The opinions expressed in the following episode do not necessarily reflect those of the minds

of Madness podcast.

Listener discretion is advised.

In October 1997, Joe Chinkway, uprooted his entire life in Newcastle, Australia, to

be with his girlfriend and new sing in Canberra.

The move was a prelude to a twisted and elaborate plot to extinguish the life of a young man

who had a bright and promising future.

Join me now, as we take a look into the case of a buddy new romance turned upside down

by the suicidal fantasies of a deeply troubled young woman.

You'll learn how one woman's desire to be the star performer in her own romantic tragedy

resulted in a lover's suicide pact that only she knew about.

On June 11, 1971, Joe was born to Maria Nino Chinkway in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.

Named after his grandfather Giuseppe and Joe for short, it was a name that carried on a small

piece of the family's rich and deeply woven heritage.

Originating from Italy, Joe's parents immigrated to Australia several years before he was

born.

And in 1975, Maria and Nino welcomed their second child, Joe's baby brother Anthony.

With two boys close in age, the house was often buzzing with chaos, toys left to skew

on the floor, and games of tag played throughout the family's old brick home.

But Maria and Nino relished in the ruckus, enjoying their time with the boys, realizing

they grow quickly.

And before the family knew it, Joe and Anthony were young men, setting about putting their

...