The disturbing case of a suburban grandmother who orchestrated the murder of her ex-partner via a woodchipper takes centre stage in the new LiSTNR exclusive docuseries Crime In Focus: Killer Charm.
Host and acclaimed investigative journalist Tara Cassidy examines how and why Queensland woman Sharon Graham coerced two lovers to stage Bruce Saunders’ death as an accident on a friend’s rural property.
After five years of following the story, Cassidy uncovered new information about Sharon Graham and the case and secured interviews with Graham’s former best friend, her daughter, and several ex-lovers speaking out for the first time.
In the six-part series, listeners can access forensic evidence, witness statements, never-before-heard covert surveillance recordings, and police interviews. The investigation exposes patterns of control, greed, and coercion and sheds light on the dangers of how these behaviours emerged in a seemingly harmless woman.
Graham, who was fondly referred to as ‘Muffin’ by those close to her, was more than 90 kilometres away from the scene when the murder took place. However, police were able to successfully prosecute that she convinced one of her lovers into committing the crime, and another to help cover it up.
Tara Cassidy was the only journalist who attended every day of Graham’s murder trial and mistrials, giving her unique insights into the case to piece together a narrative of multiple murder plots, a complex and tangled love quadrangle, and a long-standing trail of coercion. Her coverage delves into the dark motivations behind Graham’s actions and exposes the intricate web of deceit that ensued.
“This case has intrigued me from the moment it came to light,” Tara Cassidy said. “As an investigative journalist, I have covered every step of it, and, in this series, I explore what drives someone to such extremes and discover if signs went unnoticed before tragedy struck.
“I was able to secure unheard surveillance recordings and interviews with some of the key people in Sharon’s life, including her own daughter, to give listeners a front-row seat to one of Queensland’s most notorious murder cases in recent history.”
LiSTNR Head of Factual, Clair Weaver, said: “The LiSTNR factual team continues to deliver our audiences compelling investigative true crime stories, including this extraordinary case. Crime in Focus: Killer Charm promises a fascinating exploration of human behaviour and the consequences of coercion.”
Episodes one and two of Crime in Focus: Killer Charm is available exclusively on LiSTNR. New episodes of the six-part series drop on Wednesdays. To listen to Crime In Focus: Killer Charm, download the LiSTNR app and sign up to listen for free.
Sharon Graham and Gregory Roser have lodged appeals against their murder convictions.