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DELVE SERIES 7 - FRACTURED SEASON 2: Season 2 of Fractured will be launching shortly. In the meantime we have published two special bonus episodes.DELVE SERIES 6 – SATANIC PANIC: Peter Ellis, the Creche Case & Me: In never-before-heard interviews, this gripping series takes you inside one of New Zealand’s most controversial legal cases, when a kind of madness gripped Christchurch, resulting in a miscarriage of justice that would take 30 years to put right. Satanic Panic is the first Melanie Reid podcast, now re-released and available on DELVE.DELVE SERIES 5 - POWDER KEG: Some stories grow from a green shoot; some explode like a powd...

S7 | Fractured Season 2 | Bonus Episode: The Syndrome

S7 | Fractured Season 2 | Bonus Episode: The Syndrome

We’ll be launching season 2 of Fractured soon, but before we do, we are going to play you some extracts from a US documentary called The Syndrome. It’s a film that challenges the scientific validity of Shaken Baby syndrome and highlights the impact of wrongful convictions on families, featuring a group of doctors who consider the diagnosis to be junk science. It also reveals the history and politics behind Shaken Baby Syndrome in the US, drawing parallels with the discredited Satanic ritual abus

Feb 10, • 48:05

S7 | Fractured Season 2 | Bonus Episode: The Uplift

S7 | Fractured Season 2 | Bonus Episode: The Uplift

As we prepare for season two of Fractured, we are publishing this special bonus episode. In 2019, Melanie Reid and the Newsroom team released a groundbreaking video investigation that exposed the practice of newborns being taken directly from hospital birthing units in New Zealand. As with our Fractured series, we questioned the policies, practices and actions of our state agencies. This story sparked four inquiries into Oranga Tamariki and an urgent Waitangi Tribunal hearing. Now, for the first

Jan 29, • 52:14

S6 | Ep 9: Satanic Panic: Peter Ellis, the Creche Case & Me | Bonus Episode

S6 | Ep 9: Satanic Panic: Peter Ellis, the Creche Case & Me | Bonus Episode

In this special bonus episode, we talk to Peter Ellis’ sister, Tania, about what has happened since the Supreme Court quashed her brother’s convictions. Has his family received an apology from the government for the miscarriage of justice? And what about Peter’s four women co-workers whose lives were turned upside down for decades when they were also charged with child abuse and then discharged in the early 1990s? To watch the video version of this episode, click here, and to read the most recen

Jan 3, • 21:52

S6 | Ep 8: Satanic Panic: Peter Ellis, the Creche Case & Me | The Girl Who Retracted

S6 | Ep 8: Satanic Panic: Peter Ellis, the Creche Case & Me | The Girl Who Retracted

In this shocking final episode, the girl who retracted speaks out for the first time, and bittersweet justice at last.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 3, • 26:33

S6 | Ep 7: Satanic Panic: Peter Ellis, the Creche Case & Me | The Author Vs Everyone

S6 | Ep 7: Satanic Panic: Peter Ellis, the Creche Case & Me | The Author Vs Everyone

A book blows the case wide open and reveals the power and politics behind the case. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 3, • 23:12

S6 | Ep 6: Satanic Panic: Peter Ellis, the Creche Case & Me | Prison

S6 | Ep 6: Satanic Panic: Peter Ellis, the Creche Case & Me | Prison

The top cop at the centre of the case admits to multiple affairs with complainant mothers and a social worker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 3, • 33:49

S6 | Ep 5: Satanic Panic: Peter Ellis, the Creche Case & Me | The Trial

S6 | Ep 5: Satanic Panic: Peter Ellis, the Creche Case & Me | The Trial

An up close and personal look at what remains one of New Zealand’s most notorious High Court trials. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 3, • 29:17

S6 | Ep 4: Satanic Panic: Peter Ellis, the Creche Case & Me | Four Women Arrested

S6 | Ep 4: Satanic Panic: Peter Ellis, the Creche Case & Me | Four Women Arrested

Police raid the suburban homes of four women creche workers, convinced they are part of an organised child abuse ring.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 3, • 26:58

S6 | Ep 3: Satanic Panic: Peter Ellis, the Creche Case & Me | Police And Panic

S6 | Ep 3: Satanic Panic: Peter Ellis, the Creche Case & Me | Police And Panic

Panic spreads through the families - a frenzy being led by therapists and police. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 3, • 25:58

S6 | Ep 2: Satanic Panic: Peter Ellis, the Creche Case & Me | Peter Arrested

S6 | Ep 2: Satanic Panic: Peter Ellis, the Creche Case & Me | Peter Arrested

Police are convinced Ellis is not acting alone, and the fear and paranoia go through the roof. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 3, • 24:41

S6 | Ep 1: Satanic Panic: Peter Ellis, the Creche Case & Me | Unbelievable

S6 | Ep 1: Satanic Panic: Peter Ellis, the Creche Case & Me | Unbelievable

In early 1990s Christchurch a young gay childcare worker faces bizarre accusations of child abuse.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 3, • 28:19

S5 | Powder Keg | Ep 11: The Final Play In Playa Del Carmen

S5 | Powder Keg | Ep 11: The Final Play In Playa Del Carmen

We’ve interviewed dozens of people about their experiences with ‘Chris the Kiwi’ Ashenden, his billion-dollar company, and his market-leading AG1. They have questions stemming from his history of criminal dishonesty, from the job losses as he quietly cut production costs, and from his scientific claims today that stretch credibility. To find him, we’ve come all the way across the Pacific, from NZ to Chilé to Colombia…and now we discover Chris has flown out to Mexico.  This is the final episode o

Dec 22, 2024 • 54:29

S5 | Powder Keg | Ep 10: The Chase To Medellin

S5 | Powder Keg | Ep 10: The Chase To Medellin

We’ve come 12,000 kilometres from Auckland to Medellín, on the trail of Chris Ashenden, the chief executive of AG1. We don’t have his number or his address, but we think he lives here. Today’s Medellín is a vibrant city that’s attracting new investment and faces from around the world – but the legacy of drug lord Pablo Escobar and the paramilitaries still echoes in violence on the streets. You might expect us to pack Kevlar body armour for our visit. Instead, we pack our gym gear – because one t

Dec 17, 2024 • 32:20

S5 | Powder Keg | Ep 9: Chopped Liver

S5 | Powder Keg | Ep 9: Chopped Liver

The US Food and Drug Administration reveals it’s received 118 adverse event complaints from AG1 users – this year alone. In particular, there are 30-plus reports of liver harm in 2023 and 2024.  The billion dollar company dismisses the liver harm complaints as “extremely rare”, saying it can be caused by a range of things such as alcoholic liver injury, viral hepatitis and autoimmune disease. The FDA hasn’t investigated the complaints to confirm whether they are indeed caused by AG1 – but some c

Dec 17, 2024 • 40:25

S5 | Powder Keg | Ep 8: The Powder Of Science

S5 | Powder Keg | Ep 8: The Powder Of Science

We talk to people like Andy and Lisa who’ve used AG1 – and they’re not happy. They want to know what’s in the green powder supplement, in what quantities – and whether there’s any scientific evidence it has any health benefits. That’s a good question. So we bring in four world-leading university nutritionists and toxicologists to critique the research. They’re concerned there’s no gold standard large-scale clinical trial – and most of AG1’s published research is in a few controversial pay-to-pla

Dec 10, 2024 • 29:10

S5 | Powder Keg | Ep 7: Played In NZ

S5 | Powder Keg | Ep 7: Played In NZ

For years, AG1 has boasted of being ‘Made in New Zealand’. But where is its mystery factory? We track down a little-known contract manufacturing company in the sunny city of Nelson – and discover a much darker story. Despite trading off New Zealand’s clean, green brand, AG1 has been quietly shifting its production to America. In the past year, this has cost nearly 180 New Zealanders their jobs – and piqued the interest of the country’s commerce regulator. If AG1’s 700,000 customers can’t trust t

Dec 3, 2024 • 40:29

S5 | Powder Keg | Ep 6: Marketing Mania

S5 | Powder Keg | Ep 6: Marketing Mania

Joe Rogan is one of the world’s wealthiest influencers – and we’re told AG1 is one of his best clients, paying him about $10 million a year to promote its popular green powder. Scientist Dr Andrew Huberman gets about $2 million. Gwyneth Paltrow, Formula 1’s Sir Lewis Hamilton, Olympic champion Allyson Felix … the list goes on. AG1 is the OG of influencer marketing; it spends more on audio than just about any other company in the world. But are the company and its well-paid ambassadors being upfr

Nov 26, 2024 • 41:08

S5 | Powder Keg | Ep 5: A Flop And A Skip

S5 | Powder Keg | Ep 5: A Flop And A Skip

A leaked recording reveals the Kiwi founder of billion-dollar supplements firm AG1 misrepresented his criminal history in public statements and in a meeting with the company’s president and staff, just this year. Chris Ashenden’s high-powered American lawyer claimed he had never been charged with a crime, or convicted of a crime, or been the subject of an arrest warrant – but none of those things was correct.  We listen to the recording alongside Anita Mika, who lost her home in Chris’s property

Nov 19, 2024 • 39:33

S5 | Powder Keg | Ep 4: The Antagonists

S5 | Powder Keg | Ep 4: The Antagonists

Travelling to New Zealand’s southernmost city, with a chill wind that feels like it’s blowing off Antarctica, we discover it was a woman named Dee Chisholm who first blew the whistle on Chris the Kiwi’s criminal property schemes.  But tracking her down won’t be easy…until we drive out to a small remote mining village called Nightcaps. Everyone has secrets. And in this episode, we finally meet the protagonists – some might call them antagonists – who faced off in former police officer Chris Ashen

Nov 12, 2024 • 29:24

S5 | Powder Keg | Ep 3: The Asshole Of The World

S5 | Powder Keg | Ep 3: The Asshole Of The World

We track down families who lost their homes in 'Chris the Kiwi’ Ashenden’s property dealings. And what happens next is what Powder Keg, the podcast, is all about – Ashenden, his unorthodox billion-dollar business and his magical mystery powder.  All we know is that his company AG1 is headquartered at an address in Carson City, Nevada. If it comes to the crunch and he doesn’t front, we’ll need to go there to talk with the company’s founder. What we didn’t know is the story of criminal offending t

Nov 5, 2024 • 30:44

S4 | Fractured Season 1 | Ep 9: Declined

S4 | Fractured Season 1 | Ep 9: Declined

Our final episode in this season coincides with world headlines about a man facing execution for the same diagnosis that imprisoned Zita. Shaken baby syndrome is being called “junk science” in the US, but it has upended the life Zita had hoped for in New Zealand. Now out of jail, she is battling her impending deportation with Immigration NZ, all while continuing to maintain her innocence. Will she get to see her daughter? Will the international experts come through in time? And why won’t Starshi

Nov 5, 2024 • 31:48

S5 | Powder Keg | Ep 2: The Untold NZ Story

S5 | Powder Keg | Ep 2: The Untold NZ Story

When investigative journalist Jonathan Milne started slugging back an expensive, vivid green AG1 shake every morning to get in shape for his 50th birthday, he knew what the company’s chief science officer said – that the green powder product would make him healthier. What he didn’t know about were the adverse reports to the Food and Drug Administration of liver damage, nor of the scrutiny by the courts, and now of a national regulator. Episodes 1 and 2 of Powder Keg are live now, with Episode 3

Oct 30, 2024 • 26:48

S5 | Powder Keg | Ep 1: Meet Chris Ashenden

S5 | Powder Keg | Ep 1: Meet Chris Ashenden

Chris Ashenden and Jonathan Milne are both Kiwi blokes in their late 40s. Chris has an unrelenting personal ambition – it’s served him well. The business leader’s quest wasn’t for the Holy Grail, it was for a holy green drink. Jonathan is an investigative journalist. What’s served him well is his doggedness. And when Chris wouldn’t front for an interview about the success of his green powder shake and his US$1.2 billion company, Jonathan began asking questions.  At first, Chris’s AG1 supplement

Oct 30, 2024 • 27:03

S4 | Fractured Season 1 | Ep 8: Going International

S4 | Fractured Season 1 | Ep 8: Going International

Things really start to wind up when Melanie and Bonnie have a major breakthrough and track down a UK paediatric pathologist who was at forefront of overturning murder charges in a high profile London case. She throws a whole new light on our case and will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew.Presented by award-winning investigations editor Melanie Reid. Discover more at Newsroom.co.nz*Listen to the first eight episodes free. If you want to support our work and hear today’s Episo

Oct 29, 2024 • 36:18

S5 | Welcome to Powder Keg

S5 | Welcome to Powder Keg

Some stories grow from a green shoot; some explode like a powder keg. The global supplement market is worth $200 billion a year, and Chris Ashenden is a rock star of the industry. Yet in his home country of New Zealand, nobody had heard of him. Investigative journalist Jonathan Milne wanted to tell his story – but when Chris proved elusive, alarm bells began to ring. In the latest electrifying podcast from DELVE, we investigate the superstar endorsements, the science and the safety of the world’

Oct 22, 2024 • 2:16

S4 | Fractured Season 1 | Ep 7: Bedevilled

S4 | Fractured Season 1 | Ep 7: Bedevilled

How did moving to live in the dream country of New Zealand end up like this? Prison, divorce and a baby in the custody of the state.Presented by award-winning investigations editor Melanie Reid. Discover more at Newsroom.co.nz*Listen to the first seven episodes free. If you want to support our work and hear today’s Episode 8 right away, become a subscriber to DELVE+. Sign up to DELVE+ to get early access to new episodes and receive exclusive bonus material, all ad-free.* Hosted on Acast. See aca

Oct 22, 2024 • 38:34

S4 | Fractured Season 1 | Ep 6: The Judge And The Sentencing

S4 | Fractured Season 1 | Ep 6: The Judge And The Sentencing

Zita continues to maintain her innocence as the courtroom drama concludes with the judge delivering a sentence Zita is totally unprepared for. In jail, she is put in an isolation wing after inmates call her a baby killer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 15, 2024 • 25:39

S4 | Fractured Season 1 | Ep 5: The Trial And The Defence

S4 | Fractured Season 1 | Ep 5: The Trial And The Defence

Did some of Baby K’s fractures occur while on 24 hour watch in the hospital? What about the traumatic birth? “Doctors sometimes can and do get it wrong”…all this and more in the final address of Zita’s lawyer.  *Listen to the first five episodes free. If you want to support our work and hear today’s Episode 6 right away, become a subscriber to DELVE+. DELVE+ subscribers get Early Release, Ad Free listening.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 8, 2024 • 34:32

S4 | Fractured Season 1 | Ep 4: The Trial And The Crown

S4 | Fractured Season 1 | Ep 4: The Trial And The Crown

What is it like to be charged with child abuse in a foreign country? Zita finds out as she faces the might of Starship Hospital at her criminal trial.*Listen to the first four episodes free. If you want to hear today's Episode 5 right away, become a subscriber to DELVE+. DELVE+ subscribers get Early Release, Ad Free listening.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 1, 2024 • 32:45

S4 | Fractured Season 1 | Ep 3: Surveillance And Supervision

S4 | Fractured Season 1 | Ep 3: Surveillance And Supervision

The NZ police investigation ramps up and, with their child taken, the couple have their house bugged, their phones tapped and just as they think it can’t get any worse…it does.*Listen to the first three episodes free. If you want to hear today’s Episode 4 right away, become a subscriber to DELVE+. DELVE+ subscribers get Early Release, Ad Free listening.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 24, 2024 • 21:45

S4 | Fractured Season 1 | Ep 2: Meeting The Couple

S4 | Fractured Season 1 | Ep 2: Meeting The Couple

Melanie and Bonnie meet the young couple at the centre of this case and they begin to unravel the complex cascade of events that led to a young mother being accused, convicted and jailed for two and a half years - and the daunting fight that lies ahead.*If you want to hear Episode 3 as soon as it's released, become a subscriber to DELVE+*Sign up to DELVE+ to get early access to new episodes and receive exclusive bonus material, all ad-free.Presented by award-winning investigations editor Melanie

Sep 11, 2024 • 26:30

S4 | Fractured Season 1 | Ep 1: Up Against It

S4 | Fractured Season 1 | Ep 1: Up Against It

What happens when the dream country, New Zealand, becomes a living hell? The Boy in the Water creator, multi-award-winning journalist Melanie Reid, is in the middle of another story when she receives an email that causes her to drop everything and get on a plane. After a year of extensive investigations, we now bring you that case.Sign up to DELVE+ to get early access to new episodes and receive exclusive bonus material, all ad-free. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 11, 2024 • 24:15

S3 | The Boy in the Water Ep 15: The Closing Addresses

S3 | The Boy in the Water Ep 15: The Closing Addresses

On the final day of the coronial inquest into the death of three-year-old Lachie Jones, his mother has a statement read out in court, Lachie’s father addresses the Coroner and throws more shade on the police investigations - and the lawyers play their final cards for and against an accidental drowning.We also introduce our scorching, brand new podcast investigation on DELVE, coming very soon!Sign up to DELVE+ to get early access to new episodes and receive exclusive bonus material, all ad-free.P

Sep 9, 2024 • 1:12:20

S3 | The Boy in the Water Ep 14: Tyler And Jonny

S3 | The Boy in the Water Ep 14: Tyler And Jonny

Jonathan appears via videolink from his new home in Australia to respond to allegations he threw his little brother Lachie in the pond, and the young man at the centre of the Facebook messages gets riled up during cross examination.Sign up to DELVE+ to get early access to new episodes and receive exclusive bonus material, all ad-free.Presented by award-winning investigations editor Melanie Reid. Discover more at Newsroom.co.nz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 8, 2024 • 1:01:17

S3 | The Boy in the Water Ep 13: The Facebook Message Testimony

S3 | The Boy in the Water Ep 13: The Facebook Message Testimony

Things get heated in court when the young woman at the centre of the messages that allege Lachie’s brother threw him in the pond testifies at the inquest - and she fires back at attempts to question her motive and undermine her evidence.Sign up to DELVE+ to get early access to new episodes and receive exclusive bonus material, all ad-free.Presented by award-winning investigations editor Melanie Reid. Discover more at Newsroom.co.nz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 5, 2024 • 54:35

S3 | The Boy in the Water Ep 12: The Paediatrician

S3 | The Boy in the Water Ep 12: The Paediatrician

A doctor from Starship Children’s Hospital is questioned on all the big mysteries in the case including that Lachie was found face up, had no water in his lungs and had no external injuries.You can see an image of a cross section of the pond on our Facebook page and our Instagram page. Sign up to DELVE+ to get early access to new episodes and receive exclusive bonus material, all ad-free.Presented by award-winning investigations editor Melanie Reid. Discover more at Newsroom.co.nz and search for

Sep 4, 2024 • 48:42

S3 | The Boy in the Water Ep 11: The Psychologist And The Water Guy

S3 | The Boy in the Water Ep 11: The Psychologist And The Water Guy

As the line-up of experts continues, we go on a crash course on the inner workings of the Gore sewerage ponds, and we hear yet another opinion on whether Lachie could have made it all the way out there by himself.You can see an image of a cross section of the pond on our Facebook page and our Instagram page. Sign up to DELVE+ to get early access to new episodes and receive exclusive bonus material, all ad-free.Presented by award-winning investigations editor Melanie Reid. Discover more at Newsro

Sep 3, 2024 • 36:11

S4 | Welcome to Season 1 of Fractured

S4 | Welcome to Season 1 of Fractured

DELVE presents the new in-depth podcast from Melanie Reid Investigates about a controversial medical diagnosis from a New Zealand hospital and the cascade of events that followed.  A baby taken, a mother jailed, a couple forced apart and facing deportation without their daughter.  Crushed by the weight of multiple government departments working in lockstep, what happens when the dream of a new country becomes an unimaginable nightmare?  In this new investigation, Melanie Reid and her team take t

Sep 2, 2024 • 1:53

S3 | The Boy in the Water Ep 10: The Depot

S3 | The Boy in the Water Ep 10: The Depot

In today’s episode, The Depot, three months after giving evidence in the first phase of the inquest, Michelle Officer presents a new sworn statement that changes her account of her movements at the depot that afternoon, but a contractor who works from the same depot says Lachie and his mother weren’t there.Sign up to DELVE+ to get early access to new episodes and receive exclusive bonus material, all ad-free.Presented by award-winning investigations editor Melanie Reid. Discover more at Newsroom

Sep 2, 2024 • 26:26

S3 | The Boy in the Water Ep 9: Chipping Away

S3 | The Boy in the Water Ep 9: Chipping Away

Robin Bates, lawyer for the police, goes into full Crown prosecutor mode, as he tries to dent the findings, methodology and conclusion in former forensic detective Karen Smith’s report.Sign up to DELVE+ to get early access to new episodes and receive exclusive bonus material, all ad-free.Presented by award-winning investigations editor Melanie Reid. Discover more at Newsroom.co.nz and search for Melanie Reid Investigates on Facebook and Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more

Sep 1, 2024 • 54:32

S3 | The Boy in the Water Ep 8: Bates Vs Smith

S3 | The Boy in the Water Ep 8: Bates Vs Smith

Robin Bates, the lawyer representing the police, goes head to head with former forensic detective Karen Smith.Sign up to DELVE+ to get early access to new episodes and receive exclusive bonus material, all ad-free.Presented by award-winning investigations editor Melanie Reid. Discover more at Newsroom.co.nz and search for Melanie Reid Investigates on Facebook and Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 29, 2024 • 43:01

S3 | The Boy in the Water Ep 7: Staged As An Accident

S3 | The Boy in the Water Ep 7: Staged As An Accident

In today’s episode, Staged As An Accident, Karen Smith details timelines, distances, witness statements and the 111 call, and explains how she reached her conclusion that Lachie’s death was staged to look like an accident. Sign up to DELVE+ to get early access to new episodes and receive exclusive bonus material, all ad-free.Presented by award-winning investigations editor Melanie Reid. Discover more at Newsroom.co.nz and search for Melanie Reid Investigates on Facebook and Instagram. Hosted on

Aug 27, 2024 • 28:30

S3 | The Boy in the Water Ep 6: Totality Of Circumstances

S3 | The Boy in the Water Ep 6: Totality Of Circumstances

Karen Smith lays out the system failures, biases and exactly what went wrong with the investigation into Lachie’s death - and questions why the NZ police are so obstinate in this case.Sign up to DELVE+ to get early access to new episodes and receive exclusive bonus material, all ad-free.Presented by award-winning investigations editor Melanie Reid. Discover more at Newsroom.co.nz and search for Melanie Reid Investigates on Facebook and Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more i

Aug 25, 2024 • 32:55

S3 | The Boy in the Water Ep 5: The Americans

S3 | The Boy in the Water Ep 5: The Americans

A forensic pathologist and a retired forensic detective, both Americans, give evidence in the Invercargill courtroom and fiercely defend their views – one emphatic Lachie drowned, the other who says his death was staged.Sign up to DELVE+ to get early access to new episodes and receive exclusive bonus material, all ad-free.Presented by award-winning investigations editor Melanie Reid. Discover more at Newsroom.co.nz and search for Melanie Reid Investigates on Facebook and Instagram. Hosted on Aca

Aug 21, 2024 • 35:03

S3 | The Boy in the Water Ep 4: The Unequivocal Pathologist

S3 | The Boy in the Water Ep 4: The Unequivocal Pathologist

The controversy steps up a notch when a Wellington based forensic pathologist enters the frame and is intractable on Lachie’s cause of death. Sign up to DELVE+ to get early access to new episodes and receive exclusive bonus material, all ad-free.Presented by award-winning investigations editor Melanie Reid. Discover more at Newsroom.co.nz and search for Melanie Reid Investigates on Facebook and Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 18, 2024 • 39:26

S3 | The Boy in the Water Ep 3: Balance Of Probabilities

S3 | The Boy in the Water Ep 3: Balance Of Probabilities

Speculation and hypothetical scenarios are thrown around the courtroom, as the absence of a forensic autopsy limits options.Sign up to DELVE+ to get early access to new episodes and receive exclusive bonus material, all ad-free.Presented by award-winning investigations editor Melanie Reid. Discover more at Newsroom.co.nz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 15, 2024 • 36:58

S3 | The Boy in the Water Ep 2: The Forensic Pathologist

S3 | The Boy in the Water Ep 2: The Forensic Pathologist

Dr Martin Sage, the man who says he could have and should have done the forensic autopsy on Lachie, takes the stand. He gives a rare window into the reality of forensic autopsies and we find out what he believes may or may not have happened to Lachie.Sign up to DELVE+ to get early access to new episodes and receive exclusive bonus material, all ad-free.Presented by award-winning investigations editor Melanie Reid. Discover more at Newsroom.co.nz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more in

Aug 12, 2024 • 36:14

S3 | The Boy in the Water Ep 1: Scent Or No Scent

S3 | The Boy in the Water Ep 1: Scent Or No Scent

Melanie Reid and her team make their way south for the second phase of the inquest, and on the first day a police dog expert is asked that if Lachie walked out to the ponds, why did the police dog not pick up his scent until 30 metres out?Sign up to DELVE+ to get early access to new episodes and receive exclusive bonus material, all ad-free.Presented by award-winning investigations editor Melanie Reid. Discover more at Newsroom.co.nz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 9, 2024 • 25:13

S3 | The Boy in the Water Breaking Episode: The Facebook Messages

S3 | The Boy in the Water Breaking Episode: The Facebook Messages

Following a tip-off, Melanie Reid heads south and gets the Facebook messages, the phone and the explosive interview.The Boy in the Water is now part of our new investigative podcast channel, DELVE. Melanie Reid Investigates will be releasing gripping, in-depth podcasts on DELVE throughout the year. If you would like to support our work:Sign up to DELVE+ here for Android and Spotify listeners to get early access to new episodes and receive exclusive bonus material, all ad-free. Check your email f

Aug 4, 2024 • 26:09

S3 | The Boy in the Water Bonus Episode: The Aquatic Death Investigator

S3 | The Boy in the Water Bonus Episode: The Aquatic Death Investigator

US-based Andrea Zaferes, who has investigated thousands of ‘body found in water’ cases, tells Melanie Reid what stacks up and what doesn’t when investigating suspected drownings. You can also watch a short video of Andrea explaining the positions bodies are commonly found in when they are in water, on our Facebook page and our Instagram page. Sign up to DELVE+ here for Android and Spotify listeners to get early access to new episodes and receive exclusive bonus material, all ad-free.For Apple Po

Jul 30, 2024 • 33:27

S2 | Episode 23: The Reinvestigation

S2 | Episode 23: The Reinvestigation

On the last day of phase one of the inquest, Detective Inspector Stu Harvey is cross examined about witness statements that weren’t taken, the reliability of eyewitness identifications, and any lessons he gleaned from the reinvestigation. Coroner Ho then wraps up the inquest for now.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 30, 2024 • 51:41

S2 | Episode 22: The Detective Inspector

S2 | Episode 22: The Detective Inspector

The final witness to appear for this first phase of the inquest is the man who was in charge of the reinvestigation into Lachie’s death, Detective Inspector Stu Harvey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 29, 2024 • 45:46

S2 | Episode 21: Finding Lachie

S2 | Episode 21: Finding Lachie

The police dog handler who found Lachie with his dog Gee gives his evidence in closed court. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 28, 2024 • 29:13

S2 | Episode 20: The Mortuary Technician

S2 | Episode 20: The Mortuary Technician

Bill Little, who’s been in the job for more than 30 years, sets the record straight about process, protocol and who is responsible for what.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 28, 2024 • 39:19

S2 | Episode 19: The Reluctant Pathologist

S2 | Episode 19: The Reluctant Pathologist

The pathologist who conducted the post mortem on Lachie tells the inquest they didn’t even have the right equipment to do pediatric autopsies in Southland.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 26, 2024 • 57:53

S2 | Episode 18: The Former Sergeant

S2 | Episode 18: The Former Sergeant

A former police officer who worked under Senior Sergeant Cynthia Fairley refutes her assertion that he was in charge of the investigation into Lachie’s death. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 23, 2024 • 54:21

S2 | Episode 17: Wrong Direction

S2 | Episode 17: Wrong Direction

The pressure is on to find out who was responsible, who was in charge, and who turned around the autopsy.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 22, 2024 • 50:28

S2 | Episode 16: Cynthia

S2 | Episode 16: Cynthia

Senior Sergeant Cynthia Fairley, the police officer at the centre of the case, is in the witness box.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 21, 2024 • 43:42

S2 | Episode 15: Who's In Charge?

S2 | Episode 15: Who's In Charge?

The first of the police officers scheduled to appear at the inquest takes to the witness stand, and we begin to hear about the confusion over who was in charge of the investigation into Lachie's death. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 20, 2024 • 41:32

S2 | Episode 14: The Shirtless Man

S2 | Episode 14: The Shirtless Man

The sighting of a mysterious shirtless man, what one of Lachie's preschool teachers remembers about him, and the two paramedics who worked on the little boy's lifeless body all feature in this collection of shorter witness testimonies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 19, 2024 • 38:30

S2 | Episode 13: What Happened To Him?

S2 | Episode 13: What Happened To Him?

The police’s lawyer tackles Paul about making claims that Michelle and her sons had something to do with Lachie’s death. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 16, 2024 • 31:28

S2 | Episode 12: Lachie’s Father

S2 | Episode 12: Lachie’s Father

Paul is questioned about his relationship with Michelle and the events on the day and night leading up to Lachie’s death. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 15, 2024 • 44:40

S2 | Episode 11: A New Witness

S2 | Episode 11: A New Witness

You could have heard a pin drop in courtroom four when a new witness was asked why he thought something he saw could relate to the death of Lachie Jones. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 14, 2024 • 37:19

S2 | Episode 10: Not My Best Friend

S2 | Episode 10: Not My Best Friend

Kimberley Rogers, who says she was friends with Michelle Officer for 17 years, tells the inquest Michelle kept changing her story about Lachie running away.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 13, 2024 • 24:49

S2 | Episode 9: The Search

S2 | Episode 9: The Search

The neighbours from the street who searched for Lachie, and the friends who were there that night, all take the stand.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 12, 2024 • 39:02

S2 | Episode 8: The Eyewitnesses

S2 | Episode 8: The Eyewitnesses

The police hat, the yellow vest, who saw what, and what was accurate? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 9, 2024 • 30:50

S2 | Episode 7: The Other Brother

S2 | Episode 7: The Other Brother

Lachie's other brother tells the inquest about his family relationships, and his movements on January 29, 2019. You can also click here to see photos of the gate and fence to the sewage oxidation ponds on our Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 8, 2024 • 36:03

S2 | Episode 6: The Neighbour

S2 | Episode 6: The Neighbour

Hearing but not seeing Lachie, and the surprise on the 111 call. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 7, 2024 • 34:18

S2 | Episode 5: Lachie's Brother

S2 | Episode 5: Lachie's Brother

We hear from Lachie's brother for the first time as he is cross-examined about what happened that day and night. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 6, 2024 • 30:39

S2 | Bonus Episode

S2 | Bonus Episode

In this special bonus epsiode, Melanie Reid discusses the first days of the inquest with colleague Bonnie Sumner. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 5, 2024 • 20:03

S2 | Episode 4: The King's Counsel

S2 | Episode 4: The King's Counsel

Timings, layouts and lines of sight are all explored – and questions are raised about dope smoking. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 3, 2024 • 22:08

S2 | Episode 3: Under Attack

S2 | Episode 3: Under Attack

On day two of the inquest, Lachie’s mother goes head to head with Paul Jones’ lawyer as he puts it to her that she covered up her son’s death. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 2, 2024 • 22:16

S2 | Episode 2: Lachie's Mother

S2 | Episode 2: Lachie's Mother

The questioning of Lachie’s mother continues with a forensic examination of the day her son died.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 2, 2024 • 33:03

S2 | Episode 1: The Inquest

S2 | Episode 1: The Inquest

Emotional scenes play out in the Invercargill courthouse on day one of the coronial inquest, when Lachie’s mother is cross examined by Paul Jones’ lawyer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 30, 2024 • 20:40

S2 | Welcome to Season 2 of The Boy in the Water

S2 | Welcome to Season 2 of The Boy in the Water

From Melanie Reid Investigates comes the brand new season of The Boy in the Water. Listen as we follow the coronial inquest into the death of three-and-a-half year old Lachlan Jones, whose lifeless body was found face up in a sewage oxidation pond in the small town of Gore in January 2019.We have been covering this case for more than four years now. In Season One we revealed multiple flaws in the police investigation and uncovered new evidence that cast serious doubt about the circumstances surr

Apr 24, 2024 • 10:01

Update: Coroner Calls Inquest

Update: Coroner Calls Inquest

We reveal an important update from the coroner’s office, plus a radio interview with Melanie Reid on The Detail.

Sep 8, 2023 • 25:31

Bonus Material

Bonus Material

Watch the video version of The American Detective, read about the police review into the case, and listen to our award-winning podcast Peter Ellis, the Creche Case & Me.

Aug 25, 2023 • 4:23

Episode 9 - The American Detective

Episode 9 - The American Detective

In the astonishing season finale, a ‘big gun’ US retired forensic detective is on the case - and she’s not going to stop until she finds the truth.

Aug 8, 2023 • 43:10

Part 8 - The American Detective

Part 8 - The American Detective

Lachie’s graveside birthday celebration, and an ex-police officer reveals the culture of bullying and burnout at the Gore police station.

Aug 1, 2023 • 24:41

Episode 7: U-Turn

Episode 7: U-Turn

Inside the small town Gore courtroom - the disappointment, the heartache and Paul Jones tells it like it is.

Jul 25, 2023 • 27:38

Episode 6: More Questions than Answers

Episode 6: More Questions than Answers

The twists and turns continue when we hear the police statements of Lachie’s mother, brother and a teenager who lived on the street.

Jul 18, 2023 • 31:35

Episode 5: The Night Lachie Died

Episode 5: The Night Lachie Died

...

Jul 11, 2023 • 23:35

Episode 4: Rocky Road

Episode 4: Rocky Road

Volatile relationships and police call-outs - what was going on leading up to Lachie’s death?

Jul 4, 2023 • 28:02

Deeply Troubled

Deeply Troubled

The whole town gets drawn into the case as the local council is charged in relation to Lachie's death.

Jun 27, 2023 • 19:13

Return to Gore

Return to Gore

The mystery surrounding the death of Lachie Jones deepens after our team sends lung tissue samples to an international forensic pathologist.

Jun 27, 2023 • 25:53

Case Closed

Case Closed

Officials jump to an early and dubious conclusion when a three-year-old boy's body is found floating in a town's sewage ponds.

Jun 27, 2023 • 22:47

Welcome to The Boy in the Water

Welcome to The Boy in the Water

Newsroom’s electrifying new podcast takes you inside a small town harbouring a big mystery. After the lifeless body of three-year-old Lachie Jones is found floating in an oxidation pond in the Southland town of Gore, police rule his death a tragic accident. But nothing is what it seems. Newsroom’s investigations editor Melanie Reid has spent four years covering this case, revealing multiple flaws in the police investigation and uncovering new evidence that casts serious doubt about the circumsta

Jun 4, 2023 • 3:01

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