In this episode of Territory Famous, Kellie examines the Adelaide River murders, a lesser-known Northern Territory true crime case from 2004 involving the deaths of two women in the Adelaide River near Darwin.

The case unfolded during a period of intense national media coverage for the Peter Falconio disappearance, and as a result, this investigation received far less attention than it otherwise might have. Despite the circumstances, the Adelaide River murders remain one of the most disturbing true crime cases in the Northern Territory.

This episode explores:

• The background of the victims and the events leading up to the murders
• The discovery of the bodies in the Adelaide River
• The police investigation and forensic findings
• False confessions and shifting stories involving bikie gangs and organized crime
• The trial, convictions, and sentencing of Phu Ngoc Trinh and Ben William McLean

While crocodiles are often associated with the Adelaide River, this case highlights how misinformation and false narratives complicated an already confronting investigation.

Territory Famous focuses on true crime stories from Australia’s Northern Territory, with an emphasis on cases that are overlooked, misunderstood, or overshadowed by larger national stories.

⚠️ Content warning: This episode discusses murder, violence, and the deaths of two women. Listener discretion is advised.

Researched and written by: Kellie Arrowsmith

Audio editor: Bar Brawl Records

https://www.facebook.com/BarBrawlRecords

Cover art: http://www.joshbauer.com/

"Skimpy' - a Territory memoir: Kellie Arrowsmith Books - Hachette Australia

Follow Territory Famous:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561090053520

Instagram: https://www.intagram.com/territoryfamous/

Tik Tok: Territory Famous (@territoryfamous) | TikTok

Resources:

Sentencing remarks: Wayback Machine

https://www.ntnews.com.au/news/crime-court/teen-killers-ben-mclean-and-phu-ngoc-trinh-dumped-dying-prostitutes-in-crocinfested-waters-of-adelaide-river/news-story/a4b0558e9b87c03fc5a474aa9f5561f

R v McLean & Trinh - Wikipedia

Supreme court appeal : PARTIES:_–––––

In 1986, Michael Anthony Lewis was killed in the Northern Territory during a confrontation with Peter Rudge.

Rudge claimed he was fearing for his life after alleged threats were made against his family. Following those events, he went to Lewis’s residence, where the situation escalated and Lewis was shot and killed.

The case would later focus on a claim of self-defense and how such claims are assessed under Northern Territory law. Despite the circumstances surrounding the shooting, the legal outcome left ongoing questions about escalation, intent, and accountability.

In this episode of Territory Famous, the events are examined in detail, from the reported threats and confrontation through to the court proceedings and final outcome.

Listener discretion advised.

Researched and written by: Kellie Arrowsmith

Audio editor: Bar Brawl Records

https://www.facebook.com/BarBrawlRecords

Cover art: http://www.joshbauer.com/

"Skimpy' - a Territory memoir: Kellie Arrowsmith Books - Hachette Australia

Follow Territory Famous:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561090053520

Instagram: https://www.intagram.com/territoryfamous/

Tik Tok: Territory Famous (@territoryfamous) | TikTok

YouTube: (1) Territory Famous - YouTube

Christmas in the Northern Territory is never quiet. From crocs turning up where they shouldn’t, to drunk Santas, dumb criminals, wet-season chaos and festive decisions that went off the rails, this episode rounds up the Territory’s naughtiest moments.

Researched and written by: Kellie Arrowsmith

Audio editor: Bar Brawl Records https://www.facebook.com/BarBrawlRecords

Cover art: http://www.joshbauer.com/

"Skimpy' - a Territory memoir: Kellie Arrowsmith Books - Hachette Australia

Follow Territory Famous:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561090053520

Instagram: https://www.intagram.com/territoryfamous/

Tik Tok: Territory Famous (@territoryfamous) | TikTok

YouTube: (1) Territory Famous - YouTube

Resources:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-08/family-wakes-to-find-crocodile-in-lounge-room/3762706

https://www.9news.com.au/national/family-finds-crocodile-in-lounge-room/3b19b3d2-542b-4e6c-9c61-68377c2b0437

https://globalnews.ca/news/196889/australian-family-wakes-up-to-find-crocodile-in-living-room-wildlife-rangers-take-it-away/

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-11/man-gets-stuck-in-chimney-in-outback-roadhouse/5806616

https://www.ntnews.com.au/news/alice-springs/hohohopeless-thief-gets-stuck-in-central-australia-chimney/news-story/2fed3e234e89524979862a3aacb602ea

https://www.ntnews.com.au

https://pfes.nt.gov.au

https://nt.gov.au/environment