BLACK HANDS - A family mass murder artwork

BLACK HANDS - A family mass murder

25 episodes - English - Latest episode: 5 months ago - ★★★★ - 317 ratings

This is the story of a mass-murder that divided a nation - a story that began in a rickety old home on a cold June morning in 1994, where five members of a seemingly ordinary New Zealand family were gunned down. There were two suspects. One lay dead from a single bullet to the head. The other was the only survivor: David Bain. Since then the country has asked: who killed the Bain family? David or his father Robin? In this podcast, Martin van Beynen explores the case from start to finish, picking through evidence, the mysteries and motives, and interviewing never-before-spoken-to witnesses. He seeks to finally answer the question: Who was the killer?

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Episodes

Recommendation: The Trial - The Retrial of David Benbow

November 14, 2023 00:12 - 46 minutes

If you've loved Black Hands here's a recommendation for another Stuff podcast we think you'll love. It's called The Trial. It’s about a fascinating murder case which went to trial even though there was no weapon or body. After a hung jury, finding ourselves in the middle of our own legal challenge and then a retrial... The Trial podcast is finally back with a verdict. Check out The Trial and follow the show to get instant access to the whole series... But for now, here's a sample for you, as ...

From Newsable: The implications of the Lauren Dickason trial

August 21, 2023 02:56 - 16 minutes

Introducing Newsable: Stuff's daily news podcast all about what everyone’s talking about! The Lauren Dickason trial highlighted some issues we don’t discuss much in New Zealand - the mental health of mothers, for example. Today, Kristina Grace, founder of the Mothers Helpers support group, urges people to be kinder to mums who might need help. And law expert Professor Chris Gallavin tackles the legal fallout - including whether current justice rules are fit for purpose. For more information a...

BONUS: Newsable Interview with Martin van Beynen, Host of Black Hands

July 17, 2023 00:00 - 6 minutes

In this special bonus episode Imogen Wells and Emile Donovan take a peek behind the scenes of Black Hands in their conversation with host, Martin van Beynen. This interview originally appeared in Newsable, Stuff's daily news podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Introducing: The Trial - The disappearance of Michael McGrath

April 03, 2023 01:21 - 36 minutes

Listen to the first episode of Stuff’s major new podcast, The Trial. In May 2017, 49-year-old builder Michael McGrath disappeared, almost without trace. No crime scene was ever found. No weapon was ever found. No body was ever found. So how could his longtime friend be arrested and charged with murder? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Introducing The Commune: Sex, drugs - and a guru called Bert

June 12, 2022 17:00 - 40 minutes - 36.9 MB

Listen to the first episode from Stuff’s major new podcast, The Commune. It's a 12-part investigation into the notorious free-love commune, Centrepoint. There are crimes. But this isn’t a whodunnit. It’s a whydunnit. Subscribe at www.stuff.co.nz/thecommune

Introducing: Once a Panther

June 20, 2021 17:00 - 51 minutes - 47.1 MB

Stuff presents Once a Panther, a major new podcast series: On June 16, 1971, a radical group of Pasifika and Māori men and women confronted state-sanctioned racism to form the Polynesian Panther Party. Like their seafaring ancestors before them, the Polynesian Panthers guided their people to a new horizon – but instead of stormy seas, they navigated a red-blooded nation raging with rugby, racism and beer. Stuff Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Spotify Stitcher RSS

Introducing: The Sure Thing

March 29, 2021 16:00 - 30 minutes - 27.7 MB

Like a good crime story? Then check out Episode One of the new hit podcast from Australia's Financial Review. The Sure Thing is the untold story of two university friends who hatched a near-perfect crime, only to be undone by the desire for more. Welcome to Australia's biggest insider trading scam. For the full series, visit www.afr.com/podcast/the-sure-thing

Introducing: Collapse

February 21, 2021 16:00 - 40 minutes - 37.3 MB

Stuff presents Collapse, a major new podcast series: On February 22 2011 a devastating earthquake shook Christchurch, killing 185. One hundred and fifteen of those people were in the CTV building – a building that should never have been built.

Introducing: Coronavirus NZ

April 06, 2020 04:18 - 58 seconds - 913 KB

Each day Stuff journalists Adam Dudding and Eugene Bingham take a closer look at the Covid-19 pandemic from a New Zealand perspective. Subscription links at player.whooshkaa.com/shows/coronavirus-nz. For more Coronavirus coverage see www.stuff.co.nz.

Before Black Hands, there was White Silence

November 10, 2019 23:55 - 36 minutes - 33.2 MB

This story also rocked a nation. On November 28, 1979, an Air New Zealand jet took off from Auckland Airport on a sightseeing trip to Antarctica. There were 257 people on board. Hours later everyone was dead. This new podcast from Stuff and RNZ explores the shocking story of New Zealand’s deadliest disaster. The renowned investigative journalist behind Black Hands, Martin van Beynen, thought you may want to know about it.

The District - A Stuff Circuit podcast

December 10, 2018 20:25 - 20 minutes - 18.4 MB

If you've enjoyed Black Hands, we want to let you know about the District. This is a 7 part crime podcast that delves into one of New Zealand's most famous murder cases. It's also about another strange death and how the two cases collide. It's all available now. We hope you enjoy it.

Stuff & RNZ Present: Gone Fishing

June 27, 2018 00:00 - 29 minutes - 27.4 MB

If you’ve enjoyed Black Hands, we want to let you know about Gone Fishing, New Zealand’s latest major crime podcast. Co-produced by Stuff and RNZ, this eight-part series dives into an historic murder mystery set in west Auckland.  Gail Maney served a life sentence for ordering the murder of Deane Fuller-Sandys, who disappeared in 1989. But Gail insists she's innocent, saying she never even met Deane. In fact, she doesn’t think he was murdered at all. She thinks he’d just – gone fishing. I...

11. The Journalist And The Judge

July 13, 2017 12:49 - 58 minutes

In 2012 Canadian judge Justice Binnie said David Bain was innocent on the balance of probabilities. Why? Hear what Binnie says and what Martin van Beynen makes of his arguments. And why does Binnie compare van Beynen to Inspector Javert, a fictitious fanatical police inspector? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10. Who Did It?

July 12, 2017 12:00 - 36 minutes

The equation is simple: It had to be either Robin or David. Now it's time to make a decision. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

9. Recovered Memories

July 11, 2017 12:00 - 50 minutes

Despite giving evidence in court only once, David Bain has said a lot about the shootings in various contexts. He has steadfastly maintained his innocence but the details of his story have changed. How plausible is it? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

8. The Suicide Puzzle

July 10, 2017 12:00 - 35 minutes

If Robin murdered his wife and children, his final task would be to shoot himself. But how likely is it that a right-handed man would shoot himself in the left temple? Is it even possible? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

7. The Case Against Robin

July 09, 2017 12:00 - 37 minutes

Could Robin have murdered his children and then taken his own life? Robin had blood and bruising on his hands. His foot size was more likely to fit bloody footprints in the house. Was a mysterious note left on the family computer Robin's final words? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

6. Bloodied Fingerprints, Broken Glasses

July 08, 2017 12:54 - 39 minutes

Although police initially regarded the shootings as a murder/suicide, evidence began to mount against David Bain. His fingerprints were on the rifle, he had blood on his T-shirt, a lens from glasses in his bedroom were found in his dead brother's room and he had injuries that were consistent with a fight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

5. Incest, Blackmail, Murder

July 07, 2017 12:00 - 45 minutes

Motive has always been the most puzzling aspect of the Bain shootings. Neither Robin nor David seemed like mass killers. But both had reasons to kill. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

4. "The Bastard Killed His Family"

July 06, 2017 12:00 - 41 minutes

The shootings appalled the country and deeply shocked the community and wider Bain family. Yet sole survivor David Bain's unusual reaction surprised many. Loyalties were tested. Suspicions were raised. And then an arrest is made. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

3. A Family's Final Days

July 05, 2017 12:00 - 44 minutes

From the outside, the Bain family seemed to have settled into a new life in Dunedin. Eldest son David was on a new path, while sister Laniet appeared to have given up prostitution and Arawa was thriving as a budding teacher. But in the six months before the shootings, cracks began to emerge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2. Mrs Bain, The Diary And The Devil

July 04, 2017 12:00 - 49 minutes

By any standard, this family was unusual, even bizarre. Mother Margaret Bain's complicated spiritual life and beliefs meant the family was constantly encouraged to put Satan behind them. She practised self hypnosis, meditation and channelling. Their life in Papua New Guinea helped to concentrate the family's oddness. How did it influence the slaughter? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1. House Of Horrors

July 03, 2017 12:00 - 39 minutes

It's June 20, 1994. Police are called to a rundown home in Dunedin, New Zealand. They're not sure what to expect after a panicked phone call. But inside were five dead bodies, a chaotic scene and and several clues pointing to the killer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Black Hands - Trailer

July 02, 2017 12:00 - 1 minute

Coming soon from Stuff: A groundbreaking new podcast series on the most controversial murders in New Zealand history - the killing of five members of the Bain family in 1994. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Introducing The Commune: Sex, drugs – and a guru called Bert

July 01, 2017 14:00 - 40 minutes

Listen to the first episode from Stuff’s major new podcast, The Commune. It's a 12-part investigation into the notorious free-love commune, Centrepoint. There are crimes. But this isn’t a whodunnit. It’s a whydunnit. Subscribe at www.stuff.co.nz/thecommune Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices