The Hunters

Television Seven Network
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The Hunters

The Hunters
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2024 Upfronts

Legendary investigative crime journalist Adam Shand and “The Human Lie Detector” Steve van Aperen join forces to crack famous crimes wide open. Using unique skills honed razor sharp across decades of experience, they uncover astonishing new leads and evidence, leaving police no choice but to re-open cases. Each episode examines a different high-profile case. The series is jam-packed with ground-breaking revelations, as Adam and Steve revisit crime scenes for a vivid hands-on recounting of each crime. With exclusive access to original detectives, eyewitnesses, survivors and crime experts, they paint a visceral picture of murders, kidnappings, horrific attacks and underworld assassinations. The Hunters is a WTFN production for the Seven Network.

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It will premiere on Monday, July 22.

EDIT: according to the website of distributor Fred Media, The Hunters is a 6-part series.

https://www.fredmedia.com.au/catalogue/2326

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Episode 1

Monday 22 July 7:30 pm

Unspeakable attacks on Melbourne children horrified the nation in the late 80s and early 90s. Investigators were convinced that a serial child abductor and murderer was at large. The media gave him a name: Mr Cruel. But the cases have never been solved.

Based on journalist Adam Shand’s ground-breaking research, this gripping TV special challenges the assumption that Mr Cruel was escalating his crimes which led to murdering Karmein Chan. Adam is joined by accomplished investigator Steve van Aperen. With unprecedented access to the case, they show how the myth of Mr Cruel sprang into being.

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That is not correct.

Episode 1 will air Monday 22 July, which is before the Olympics.

There are no plans to screen the other 5 episodes at this stage

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Mr Cruel bombshell

Explosive new TV special reveals breakthroughs in one of Australia’s most notorious cold cases

It is the cold case that no Australian has forgotten. Unspeakable attacks committed on Melbourne children in the late 1980s and early 1990s horrified the nation, convincing investigators that a serial child abductor and murderer was at large.

They pinned it down to the work of one man – Mr Cruel.

Despite lengthy investigations, the case has never been solved and the perpetrator remains at large. The families have had no closure on who attacked their children – until now.

This Monday at 7.30pm on Channel 7 and 7plus, the premiere TV special The Hunters: Mr Cruel sees legendary investigative crime journalist Adam Shand and “The Human Lie Detector” Steve van Aperen blow open Australia’s most notorious cold case.

Together they uncover new evidence and revelations that promise to turn the case on its head, challenging the assumption that Mr Cruel was escalating his crimes, culminating in the murder of Karmein Chan, and the theory that this was the work of one man.

For the first time, a Mr. Cruel survivor speaks out. Will long forgotten DNA finally put a monster behind bars?

Adam said: “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 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.”

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Returning in 2025 announced at the upfronts.

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A new episode will be shown on Sunday, February 23, on the mystery of the missing Beaumont children.

The family of the missing Beaumont children have broken years of silence, calling for a coronial inquiry into the decades-old disappearance of siblings Jane, Arnna, and Grant.

One of the state’s most enduring mysteries, the three young children vanished without a trace from Glenelg beach on January 26, 1966.

Almost 60 years later, a niece of their father, Jim Beaumont, has spoken out saying ongoing suspicion over late SA businessman, Harry Phipps, and his connection with their disappearance “warrants” an investigation by the state coroner.

“I’ve kept across developments about my cousins’ disappearance and I am aware of the theory about Harry Phipps’ alleged involvement which I believe warrants a coronial inquest,” the niece, who declined to be identified, told Seven’s new true crime documentary series, The Hunters.

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/south-australia/the-family-of-missing-beaumont-children-calls-for-coronial-inquest-as-part-of-sevens-new-true-crime-show-the-hunters/news-story/fed360d66473ac3dd676701a50ff60be

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Legendary investigative crime journalist, Adam Shand, and “The Human Lie Detector” Steve van Aperen join forces to crack famous crimes wide open. Using unique skills honed razor sharp across decades of experience, they uncover astonishing new leads and evidence, leaving police no choice but to re-open cases.

Steve is a former cop who trained with the FBI and worked on 87 homicide cases and two serial killer investigations and is now a world-leading human behaviour and deception expert in high-demand from forces around the globe. Adam has more scoops than any other Australian crime reporter. His trusted sources reach deep into both the criminal underworld and police departments. Together, they are a super-sleuth dream team.

Each episode examines a different high-profile case. The series is jam-packed with ground-breaking revelations, as Adam and Steve revisit crime scenes for a vivid hands-on recounting of each crime. With exclusive access to original detectives, eyewitnesses, survivors and crime experts they paint a visceral picture of murders, kidnappings, horrific attacks, and underworld assassinations.

The Hunters is true crime television at its finest.

Episode 1 - Beaumont Children Disappearance

Sunday 23 February 8:40 PM

Crime journalist Adam Shand and former detective Steve van Aperen create a minute-by-minute breakdown of the day that the three Beaumont siblings tragically disappeared in 1966.

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Upcoming episodes:

Gangland Wars: The Furlan Bomb
Murder Highway

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The Beaumont children episode has been listed as episode 5 in advance guides.

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The hunt for justice

Delve into Australia’s most chilling cold cases

Australia’s most notorious cold cases are re-examined in a ground-breaking investigation when The Hunters premieres at 8.40pm Sunday, 23 February on Seven and 7plus.

This six-part docuseries follows renowned investigative crime journalist Adam Shand and ex-cop Steve Van Aperen aka ‘the human lie detector’ as they work together to crack open high-profile Australian cold cases. With decades of expertise, their unique skill sets uncover shocking new leads and evidence, compelling police to reopen the cases.

Each episode delves into a different case, packed with game-changing revelations. Adam and Steve revisit crime scenes for a vivid, hands-on recounting of each event. With exclusive access to original detectives, eyewitnesses, survivors and crime experts, the series paints a gripping portrait of murders, kidnappings, brutal attacks and underworld executions.

The series kicks off with one of Australia’s most heartbreaking unsolved mysteries: the Beaumont children disappearance.

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 Hunters: The Beaumont Children Mystery

Premieres 8.40pm Sunday, 23 February on Seven and 7plus

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Unravelling the Furlan mystery

The Hunters investigation uncovers fresh evidence in John Furlan’s death

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 Hunters: Furlan Bombing

Premieres 8.40pm Sunday, 2 March on Seven and 7plus

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Australia’s most deadly hitman: myth or reality?

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Unravelling most infamous and chilling figure in Australian criminal history

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.

The Hunters: Mr Rent-a-kill

Watch after Australian Idol live performance on Sunday, 16 March on Seven and 7plus

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Episode 6: Bondi Hate Murders (Season 1 final)

Sunday 30 March 8.40pm

Sickening killings suffered by the Sydney gay community from the 1970s to the 1990s is investigated by Steve van Aperen and Adam Shand.