Crime Stories (English Subtitled) Season 5 Episode 1 The Backpacker Killer
- September 3, 2007
- 46 min
The Backpacker Killer is the first episode of the fifth season of the show Crime Stories, which delves into some of the most notorious and intriguing criminal cases from around the world. This particular episode tells the story of Ivan Milat, a serial killer from Australia who was dubbed the Backpacker Killer after he was convicted of murdering seven backpackers from various countries in 1996.
The episode opens with an introduction to Milat, highlighting his background and early life. We learn that he came from a large family and was one of fourteen siblings. Milat had a troubled childhood, with reports of him getting into fights and engaging in criminal activity from a young age. As he got older, his behavior became increasingly violent and erratic, and he was eventually revealed to be a sadistic murderer.
The Backpacker Killer episode goes on to explore Milat's crimes and the lengthy investigation that led to his capture. Using interviews with investigators, family members of the victims, and other experts, the show provides a detailed look at how the case unfolded.
We learn that in the early 1990s, several backpackers had disappeared while travelling in the Belanglo State Forest in New South Wales, Australia. At first, it was not clear if they had met with foul play or simply gotten lost in the vast wilderness. But eventually, as more and more backpackers vanished without a trace, police began to suspect that a serial killer was at work.
Over the next few years, investigators worked tirelessly to gather evidence and track down the killer. Some of the key breakthroughs came in the form of DNA samples found on the victims' bodies and other physical evidence collected from the crime scenes. As the case progressed, police began to zero in on Ivan Milat, who was known to frequent the area where the murders had taken place.
The show does an excellent job of chronicling the investigation in detail, tracking the ups and downs of the years-long hunt for the Backpacker Killer. We see how pivotal breaks in the case often came out of left field and how much work went into following up on every lead. At the same time, we see how difficult and painful the process was for the families of the victims, who had to wait years for justice to be served.
Throughout the episode, The Backpacker Killer is neither sensational nor gratuitous. Instead, it's a sobering look at how brutal and complicated criminal cases can be. Despite the stunning crimes committed by Ivan Milat, the show manages to stay respectful to the victims and their families, as well as to the investigators who worked tirelessly to solve the case.
Overall, The Backpacker Killer is a well-crafted and thoughtful episode of Crime Stories that captures the nuances and complexities of a tragic case. While the story is certainly gripping and suspenseful, the episode never loses sight of the human cost of such a horrific crime. As a result, it's a powerful and poignant reminder of the importance of justice and accountability and what can be achieved through perseverance and dedication.