Murder Archives
We’ve started this podcast to create a dialogue with you, that may help solve a 1929 murder in Toorak. If you want to know more, or help in the amateur sleuthing, we’ve uploaded documents and images to our website www.murderarchives.com.au to complement the podcast. About the case. On 9 September 1929, Norma McLeod, an unmarried 29-year-old teacher was found unconscious in her parent’s home in the prestigious suburb of Toorak. A pair of men’s underpants lay across her forehead. By 5pm that day she was dead. An autopsy revealed a seven-inch crack in the back of her skull caused by violent trauma from a blunt object. The case attracted huge press and public attention; accusations were plentiful, but an inquest returned an open verdict. Almost 90 years after this mysterious death, an extensive three-year investigation involving a re-examination of the police files, combined with an in-depth look at Norma’s family, raises questions about the rigour of the original investigation. With the aid of the victim’s descendants and a group of renowned experts we’ve discovered long-held secrets, connections in high places and people who weren’t who they seemed to be. Experts who provide input: forensic pathologist, Byron Collins; ex-homicide detective, Charlie Bezzina; criminal barrister, Alan Hands; psycho-physiologist, Elizabeth Martin; forensic psychologist, Dr Karen Scally and graphologist, Andrea Scarfe Some of Norma’s descendants, who are also actors, ‘voice’ various parts throughout the podcast.
Episodes
The first glimpse into Norma’s life in prestigious Mandeville Crescent, Toorak and an overview of her last day alive.
We begin to question some of the events of that day and the actions of those involved.
Expert consulting Forensic Pathologist, Byron Collins, is introduced, providing his interpretation of the 1929 pathology report. Accidental death was ruled out then, as it is now.
More information - www.murderarc...
This episode examines the initial theories about how Norma died and the theories that were dismissed.
A number of letters were sent from the public to police with a variety of hypotheses about the ‘who’, ‘how’ and ‘why’.
Forensic Pathologist, Byron Collins, once again brings his expertise, this time discussing the likely weapon used to cause the violent trauma to Norma’s head a...
The police focus on their prime suspect – Norma’s mother, Edith McLeod.
Importantly, it introduces an anonymous letter written to police by someone using the pseudonym ‘Asmodeus’.
This letter was central to the police focus on Edith.
We examine its contents and explore who the writer may have been. We also provide a glimpse into the inquest, looking at the approach taken by police and the evidence provid...
This episode goes beyond the police and newspaper records and focuses on the lives of Norma and Edith through the eyes of those who knew them.
We meet some of Norma’s relatives and examine information passed down the family line.
We learn about Norma’s growing independence and a secret that remained hidden until 20 years after her death.
And we began to develop a picture of the relationship between mother and daught...
This episode focuses on the police themselves and the kind of environment they were working in in 1929 – a world of social distinctions and only six years after a major police strike that rocked public confidence in the constabulary.
Retired detective Charlie Bezzina provides some more insights into the nature of murder investigations and his opinion on the thoroughness of the McLeod investigation.
We also examine accusatio...
What kind of men were Norma’s father and brother (Norman and Rhys McLeod)?
And what clues their stories might provide about her death?
Once again, we hear from family members to help us develop a picture of the McLeods.
We look at the reasons why Norman apparently didn’t want the police involved, question why Rhys seemed almost missing from the police investigation and examine more letters from the public, this time ...
We introduce another expert, forensic psychologist, Dr Karen Scally, to help us look at each McLeod family member through a psychological lens.
We present three scenarios of what may have led to Norma’s death.
And look at a potential new suspect – Walter Maxwell Dumont Dunn – poet, writer, fantasist, and a friend of the McLeods who had been suggested as a possible Asmodeus.
How was he involved in the case, if ...
In this final episode, we bring in a handwriting expert, Andrea Scarfe, to review the Asmodeus letter and cross-reference the handwriting with that of potential writers, including Walter Maxwell Dumont Dunn.
We also examine the life of this man more thoroughly.
We wrap up where we’ve got to so far in our investigation and leave the listener with some potential theories.
More importantly, we leave the listener with some rem...
In this first part, with the help of experts and family members, we talk about: The underpants, the idea of incest, Norma’s physical and mental health, the land in Heidelberg, as well as thoughts around pregnancy and Norma’s sexuality.
Murder Archives is written and presented by Emma Curtin.
Editing and sound by Courtney Carthy
Produced in partnership with Nearly
See omnystudio.com/listener f...
In this second part, once again with the help of experts and family members, we talk about: The murder suspects themselves, Asmodeus and some new information from the Toorak Bowls Club that suggests Norman did indeed have friends in high places!
Murder Archives is written and presented by Emma Curtin.
Editing and sound by Courtney Carthy
Produced in partnership with Nearly
See omnystudio.com/listener for...
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