The Lesbian Vampire Killer: Inside Australia’s Bizarre 1989 Murder

In October 1989, a brutal killing on the banks of the Brisbane River shocked Queensland.

Within days, newspapers around the world were running the same chilling headline: “The Lesbian Vampire Killer.”

But how did a tragic crime become a global media sensation?

In this episode of The StickyBeak, Monika O’Hanlon revisits the infamous case of Tracey Wigginton and the murder of Edward Baldock — exploring the events of that night, the rumours that followed, and the headlines that turned a shocking crime into one of Australia’s most sensationalised stories.

This episode looks beyond the label to examine how media narratives can shape public perception — and how some headlines take on a life of their own.

Listener discretion advised.

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🎉 Big news! The StickyBeak will be returning to two episodes a week!

Wednesdays: Your regular deep dive into the weird, wonderful, and wonderfully strange stories from around the world.Mondays: A brand-new episode all about YOUR stories — the wild, funny, and outrageous confessions you send in.Got a story to share? Be a StickyBeak and submit it here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK_D0b6Cp7WAKDq4thfd4EZNrXJPba1C2r9VZkxptxbYmJtA/viewform! 🦜

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