Australian True Crime – "Strange Investigations with Charlie Bezzina" (Feb 15, 2026)

Episode Overview

This episode of Australian True Crime features veteran detective Charlie Bezzina alongside host Michelle Laurie. Together, they delve into some of the most unusual and perplexing investigations of Charlie’s career in Victoria Police, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of crime scene work in Australian suburbs and the challenges of interpreting evidence that might not align with initial impressions. The conversation takes listeners deep into the practical and emotional realities of homicide investigation—discussing everything from evolving forensic technology to the mental health struggles of police officers.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Crime Scene Process & Teamwork

• Structured Approach: Charlie outlines the routine procedures at crime scenes and post-mortems: systematic photography, collecting evidence (“collect it and we can always throw it away”), and reliance on a diverse team (forensics, pathologists, ballistics, etc.) ([01:19]–[02:54]).
• Minimal Contamination: Emphasizes minimizing personnel at scenes—normally six to eight specialists—to avoid contamination and ensure all evidence is collected ([02:15]–[02:54]).
• Life Goes On: Humanizes investigation, noting realities like retrieving personal items for families and the challenges when returning a processed scene ([02:56]–[03:51]).

“You work under the adage that once you've gone to the crime scene and you leave, you can't go back.” — Charlie Bezzina [02:56]

2. Forensics: Past, Present & Future

• Evidence Preservation Evolution: Importance of photography and video as the only records once a scene is released, and recognizing how seemingly innocuous items can be crucial at trial ([04:04]–[04:36]).
• Modern Technology: Discussion of AI, 3D imaging, and virtual goggles for juries, which can immerse them more fully in a scene, reducing monotony and boosting understanding ([04:36]–[06:17]).

“This 3D imaging, just hone in on that coffee cup... take the whole caption. It was magic.” — Charlie Bezzina [04:58]

3. The Human Element: Stress, Judgment Calls, and Training

• Pressure on Investigators: Charlie describes the pressure of noticing every detail and the “fatal flaw” in cutting training for police—especially exposure to autopsies ([03:51]–[11:19]).
• Critical Early Decisions: Uniformed officers are often relied upon to identify cause of death, but misuse or lack of experience can create failures in suicide or homicide assessments ([06:49]–[11:19]).
• Gaps in Training: Recent policing trends allow officers to “opt in” for mortuary experience or skip it entirely, leading to unnecessary escalation and poor investigation outcomes ([09:07]–[11:19]).

“It's the only unnatural death not done by a detective.” — Charlie Bezzina on suicides [06:58]

4. Respect for the Deceased

• Maintaining Dignity: Importance of referring to victims by name, treating bodies respectfully, and maintaining empathy to counter the risk of emotional detachment ([14:09]–[15:15]).
• Vulnerability of the Deceased: Discussion of historical instances where undertakers took advantage, underlining the need for respect and vigilance ([13:10]–[14:09]).

“You lose your identity once you die... but by naming, they're a person. Doesn't diminish the fact that they were living, walking, human being and they deserve respect.” — Charlie Bezzina [14:16]

5. Crime and Community: Sex Offender Registries & Neighbourhood Safety

• Registry Debate: Discusses Queensland’s public registry for sex offenders, weighing victim family advocacy against risks of vigilante attacks and ineffective deterrence seen in the US ([15:29]–[16:47]).
• Neighborhood Awareness: Charlie favors public knowledge and laments the erosion of community policing roles ([16:06]–[16:47]).

6. Strange Cases

Case 1: The Elderly Woman with Facial Fractures ([22:03]–[31:04])

• Initial Suspicion: Found deceased, face covered and severely fractured, splayed legs, missing underwear—initially seeming like a sexual homicide ([22:03]–[23:17]).
• Investigation: Gathering background—known as a prolific climber and eccentric. No forced entry; evidence of a fall onto a concrete surface causing symmetrical fractures ([26:28]–[27:36]).
• Forensic Insights: Entomologist timed maggot gestation; found buried house keys, reasoning she hid the keys herself ([29:46]–[30:07]).
• Final Determination: Despite sinister staging, concluded a tragic accident—died after a fall trying to re-enter her property. Coroner agreed on misadventure ([31:05]).

“That was my sticking point—I was happy with the rest... but the killer may have put her on the blind side.” — Charlie Bezzina [28:41]

Case 2: The ‘Bound’ Woman in the Country Town ([31:05]–[35:51])

• Initial Scene: Young woman found naked, loosely bound with a phone cord, room in disarray, history of family violence ([31:05]–[33:44]).
• Findings: Pathologist observed only leg bruises; no signs of sexual assault or forced entry. History of substance abuse—Serapax, Jim Beam ([34:47]).
• Explanation: Bruises likely incidental; death determined as overdose. Cord entanglement accidental as she thrashed post-ingestion ([34:54]–[35:51]).

“She was thrashing around... able to entangle herself in that phone cord. But it served no purpose, so it didn’t make sense that an offender would do that.” — Charlie Bezzina [34:54]

Case 3: Ingenious Suicide in a Locked Cupboard ([37:15]–[42:24])

• Discovery: Elderly man missing, found dead in a locked outdoor cupboard, ankles and hands tied, plastic bag over head with an LPG bottle ([37:15]–[41:48]).
• Complex Scene: Padlock and slide bolt secured from outside. Initial suspicion of homicide.
• Analysis: Realized victim engineered own death using string to slide bolt after entry, avoiding chance of changing mind—a highly intelligent, planned suicide. Left a note citing grief for his wife ([41:48]–[42:24]).

“A lot of suicides... they want to be in a position that they don’t want to change their mind and they’re very tentative about them.” — Charlie Bezzina [39:02]

7. Broader Reflections on Policing and Community

• Changing Police Recruitment and Careers: Lowering standards and glamorizing police life leads to high attrition and disillusionment ([11:29]–[12:41]).
• Dedication Beyond the Force: Even after retirement, Charlie remains involved as a PI and victim advocate, asserting his ongoing passion for investigation and service ([36:33]–[37:14]).

“You never retire. And that’s why I became a private investigator... what do I know to do best?” — Charlie Bezzina [36:33]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Evidence and Trials:
  “My adage always has been, well, collect it and we can always throw it away.” — Charlie Bezzina [04:04]

• On Jurors and Modern Evidence:
  “Anything dynamic like that seems like it would be a great idea. The 3D imagery.” — Michelle Laurie [06:08]

• On Thinking Like a Cop:
  “Always expect the unexpected.” — Charlie Bezzina [21:02]

• On the Limitations of Forensics:
  “None of this other crap about, oh, look, I died between 11 and 12 o’clock. Doesn’t work that way, as you’d know.” — Charlie Bezzina [23:17]

• On Keeping Perspective:
  “Even things like taking out warrants, you know, I built up reputation up to about 35 years.” — Charlie Bezzina [21:02]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:19] – Charlie discusses standard crime scene and postmortem processes
• [04:36] – Michelle and Charlie discuss advances in crime scene visualization
• [09:07] – Training gaps and issues with new police recruits
• [14:09] – Respect and dignity for the deceased
• [16:06] – Discussion of the sex offender registry debate
• [22:03] – Elderly woman strange death case
• [31:05] – Country town overdose mistaken for homicide
• [37:15] – Ingenious suicide concealed as murder
• [42:24] – Closing remarks

Tone and Style

The conversation is brisk, candid, and grounded in years of experience. Charlie’s no-nonsense style is balanced by Michelle’s curiosity and empathetic approach, inviting listeners behind the police tape for a raw look at what real detectives face—mystery, grief, doubt, and the perpetual challenge of separating truth from surface impressions.

For anyone interested in the intricacies of crime scene investigation, the limits of forensic certainty, and the strange realities just beneath the surface of suburban Australia, this is an episode that brings both insight and respect for those who do this essential—if difficult—work.