On a winter night in June 2014, police were called to a rural property in Western Australia. What began as an emergency response would later become the subject of a coronial inquest, forensic debate, and years of unanswered questions. In this exclusive Coffee and Crime AU bonus episode, we examine the investigation that followed Amy Wensley’s death and the issue that came to define the case: the original scene was no longer preserved in the way that it should have been. This episode explores the officers’ first observations, the concerns raised at the scene, the forensic evidence later examined in court, and the challenge of reconstructing a moment that can never be revisited. We also look at the differing recollections of those who attended that night, and the role memory can play in long-running investigations. Rather than focusing on speculation, this episode is a careful, victim-centred examination of what was known, what was questioned, and what may never be fully understood. At the heart of the story is Amy herself — a daughter, a mother, and a woman whose life mattered beyond the circumstances of her death. The episode reflects on the lasting impact of unresolved questions while keeping Amy and her family at the centre of the narrative. In this bonus episode The emergency call that brought police to the property The officers’ first moments inside the bedroom Concerns raised by attending police The forensic issues examined during the coronial inquest How early interpretations of evidence changed over time The difficulty of investigating a scene that had already changed The lasting question of what may have been lost Listener discretion is advised. This episode contains discussion of death, firearms, and forensic evidence.

In October 2015, twelve-year-old Tiahleigh Alyssa-Rose Palmer disappeared from her foster home in Queensland. For six days, her community searched for answers. But behind the scenes, a much darker truth was unfolding. The Life of Tiahleigh Palmer This episode explores the life of Tiahleigh Palmer — a child who spent years moving between homes, carers, and court orders. She was searching for the one thing every child deserves: stability, safety, and a place to belong. From her earliest days in the child protection system, through the trauma of repeated placement changes, to her final home with the Thorburn family, we examine the events that shaped Tiahleigh’s life. We also look at the circumstances that led to her tragic death. The Investigation Unfolds We follow the investigation closely. The evidence exposed a devastating betrayal, leading to court proceedings that shocked the community. This is not just the story of a crime; it is the story of a twelve-year-old girl who loved dancing, horses, and animals. Tiahleigh was described as kind and gentle. People naturally cared about her. She was a girl who deserved a bright future. The Impact of Child Protection Failures Tiahleigh's story highlights significant failures in the child protection system. Her journey through foster care was fraught with instability. Each move took a toll on her emotional well-being. The system that was meant to protect her instead became a source of trauma. It raises questions about how we can better support vulnerable children. Remembering Tiahleigh As we reflect on Tiahleigh's life, we remember her spirit. She was a girl with dreams and aspirations. Her love for animals and dance brought joy to those around her.

Photo: Courtesy of ABC Twelve years ago, Amy Lee Wensley died at a rural property in Western Australia. Despite extensive investigations and a coronial inquest, questions about the circumstances surrounding her death remain. Amy was a daughter, a mother, and a loved member of her family. Behind every investigation is a person whose life mattered, and whose family continues to live with loss and unanswered questions. At Coffee and Crime AU, we believe it is important to keep stories like Amy’s visible. Public awareness can matter, and even the smallest piece of information may help investigators. Western Australia Police and Crime Stoppers WA continue to seek information in relation to Amy’s death. If you know anything — no matter how insignificant it may seem — you can contact Crime Stoppers WA anonymously: 🔗 https://www.crimestopperswa.com.au/open-cases/amy-lee-wensley/ Please share this post respectfully. Keeping Amy’s name in the public eye is one way we can continue to honour her memory. 🕊️ Amy Lee Wensley — never forgotten. #AmyLeeWensley #WesternAustralia #UnsolvedCase #CrimeStoppersWA #CoffeeAndCrimeAU

Case: Amy Wensley Location: Serpentine, Western Australia Date: 26 June 2014 Before You Read This article is intended as a factual companion to The Amy Wensley Story | The Truth Lost at the Crime Scene. It discusses publicly reported evidence connected to Amy Wensley’s death. The purpose is not to speculate, sensationalise, or draw conclusions beyond what has been publicly documented.

Coffee and Crime AU | Deeper Into The Case Exclusive

On a cold winter afternoon in June 2014, two little girls sat waiting in a running car while their mother walked back into a house in Serpentine, Western Australia. Minutes later, a shotgun blast shattered the silence. Amy Wensley never came back out. Her death was initially treated as a suicide, but concerns raised by attending police officers, questions about the crime scene, and later scrutiny of the investigation have left her family searching for answers for more than a decade. In this episode of Coffee and Crime AU, we examine Amy’s life before the headlines, the events of her final day, the photograph taken only minutes before her death, and the enduring uncertainty surrounding one of Western Australia’s most debated deaths. This is a victim-centred, factual, and deeply researched Australian true crime story that explores not only what happened, but why the questions remain. In this episode Amy Wensley’s background and family life The relationship difficulties in the months before her death The events of 26 June 2014 The running car and the final phone call The photograph taken shortly before the gunshot Police attendance and the crime scene examination Why some officers believed the scene required further investigation The forensic questions that continue to be debated The lasting impact on Amy’s daughters and family This episode is told with care, accuracy, and compassion, with a focus on remembering Amy as a daughter, sister, friend, and mother whose life mattered far beyond the mystery surrounding her death. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms. The Amy Wensley Story | The Truth Lost at the Crime Scene

As July comes to a close, I want to take a moment to thank every single one of you for supporting Coffee & Crime AU. Whether you've listened to an episode, shared a reel, left a review, joined a membership, or simply followed along on social media, your support helps keep these important Australian true crime stories alive. July was a busy month filled with new episodes, research, writing, and connecting with listeners across Australia and beyond. As always, my goal remains the same: to tell these stories with accuracy, respect, and a focus on the victims at their centre. July Highlights July brought some incredible engagement across the podcast and social media channels. Thank you to everyone who listened, shared, commented, and joined the conversation. Most Listened To This Month 🥇 The Tiahleigh Palmer Story 🥈 The Rachel Barber Story 🥉 Australia's Backpacker Story (Part 2) The response to these episodes was incredible, and I appreciate everyone who took the time to listen and share them. Behind the Podcast Researching Australian true crime cases often means spending hours reviewing court documents, coronial findings, police statements, media archives, and witness accounts. This month alone, dozens of hours were spent researching upcoming episodes to ensure every story is as accurate and comprehensive as possible. Whether it's late-night editing sessions, endless cups of coffee, or digging through historical records, your support makes it possible to continue producing independent Australian true crime content. Coming Up in August August is shaping up to be one of the most compelling months yet, with five major cases scheduled for release. Amy Wensley A Western Australian mother whose death was initially ruled a suicide. Years later, questions remain, and her family continues to fight for answers. Bronwyn Winfield A tragic Victorian case that left a family searching for answers and a community forever changed. Katherine Knight One of Australia's most infamous murder cases. We'll examine the events leading up to the death of John Price and the chilling aftermath that shocked the nation. Kerrie Palmer A Noosa young man whose death would eventually result in a manslaughter conviction years after the fatal assault. Sef Gonzales The shocking murders of the Gonzales family and the investigation that captivated Australia. August Release Schedule 📅 1st – Amy Wensley 4th Bonus Episode 📅 8th – Bronwyn Winfield 11th Bonus Episode 📅 15th – Kerrie Palmer 18th Bonus Episode 📅 22nd – Sef Gonzales 25th Bonus Episode 📅 29th – Katherine Knight 1st Sept Bonus Episode Release dates may vary slightly as research and production continue. Member Exclusive Preview Members will continue receiving exclusive content that goes beyond the public episodes. Early Access Members ☕ Ad-free listening☕ Early access to every new episode Deeper Into the Case Members 🔎 Full case timelines🔎 Investigation summaries🔎 Creator notes🔎 Coronial and legal document breakdowns🔎 downloadable resources Coming in August, members can look forward to additional material relating to the Amy Wensley investigation, including timeline resources and deeper analysis. True Crime Fact of the Month Did you know? A coronial inquest is not a criminal trial. In Australia, a coroner's role is to determine who died, when they died, where they died, and how they died. While coroners can make recommendations to help prevent future deaths, they do not determine criminal guilt or innocence. Many of Australia's most significant cases have involved coronial findings that later helped shape future investigations and legal proceedings. Join the Coffee & Crime AU Membership If you'd like to support the podcast and gain access to exclusive content, memberships are now available directly through the website. Your membership helps fund research, production costs, document access, website hosting, equipment upgrades, and the many hours that go into producing each episode. Whether you're looking for ad-free listening, early access, or in-depth case resources, there's a membership option for you. 👉 Join today and become part of the Coffee & Crime AU community. Stay Connected 🌐 www.coffeeandcrimeau.com.au 📸 Instagram: @coffeeandcrimeau 🎵 TikTok: @coffeeandcrimeau ▶️ YouTube: Coffee & Crime AU 📘 Facebook: Coffee & Crime AU Thank you for being part of the Coffee & Crime AU community. Every listen, share, comment, and membership helps keep these stories alive and ensures the voices of victims are never forgotten. I'll see you in August for another month of Australian true crime. — Coffee & Crime AU

On a cold winter afternoon in June 2014, two little girls waited in a running car while their mother walked back inside their home. She told them she’d only be a moment. She never came back. Twenty-four-year-old Amy Wensley was found dead from a shotgun wound at her Serpentine property, south of Perth. Within hours, her death was deemed a suicide. The protected forensic area was lifted, the scene was disturbed, and what may have been crucial evidence was lost before a full forensic examination could take place. But was it really that simple? In this episode, we carefully reconstruct Amy’s final day—from the ordinary morning phone calls and plans for a family barbecue, to the devastating argument that ended with Amy preparing to leave with her daughters. We examine the emergency calls, the decisions made by police, the concerns raised by attending officers, and the haunting photograph Amy took just minutes before her death. More than a decade later, Amy’s family are still searching for answers. Was this a tragic suicide? Or did the truth disappear the moment the crime scene was no longer protected? 🎧 Early Access members can listen now.

When Richard "Rick" Thorburn pleaded guilty to the murder of his 12-year-old foster daughter, Tiahleigh Palmer, one question dominated public discussion:

Most Australians know Rick Thorburn as the foster father who murdered 12-year-old Tiahleigh Palmer.

Tiahleigh Palmer's childhood, child protection placements, and experiences that shaped the girl behind the headlines Tiahleigh Palmer was a 12-year-old girl who loved horses, animals, and dancing. Before she became known through a tragic case, she was a child with her own personality, interests, and dreams. When you hear the name Tiahleigh Palmer today, it's often linked to the heartbreaking events of her death in 2015. The investigation. The court case. The endless questions. But Tiahleigh’s story didn’t start there. Before she became known across Australia, she was just a young girl growing up, discovering her interests, making friends, and dealing with the ups and downs of childhood. Looking at her life before those tragic events gives us important insight into the case—not just the decisions made around her, but also the experiences that shaped who she was. Early Childhood: The Girl Behind the Case File Tiahleigh was remembered as a young girl who loved animals, horses, dancing, and spending time with friends. Tiahleigh Palmer was born on April 13, 2003. Her early years were influenced by situations that eventually led her to be involved with Queensland’s child protection system. Like many kids in care, there wasn't just one big event that changed everything. Instead, concerns grew over time, leading to important decisions by the adults and agencies responsible for her care. Behind those decisions was a child growing up. Tiahleigh had the same everyday experiences as many kids her age. She loved dancing, was crazy about animals, and had a special interest in horses. People who knew her described her as caring and affectionate, with a personality that really stood out to those around her. These details matter because they give a better picture of who Tiahleigh was beyond the circumstances that later surrounded her death. Entering the Child Protection System For children entering care, the experience can involve major changes — new environments, new routines, and new relationships to navigate. As worries about Tiahleigh Palmers's situation grew, she got involved with the Queensland child protection system. Child protection steps in when there are worries about a kid's safety or wellbeing. These decisions can be tricky since they involve juggling a lot of different things like the child's needs, family ties, the info on hand, and the risks seen at the time. For a child, going into care can be a pretty big life change. It might mean leaving behind familiar places and getting used to a new setting with different adults, routines, and expectations. Even though foster care aims to give kids safety and stability, the switch can be tough. Kids might have to roll with changes they didn't choose and get to know people they've just met. For Tiahleigh, going into care started a new chapter in her childhood — one where stability and belonging became key parts of her journey. Foster Placements: A Childhood of Change For children in care, every placement represents another transition — another home, another routine, and another adjustment. Before moving in with the Thorburns, Tiahleigh had been through a bunch of different foster homes. Each new place meant adjusting all over again. A new house. New people taking care of her. New routines. New expectations. For kids in foster care, these changes can be both a chance and a challenge. A new home might give a kid the support and stability they need, but every move means they have to get used to everything all over again. Starting fresh can mean figuring out new household routines, making new friends, and finding their way in a new place. Despite all these changes, Tiahleigh kept living like any other teenager. She went to school, hung out with friends, and kept doing the things she loved — like spending time with animals, riding horses, and dancing. Her time in foster care was part of her story, but it wasn’t all she was. The Thorburn Placement Tiahleigh Palmer was a young girl with a future ahead of her — a student, a friend, and a child who loved horses, animals, and dancing. Back in 2014, Tiahleigh moved in with Rick and Julene Thorburn, who were experienced foster parents. They were supposed to give her a stable home and a family vibe. During her time with them, she went to school, made friends, and became part of the Thorburn family. She was just a regular teenager with typical interests and dreams for the future. After she passed away, the Thorburns' home became the focus of the investigation and court proceedings. People started asking what really happened during that time, what the caregivers knew, and if anything could have been done differently. These questions became a big part of the case discussions. But before all that, Tiahleigh was just a kid living her life. Remembering Tiahleigh Before the Headlines Before she was part of a case file, Tiahleigh was a child with dreams, friendships, and a future ahead of her. When we think about Tiahleigh Palmer's story, it's important to look beyond just the final events. We need to think about the years leading up to it — her childhood, her time in care, the adults who were part of her life, and the systems that were supposed to support her. Those years give us crucial context to really understand what happened. Tiahleigh was a student, a friend, and a young girl with her own interests and dreams. By remembering her life before the tragedy, we can see her story as a whole — not just through what happened later, but through who she was before it all.

In 2015, Australia was shocked by the disappearance and murder of 12-year-old Tiahleigh Palmer. But before she became a headline, Tiahleigh was a child who spent her life searching for stability. She loved dancing. She loved horses. She loved animals. She was described by those who knew her as kind, gentle and a child people fell in love with. This episode tells Tiahleigh’s story from the beginning — her childhood, her years in the child protection system, the many placements she experienced, and her final placement with the Thorburn family.