Podcasts by Category

The Poisoned Wife

The Poisoned Wife

The Australian
Society & Culture

Who killed Rosslyn McQueen? The Australian’s Hedley Thomas and Karina Berger investigate the unsolved 1986 murder of a 30-year-old pregnant mother, poisoned with strychnine in her own home in country Victoria, as her toddler played nearby. Rosslyn’s husband, Ray McQueen, told police and ambulance officers she had terminal cancer. But Ros didn’t have cancer and nobody believed she would have taken her own life. This podcast, from the creator of The Teacher’s Pet, Bronwyn and Shandee’s Story, also features Rex Bakes, a relentless, retired private investigator who once worked for Ray McQueen’s defence team. Now, Rex is determined to help get justice for Ros. Subscribers to The Australian hear new episodes first on Apple Podcasts, on The Australian’s app and thepoisonedwife.com, where you’ll find photos, videos, timelines, stories and more.

4 - Episode 3: Contradictions
0:00 / 0:00
1x
  • 4 - Episode 3: Contradictions

    Homicide squad detectives rush from Melbourne to Bendigo. They hit the ground running, questioning Donna and Ray within days of one another. Detectives identify contradictions in their accounts, including when Ray denies kissing Donna before Ros's death.  

    Ray suggests that his neighbour Vin, who found Ros's body, might have been the source of the strychnine that killed Ros.

    Ros's mother pleads with her daughter's best friend, Wendy, to tell the police everything she knows. 

    Subscribers hear new episodes of The Poisoned Wife first. Listen at thepoisonedwife.com, in The Australian’s app or search for The Poisoned Wife on Apple Podcasts to connect your subscription.

    Join the conversation and hear more from Hedley Thomas in The Poisoned Wife Podcast Official Discussion Group on Facebook

    Do you know more? Contact the team at thepoisonedwife@theaustralian.com.au

     

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Thu, 10 Sep 2026
  • 3 - Episode 2: False Trail

    Documents from the brief of evidence reveal that when police ask Ray McQueen whether he has any idea why his wife died at the kitchen table, he tells them “Yes, she’s had cancer”. 

    Police decide there are no suspicious circumstances, but her general practitioner refuses to provide a death certificate. Almost three months later, toxicology tests show strychnine killed Rosslyn.

    Hedley Thomas, Karina Berger and Rex Bakes meet in Bendigo for new interviews and investigations. 

    Subscribers hear new episodes of The Poisoned Wife first. Listen at thepoisonedwife.com, in The Australian’s app or search for The Poisoned Wife on Apple Podcasts to connect your subscription.

    Join the conversation and hear more from Hedley Thomas in The Poisoned Wife Podcast Official Discussion Group on Facebook

    Do you know more? Contact the team at thepoisonedwife@theaustralian.com.au

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Thu, 03 Sep 2026
  • 2 - Episode 1: The Suitcase

    A cold case murder by strychnine poisoning of a pregnant mother of one is revived when a suitcase filled with documents is sent to the newsroom by a retired private investigator. 

    Secrets and lies surrounding the death of Rosslyn McQueen in a small rural community four decades ago spill out of the suitcase and trigger a new investigation into this unsolved homicide.

    And a vulnerable teenager groomed by a married man more than twice her age breaks her silence. 

    Subscribers hear new episodes of The Poisoned Wife first. Listen at thepoisonedwife.com, in The Australian’s app or search for The Poisoned Wife on Apple Podcasts to connect your subscription.

    Join the conversation and hear more from Hedley Thomas in The Poisoned Wife Podcast Official Discussion Group on Facebook

    Do you know more? Contact the team at thepoisonedwife@theaustralian.com.au

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Thu, 20 Aug 2026
  • 1 - Introducing The Poisoned Wife

    Who killed Rosslyn McQueen? 

    Join Hedley Thomas, Karina Berger and retired private eye Rex Bakes as they mine dark secrets in Victoria’s gold-rush country. The mysterious 1986 death by poisoning of a 30-year-old mum and her unborn baby has become one of Australia’s most intriguing cold cases.

    Subscribers hear episodes first at Apple Podcasts, thepoisonedwife.com and The Australian’s app. 

    To contact the team, email us at thepoisonedwife@theaustralian.com.au

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Thu, 20 Aug 2026

Podcasts similar to The Poisoned Wife