Australia: The 1842 Berrima Axe Murderer

Australia: The 1842 Berrima Axe Murderer

Author: Shane L. Waters, Wendy Cee, Gemma Hoskins November 4, 2025 Duration: 36:35
In February 1842, a dingo uncovered a shallow grave near Berrima. This harrowing discovery in Australian history... In the rolling hills near Berrima, the macabre find of a dingo engaged a nation. Kearns Landregan, an Irish immigrant eagerly seeking his fortune, was just twenty-seven when his life was brutally cut short by the notorious axe murderer of 1842. His tale seesaws between hopes kindled by a new world and dreams dashed in a foreign land. Season 36 of Foul Play delves into sinister past crimes from global history. In episode 6, we uncover the chilling details of a murder that shook the foundations of a budding colony and left an indelible mark on both local memory and criminal lore. Before tragedy struck, Landregan was known for his vibrant spirit. A newcomer motivated by tales of opportunity, he hoped to prosper in the fertile soils of Australia. His laughter was the kind that could light up a crowded room, a cherished son to his mother back home. The cruel hand of fate, however, severed such potential, reminding us of life's fragility and the menace lurking in the shadows. The shockwave from this murder resonated far beyond the small town of Berrima. In a burgeoning society, the sudden end of such a promising life questioned the safety of the New South Wales settlement and spotlighted the potential for violence even in hopeful new beginnings. As investigators pieced together this crime puzzle, they wrestled with a lack of forensic technology. The evidence was stark but scarce—the grave, a bloody axe, witnesses who saw nothing. The killer's cunning successfully eluded the primitive justice system, leaving a community in a state of fear and anxiety. In 1842, Australia was at the cusp of transformation. The region around Berrima was bustling with European settlers, whose dreams of new starts were marred by sobering tales of danger. The economic drive clashed with the harsh reality of underdeveloped law enforcement, making the frontier uniquely susceptible to unchecked violence. Listeners of this episode can expect a vivid walkthrough of the investigation, immersing themselves in the tensions of colonial Australia. Through evocative storytelling and historical insights, we piece together the intricate events leading to and following Landregan's tragic demise. --- Support Foul Play: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/foulplaypodcast Website: https://www.mythsandmalice.com/show/foul-play/ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/foul-play-crime-series/id1525832703 Follow us: Instagram: @foulplaycrimeseries Twitter: @foulplaypod

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Mood and use my code SHANE for a great deal: https://mood.com


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Step back into an era of flickering gaslight and whispered secrets, where justice was often as murky as the London fog or as stark as a frontier town’s saloon. Foul Play: A Historical True Crime Podcast exhumes long-forgotten criminal cases from the 1800s and early 1900s, meticulously piecing together stories that newspapers sensationalized and time nearly erased. Hosts Shane Waters, a veteran whose work helped shape the genre, and Wendy Cee, alongside researcher Gemma Hoskins, guide you through each meticulously researched season. They focus on a single, complete narrative, building the tension from the crime itself through the investigation and into the courtroom’s hushed drama. You’ll hear more than just the facts; you’ll get a sense of the societal pressures, the legal limitations, and the human lives entangled in each historical moment. This isn't about quick summaries-it's a deep, immersive audio experience that treats the past with the gravity it deserves. The podcast connects the dots using original documents, period accounts, and a clear-eyed analysis that separates legend from truth. It’s for anyone who wonders about the real stories lurking in the shadows of history, told with a journalist’s precision and a storyteller’s care for the victims and the complexities of their times. Listen to Foul Play for a compelling journey where every clue matters and history itself is the most important character.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Foul Play: A Historical True Crime Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Orlando: Casey Anthony's Crocodile Tears [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:05
As Casey Anthony's case develops, her tears invite scrutiny and suspicion... Foul Play continues in Season 34 with the escalating investigation post-arrest of Casey Anthony. Although Caylee remained missing, detectives a…
Orlando: Casey Anthony's 911 Call [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:08
Frantic cries for help echo in the case of Casey Anthony's 911 call... In this third installment of Season 34, Foul Play charts the chilling events leading up to one of America’s most memorable emergency calls. When Cind…
Orlando: Casey Anthony Playing Games [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:32
Games of deception unfold as the Casey Anthony case delves deeper into intrigue. Continuing Season 34 of Foul Play, we scrutinize the troubling timeline in the aftermath of Caylee Anthony’s disappearance. Episode two, ti…
Orlando: Where is Caylee Anthony? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:54
In Orlando, the search for Caylee Anthony stirs endless questions and emotions... In Season 34 of Foul Play, we open an extensive examination of one of the most gripping cases of the 21st century—the disappearance of Cay…
San Francisco: Zodiac Hoax Theory [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:57
San Francisco: Challenge all that's known about the Zodiac Killer as we explore a radical theory suggesting the infamous killer...Our Sponsors:* Check out Mood and use my code SHANE for a great deal: https://mood.comAdve…
San Francisco: Zodiac Cracking the Code [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:24
San Francisco: In the decades-long hunt for the elusive Zodiac Killer, one puzzle remains unsolved—the notorious Z340 cipher...Our Sponsors:* Check out Mood and use my code SHANE for a great deal: https://mood.comAdverti…
San Francisco: The Zodiac Movie Overview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:14
The cinematic portrayal of the Zodiac Killer unravels a haunting layer of...Our Sponsors:* Check out Mood and use my code SHANE for a great deal: https://mood.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy…
Riverside: Ross Sullivan & Cheri Jo Bates Case [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:45
Ross Sullivan's proximity to Cheri Jo Bates' murder deepens the Zodiac mystery...Our Sponsors:* Check out Mood and use my code SHANE for a great deal: https://mood.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPr…
California: Cases Against Kane & Poste — Zodiac Links [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:38
The intricate links to Kane and Poste paint a shadowy picture in the Zodiac...Our Sponsors:* Check out Mood and use my code SHANE for a great deal: https://mood.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPriva…
Brooklyn: Night of Terror — Zodiac's Reach, Pt 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:42
Brooklyn's chilling saga finds its culmination, revealing the Zodiac Copycat...Our Sponsors:* Check out Mood and use my code SHANE for a great deal: https://mood.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPriv…