Rachael Brown reopens Maria James murder case

"I would never forgive myself if I just let it go," says Rachael Brown, her voice filling the room in the quiet yet piercing podcast Trace. Driven by a deep sense of injustice, Brown set out to reopen a case that has loomed like a shadow over Melbourne for decades. Trace recounts the tragic and unsolved murder mystery of Maria James, a single mother brutally murdered in her Thornbury bookshop in 1980. The first season, released in 2017, presents a tale of both courage and helplessness. With the support of a strong team at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Brown weaves a story uncovering the hidden sides of the investigation, including a scandalous DNA error that could have changed the course of the case.

In-depth journalism meets critique of secrecy deals

Rachael Brown's examination of the case became a catalyst for renewed legal action, but its strength also lies in its style and aesthetics. The podcast, with its sharp narrative style, skillfully blends in-depth journalism with intimate empathy for the bereaved. Brown keeps listeners engaged by combining cold, hard facts with heartbreaking personal testimonies from Maria James' sons, Mark and Adam, whose lives were shattered by a failing legal system. However, the work has faced criticism for what some perceive as a lack of focus on potential secret agreements between the police and the church, which could have derailed the case. Furthermore, the debate continues about the use of speculative elements without providing definitive conclusions to a story crying out for resolution.

Trace reopens the case and challenges power structures

Trace does more than just narrate an old case; it has directly prompted a reopening of the case by having the Australian coroner re-evaluate the evidence. But its significance extends beyond a single murder case; it also highlights institutional failures, especially within the church and police, and challenges power structures that often remain invisible. With its recognition, including the Walkley Award for Innovation, and its ability to influence cultural and political discourses in Australia, Trace has set a new standard for what the true-crime genre can achieve, not just as a source of thrill, but as a platform for justice and change.

Listen to the first episode at podcasts.apple.com – and follow CrimeNews for more revealing true-crime analyses that delve beyond the headlines.