Was He Getting Bolder? #mr.cruel #truecrimestories #truecrimeshorts | Forensic Files

With his third victim, Mr. Cruel got even bolder. In July 1990, 13-year-old Nikki Linus was home alone with her
sister in one of Melbourne's wealthiest suburbs. Think where business people and
politicians live. Her parents were out when a masked man woke Nikki up with the tap of a knife.
The intruder tied up her sister with wire, cut the phone line, forced Nikki to put on her school uniform blazer, and
drove off in her parents' car. Not even 15 minutes later, Nikki's parents arrived home and Nikki's sister
relays a ransom message. The kidnapper wants $25,000 and they should expect his call in the
morning. But he never called. Instead, 50 hours after she was taken, Nikki was released near an electrical
substation, alive. And what Nikki remembered about her time with Mr. Cruel changed the case as
police were able to learn even more about Mr. Cruel and where he was taking the girls he was abducted.
She was blindfolded, but she counted planes overhead, seven to nine of them. She said the drive to where she was held
took about 45 minutes. Police mapped flight paths from Tullamarine Airport, narrowing it to a
specific neighborhood. And when it came to the house she described, multiple rooms, a bathroom,
quiet driveway, but Mr. Cruel was not identified. And his behavior seemed to be escalating.

By 1990, the predator known as Mr. Cruel was getting bolder.

He abducted 13-year-old Nicki Lynas from her home in one of Melbourne’s wealthiest suburbs… and drove away in her parents’ car.

He demanded $25,000. He said he would call.

He never did.

Fifty hours later, Nicki was released alive near an electrical substation.

But what she remembered — especially the planes overhead — helped police narrow down where he may have taken his victims.

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Brief Summary

Nikki Linus was abducted by Mr. Cruel, providing key details that aided police in the investigation.

Key points

Nikki's Abduction. In July 1990, 13-year-old Nikki Linus was kidnapped from her home by a masked man.
Ransom Demand. The kidnapper demanded $25,000 and promised to call in the morning, but he never did.
Nikki's Release. 50 hours after her abduction, Nikki was released alive, providing key details to police.

Episode highlights

Episode quotes

He never called.

The kidnapper's silence after demanding ransom.

0:37WatchMar 13, 2026

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