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Podcast

The Poisoned Wife

by The Australian
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About the show

Who killed Rosslyn McQueen? The Australian’s Hedley Thomas and Karina Berger investigate the unsolved 1986 murder of a 30-year-old pregnant mother, poisoned with strychnine in her own home in country Victoria, as her toddler played nearby. Rosslyn’s husband, Ray McQueen, told police and ambulance officers she had terminal cancer. But Ros didn’t have cancer and nobody believed she would have taken her own life. This podcast, from the creator of The Teacher’s Pet, Bronwyn and Shandee’s Story, also features Rex Bakes, a relentless, retired private investigator who once worked for Ray McQueen’s defence team. Now, Rex is determined to help get justice for Ros. Subscribers to The Australian hear new episodes first on Apple Podcasts, on The Australian’s app and thepoisonedwife.com, where you’ll find photos, videos, timelines, stories and more.

Latest episodes

  • Episode 6: Fearful

    October 1, 2026 · 58 min

    Former detective Ron Blackshaw breaks his silence to reflect on critical aspects of the police case, 40 years after charging Ray with Ros's murder.  Ray told friends, neighbours, work colleagues and teenager Donna that Ros had cancer and…

  • Episode 5: The Charge

    September 24, 2026 · 59 min

    Donna drops a bombshell during her police interview. Two months after Rosslyn's sudden death, Ray asked Donna to live with him in a "husband and wife relationship". Her mother and stepfather are horrified.  Ray tells his friend Evan…

  • Episode 4: Volatility

    September 17, 2026 · 58 min

    Ray's mother Beryl McQueen tells police they used strychnine to poison foxes on the family farm, where Ray lived for about 25 years. Ray's first wife Jeanette McQueen makes startling disclosures to police about the tumultuous end of her…

  • Episode 3: Contradictions

    September 10, 2026 · 56 min

    Homicide squad detectives rush from Melbourne to Bendigo. They hit the ground running, questioning Donna and Ray within days of one another. Detectives identify contradictions in their accounts, including when Ray denies kissing Donna…

  • Episode 2: False Trail

    September 3, 2026 · 50 min

    Documents from the brief of evidence reveal that when police ask Ray McQueen whether he has any idea why his wife died at the kitchen table, he tells them “Yes, she’s had cancer”.  Police decide there are no suspicious circumstances, but…

  • Episode 1: The Suitcase

    August 20, 2026 · 52 min

    A cold case murder by strychnine poisoning of a pregnant mother of one is revived when a suitcase filled with documents is sent to the newsroom by a retired private investigator.  Secrets and lies surrounding the death of Rosslyn McQueen…

  • Introducing The Poisoned Wife

    August 20, 2026 · 1 min

    Who killed Rosslyn McQueen?  Join Hedley Thomas, Karina Berger and retired private eye Rex Bakes as they mine dark secrets in Victoria’s gold-rush country. The mysterious 1986 death by poisoning of a 30-year-old mum and her unborn baby…