Under Investigation with Liz Hayes on Channel 9 – In the blissful coastal town of St Helens in Tasmania, the shocking discovery of 15-year-old Eden Westbrook’s lifeless body, visible to all from the main street, was a traumatic scene.
Her death was quickly assessed by police as suicide and a three-page report by a coroner agreed.
Her grieving parents, haunted by the stark disparity between that verdict and their daughter’s vibrant essence, would ignite their relentless quest for the truth of what happened on the night Eden died.
And it is the focus of Under Investigation with Liz Hayes next Tuesday, June 18, at 8.30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.
In this special episode, esteemed journalist Liz Hayes embarks on a mission to unravel the mystery surrounding Eden Westbrook’s tragic end, aided by a panel of experts at the program’s renowned War Table. Among them, Hobart crime reporter Amber Wilson, seasoned podcaster Jay Walkerden, former detective Damian Marrett, and Eden’s father, Jason Westbrook.
UI will hear allegations of crucial missing CCTV footage, questions as to why key witnesses are still to be interviewed by police, and disturbing revelations about an investigator’s dark past as a paedophile.
As part of her investigation, Liz Hayes travels to St Helens, to the scene where Eden died, to speak with witnesses and to meet with Eden’s mother, Amanda Westbrook.
Liz Hayes said:
“After visiting the town of St Helens, tracing Eden’s last steps, as well as speaking to witnesses and Eden’s family, the gravity of this tragedy was abundantly obvious. And while our focus is always to bring much needed light to unsolved criminal cases, our commitment also lies in championing justice and providing answers for loved ones like Jason and Amanda.
“It’s a delicate balance between amplifying their voices while offering solace and hope. With an outstanding panel of experts by my side, it’s the hope of Under Investigation that the family’s years of not knowing what happened the night Eden died will come to an end.”
UNDER INVESTIGATION WITH LIZ HAYES ON CHANNEL 9 and 9NOW – TUESDAY, 18 JUNE, AT 8.30PM
About the Show
Australia’s ultimate investigative program returns in a riveting new season of Under Investigation with Liz Hayes, featuring fresh mysteries, cold cases and cover-ups, from Wednesday, February 7, at 9.00pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.
For the program’s 2024 season, acclaimed journalist Liz Hayes takes the UI investigations to a compelling new level. Hayes travels to crime scene locations, joins forensic scientists in their laboratories and interviews witnesses and victims. Formidable teams of experts in every criminal and scientific field analyse the cases at Under Investigation’s signature War Table.
Launching the new series of UI, there is a dramatic reinvestigation into the fatal shooting of Queensland mother Leanne Sleba. Killed by her husband Geoffrey, while searching for a snake on their rural property, Leanne’s death was ruled an accident. But UI’s experts have questions, and Hayes takes to the road seeking answers. At a ballistics range, the details of Leanne’s shooting in the back are tested with live fire, and snake experts recreate the conditions similar to those on that fateful night, to shed more light on the usual habits of these reptiles.
After a most unusual request, UI will also test the innocence of a man accused of murder. Graham Stafford – who police believe killed 12-year-old Leanne Holland. Stafford willingly submits himself to Liz Hayes and UI’s team of experts in an attempt to clear his name. Charged and convicted of the brutal 1991 murder, then acquitted after 15 years in prison, Stafford has maintained his innocence, despite Queensland Police publicly declaring there was powerful new evidence to prove his guilt. To try to resolve the case once and for all, Hayes works with a team of independent forensic scientists. Their dramatic results punctuate a powerful program.
UI also probes the mysterious disappearance of Queensland woman Sandrine Jourdan, who vanished without trace in a matter of minutes.
Computer analysis of Sandrine’s laptops reveals startling evidence that casts new light on the case. UI has also employed a handwriting expert, and in a specially created Evidence Room, Hayes and veteran detective Damian Marrett sift through personal items found near the place where Sandrine was last seen alive.
Also on UI’s case file: the suspicious death of a young man under witness protection. No one should have known his new identity or location. Then Hayes tracks the terrible crimes of one of Western Australia’s most brutal serial rapists – a predator in police uniform. Internationally, UI takes on the “Spy Nation” and reveals how China is targeting the personal data of all Australians. And when beautiful, high-achieving teenager Eden Westbrook is found dead in an idyllic Tasmanian fishing village, it would have the whole world asking questions.
Liz Hayes said:
“Our program is about shining a light on difficult and sometimes very dark stories. But it’s always about uncovering the truth, and importantly, offering the families and friends of victims a chance at finding out what happened to someone they love.
“This season I’m venturing out of the studio to meet witnesses, and see for myself some of the crime scenes. I’ll also join our experts in their laboratories and out in the field as they test key pieces of evidence. It’s all about bringing as much information as possible to the War Table.
“This season, Under Investigation is offering our viewers what I hope will be an intriguing and immersive experience.”
Under Investigation with Liz Hayes is produced by the 9Network.
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Under Investigation with Liz Hayes on Channel 9
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