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Sodeman: The Schoolgirl Strangler

Sodeman: The Schoolgirl Strangler

By: Matt Dunn
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In the quiet farming town of Leongatha, a modern-day murder mystery gripped the world—the shocking case of Erin Patterson, convicted of poisoning three relatives with a deadly mushroom meal. But long before this tragedy, another sinister figure lurked in the shadows of the same small Victorian farming community.


Join journalist Matt Dunn, along with true-crime author Katherine Kovacic and former detective Narelle Fraser, as they unravel the chilling tale of Arnold Sodeman, a serial killer whose reign of terror in the 1930s left an indelible mark on history. Through gripping storytelling and expert insights, this podcast uncovers the dark past of Leongatha and explores what drives individuals to commit unspeakable crimes.


Listen in as we peel back the layers of deception, horror, and intrigue—because some stories refuse to be buried.

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Matt Dunn Social Sciences True Crime World
Episodes
  • TRAILER

    TRAILER
    Jul 9 2025

    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, and special guests including author Katherine Kovacic and former Victoria Police detective Narelle Fraser, as they unearth the chilling story of serial killer Arnold Sodeman on ‘Sodeman: The Schoolgirl Strangler’.



    For more information and insights on the show and the life and crimes of Arnold Sodeman, check out arnsodpod.com

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    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 min
  • MENA

    MENA
    Jul 14 2025

    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 revisit the brutal murder of 12-year-old Mena Griffiths, abducted from Melbourne's Fawkner Park in November 1930 by a stranger who lured her with a simple request. One day later, her body was found in an abandoned house in Ormond—no signs of struggle, only unanswered questions. While pressure mounts on police to make a quick arrest - with a man who was 500 km from the murder scene, arrested and charged - the real killer strikes again.


    For five years, police remained unaware that they were dealing with a serial killer, as Sodeman’s ritualistic murders continued.


    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

    Facebook & Instagram

    Email

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    45 mins

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