The case of Leongatha's Erin Patterson, who was recently convicted of murdering three relatives with a deadly mushroom meal, captured headlines around the world. But did you know an even more prodigious killer lived in the same small Victorian farming community in the 1930s? Join Leongatha journalist Matt Dunn, alongside author Katherine Kovacic and former Victoria Police detective Narelle Fraser, as they uncover the chilling story of Arnold Sodeman—a serial killer who terrorised Victoria in the 1930s.

In this episode we look at the wrongful arrest of Robert James McMahon for the murder of Mena Griffiths. In the spring of 1930, Melbourne was gripped by fear when the 12-year-old was found murdered in a vacant house in Ormond. Under pressure, police arrested McMahon, a recently released prisoner, and charged him with the crime. The evidence was thin, but the headlines were loud. McMahon was held in custody, awaiting trial for a murder he didn't commit. But while McMahon sat behind bars, the real killer was still free—and he struck again.

Explore the overlooked details, the investigative missteps, and the terrifying escalation of Sodeman's crimes. How did one of Victoria's worst killers evade justice for so long? Tune in as we piece together the dark legacy of a murderer who walked unnoticed among the community—until the truth finally caught up. For more information and insights on the show and the life and crimes of Arnold Sodeman, check out arnsodpod.com

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