Child victim of a tragic murder case, Bonnie Clarke, is the focus of this episode. Detectives initially suspect Bonnie's mother, Marion, but an undercover investigation reveals the truth. The episode explores the discovery of Bonnie's body, Marion's overwhelming grief, a desperate father's plea for resolution, the mysterious murder of Theresa Crow, a new lead in Bonnie's case, and Malcolm Clark's involvement in organized crime. The episode concludes with Clark's confession and subsequent recantation.
Marion Clark, Bonnie's mother, was initially suspected of her murder, but no evidence supported her involvement.
Mel Clark, a former border, was later identified as a potential suspect due to similarities with other crimes.
DNA evidence and an undercover operation led to Mel Clark's confession and conviction for Bonnie's murder.
Deep dives
Police investigation into Bonnie's murder
Detective Senior Sergeant Eric Lily conducted the initial investigation into the murder of six-year-old Bonnie Clark. Despite suspicions against Marion Clark, Bonnie's mother, Lily remained convinced of her guilt. No physical evidence or forensic links were found to support Marion's involvement. The case went unsolved for almost two decades.
New leads and suspicions
In 2001, Detective Ron Idles and Tim Day from Victoria Police's Cold Case Squad re-examined Bonnie's case. They received a tip-off from Bonnie's childhood friend, Kylie Ward, regarding a border named Malcolm Joseph Thomas Clark, or Mel Clark, who had lived with the Clark family. Investigators discovered similarities between Bonnie's murder and the crimes for which Mel Clark had previously been convicted. However, Detective Lily was skeptical of Mel Clark's involvement and remained convinced of Marion Clark's guilt.
Revelations and a possible breakthrough
Cold case detective Tim Day found records confirming that Mel Clark, the former border, had been employed at a cinema during the time of Bonnie's murder, providing him with an alibi. Due to DNA advances, Phil Clark, a train enthusiast and friend of Mel, suggested helping him evade the impending DNA and polygraph testing. Phil offered his connections to organized crime to 'make the issue go away' if Mel was completely honest and had nothing to hide. Mel sought advice from Phil to navigate the situation.
Theresa Crowe's Murder
Theresa Crowe, a 22-year-old woman, was found dead in her loft apartment in 1980. She had been sexually assaulted, posed after death, and had a horseshoe-shaped cut on her cheek. The case went cold, and despite investigations into cult-related activities, no leads were found. Years later, a man named Joe Clark was arrested for a separate crime and found to have newspaper clippings about Theresa's murder. He confessed to stalking and killing her in 1980, fulfilling the suspicions of investigators.
Malcolm Clark's Confession
Malcolm Clark, previously suspected in the murder of a six-year-old girl named Bonnie Clark, was arrested after an undercover operation. Clark had raped a woman named Jane at knife point and confessed to that crime. While in custody, the police fabricated DNA evidence and a nonexistent investigation report, fearing Clark would suspect their undercover operation. Clark eventually confessed to Bonnie's murder, claiming it was an accident. He was later found guilty and sentenced to life in prison.
*** Content warning:Child victim, child sexual assault, sexual assault/rape *** When six-year-old Bonnie Clarke is murdered in her bed in the middle of the night just four nights before Christmas in 1982, Melbourne detectives are certain they know who’s responsible: Bonnie’s mother, Marion.
Yet Marion insists an intruder must have broken into their home while she was sleeping. It would take 20 years, two other crimes, and an undercover investigation for the truth to unravel…
