The Poisoned Wife
Podcast

The Poisoned Wife

The Australian

8 episodes

True CrimeSociety & Culture

Who killed Rosslyn McQueen? The Australian’s Hedley Thomas and Karina Berger investigate the unsolved 1986 murder of a 30-year-old pregnant mother, poisoned with strychnine in her own home in country Victoria, as her toddler played nearby. Rosslyn’s husband, Ray McQueen, told police and ambulance officers she had terminal cancer. But Ros didn’t have cancer and nobody believed she would have taken her own life. This podcast, from the creator of The Teacher’s Pet, Bronwyn and Shandee’s Story, also features Rex Bakes, a relentless, retired private investigator who once worked for Ray McQueen’s defence team. Now, Rex is determined to help get justice for Ros. Subscribers to The Australian hear new episodes first on Apple Podcasts, on The Australian’s app and thepoisonedwife.com (http://thepoisonedwife.com/), where you’ll find photos, videos, timelines, stories and more.

What this show covers

true crimecold caseinvestigationpoisoningDonnaBendigoRaysecret letterRosslynpolice investigationdisputed claimsfamily testimonymurder investigationconflicting accountscriminal charge

What listeners will find here

A secret letter to Donna raises new doubts about Ray
Donna describes receiving a secret letter from Ray after Rosslyn’s death and explains why she never gave it to police, even during a search warrant. The episode also turns to Bendigo, where Rex shares why Rosslyn’s headstone inscription still angers him.
A detective revisits the case as old claims around Ros’s death are challenged
Ros’s death and the case against Ray are revisited through a former detective’s reflections and fresh challenges to Ray’s long-standing claims. The episode also explores what people around Ray were told, why a key witness acted, and how another family says a dead neighbour was wrongly blamed.
A police interview upends the case as Ray faces a murder charge
Donna’s police interview reveals a startling new claim about Ray just two months after Rosslyn’s death. As detectives press both Donna and Ray, the episode follows a deeply uncomfortable examination, conflicting accounts, and the moment Ray is charged with murdering his wife.
A marriage unravels as old violence and new suspicions close in
This episode digs into allegations around Ray McQueen’s past, from poison used on the family farm to claims of violence during his first marriage. It also follows growing concern over Ray and Donna’s closeness in the months before Ros dies.
Detectives zero in on conflicting stories after Ros’s death
This episode follows homicide detectives as they move quickly from Melbourne to Bendigo and begin testing the accounts of Donna and Ray. As contradictions emerge, suspicion shifts, and pressure builds on people close to Ros to reveal what they know.

Episodes

Episode 7: Donna
Episode 7: Donna
8 Oct 2026 · 51 min
Episode 6: Fearful
Episode 6: Fearful
1 Oct 2026 · 58 min
Episode 5: The Charge
Episode 5: The Charge
24 Sept 2026 · 58 min
Episode 4: Volatility
Episode 4: Volatility
17 Sept 2026 · 57 min
Episode 3: Contradictions
Episode 3: Contradictions
10 Sept 2026 · 56 min
Episode 2: False Trail
Episode 2: False Trail
3 Sept 2026 · 49 min
Episode 1: The Suitcase
Episode 1: The Suitcase
20 Aug 2026 · 51 min
Introducing The Poisoned Wife
Introducing The Poisoned Wife
20 Aug 2026 · 1 min

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