Crime Investigation Australia Season 1 Episode 1 Episode 1
- July 31, 2005
- 73 min
-
(11)
Crime Investigation Australia is a true-crime documentary series that delves into some of the most horrifying and heinous criminal cases in the history of Australia. Season 1 episode 1, simply titled 'Episode 1,' takes a deep dive into the disappearance of three children from the small town of Bowraville in New South Wales in the early 1990s.
The episode begins with an introduction to Bowraville, a quiet township nestled in the northern reaches of NSW. In September 1990, the town was rocked by the disappearance of 4-year-old Evelyn Greenup from her grandmother's house. Within a few months, two more children, 16-year-old Colleen Walker and 3-year-old Clinton Speedy-Duroux, also went missing. All three children were Aboriginal and lived in the same area of Bowraville.
The episode then goes on to explore the investigation that followed, which was fraught with incompetence and indifference from both the police and wider public. Aboriginal people were commonly discriminated against by the police in the 1990s, and these crimes were initially brushed off as simply a case of three children who had left home to seek adventure.
However, as more information emerged, it became clear that something sinister was at play. Evidence began to mount against a local white man, including a bloodstained mattress and a witness who claimed to have seen the man carrying one of the children on the night of her disappearance. Despite this evidence, the Police lacked the expertise to build an effective case against the suspect, and he was ultimately acquitted at trial.
The episode also explores how the community responded to the murders and the authorities' failure to bring anyone to justice. Protestors rallied in front of Parliament House in Sydney, demanding that the government take action to find the killer or killers responsible for the three murders.
However, even with the support of the community, a lack of resources prevented a thorough and successful investigation from being conducted. Today, the Bowraville murders remain unsolved, despite the dedicated efforts of countless activists, family members, and law enforcement personnel.
Overall, Crime Investigation Australia's Season 1 Episode 1 is an eye-opening exploration of one of Australia's most tragic and heartbreaking cases. With a detailed and sensitive retelling of the events surrounding the Bowraville murders, the show highlights the importance of giving victims and their families the justice they deserve. This episode sets a standard that the rest of the series continues to uphold, offering viewers an insightful and thought-provoking look into the dark side of Australia's history.