VIKKI Petraitis, a Melbourne-based crime writer who last year had an event in Sale to promote her first novel, has released a new true crime podcast on the Frankston serial killer, Paul Denyer, ahead of his expected parole this month. The new series is titled The Frankston Murders Podcast.
In June 1993, Elizabeth Stevens, 18, was murdered on her way home from a bus stop. A serial killer was on the loose in Frankston, operating over a terrifying seven-week period. Young mother, Debbie Fream, 22, was killed during a trip to the shops. 17-year-old Natalie Russell met with foul play on the way home from school, and was Denyer’s third and final victim. Denyer was captured and sentenced to life in prison, but was granted a 30-year minimum sentence on appeal. Thirty years later, Denyer has applied for parole.
Ms Petraitis was on patrol with police the night the final murder took place. She wrote the bestselling book, The Frankston Murders, which has never been out of print. Ms Petraitis has revisited the case in a longform podcast to remind the world why Denyer must never be released. The Frankston Murders Podcast uncovers new material and new victims stalked by Denyer in the lead-up to the killings. Interview subjects include prison guards, police officers, family members, and people caught in the periphery of a serial murderer.
All 11 episodes of The Frankston Murders Podcast were recently released and are available wherever you get your podcasts. The podcast was released by Casefile Presents, well-known for the Australian podcast series Casefile True Crime Podcast.
Last year, more 30 people attended ‘In conversation with Vikki Petraitis’ at the Wellington Library on Thursday, August 25 for an hour of discussion about true crime and Ms Petraitis’ debut novel, The Unbelieved. Ms Petraitis shared experiences from more than three decades of writing, which includes podcasts and more than a dozen true crime books. The Unbelieved is out now in bookstores, and also available as an audiobook and ebook.
Ms Petraitis’ true crime background heavily influenced the novel. She said the low conviction rate for crimes against women and children was one matter she drew inspiration from.
“As a true-crime author, these things come up over and over again,” she said.
“The art of writing is the act of processing. How can I write this and honour the storyteller (the victim), and honour the story?”
