Episode 2 - The Backpacker Killer: Terror in Belanglo Forest

In this chilling episode of Shadow Trails, hosts Riya and Dev journey deep into the dark heart of Australia’s most haunting true crime case,the backpacker murders committed by Ivan Milat.

Between 1989 and 1993, seven young travelers vanished in New South Wales, their remains later discovered buried in the remote Belanglo State Forest. As fear spread across Australia and beyond, police launched one of the country’s largest manhunts, uncovering a web of brutality, manipulation, and cold-blooded planning. The questions on everyone's mind: What drove Milat to kill? Were there signs? And could he have acted alone?

This episode includes:

• A detailed timeline of the murders
• Firsthand accounts and survivor testimony
• Excerpts from court proceedings and police interviews
• Psychological insights into Milat’s behavior
• A deep dive into the cultural impact of the case on Australia’s identity

With immersive sound design, reenactments, and real quotes from those closest to the case, Shadow Trails brings the terror of Belanglo Forest back into sharp focus.