Case 217
Kathleen Marshall
*** Content Warning: animal cruelty ***
In March 1998, members of the Cat Protection Society in Brisbane, Australia were shocked at the murder of one of their own, a 52-year-old Veterinarian named Dr Kathleen Marshall. An outspoken crusader for animal rights, Kathleen seemed an unlikely target for such a brutal assault.
However, in the course of the investigation, it soon came to light that not all was as it seemed amongst the Cat Protection Society. With in-fighting and power struggles, the finger was clearly pointed at another member, Virginia Houston, as being the prime suspect. Investigators were certain she was responsible as well until a chance meeting with a member of the local Spiritualist Church, an accomplished palm reader named Andrew Fitzherbert.
CREDITS
EPISODE:
Research & writing – Jessica Forsayeth
Creative direction – Milly Raso
Narration – Anonymous Host
MUSIC:
‘Flatline intro’ and ‘Come play with me’ intro and outro – www.dl-sounds.com
Audio production – Mike Migas
Scoring – Mike Migas and Andrew Joslyn
OTHER:
Logo and website design – Paulina Szymanska
PREMIUM
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RESOURCES
ONLINE ARTICLES
New conference venue for UQ School of Veterinary Science – University of Queensland
First person in Australia convicted of crime solely on DNA evidence, but did he do it? – The Courier Mail
DNA evidence on trial: The curious case of the palmist and the “Catwoman” – Crime Magazine
Doubts raised on vet murder – The Courier Mail
NEWSPAPER ARCHIVES
Cat lovers quizzed over murder – The Sydney Morning Herald
Cat society murder: sacked official fights to clear name – The Sydney Morning Herald
Mysterious murder of catwoman – The Sydney Morning Herald
Murdered vet afraid of rival, court told – The Sydney Morning Herald
Mild mannered man in deadly cat fight – The Age
Cat Society admits possible link to killer – The Courier Mail
Murdered Brisbane vet feared stalker – The Courier Mail
Vet killer a nutter – The Sunday Mail
Victim’s cat society was on the brink of bankruptcy – The Courier Mail
Trees may have hidden murderer – North West News
Killer blood found – The Sunday Mail
Accused should fear DNA data, Court told – The Courier Mail
Blood link convicts psychic of murder – The Courier Mail
Murder probe figure hits out at accusers – The Courier Mail
Lindy Man DNA claim – The Sunday Mail
Cat society winds up over missing funds – The Courier Mail
DNA bungle in catwoman case appeal – The Courier Mail
The palmist, the catwoman and the suspected DNA – The Courier Mail
BOOKS
Five Drops of Blood: Murder in the Cat Protection Society – Paul Wilson and Dianne McInnes
Crucial Errors in Murder Investigations – Ted Duhs
A History of the Queensland Cat Protection Society: A Story of Infighting, Money and Murder – Ted Duhs (upcoming release)
WEBSITES
VIDEOS
Forensic Investigators: Kathleen Marshall
OTHER
R v Fitzherbert [2000] QCA 255 (30 June 2000)
CA No 283 of 1999
Supreme Court at Brisbane