Shortcut: The Gay Hate Crime That Went Unsolved for Over 30 Years

Shortcut: The Gay Hate Crime That Went Unsolved for Over 30 Years

This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed.

Scott Johnson's naked body was found on the rocks at Blue Fish Point near Manly in Sydney in December 1988. Above him loomed the jagged cliffs from which he had fallen the night before.

Manly police were quick to declare his death a suicide, even though gay men were being found in similar circumstances around the Sydney shoreline with shocking regularity.

Scott was, and still is, deeply loved by his friends, family and older brother, Steve Johnson.

Steve refused to give up in his pursuit of justice for Scott. His crusade uncovered the truth about decades of gay hate crimes in Sydney and the police inaction that allowed them to thrive.

Steve Johnson has just released a book called A Thousand Miles from Care, and he joins us on Australian True Crime to talk about it.

You can purchase "A Thousand Miles from Care" by clicking this link.

Click here to subscribe to ATC Plus on Apple Podcasts and access all ATC episodes early and ad-free, as well as exclusive bonus episodes.

For Support:

Lifeline on 13 11 14

13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)

1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732

CREDITS:

Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram

Guest: Steve Johnson

Executive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard

This episode contains extra content from The ABC, Nine Entertainment and Seven West Media.

GET IN TOUCH:

https://www.australiantruecrimethepodcast.com/

Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook

Send us a question to have played on the show by recording a voice message here.

Email the show at AusTrueCrimePodcast@gmail.com

Avsnitt(674)

Shortcut: Dezi Freeman Dead After Months in Hiding

Shortcut: Dezi Freeman Dead After Months in Hiding

This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. Fugitive Dezi Freeman has been shot dead by Australian police aft...

1 Apr 11min

Strange Investigations with Charlie Bezzina - Part 2

Strange Investigations with Charlie Bezzina - Part 2

This is part 2 of our conversation with former Homicide Detective, Charlie Bezzina about the lesser known cases from his 38 year career with Victoria Police. You can listen to part 1 "Episode 737: Str...

29 Mars 55min

Shortcut: Strange Investigations with Charlie Bezzina - Part 2

Shortcut: Strange Investigations with Charlie Bezzina - Part 2

This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. This is part 2 of our conversation with former Homicide Detective...

29 Mars 16min

Should Sex Offenders Keep Their Super? Re-Issue

Should Sex Offenders Keep Their Super? Re-Issue

Yesterday, (March 25th 2026), the Albanese Government introduced legislation known as the Survivors Law, aimed at preventing convicted child sexual abusers from using superannuation to shield assets f...

25 Mars 45min

Shortcut: The Disappearance of Pauline Sowry

Shortcut: The Disappearance of Pauline Sowry

This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. Pauline Sowry disappeared from Wollongong’s northern suburbs in D...

23 Mars 16min

The Disappearance of Pauline Sowry

The Disappearance of Pauline Sowry

Pauline Sowry disappeared from Wollongong’s northern suburbs in December 1993 at the age of 49. An inquest in 2008 found she likely died after a reported sighting the following year, yet her body has ...

22 Mars 42min

A victim’s perspective of the mental impairment defence *re-issue*

A victim’s perspective of the mental impairment defence *re-issue*

David Cammarata’s childhood best friend is currently a forensic patient in a secure psychiatric facility. He was found not guilty of the machete murder of his own brother at a suburban shopping centre...

18 Mars 52min

Shortcut: A victim’s perspective of the mental impairment defence *re-issue*

Shortcut: A victim’s perspective of the mental impairment defence *re-issue*

David Cammarata’s childhood best friend is currently a forensic patient in a secure psychiatric facility. He was found not guilty of the machete murder of his own brother at a suburban shopping centre...

18 Mars 17min

Populärt inom True Crime

rattegangspodden
infor-ratta
podme-dokumentar
aftonbladet-krim
svenska-mordhistorier
podme-crime
mordpodden
fallen-jag-aldrig-glommer
en-mork-historia
spoktimmen
svenska-fall
forhorsrummet
p3-krim
seriemordarpodden
fangelsepodden
krimrummet
alskade-psykopat
rss-valdet-krim
bakom-galler
massmordarpodden