Mapping Evil with Mike King

It’s September 1952 on the night of the new moon and 22-year-old university student Betty Shanks is making her way home from evening classes. The journey from her tram stop to the home she shares with her loving parents is a mere 400 yards along a path Betty has strode countless times before. On this night, Betty would not survive the walk. With the help of award-winning journalist Tory Shepherd, world renowned cold case investigator Mike King unpacks the 70-year-old mystery of the brutal murder of Betty Shanks. King delves deep into the life of Betty Shanks, discovering fascinating new insights about the woman behind the headline. He explores the geography of Queensland’s oldest cold case murder, meticulously mapping Betty’s terrifying last movements. +++ Mapping Evil is hosted by award-winning journalist Tory Shepherd, featuring renowned criminal profiler, cold case specialist, and crime mapping master – Mike King. Offering listeners a look at real crimes through an experienced investigator’s eye, Mapping Evil takes you on a journey into the minds of predators and the lives of those tasked with bringing them to justice. MappingEvil.com

In the cold hard light of day, police investigating the murder of Betty Shanks are confronted with a sickening scene of unbridled savagery and punishment. Reports of the gruesome crime leads the evening news, while theories as to who could possibly commit such a monstrous act start to circulate. Among the lineup of potential suspects was a soldier, a police officer, a handyman, a respected doctor – and the mysterious man in a brown suit. Mike King steps into the role of chief investigator – examining the crime scene, wild theories, and suspects. He pitches science against speculation – with some alarming discoveries. +++ Mapping Evil is hosted by award-winning journalist Tory Shepherd, featuring renowned criminal profiler, cold case specialist, and crime mapping master – Mike King. Offering listeners a look at real crimes through an experienced investigator’s eye, Mapping Evil takes you on a journey into the minds of predators and the lives of those tasked with bringing them to justice. MappingEvil.com

The first time Desche Birtles took her story to police she was a 16-year-old runaway. It was a harrowing account of a childhood trauma – one that tied Desche’s father to the brutal murder of Betty Shanks – and one that police would repeatedly dismiss. For historian and author Ted Duhs, Desche’s tale was so compelling that he would dedicate decades of his life to investigating her claim that Betty Shanks died at the hands of her father. Mike King and Tory Shepherd explore Ted Duhs’ investigation into the Betty Shanks murder, speaking with the author himself about his research and theory of who committed the crime and more importantly ‘why’. Mike looks at Duhs’ proposed motive for the killing along with the crime scene evidence, victimology, and likely profile of Betty’s murderer. What he discovers amongst the crime scene’s landscape – leaves the seasoned investigator uneasy. +++ Mapping Evil is hosted by award-winning journalist Tory Shepherd, featuring renowned criminal profiler, cold case specialist, and crime mapping master – Mike King. Offering listeners a look at real crimes through an experienced investigator’s eye, Mapping Evil takes you on a journey into the minds of predators and the lives of those tasked with bringing them to justice. MappingEvil.com

Touching down in Los Angeles after a fairly uneventful 14-hour flight from Australia, criminal profiler Mike King is tired but happy to be home after a gruelling fortnight of back-to-back meetings, events, and media engagements. As he makes his way through LAX, his phone rings. On the other end the caller says: "I listened to your interview on the news. My father killed Betty Shanks". In the explosive final episode of Mapping Evil, Mike and Tory introduce listeners to Ken and his story. It’s a story Ken has waited seven decades to tell and it’s difficult to hear.   Is Ken a witness to a murderer’s confession, or the victim of an unspeakably cruel father who used the savage murder of Betty Shanks to terrorise his young son? And does an old, weathered briefcase, full of photos, notes, letters and other seemingly innocuous artefacts hold the secret to ‘Who killed Betty Shanks?’ +++ Mapping Evil is hosted by award-winning journalist Tory Shepherd, featuring renowned criminal profiler, cold case specialist, and crime mapping master – Mike King. Offering listeners a look at real crimes through an experienced investigator’s eye, Mapping Evil takes you on a journey into the minds of predators and the lives of those tasked with bringing them to justice. MappingEvil.com

On a moonless spring night in 1952, a bright young woman – only metres from her home – screams out in terror as she is overpowered, brutally beaten and left to die on an otherwise safe suburban street. The savage murder of 22-year-old Betty Shanks sent shock waves through the tight-knit community of Wilston and came to be known as the crime that stole Brisbane’s innocence. World renowned criminal profiler and cold case investigator Mike King returns with award winning journalist Tory Shepherd, to retrace the final tragic steps of Betty Shanks. His investigation unearths new leads, a new suspect, and fresh insights into Betty Shanks herself. Will Mike’s investigation bring police closer to solving Queensland’s longest standing murder mystery and finally answer the question: “Who killed Betty Shanks?”. +++ Mapping Evil is hosted by award-winning journalist Tory Shepherd, featuring renowned criminal profiler, cold case specialist, and crime mapping master – Mike King. Offering listeners a look at real crimes through an experienced investigator’s eye, Mapping Evil takes you on a journey into the minds of predators and the lives of those tasked with bringing them to justice. MappingEvil.com