Casefile True Crime   /     Case 70: The Kimberley Murders

Description

The Kimberley is one of the most remote areas in Australia. Tourists are advised not to leave the main roads and to avoid driving at dawn or during the night – mainly because of the dangers of wildlife and the road trains which dominate the night hours. You must ensure you are adequately prepared with several days of water, food and fuel. Off-road travel is only recommended with an experienced guide – and there is no mobile phone reception, only satellite. Across the Top End and the Kimberley Regions, outside the comfort of the cities and main towns, tourists and locals search for the undiscovered – the secret spot where they can be alone with their thoughts. Light filtering through the trees. The only sounds – the crunching of leaves and rocks underfoot, or the trickling of water as it flows by. But whether deep in the bush, on a desert plain or alone on the banks of a remote river – it’s easy to leave yourself vulnerable. Vulnerable to hazards you may not even realise.   ____ Researched and written by Gemma Harris   NARRATION: Episode narrated by the Anonymous Host   MUSIC 1. ‘Flatline intro’ and ‘Come play with me’ intro and outro www.dl-sounds.com 2. All other music and audio clean up performed by Mike Migas and Andrew Joslyn    THIS EPISODE'S SPONSORS MVMT Watches – Join the movement   RESOURCES Warning – Contains spoilers     BOOK: Australia’s Serial Killers – by Paul B. Kidd (pp.231–235)    ARTICLES: ‘Fear in the bush after 5 killings’ – The Sydney Morning Herald (17 June 1987) ‘Bolted doors in the town of fear’ – The Sydney Morning Herald (18 June 1987) ‘Outback tourists flee the shooting gallery’ – The Age (18 June 1987) ‘A lonely wait for the Northern killer’ – The Sydney Morning Herald (19 June 1987) ‘Outback manhunt for thrill murderer ends in gunfire’ – United Press International ‘Policeman gets his man when all seemed lost’ – The Age. Melbourne (20 June 1987) ‘Gunman Killed’ – The West Australian (20 June 1987) ‘Shootout ends hunt’ – The Sydney Morning Herald (20 June 1987) ‘Last breath of Top End Killer’ – The Sydney Morning Herald (21 June 1987) ‘Outback terror ends in morgue’ – The Age. Melbourne (22 June 1987) ‘Police have positively identified a West German man killed...’ – United Press International ‘Not our son, say parents of Top-End gunman’ – The Sydney Morning Herald (18 Dec 1987) ‘Weak gun law under attack’ – The Age (26 Dec 1987) ‘Josef Schwab’s killing spree, 30 years on: how the TRG stopped a madman in the Kimberley’ – The West Australian ‘On the Trail of a Madman’ – The West Australian   REPORTS: Kennedy Royal Commission – (2004, pp.117–118) Management of Misconduct by Western Australia Police – (2011)   ARCHIVES: Kimberley Killer - Joseph Schwab – by John Horswell, Australian Police Journal   VIDEOS: The Kimberley Killer – Crime Investigation Australia (2007)   OTHER: Victoria River murder – Rae Allen Guide to the Kimberley – Australia.com ‘A Forensic Collector’ – NT Police Museum & Historical Society Inc. Home Valley Station Home Valley Station – Wikipedia Joseph Schwab – Wikipedia Kennedy Royal Commission – Wikipedia Klaus Kilian Joseph Schwab – Murderpedia Pentecost River – Wikipedia Police Tactical Group – Wikipedia Victoria River (Northern Territory) – Wikipedia Western Australian Police – Wikipedia Timber Creek – Northern Territory Police Timber Creek – NT Police Museum & Historical Society Inc. Crocodile safety: Be Crocwise – NT.GOV.AU  Population of Northern Territory – Population Australia   _____ Our episodes deal with serious and often distressing incidents. If you feel at anytime you need support, please contact your local crisis centre. Some suggestions for confidential support for men women and children:   AUSTRALIA: Lifeline Crisis Support: 13 11 14 Beyond Blue: Depression and anxiety support: 1300 22 46 36 Rape & Domestic Violence Services: 1800 737 732 Men's Line:  1300 78 99 78 Headspace: Youth Mental Health Foundation: see headspace.org.au for your local centre   USA: Distress &  Lifeline: 1800 273 8255 Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741 741 Domestic Violence Helpline: 1800 799 7233 Victim Connect: support for victims of crime: 855 484 2846   UK: Mind: mental health support: 0300 123 3393 SANE: mental health support: 0300 304 7000 Samaritans support network: 116 123 National Stalking Helpline: 0808 802 0300   CANADA: For a list of Canadian crisis centres: https://thelifelinecanada.ca/help/call/   NEW ZEALAND: Lifeline: 0800 543354 Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (Text 4202)

Summary

The Kimberley is one of the most remote areas in Australia. Tourists are advised not to leave the main roads and to avoid driving at dawn or during the night – mainly because of the dangers of wildlife and the road trains which dominate the night hours. You must ensure you are adequately prepared with several days of water, food and fuel... ___ Researched and written by Gemma Harris [For all credits and sources please visit casefilepodcast.com]