Australia’s living rooms will become investigative nerve centres as some of the nation’s most notorious cold cases are reopened in Under Investigation with Liz Hayes – returning Monday, September 26, at 8.45pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.
Mystifying crimes that have baffled police for years are put under the microscope by Liz Hayes and her new teams of experts. Viewers will be there for every twist and turn as long-hidden evidence is uncovered and new witnesses speak.
As Hayes convenes her experts at the Under Investigation War Table the first of eight gripping case files is opened: the top cop whose knowledge may have killed him. South Australian Detective Inspector Geoff “Whit” Whitford allegedly took his life on a remote beach. But this celebrated officer and loving father seemingly had little reason to commit suicide. He was, however, the head of an ultra-secret task force and had uncovered evidence of high-level police corruption. With exclusive access to a secret police file and new evidence provided by Whit’s daughter and former police officer Amanda Schultz, Under Investigation reveals a compelling case for what might have been murder. The motive? Geoff Whitford knew too much. Calls are now being made in the South Australian parliament for an independent inquiry.
In the second major investigation, Hayes and her expert team examine the mysteries of Central Queensland’s dark and deadly Flinders Highway. There have been 11 unsolved deaths and disappearances along this 800km stretch of bitumen. One was 21-year-old Tony Jones, hitchhiking between Townsville and Mount Isa as part of his “trip of a lifetime”. After making a final call to his girlfriend, Tony vanished somewhere along the highway. Mark Jones, Tony’s brother, has waged a 40-year campaign to find the person he’s convinced killed his brother. He joins the Under Investigation War Table as Tony Jones’ final moments are revealed.
Under Investigation’s case files extend to Melbourne’s extraordinary “Slug Gate” saga, the health scandal that saw a $45 million family company destroyed; and Perth’s high-profile, politically supported religious group, The Esther Foundation, where instead of rehabilitation and treatment, residents allege they were exposed to abuse and terror. Esther received millions of dollars in public grants and support from former Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
Under Investigation also conducts a major investigation into Sydney’s bloody gangland war where brawls, drive-by shootings, kidnappings and brazen assassinations are occurring in broad daylight.
Critically acclaimed investigative journalist and host Liz Hayes says: “Under Investigation continues to pique Australians’ curiosity for crime, but more importantly the program exposes new evidence and seeks to provide answers to unsolved crimes. Alongside the nation’s best criminal minds, it’s a privilege to be able to investigate so many new and old unsolved mysteries, and in particular give a voice to the loved ones of victims who need to be heard. Our aim is to leave no stone unturned.”
Mystifying cases are cracked in Under Investigation with Liz Hayes, returning Monday, September 26, at 8.45pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.
UNDER INVESTIGATION WITH LIZ HAYES: MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, AT 8.45PM ON CHANNEL 9 & 9NOW
