BLACK HANDS - A family mass murder
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Description
This is the story of a mass-murder that divided a nation - a story that began in a rickety old home on a cold June morning in 1994, where five members of a seemingly ordinary New Zealand family were gunned down. There were two suspects. One lay dead from a single bullet to the head. The other was the only survivor: David Bain. Since then the country has asked: who killed the Bain family? David or his father Robin? In this podcast, Martin van Beynen explores the case from start to finish, picking through evidence, the mysteries and motives, and interviewing never-before-spoken-to witnesses. He seeks to finally answer the question: Who was the killer?
15 Episodes
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2Listen to the first episode from Stuff’s major new podcast, The Commune. It's a 12-part investigation into the notorious free-love commune, Centrepoint. There are crimes. But this isn’t a whodunnit. It’s a whydunnit. Subscribe at www.stuff.co.nz/thecommune
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A groundbreaking new podcast series on the most controversial murders in New Zealand history - the killing of five members of the Bain family in 1994.
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It's June 20, 1994. Police are called to a rundown home in Dunedin, New Zealand. They're not sure what to expect after a panicked phone call.
But inside were five dead bodies, a chaotic scene and and several clues pointing to the killer.
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By any standard, this family was unusual, even bizarre.
Mother Margaret Bain's complicated spiritual life and beliefs meant the family was constantly encouraged to put Satan behind them.
She practised self hypnosis, meditation and channelling. Their life in Papua New Guinea helped to concentrate the family's oddness. How did it influence the slaughter?
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From the outside, the Bain family seemed to have settled into a new life in Dunedin.
Eldest son David was on a new path, while sister Laniet appeared to have given up prostitution and Arawa was thriving as a budding teacher.
But in the six months before the shootings, cracks began to emerge.
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The shootings appalled the country and deeply shocked the community and wider Bain family.
Yet sole survivor David Bain's unusual reaction surprised many. Loyalties were tested. Suspicions were raised. And then an arrest is made.
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Motive has always been the most puzzling aspect of the Bain shootings.
Neither Robin nor David seemed like mass killers. But both had reasons to kill.
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Although police initially regarded the shootings as a murder/suicide, evidence began to mount against David Bain.
His fingerprints were on the rifle, he had blood on his T-shirt, a lens from glasses in his bedroom were found in his dead brother's room and he had injuries that were consistent with a fight.
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Could Robin have murdered his children and then taken his own life? Robin had blood and bruising on his hands. His foot size was more likely to fit bloody footprints in the house. Was a mysterious note left on the family computer Robin's final words?
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If Robin murdered his wife and children, his final task would be to shoot himself. But how likely is it that a right-handed man would shoot himself in the left temple? Is it even possible?
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Despite giving evidence in court only once, David Bain has said a lot about the shootings in various contexts.
He has steadfastly maintained his innocence but the details of his story have changed. How plausible is it?
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The equation is simple: It had to be either Robin or David.
Now it's time to make a decision.
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In 2012 Canadian judge Justice Binnie said David Bain was innocent on the balance of probabilities. Why? Hear what Binnie says and what Martin van Beynen makes of his arguments. And why does Binnie compare van Beynen to Inspector Javert, a fictitious fanatical police inspector?
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In this special bonus episode Imogen Wells and Emile Donovan take a peek behind the scenes of Black Hands in their conversation with host, Martin van Beynen. This interview originally appeared in Newsable, Stuff's daily news podcast.
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If you've loved Black Hands here's a recommendation for another Stuff podcast we think you'll love. It's called The Trial.
It’s about a fascinating murder case which went to trial even though there was no weapon or body. After a hung jury, finding ourselves in the middle of our own legal challenge and then a retrial... The Trial podcast is finally back with a verdict. Check out The Trial and follow the show to get instant access to the whole series... But for now, here's a sample for you, as we return to court for The Retrial of David Benbow…
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You've not convinced me Robin didn't do it I believe he did David is innocent for so many more reasons you've not even covered
Interesting podcast, but the constant adds are so annoying and jarring. One or two clumps of adds would be far better than the random dropping them in every 5 minutes or so.
The investigation was completely bungled by the police from the start. Even in the 90's this could have been forensically solved if it had been handled correctly. In my opinion the father was a victim and David Bain has gotten away with murder. I don't know how anyone can think he's innocent. Innocent men don't lie and he lied a lot.
love the podcast
3rd possibility.. What if the mother killed them all and then herself, but David, worshipping his mother didn't want people to think she was evil so moved the gun and ammo to his Father's side to frame him - with the re-staging explaining the time gap 🤔 The only bit I didn't understand was his motive for killing his mother that he seemed abnormally close to.
struggling with the narrator. sounds like hes reading out of a book and details are not connected to the storyline with relevance
Enjoyed this, weird family and horrific murder combine for a great podcast
"Deserves to get on with his life"...wait, WHAT???!! If the narrator truly believes that David is guilty (which I would agree with) and: 1) after planning the death of his siblings and parents, 2) killing his family, 3) lying to the court, and 4) being the perpetrator of a mass murder he "deserves to get on with his life", then what was the point of digging up the past, laying out the evidence and essentially proving his guilt? If someone is capable of snapping and killing 5 immediate family members once, what is stopping it from happening again, especially if David hasn't dealt with any of the trauma properly? I don't agree with the narrator on this particular sentiment.
I am having a hard time listening to this. Occam's Razor: the law of simplicity. If the father was going to murder his family and then kill himself why would he PUT GLOVES ON? He would be dead and consequences would be in the after life. David, before and after the murders, spoke and acted in ways that belied a severe mental health disorder. David displayed traits of narcissism, delusion, sexual disorder, disassociation and just all around bullshit-ery before and after the murders. Again and again, when listening to these podcasts it becomes clear that money can buy innocence and justice systems can be easily corrupted.
ummm why was the house a mess because she neglected it what about her husband? and kids ?
Absolutely brilliant and thoroughly researched podcast! Gripping from start to finish.
found it repetitive, but interesting!
it cuts out, they apologize, sometimes epis.5-7 don't matter the order? mine got all mixed up
loved this podcast! fab to glean more information re this New Zealand crime.
what order should these be be listened to?
is it clean
is it my player or does this skip and cut off the beginnings of sentences?
super pod! Can we expect more from this channel? I hope so
Shows how much influence and ego comes in to play with judges. He didn't look at evidence but decides he's right and everyone else is wrong. No justice for the dead family imo but a Canadian judge thinks he's right so that's what's important 🤔
great podcast