Casefile True Crime: Case 307 – The Night Caller (Part 2) Summary

Introduction

In Case 307: The Night Caller (Part 2) of Casefile True Crime, listeners delve deep into the harrowing story of Eric Edgar Cook, a prolific Australian murderer whose reign of terror in Perth during the early 1960s left lasting scars on the community. This episode meticulously chronicles Cook’s criminal activities, the ensuing police investigations, wrongful convictions of innocent individuals, and the eventual unraveling of truth decades later.

The Night Caller Murders

Saturday, August 10, 1963 – A Stormy Night in Perth

The episode opens on a tumultuous winter night in Perth, where Carl and Wendy Dowd venture out to a party despite heavy rain and thunder. They leave behind their eight-month-old child in the care of Shirley Macleod, a diligent university student. Upon their return at 2 AM, they discover Shirley brutally murdered in their home.

Quote:

• Narrator [02:00]: "As Carl Dowd was struck by the shocking realization that Shirley Macleod had been murdered, he was gripped by the terrifying fear that the killer might still be in the house."

Eric Edgar Cook’s Criminal History

Early Crimes and Personal Struggles

Eric Edgar Cook’s criminal journey began at 17 when he committed his first break-in, exhibiting destructive behavior by setting fires and vandalizing properties. Despite multiple offenses, Cook was released early from prison in August 1949, a decision influenced by his behavioral issues and the parole board’s belief in his potential rehabilitation.

Quote:

• Narrator [20:22]: "Cook's criminal behaviour was the result of a long simmering resentment towards society at large."

Family Background and Motives

Cook's troubled upbringing, marked by an abusive alcoholic father and bullying at school due to his cleft palate and speech impediment, fostered deep-seated resentment and social isolation. These factors fueled his later violent tendencies, particularly against women whom he perceived as rejecting him.

The Hunt for the Night Caller

Discovery of the Murder Weapon

Investigators, suspecting Eric Cook but lacking concrete evidence, intensified their search after an elderly couple discovered a rifle matching the murder weapon's specifications. Police set up a surveillance trap that ultimately led to Cook’s arrest.

Quote:

• Narrator [15:30]: "Constable Hawker rushed to the tent to wake his colleague. They had to act quickly."

Arrest and Initial Confessions

Cook’s Confession and Subsequent Doubts

Upon arrest, Cook admitted to the murder of Shirley Macleod but denied involvement in other killings. His initial confession included detailed accounts of multiple crimes, which later raised suspicions about his honesty and credibility.

Quote:

• Cook [45:10]: "I felt as though I was God or some person who was untouchable."

Wrongful Convictions

John Button’s Innocent Imprisonment

John Button, wrongfully convicted for the manslaughter of Rosemary Anderson, a 19-year-old, suffered immense personal tragedy due to Cook’s crimes. Button maintained his innocence until decades later when evidence emerged proving Cook’s culpability.

Quote:

• Narrator [60:00]: "John Button tried to appeal his manslaughter conviction, citing Cook's confession as new evidence."

Darryl Beamish’s Miscarriage of Justice

Similarly, Darryl Beamish, a deaf and nonverbal man, was wrongfully convicted for the murder of Gillian Brewer. His inability to communicate effectively led to a coerced confession, which was later invalidated when Cook confessed to the crime.

Quote:

• Darryl Beamish [75:20]: "I have nothing to say. I’m innocent."

Cook’s Retracting Confessions

Inconsistencies and Doubts

Despite Cook’s detailed confessions, inconsistencies in his accounts led investigators to doubt his reliability. His inability to accurately describe crime scenes and locations cast further suspicion on his narratives.

Quote:

• Narrator [85:15]: "Detectives weren't buying his confession. He was confused, stating, 'I don't understand it. I am sure I killed her.'"

Trial and Execution of Cook

Legal Proceedings and Defense

Cook faced trial for multiple murders, with his defense arguing insanity. However, psychiatric evaluations deemed him legally sane, attributing his actions to antisocial personality disorder rather than mental illness.

Quote:

• Dr. Ellis [90:05]: "Cook harboured particular resentment towards women who made up the majority of his victims."

Conviction and Capital Punishment

In November 1963, Cook was swiftly convicted of murder and sentenced to death by hanging. His execution in October 1964 marked the end of his reign, but not before he confessed to additional crimes, which were largely dismissed by authorities.

Quote:

• Cook [100:00]: "I swear before Almighty God that I killed Anderson and Brewer."

Impact on Victims and Families

John Button’s Life After Wrongful Conviction

John Button endured years of grief and social ostracization after his wrongful imprisonment. Despite Cook’s confessions, Button’s attempts to clear his name were ignored until investigative journalism decades later vindicated him.

Quote:

• John Button [110:30]: "I felt stuck, haunted by grief and injustice."

Effects on Cook’s Family

Cook’s wife, Sally, and their seven children suffered immensely. Cook maintained a facade of normalcy, leaving his family vulnerable and isolated while hiding his murderous activities.

Quote:

• Sally Cook [130:20]: "I knew he was a thief and a womanizer, but that's far different to being a murderer."

Rediscovery and Exoneration

Estelle Blackburn’s Investigation

In the early 1990s, journalist Estelle Blackburn uncovered the truth behind Cook’s crimes. Her investigative work revealed Cook’s confessions and the wrongful convictions of Button and Beamish, leading to their eventual exoneration and compensation.

Quote:

• Estelle Blackburn [150:45]: "Broken Lives led to renewed interest in the old case and soon lawyers were offering to represent John Button pro bono."

Legal Repercussions and Justice Served

John Button's conviction was overturned in 2002, and Darrell Beamish was exonerated in 2005. Their cases highlighted systemic flaws in the judicial process and the dangers of coerced confessions.

Legacy and Conclusion

Community Trauma and Lasting Scars

Eric Edgar Cook’s crimes left an indelible mark on Perth, instilling a lingering sense of fear and mistrust within the community. Victims and their families continue to grapple with the aftermath, while Cook’s execution remains a grim reminder of justice delayed.

Quote:

• Narrator [160:50]: "There are still all these people who carried the scars of the crimes of Eric Edgar Cook."

Systemic Changes and Remembrance

The wrongful convictions spurred reforms in police interrogation techniques and highlighted the necessity for thorough, unbiased investigations. John Button and Darrell Beamish's stories serve as somber reminders of the pursuit of true justice.

Final Quote:

• Tony Cook [170:00]: "It's given me the conviction that what I should be doing is working towards a more positive society, the sort of society that doesn't breed people like my father."

Conclusion

Case 307: The Night Caller (Part 2) is a poignant exploration of criminal psychology, flawed justice systems, and the enduring impact of wrongful convictions. Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, Casefile True Crime sheds light on the dark corridors of Perth’s past, urging listeners to reflect on the importance of integrity and compassion within law enforcement and society at large.