Police podcast leads to breakthrough in case of mystery jawbone

Extraordinary stories have been revealed in the first few episodes of the Inside the NSW Police Force podcast – including new information leading to a breakthrough for police investigating the discovery of a blackened jawbone washed up on the NSW Central Coast a few years ago. It turns out the mandible is much older than first thought, recalling a tragic day in 1940, forgotten by all but the young victim’s family. Here we provide you a taste of what this unique program has to offer. Make sure to listen in!

A strike force targeting underworld loot, a high stakes rescue of two sailors, and a breakthrough in the mystery of a black jawbone washed up on Umina Beach.

These are just a few of the unique stories covered in the first episodes of the NSW Police podcast Inside, which launched in April.

Sponsored by Police Bank, the weekly podcast is produced by author and journalist Adam Shand and brings to life true stories from all aspects of policing in New South Wales.

Here we share some details of the episodes so far.

Lost at Sea – The Black Bone

The episode “Lost at Sea – The Black Bone” is the latest in a series of police podcasts reporting on the investigation into the mystery of a blackened jawbone of a 15-year-old boy, which was washed up on a beach on the New South Wales Central Coast in 2020.

A major breakthrough in the case came when an archaeologist offered to help after hearing about the podcast via a Daily Mail article. Archaeologist Richard Wright recognised the jaw’s distinctive discolouration as being similar to old bones he’d seen before, and he contacted police and Shand with his theories about the find.

He told police the colour of the mandible suggested it might have been encased and preserved in peat. He believed the jaw could have been preserved in an underwater seam of peat that had been disturbed by dredging.  The significance of that observation was that the jaw could have come from a person who died decades earlier than originally thought. 

It appears the gruesome find may be linked to an 80-year-old tragedy. In 1940, 15-year-old Donald Maxwell was on a fishing boat with his father Samuel when they tried to moor the vessel at Ettalong, near Umina, on Brisbane Water.  Donald’s leg had become caught in an anchor line and he went overboard. Samuel then dived in to save him but father and son both drowned.  While the body of Samuel was quickly recovered, Donald’s remains were never found. 

A DNA sample from another female relative has been sent to the U.S. with the mandible for testing and results are expected soon.      

Police Academy

This episode features a look at the progress of a class of recruits at the Goulburn Academy through the eyes of their instructing sergeants. It examines how the Academy prepares recruits for a police career and helps them to find the vocation that will keep them in the job. The podcast plans to return to this story in coming series.

Also in the episode, we hear about a veteran transport command officer keeping the peace on the trains and collaborating with the Police Transport Command on gang-related and drug supply operations.

Next we hear about Strike Force Erebus, a multi-agency investigation with the Australian Federal Police, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, and NSW Crime Commission into the Sydney gangland war.

The Beast of Bondi

This episode tells how the identity of a prolific serial rapist was finally revealed after his death. But the case is not over. Dozens of previously unknown victims are coming forward, and police are recording their stories.

Cut to Strike Force Raptor, once known as the bikie squad, which is now targeting organised crime. Working with other police and agencies, Raptor is targeting underworld loot.

Finally, we hear how geotargeting is bringing missing people home safe. The Missing Persons Registry is leading Australia in the application of this technology. The latest case is a race against time to find an elderly dementia patient.

We urge you to take the time to listen to this extraordinary podcast which will cover all facets of policing in NSW, including live and cold cases in every command.

You can access the podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. See here for more information:

New podcast tells true stories of all aspects of policing