BLACK HANDS - A family mass murder

Stuff Audio

Paese USA

Generi True Crime, Society & Culture, Documentary

Lingua EN

Episodi 13

Ultimo 03.03.2026

This is the story of a mass-murder that divided a nation - a story that began in a rickety old home on a cold June morning in 1994, where five members of a seemingly ordinary New Zealand family were gunned down. There were two suspects. One lay dead from a single bullet to the head. The other was the only survivor: David Bain. Since then the country has asked: who killed the Bain family? David or his father Robin? In this podcast, Martin van Beynen explores the case from start to finish, picking through evidence, the mysteries and motives, and interviewing never-before-spoken-to witnesses. He seeks to finally answer the question: Who was the killer?
Podcasts like this one take a lot of time and resources to create. To help cover some of that cost, you will hear some ads during this episode. For an ad-free experience go to listen.stuff.co.nz/truecrime to get access to this and three other Stuff True Crime podcasts ad-free, for about the price of a cup of coffee… and you’ll be helping us make more great podcasts, like this one.

Episodi

Trailer: Quarantine Nation 03.03.2026 3min

A lethal virus. A drastic lockdown. A nation turned upside down. From the makers of acclaimed podcasts The Commune, Gone Fishing, The District and True Story, this eight-part narrative series revisits the Covid-19 pandemic with the benefit of hindsight and powerful interviews. Adam Dudding and Eugene Bingham delve into what really happened – and what it taught us about ourselves. Subscribe to "Quarantine Nation" wherever you get your podcasts, or follow the links here: ⁠Quarantine Nation Player Links⁠, Made with the support of NZ on Air for Stuff by Te Pūrongo Productions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
11. The Journalist And The Judge 13.07.2017 55min

In 2012 Canadian judge Justice Binnie said David Bain was innocent on the balance of probabilities. Why? Hear what Binnie says and what Martin van Beynen makes of his arguments. And why does Binnie compare van Beynen to Inspector Javert, a fictitious fanatical police inspector? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
10. Who Did It? 12.07.2017 33min

The equation is simple: It had to be either Robin or David. Now it's time to make a decision. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
9. Recovered Memories 11.07.2017 47min

Despite giving evidence in court only once, David Bain has said a lot about the shootings in various contexts. He has steadfastly maintained his innocence but the details of his story have changed. How plausible is it? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
8. The Suicide Puzzle 10.07.2017 32min

If Robin murdered his wife and children, his final task would be to shoot himself. But how likely is it that a right-handed man would shoot himself in the left temple? Is it even possible? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
7. The Case Against Robin 09.07.2017 33min

Could Robin have murdered his children and then taken his own life? Robin had blood and bruising on his hands. His foot size was more likely to fit bloody footprints in the house. Was a mysterious note left on the family computer Robin's final words? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
6. Bloodied Fingerprints, Broken Glasses 08.07.2017 36min

Although police initially regarded the shootings as a murder/suicide, evidence began to mount against David Bain. His fingerprints were on the rifle, he had blood on his T-shirt, a lens from glasses in his bedroom were found in his dead brother's room and he had injuries that were consistent with a fight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
5. Incest, Blackmail, Murder 07.07.2017 42min

Motive has always been the most puzzling aspect of the Bain shootings. Neither Robin nor David seemed like mass killers. But both had reasons to kill. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
4. "The Bastard Killed His Family" 06.07.2017 38min

The shootings appalled the country and deeply shocked the community and wider Bain family. Yet sole survivor David Bain's unusual reaction surprised many. Loyalties were tested. Suspicions were raised. And then an arrest is made. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
3. A Family's Final Days 05.07.2017 41min

From the outside, the Bain family seemed to have settled into a new life in Dunedin. Eldest son David was on a new path, while sister Laniet appeared to have given up prostitution and Arawa was thriving as a budding teacher. But in the six months before the shootings, cracks began to emerge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2. Mrs Bain, The Diary And The Devil 04.07.2017 45min

By any standard, this family was unusual, even bizarre. Mother Margaret Bain's complicated spiritual life and beliefs meant the family was constantly encouraged to put Satan behind them. She practised self hypnosis, meditation and channelling. Their life in Papua New Guinea helped to concentrate the family's oddness. How did it influence the slaughter? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1. House Of Horrors 03.07.2017 37min

It's June 20, 1994. Police are called to a rundown home in Dunedin, New Zealand. They're not sure what to expect after a panicked phone call. But inside were five dead bodies, a chaotic scene and and several clues pointing to the killer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Black Hands - Trailer 02.07.2017 1min

A groundbreaking new podcast series on the most controversial murders in New Zealand history - the killing of five members of the Bain family in 1994. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices