When Rachel Barber failed to return home from dance practice one evening in 1999, her family reported her missing and launched a desperate search. They plastered Melbourne with over 2,000 posters, hoping for any news of her whereabouts.
After days of searching, their hopes shattered on day 12 when they learned Rachel had been murdered. Her killer was a 19-year-old former babysitter and family friend who had been consumed by jealousy and obsession with Rachel, stalking her for years.
Criminal court reporter Megan Norris co-wrote a book with Rachel’s mother, Elizabeth, titled Perfect Victim, detailing the families tragic loss and the details of the case.
You can find Megan’s book with Elizabeth Southall Perfect Victim here.
THE END BITS
Find out more about Mamamia's charity partner RizeUp Australia here.
CREDITS
Guest: Megan Norris
Host: Gemma Bath
Producers: Tahli Blackman & Christel Cornilsen
Audio Producer: Scott Stronach
GET IN TOUCH:
Feedback? We’re listening! Email us at truecrime@mamamia.com.au or send us a voice note, and one of our Podcast Producers will come back to you ASAP.
If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636
Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
