In The Dark
Episode's summary
In March 1990, two mothers walked out of Timaru Hospital believing they were taking home their newborn daughters. But somewhere inside the hospital, the babies had been switched. The mistake went undiscovered for five years, leaving two families to grapple with an extraordinary situation and questions about identity, motherhood, and the lives their daughters might otherwise have lived. The girls were raised by the wrong families, with the truth eventually coming to light years after their births. For the mothers at the centre of the drama, the discovery would have life-changing consequences. What followed was not simply a matter of correcting a hospital mistake, but navigating the complicated relationships, emotions and realities created by years of believing one child was their own. The story attracted significant public attention, bringing intense scrutiny to the families as they tried to make sense of what had happened. For Sandra, one of the mothers involved, the consequences have endured long after the…
In March 1990, two mothers walked out of Timaru Hospital believing they were taking home their newborn daughters. But somewhere inside the hospital, the babies had been switched. The mistake went undiscovered for five years, leaving two families to grapple with an extraordinary situation and questions about identity, motherhood, and the lives their daughters might otherwise have lived. The girls were raised by the wrong families, with the truth eventually coming to light years after their births. For the mothers at the centre of the drama, the discovery would have life-changing consequences. What followed was not simply a matter of correcting a hospital mistake, but navigating the complicated relationships, emotions and realities created by years of believing one child was their own. The story attracted significant public attention, bringing intense scrutiny to the families as they tried to make sense of what had happened. For Sandra, one of the mothers involved, the consequences have endured long after the…
Episodes
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Switched at birth: Inside New Zealand's most infamous baby swap
ListenedIn March 1990, two mothers walked out of Timaru Hospital believing they were taking home their newborn daughters. But somewhere inside the hospital, the babies had been switched. The mistake went undiscovered for five years, leaving two families to grapple with an extraordinary situation and questions about identity, motherhood, and the lives their daughters might otherwise have lived. The girls were raised by the wrong families, with the truth eventually coming to light years after their births. For the mothers at the centre of the drama, the discovery would have life-changing consequences. What followed was not simply a matter of correcting a hospital mistake, but navigating the complicated relationships, emotions and realities created by years of believing one child was their own. The story attracted significant public attention, bringing intense scrutiny to the families as they tried to make sense of what had happened. For Sandra, one of the mothers involved, the consequences have endured long after the…
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The deadly doctor: the murder of Dunedin teen Amber-Rose Rush
ListenedIn 2020, Dunedin doctor Venod “Vinny” Skantha was jailed for life with a minimum non-parole period of 19 years for murdering teenager Amber-Rose Rush. In 2018 the 16-year-old said she was going to police and the defendant’s Dunedin Hospital bosses with allegations of Skantha sexually assaulting young women and providing alcohol to minors. Skantha’s job was already in jeopardy after he had been given a final warning for serious misconduct — the new claims would likely have ended his career. To keep the teenager quiet, Skantha went to her property, entered the house and stabbed her to death in her bed. Amber-Rose was the youngest of three children and according to her mother Lisa-Ann, the “glue” that held the family together. Tragically, just months after Amber-Rose died, her mother died in a suspected suicide. In this episode of Herald podcast A Moment In Crime, senior journalist Anna Leask looks back at the life and death of Amber-Rose. The episode also explains the death of Skantha in prison the day after…
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The babysitter's secret: serial baby killer Lise Turner's terrible crimes
ListenedFor years, baby killer Lise Turner hid in plain sight — shielded by medical uncertainty, misplaced trust and the tragedy of so-called cot death. Her crimes were only uncovered after the death of 8-month-old Michael Tinnion in Christchurch in 1984 exposed a deadly pattern authorities had missed. Turner was later convicted of murdering three babies — including her two infant daughters, Megan and Cheney — and attempting to murder three other infants. In the latest episode of Herald true crime podcast A Moment In Crime, senior journalist Anna Leask looks back at Turner’s offending - and those most impacted. More than four decades later after his murder Michael’s mother Lauree Ashworth, is speaking publicly about the day her son died, the woman she trusted, and the lifelong impact of a crime that shattered her family. “I live with it every single day,” she said. In this powerful episode of A Moment In Crime, Lauree shares her memories of Michael, the investigation that exposed one of New Zealand’s worst serial…
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From violent stalker to killer: Nathan Boulter's 'brazen' crimes
ListenedThis episode includes graphic descriptions of violent acts, which some listeners may find distressing or triggering. Listener discretion is strongly advised. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or distress, support is available. Scroll down for a list of support services. And please consider your well-being before listening. In 2025, a man with a lengthy history of stalking and attacking women was jailed for life with a minimum non-parole period of 17 years for murdering his ex-partner, Chantal McDonald, in front of her children at their Christchurch home. But violent serial offender Nathan Boulter refused to stand in court in front of his victim’s family – including her teenage daughter who spoke for the first time about witnessing the murder – appearing by audio-visual link from another room in the court precinct instead. The Herald has been reporting on Boulter’s horrifying offending since 2011 – after his high-profile stalking, kidnapping and assault of his ex-girlfriend on Great…
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Diagnosis? Deception (part two): Inside Nicola Flint's fake cancer fraud
ListenedThis is the second part of a two-part A Moment In Crime special. Christchurch woman Nicola Flint told friends she was dying, even showing them the spot where her ashes would be scattered. They grieved and gave thousands to help her fight cancer. But police say there is no evidence of any cancer diagnosis – and behind Flint's narrative, a web of forged medical letters, bank payouts and theft from a rugby club – fraud totalling more than $180,000. Now, as Flint hides out in Wales from the fallout of her elaborate tales, Herald senior crime and justice journalist Anna Leask looks inside the alleged fraud and speaks to those hurt the most by her long-running cancer stories. If you have information about Nicola Flint, contact anna.leask@nzme.co.nz READ MORE: Inside alleged Christchurch fraudster Nicola Flint’s elaborate, years-long cancer con Christchurch cancer fraud: Friend of Nicola Flint speaks out on lies A Moment In Crime is written and hosted by Leask — who specialises in crime and justice reporting. She…
