Australia: The 1842 Berrima Axe Murderer

Foul Play: A Historical True Crime Podcast

Shane L. Waters, Wendy Cee, Gemma Hoskins

History, True Crime, Society & Culture

4.5 • 992 Ratings

🗓️ 4 November 2025

⏱️ 37 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In February 1842, a dingo uncovered a shallow grave near Berrima. This harrowing discovery in Australian history... In the rolling hills near Berrima, the macabre find of a dingo engaged a nation. Kearns Landregan, an Irish immigrant eagerly seeking his fortune, was just twenty-seven when his life was brutally cut short by the notorious axe murderer of 1842. His tale seesaws between hopes kindled by a new world and dreams dashed in a foreign land. Season 36 of Foul Play examines into sinister past crimes from global history. In episode 6, we uncover the chilling details of a murder that shook the foundations of a budding colony and left an indelible mark on both local memory and criminal lore. Before tragedy struck, Landregan was known for his vibrant spirit. A newcomer motivated by tales of opportunity, he hoped to prosper in the fertile soils of Australia. His laughter was the kind that could light up a crowded room, a cherished son to his mother back home. The cruel hand of fate, however, severed such potential, reminding us of life's fragility and the menace lurking in the shadows. The shockwave from this murder resonated far beyond the small town of Berrima. In a burgeoning society, the sudden end of such a promising life questioned the safety of the New South Wales settlement and spotlighted the potential for violence even in hopeful new beginnings. As investigators pieced together this crime puzzle, they wrestled with a lack of forensic technology. The evidence was stark but scarce, the grave, a bloody axe, witnesses who saw nothing. The killer's cunning successfully eluded the primitive justice system, leaving a community in a state of fear and anxiety. In 1842, Australia was at the cusp of transformation. The region around Berrima was bustling with European settlers, whose dreams of new starts were marred by sobering tales of danger. The economic drive clashed with the harsh reality of underdeveloped law enforcement, making the frontier uniquely susceptible to unchecked violence. Listeners of this episode can expect a vivid walkthrough of the investigation, immersing themselves in the tensions of colonial Australia. Through evocative storytelling and historical insights, we piece together the complex events leading to and following Landregan's tragic demise. --- Support Foul Play: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/foulplaypodcast Website: https://www.mythsandmalice.com/show/foul-play/ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/foul-play-crime-series/id1525832703 Follow us: Instagram: @foulplaycrimeseries Twitter: @foulplaypod

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Hello, friend.
0:07.0	February 19, 1842.
0:11.0	Ironstone Bridge, about seven miles from Barama, in the New South Wales Colony.
0:19.0	The summer heat had turned the brushed tracks to dust,
0:22.6	and the gum trees stood still in the heavy air.
0:26.6	The Australian sun beat down on red earth and pale bark.
0:32.6	Hugh Tinney was a drover,
0:34.6	one of the men who moved cattle along the dangerous colonial roads.
0:40.1	He knew these tracks well, knew which fords were safe, which camps offered water,
0:46.6	which stretches of road were most likely to attract bush rangers.
0:52.1	On this particular morning, he was driving his team to market when something
0:57.0	caught his eye. A dingo, one of the wild dogs that haunted the Australian wilderness,
1:04.0	scavenging what they could find. But this dingo wasn't just scavenging. It was digging. Its paws worked at the red earth
1:13.6	near the creek bank, digging up something with purpose.
1:18.6	Tinney pulled his team to a stop. Something about the animal's behavior made him uneasy.
1:25.6	He approached slowly.
1:29.9	The dingo fled into the scrub.
1:35.2	What Taney saw in that shallow grave made him take a step back.
1:40.7	A human skull stared up at him, still wearing flesh.
1:46.3	The body had been there long enough for the elements to do their work, but not long enough to disappear completely. The body wore the rough clothing of a laborer. Work clothes,
1:56.0	practical and worn. A leather belt still clenched around what remained of the wrist. A felt hat lay
2:03.6	nearby, partially buried in the red earth. These were the belongings of a working man,
	...

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