The Hunters - Season 1

The heinous attacks on Melbourne children in the late 1980s and early 1990s, attributed to the elusive Mr Cruel, shocked the nation and led to extensive investigations. Despite efforts, the case remains unsolved, leaving families without answers for decades.

The upcoming episode, airing at 7.30pm, features esteemed investigative journalist Adam Shand and renowned Behavioral Analyst Steve van Aperen, also known as "The Human Lie Detector." The duo's investigation introduces new evidence and insights that could potentially reshape the narrative surrounding Mr Cruel.

The program scrutinises the long-held belief that Mr Cruel's crimes were escalating, culminating in the tragic murder of Karmein Chan, and questions whether these acts were indeed the work of a single individual.

In a significant moment, a survivor of Mr Cruel's attacks will break their silence, sharing their story for the first time. This development, along with new DNA evidence, raises hopes of finally identifying and apprehending the perpetrator.

Adam Shand stated, "We owe it to the community, the police, but most importantly the victims who are sort of frozen in time, victims of Mr Cruel, when in fact that individual does not exist."

Steve van Aperen added, "It's closure. Not just for the victims but for the victims' families and the detectives who were working 18-hour days and are devastated there was no resolution.

This had a ripple effect for so many people, and it's now time for this to be reviewed, looked at and taken further."

On Australia Day, 26 January 1966, nine-year-old Jane, seven-year-old Arnna, and four-year-old Grant Beaumont vanished from a beach in Adelaide, sparking South Australia's largest search and rescue operation. Despite intense efforts, the children were never found. 

The disappearance captivated the nation, and six decades later, it remains one of Australia's most haunting mysteries, etched in the minds of everyone in Adelaide at the time. 

"This is one of the most examined cases in our history," says Adam.

"The police have worked hard, but even their own statement confirms that they're no closer to solving it." 

"There are different theories amongst even police. The reality is those theories, and theories put forward by others, are considered, but there remains no proof as to who is responsible," adds Steve.

Adam and Steve meticulously retrace the children's steps on the fateful day, uncovering new evidence and presenting their findings to former South Australia Supreme Court Justice John Sulan, for a fresh evaluation. 

The Beaumont children disappearance investigation features expert insights from co-authors of Unmasking the Killer of Missing Beaumont Children, Stuart Mullins and former SA Detective Bill Hayes; politician and former journalist Frank Pangallo; investigative journalist Graham Archer; former photojournalist Ken Sellick and forensic psychologist Deb Bennett. 

The brutal car bombing that killed 48-year-old businessman John Furlan in 1998 remains one of Australia's most baffling unsolved murders.

On 3 August 1998, Furlan died in an explosion caused by a bomb planted under his car on a suburban street in Coburg, Melbourne. Despite numerous investigations and extensive efforts by Victoria Police, the motive for his murder has never been determined.

In a new investigation on The Hunters airing 8.40pm Sunday, 2 March on Seven and 7plus, investigative journalist Adam Shand and former detective Steve Van Aperen aim to uncover new leads that could solve this tragic crime. The investigation features fresh interviews and new insights into the evidence.

With full cooperation from Victoria Police and access to past and present police investigators, Adam and Steve examine key twists, including a bomb-maker's unexpected confession and the mysterious death of a key suspect.

The investigation also explores Furlan's life and connections, examining whether his murder was part of a larger criminal scheme.

This exclusive investigation features expert insights from former Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Noel Ashby; retired Victoria Police Detective Senior Sergeant Jeff Maher; retired Victoria Police Detective Tina Kemp; retired NSW Police Detective Greg Kelly; journalist Tanya Giles; criminal profiler and forensic psychologist Dr. Debra Bennett; Victoria Police Detective Sergeant Joseph Strachan; and some of Furlan's closest friends and other connections.

Victoria Police is again urging the public to come forward with any information that could help solve the case.

"I think this case is still solvable," says Jeff Maher. "We ask people who've got any information whatsoever to come forward and speak to us or contact Crime Stoppers because the public needs answers."

Could Furlan's death have sparked deadly underworld wars in Melbourne, or was it a targeted attack with a personal motive?

The Flinders Highway, an 800 kilometre stretch of road through Queensland's outback, has a dark and chilling history spanning over 50 years, with more than 12 people vanishing or being murdered between 1970 and 2018 – yet only one case has been solved.

In the gripping new investigation on The Hunters, airing this Sunday on Seven and 7plus, investigative journalist Adam Shand and former detective Steve Van Aperen embark on a road trip along this notorious highway of death. They revisit haunting cold cases, probing unsolved murders and disappearances, to uncover whether this isolated outback highway was a killing ground for Australia's most notorious serial killers.

The duo delves into three haunting cases, including the brutal murders of the Mackay sisters and Catherine Graham; the remains of all of them were discovered in Anthill Creek. They also investigate the disappearance of two young hitchhikers, Anita Cunningham and Robin Hoinville-Bartram, who vanished in 1972.

In July 1972, Anita and Robin set off from Melbourne to hitchhike to the latter's mother's house in Bowen, a journey they would never complete. Months later, Robin's remains were discovered in Sensible Creek, under a bridge on the Flinders Highway. The fate of Anita remains unknown to this day. 

The Hunters explores the landscape, profiles potential predators, and examines possible links between the crimes. Is this the work of one killer or multiple killers? 

Adam and Steve test claims that the crimes may have been committed by some of Australia's most infamous figures like Ivan Milat, convicted Whiskey Au Go Go murderer John Andrew Stuart and alleged child killer Arthur Stanley Brown. They also interview key witnesses and sources who possess crucial knowledge of these decades-old cold cases.

In a powerful moment, the team takes Anita's brother, David Cunningham, to the site where his sister's remains may be found after vanishing 50 years ago.

For the first time ever, the investigation reveals an eyewitness who spoke to Anita and Robin before their disappearance – and may have witnessed their final moments.

The special investigation features key insights from retired Queensland Police Detective Seargent Mick Gurn, retired Queensland Police Officer Brian Beveridge and forensic archaeologist Dr Louise Steding.

Australia's most infamous hitman, Christopher Flannery aka Mr Rent-a-kill, became a criminal legend in 1980s. But how much of his story is fact, and how much is fiction? Find out in an explosive new investigation on The Hunters this Sunday on Seven and 7plus.

For the first time ever, those who knew Flannery best reveal shocking new details that challenge everything we thought we knew about Australia's most notorious contract killer.

Flannery's criminal reign, spanning just six years, instilled fear across Australia's criminal underworld. Credited with at least 12 murders, his list of alleged victims ranged from low-level drug traffickers to businessmen, and even an undercover police officer.

Despite his violent reputation, Flannery was never convicted of murder, leaving many to wonder: was he truly Australia's most prolific hitman, or simply myth of a master assassin?

Investigative journalist Adam Shand and former detective Steve Van Aperen delve deep into Flannery's troubled background, his upbringing at the infamous Morningstar Boys' Home, and the harsh experiences that shape his path to becoming a feared contract killer. 

With never-before-heard interviews and raw insights, the truth about the man behind the legend is revealed. 

A colourful cast of characters who were close to Flannery come forward to share their perspectives, including writer and former Pentridge Prison inmate Ray Mooney, who discusses how Mickie's Disco played a pivotal role in Flannery's rise through the criminal underworld. 

Adam and Steve also revisit the 1980 murder of Melbourne businessman Roger Wilson, for which Flannery was acquitted. In an unexpected twist, Mark Clarkson, who was co-accused of the murder, demands a polygraph test.

The special investigation also features key insights from The Daily Telegraph's crime editor Mark Morri, former NSW Detective Michael Drury, former US Special Operations Tactical Officer George Hateley and Christopher Flannery's former barrister Phillip Dunn KC. 

Sickening killings suffered by the Sydney gay community from the 1970s to the 1990s is investigated by Steve van Aperen and Adam Shand. A new identikit of a suspected attacker is created from a survivor's account.