Australian True Crime – “The Wollongong Murders”

Host: Meshel Laurie
Guest: John Souter Linton (Author of Bound by Blood)
Episode Date: August 10, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Australian True Crime investigates the notorious “Wollongong Murders,” a string of killings that rocked the coastal New South Wales city in 1998. Focusing on the murders of former Wollongong mayor Frank Arkell and shopkeeper David O’Hearn, the conversation explores the media’s sensationalism, the truth behind allegations of organized abuse, and the devastating aftermath for the families involved. Host Meshel Laurie is joined by John Souter Linton, author of Bound by Blood, offering deep insights into the case’s complexities and the human stories behind the headlines.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Purpose Behind True Crime Storytelling

• Motivation for Writing ‘Bound by Blood’
  • Linton emphasizes his intent not to sensationalize but to uncover the real truth amid layers of rumor and media hype.
    • “There’s always an issue with the books I write…what actually is the truth as much as I can? So with the Valera story, there was a big issue…was there a pedophile ring? Was Valera really the victim in this?” (04:56)

2. The Murders & Their Context

• Victims: Frank Arkell & David O’Hearn
  • Arkell, a prominent politician, was awaiting court for alleged historical sex crimes when murdered. O’Hearn was a local shopkeeper who recently returned to Wollongong to care for his sick mother.
• Debunking False Links
  • Media and gossip conflated the appearance of both men as murder victims with presumptions of a secret paedophile ring. Linton and Laurie assert there was no actual link between O’Hearn and Arkell.
    • “There’s been no evidence, no evidence at all to show any connection, any likelihood that O’Hearn and Arkell knew each other.” (09:07)

3. The Offender: Mark Valera

• Profile & Motive
  • Valera, only 19 at the time, committed both murders. His motivation remains unclear, with initial police interviews suggesting anger without logic or premeditated revenge.
    • “Is there any reason why you did it?... I was angry that day. But, no particular reason? No.” (00:47, 16:15)
  • He was found to have a morbid fascination with serial killers, keeping lists of potential victims and planning his actions.
    • “He had an incredible interest, fascination, obsession…with serial killers. And…made lists of people, identities within Wollongong…who he would eventually go out and murder.” (11:26)
• Nature of the Crimes
  • O’Hearn’s murder was exceptionally brutal, involving decapitation, mutilation, and occult-like symbols at the scene.
    • “It was mutilation, really. It was a scene that I'd never encountered in all my years in the police…body of a male lying on his back, he'd been decapitated…intestines…laying on a silver tray…” (10:44–10:54)
    • “A pentagram with the word ‘Satan’ beside it. Another wall had an inverted cross. And on a mirror…‘Satan’ had been written also.” (11:13)

4. Police Investigation

• Initial Suspicions & Capture
  • An anonymous tip about local interest in Satanism led police to Keith Schreiber, whose flatmate was Valera. Valera’s cool demeanor during police contact initially masked his guilt.
  • Identification through fingerprints and eventual confession after consulting his karate coach.
    • “He was your typical sadistic killer…could switch on and switch off…no panic, total control.” (13:49)
    • “Mark admitted to everything. Again, very calmly, very straightforward. No hesitation, no sense of trying to hide what he'd done…” (13:49–16:53)

5. The Defense and Aftermath

• Abuse Allegations as Defense
  • During trial, Valera’s team introduced claims of childhood sexual abuse by his father, Jack van Crevel, as a mitigating factor—claims denied by family friends and unsupported by Valera’s own early police statements.
    • “There was no mention about him being abused…none of that came out. That did not come out until…he started to appear in court. And that was then his defense.” (19:38)
• Family Reactions & Complicated Grief
  • Belinda, Mark’s sister, supported his claims despite no personal memory; her anguish is detailed.
    • “Why would a 19 year old boy get up in front of the whole world and say that his father had raped him…if it's not true?” (28:01)

6. The Retaliatory Killing of Jack van Crevel

• Murder by Mark Schreiber
  • Schreiber, Valera’s friend and Belinda’s former partner, murdered Jack van Crevel after Belinda allegedly made casual comments about wanting her father dead. Police always suspected collusion, but could only charge Belinda with soliciting murder, not direct involvement.
    • “One night, [Schreiber] grabbed a knife from the kitchen, walked into Jack's bedroom and stabbed him to death…He did it because he believed Mark had been abused by his dad…” (28:49, 31:10)
    • Belinda ultimately served six years for solicitation (35:25).

7. Family Trauma & Public Perception

• Lasting Impact
  • The murders and media speculation inflicted immense, lingering distress on those left behind—especially the O’Hearn family, who were subjected to innuendo about their brother’s supposed involvement in abuse networks, despite zero evidence.
    • “It was just horrendous.” (07:25); “They just needed to be sure that what I would say…would be the truth.” (38:17)
  • The case exemplifies how rumor, innuendo, and media intrusion add pain to unimaginable loss.
• Complexity of Human Stories
  • Laurie and Linton reflect on how families described themselves as “normal,” illustrating how crime and trauma can shatter illusions of safety in any community.
    • “That’s another…fascinating aspect of your book…everyone says, oh, we’re just a normal family. How could this happen to us?” (44:40)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Motivation for the Book:

  • “I try and clear the murkiness of it all and try and get to what actually is the truth as much as I can.”
    – John Souter Linton [05:19]

• On David O’Hearn’s Murder:

  • “He was decapitated…mutilation, really… intestines…laying on a silver tray…”
    – John Souter Linton [10:44]

• On False Assumptions:

  • “There’s been no evidence at all to show any connection, any likelihood that O’Hearn and Arkell knew each other.”
    – John Souter Linton [09:07]

• On Valera’s Lack of Remorse or Clear Motive:

  • “I was angry that day. But, no particular reason? No.”
    – Mark Valera [00:54, 16:15]

• On Police Investigation & Killer Psychology:

  • “Could be murdering someone out the backyard and then…the door rings, he comes and brings people in and offers them a cup of tea…no panic, total control.”
    – John Souter Linton [13:49]

• On the Aftermath for O’Hearn’s Family:

  • “One sister…couldn’t sleep…she was locking her door. She couldn’t sleep at nights. The stress that happens…is just incredible.”
    – John Souter Linton [38:17]

• On the Perils of Media Sensationalism:

  • “That’s what complicated all of this. That’s what’s caused probably even more pain. It’s definitely the salt in the wound situation.”
    – John Souter Linton [37:17]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Motivation for the Book & Clearing the Record: 04:56–05:19
• Victims, Rumors, and Family Impact: 06:02–09:07
• Details of the O’Hearn Murder & Satanic Motifs: 10:44–12:38
• Valera’s Police Interview & Confession: 16:15–17:38
• Discussion of Abuse Allegations: 19:30–21:02, 23:01
• The Murder of Jack van Crevel & Aftermath: 28:49–36:11
• Family Trauma, Community Impact, and Truth-Telling: 37:13–43:44
• Conclusions on Normality & Aftermath: 44:40

Summary Tone & Takeaway

The episode adopts a somber, contemplative tone, focusing on the devastation wrought by brutal crimes—not only on the direct victims but on families and communities. The host and guest are measured and empathetic, intent on dispelling myths and rumors that have exacerbated grief and confusion. This is not just a crime story, but a study of innocence lost, community shaken, and the ever-elusive search for justice and truth.

“Everybody considers themselves [a normal family]. That’s another…fascinating aspect of your, of your book is just that, yeah, everyone says, oh, we’re just a normal family. How could this happen to us?”
— Meshel Laurie [44:40]