XCIII: The Mysterious Murder of Kirsty Bentley — A Chilling Unsolved Case

On New Year’s Eve, 1998, 15-year-old Kirsty Bentley went out to walk her beloved dog Abby in Ashburton, New Zealand. Hours later, Abby was found tied to a tree near the river — but Kirsty had vanished without a trace. Days later, her body was discovered in a remote area, sparking one of the most haunting murder mysteries in New Zealand’s history.

In this episode of Rogue Darkness, we dive deep into the timeline, chilling details, and lingering questions surrounding Kirsty’s tragic death. Who was responsible? Why was Abby found tied up where she disappeared? And why has this case remained unsolved for more than two decades?

Join me as we explore the unsettling story of Kirsty Bentley — a case that still haunts both investigators and the community to this day.

#TrueCrimePodcast #UnsolvedMystery #KirstyBentley #RogueDarkness #DarkHistory #UnsolvedMurder #TrueCrimeCommunity #CreepyPodcast #ColdCase

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:02):
Dark Cast Network.

Speaker 2 (00:03):
Welcome to the dark side of podcasts. They would deck
replice animals.

Speaker 1 (00:15):
Dark world of ritualistic chotomies?

Speaker 2 (00:18):
Is there a well organized plot, an insidious design to
program the minds of our children towards the occult and witchcraft?

Speaker 1 (00:26):
Does it make you want to hate murder?

Speaker 2 (00:28):
Where does it make you want to do murder? Well,
let's explore the darkness of mankind, one crime at a time.
The end of the year often carries a sense of anticipation.
The final day of the calendar before stepping into a
brand new year. In Ashburton, New Zealand, December thirty first,

(00:50):
nineteen ninety eight began like any other summer afternoon. Families
were preparing for celebrations. Teenagers roamed the quiet town brimming
with holiday freedom. But for one family, the Bentley's New
Year's Eve would become a day etched into history as
the beginning of a nightmare. A fifteen year old girl

(01:13):
vanished during an afternoon dog walk, and within hours, the
town of Ashburton would find itself at the heart of
one of the nation's most enduring mysteries. This is the
story of Kirsty Bentley. Welcome back to Rogue Darkness, The
podcast that uncovers how the misinterpretations and misinformation surrounding witchcraft,

(01:37):
the occult, and other beliefs have led many to do
unthinkable crimes. From ritualistic killings and the demons that live
in all of us, to exploration of the macabre and
delving deep into the unknown. Let's explore the darkness of mankind,
one crime at a time. I'm your host of the
Grim and Gruesome Raven. On the afternoon of December thirty first,

(02:08):
nineteen ninety eight, Kirsty Bentley was at home with her
mother Jill. Around two pm, Kirsty clipped the leash onto
the family's dog, Abby and told her mother she was
going to walk along the Ashburton River track. Later that day,
searchers discovered Abby tied to a tree off the river track,
unharmed but alone. The family began searching, and by evening

(02:34):
police joined in. Helicopters and search dogs scoured the area,
but there was no trace of Kirsty. On New Year's Day,
Kirsty's underwear was found near the river track, suggesting foul play.
Two weeks later, on January seventeenth, two men stumbled upon
her shallow grave at Rakaiah Gorge, forty kilometers away. The

(02:58):
exact cause of death death was withheld, but it was
clear her body had been deliberately concealed. From the beginning,
police suspected someone close to Kirsty. Her father, Sid Bentley
was heavily scrutinized, as was her brother John. Both were
questioned repeatedly, but no forensic evidence linked them to the crime.

(03:22):
Despite years of suspicion, neither were charged. Other theories suggested
a random stranger attack, a controlling ex boyfriend, or someone
with knowledge of the Rakaiah Gorge area. Police also examined
known sex offenders in the region, but no definitive suspect emerged.

(03:45):
Kirsty's case became a national obsession in New Zealand. Daily
headlines and rumors tore through Ashburton. The Bentley family endured
relentless scrutiny, while Jill Bentley fought to clear her family's name.
By the two thousands, the case grew cold. Limited forensic technology,

(04:07):
lack of witnesses, and community division prevented progress. Ashburton remained
haunted by suspicion and fear. In twenty eighteen, twenty years later,
Lis anounced Sid and John Bentley were no longer suspects.
Advances in DNA technology keep hope alive that the case

(04:29):
may one day be solved. Kirsty Bentley's murder scarred Ashburton
parents became more protective, and Jill Bentley campaigned for justice
until her death in twenty ten. Kirsty's dreams were stolen
at just fifteen, and her case remains one of New

(04:50):
Zealand's most infamous unsolved crimes. The vanishing of Kirsty Bentley
is a story of grief, suspicion and unabs answered questions.
Someone out there knows the truth, and until it comes
to light, the haunting mystery will remain unsolved.

Speaker 3 (05:10):
If we don't keep this alive, then people will forget
about it and the opportunity to make a change in
the case might be lost. We need to remind people
that Kirsty existed.

Speaker 1 (05:26):
John Bentley there, brother of Kirsty Bentley, and anyone with
information about Kirsty Bentley's murder can contact Police YA one
oh five in reference Operation Kirsty.

Speaker 2 (05:43):
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to Rogue
Darkness on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us
continue to bring you more stories of true crime and
the paranormal. Definitely let me know your thoughts on this case,
and if you have any questions regarded or any other
cases I've previously covered, you can always contact me at

(06:04):
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(06:24):
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(06:45):
everything discussed in my episodes are down in the description
box of the episode. And with that said, that concludes
this week's episode of Rogue Darkness. The darkness is all
around us, and I can confidently say that reality truly
is more terrifying than fiction. Until next time.