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

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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:_–––––