first murder victim in November 1993 Renita Brunton was
stabbed to 106 times in a clothing store she operated in Sunbury Renita had been holding informal
counseling sessions out the back of her business and told Franz she was meeting a man with a violent sexual history that
day most of her wounds centered around her chest at the time Peter du pass lived less
than an hour's drive away in wood and where Renita also resided he has been unhelpful when inquired
about renita's death questioning pedidu pass is described as frustrating even in the face of overwhelming
evidence he denies everything he then breaks down and just when it appears as though he is about to confess
he straightens up and denies everything again according to one detective getting a
clear answer out of Peter du pass is like trying to open a locked a door without a key
following his guilty verdict for the murder of Nicole Patterson Peter du pass was asked by the judge
at a fundamental level as human beings you present for us the awful threatening and unanswerable question
how did you come to be as you are despite years of examination experts still don't know what exactly motivated
Peter dupas's crimes since his first attack as a 15 year old he has been unable or unwilling to
provide any rational or honest explanation for his violent outbursts he hasn't been diagnosed with any
psychiatric disorders the level of planning and rehearsal he undertook prior to committing his crimes
is not normally associated with someone insane in calls to saxophone worker Irene
Langley due pass described an attack that reflected Margaret Mars murder but referred to his victim as his mother
indicating there might be some issues there there are also theories that you pass
mutilated his victims because of insecurities he might have towards his own feminine-like breasts
in a report tended to the court during the Margaret ma trial a forensic psychologist concluded
du pass attacked a women to fulfill fantasies of conquest and control for due pass the actual assault has not
lived up to the fantasy which preceded the assault and is seen at times as disappointing
he does not feel reassured by either his performance or his victim's response and
must find another victim this time the right one thus his offenses become quite repetitive
whatever the truth Peter du pass was an unusual case for the criminal justice system
he was deemed too dangerous to be let out in public yet too sane to be institutionalized for life
criticism has been leveled against the judicial system for allowing due passes continual release despite his escalating
crimes and concerns expressed by authorities and the community the president of civil liberties Group
Liberty Victoria responded to this backlash by stating neither imprisonment in itself nor
parole in itself is going to stop everybody from committing offenses what's important to bear in mind is that
a person has to be sentenced for the offense that they've committed and that might mean that somebody gets a sentence
that is proportionate for the crime but it doesn't cure them of the dangerousness or the characteristic that
makes them continue to offend Peter due pass will remain in prison until he dies
in a letter he pandered during his early days of offending du pass wrote I feel that I'm not fully confident
Within Myself and there is a possibility that I could reoffend at a later date I
have no desire to be launched like a time bomb back into the community uncured once again I can't stress how important
it is not only to me but surely the whole community that this doesn't happen and I'm given the opportunity to work on
my problem foreign [Music] [Music]

Case 252: Margaret Maher, Mersina Halvagis & Nicole Patterson *** Content warning: serial rapist and killer, sexual assault, stalking ***

When Melbourne women Margaret Maher, Mersina Halvagis and Nicole Patterson were found brutally murdered in the late 1990s, police didn’t immediately link the crimes. The killer left behind no incriminating evidence, indicating he was an experienced offender who knew how to beat the system.

Little did investigators know, the story began almost 30 years earlier when a 15-year-old boy knocked on his neighbour’s door and asked to borrow a knife.

CREDITS

Narration – Anonymous Host Research & writing – Milly Raso Creative direction – Milly Raso Production and music – Mike Migas Music – Andrew D.B. Joslyn

SOCIAL LINKS

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RESOURCES

For all credits and sources, please visit https://casefilepodcast.com/case-252-margaret-maher-mersina-halvagis-nicole-patterson

Brief Summary

Peter Dupas, a serial killer, is linked to multiple brutal murders of women in Melbourne, showcasing his violent history and psychological issues.

Key points

Discovery of a Body. Pensioners Ronald and Muriel McDonald discover a human body while rummaging through rubbish.
Messina Halivargas Murdered. Messina Halivargas is found brutally murdered in a cemetery, raising alarm in the community.
Nicole Patterson's Gruesome Murder. Nicole Patterson is found murdered in her home, with signs of a brutal attack.
The Discovery of Clues. Scraps of note paper found next to Nicole lead detectives to a suspect named Malcolm.
The Attack on Anne Ackhurst. Peter du pass attacks Anne Ackhurst with a knife, claiming he can't stop himself.
Peter du pass's Release. Despite being a danger to society, Peter du pass is released on parole after serving half his sentence.

Episode highlights

Episode quotes

Janet didn't consider herself to be easily scared.

Janet's reflection after a frightening encounter in the cemetery.

11:07WatchJun 24, 2023

Tension

85/ 100High tension

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