Who the Hell is Hamish?

Hedley Thomas’ new podcast investigation, The Poisoned Wife

Who killed Rosslyn McQueen? Today’s launch day for something very special here at The Australian: a new Hedley Thomas cold case investigation. The Poisoned Wife is a podcast examination of how a 30-year-old pregnant mother died of strychnine poisoning in her own home - and nobody has been brought to justice. Who killed Rosslyn McQueen? How key witness in Rosslyn McQueen murder broke her 40-year silence on case Subscribers to The Australian hear new episodes first on Apple Podcasts, on The Australian’s app and thepoisonedwife.com, where you’ll find photos, videos, timelines, stories and more. See the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Joshua Burton. Our team includes Lia Tsamoglou, Tiffany Dimmack, and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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10: The Reckoning

For years Hamish McLaren had evaded the law. But not any more. The brutal truth, like a runaway out-of-control limited edition Mercedes McLaren, is bearing down on him. There's no escape. Judgement Day for Hamish McLaren has finally arrived. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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9: Bonus: Jane

As a bonus for all listeners, we are publishing the full interview with Jane, recorded in her house north of Sydney. She speaks at length about her experiences of Hamish, the impact it had on her life, and how she hopes to begin moving on. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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8: The Definition of Evil

It may appear that Hamish got away with his schemes for decades. But he didn't. He kept getting caught out, time and again. It's self evident that many systems failed to apprehend this serial offender. How could this be so? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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7: On the Couch with Hamish

He killed off his parents, by air and by sea. He ran over his twin brother Phil, and killed him, too. What are we to make of these fanciful stories Hamish made up about his life? We've called in experts. And we've gathered bevy of ex-girlfriends to give us their take on their time with Hamish. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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6: Kevin from Queensland Goes to Canada

Skiing was Hamish Watson's great love. Before he was a puffed-up futures trader in Sydney, he was a pumped-up muscle-bound ski instructor, in Australia and Canada. The ski fields of Canada were his home away from home, a place where he could show off the millions he'd stolen. He flew in on private jets, he bought properties, he handed out Rolex watches and he regaled the locals with tales of life as a billionaire who was mates with Tom and Nicole. But it wasn't all play and no work for Hamish in Canada. He stole millions, roping in a high end car dealership, and drawing the attention of a spy and a former Australian Prime Minister. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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5: Who the Hell is Phil?

Hamish arrived on the floor of the Sydney Futures Exchange in the late 90s - he talked big, but they all knew he traded small. They called him a One Lot Wonder. And they all wondered where he got his cash. There were cars and boats and trips in private jets and a girlfriend called The Pleasure Machine. But it was all other people's money. One of his victims reported $20m dollars worth of fraud to police, but Hamish slithered away to strike again. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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4: The Intern

Jane was destined for big things. She was the great hope of her local school. She was in love with Jack, her teenage sweetheart. Life was sweet. Then, along came Hamish, promising an internship and a placement at Princeton. Two families would be devastated by the results. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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3: The Gatsby of the Great Lakes

Hamish arrived in sleepy Blueys Beach with a beautiful woman on his arm, and on the run from his past. Rumours of dark deeds wafted through in his wake. Then he met Bec Rosen. He'd shower her with love. They'd be married on the balcony of a beach shack. He'd become a father figure to her boys. And then he'd cruelly betray them all. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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2: Fashion Crimes

Hamish McLaren was always attracted to the high-life. It was inevitable he'd gravitate to fashion. And so, nestled among the retirees and energy healers, Hamish stole from was another name: Lisa Ho. But had Hamish met his match in this high profile Sydney designer? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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1: The Day Max Died

Tracy fell in love with Max Tavita, a man who won her over with tales of a life in the investment world and how he was working in the World Trade Center in New York when the first plane hit in 2001. Then Hamish crashed into their lives. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Bonus: Judge Colin Charteris

The swan song of judge Colin Charteris - his final words from the bench, the sentencing of Hamish McLaren. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonus: Nick Park

Nick Park is a trader who worked alongside Hamish Watson on the Sydney Futures trading floor in the mid 1990s, he suspected something was off with Hamish from the start. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonus: Tim Watson-Munro

A criminal psychologist with 40 years experience analysing offenders in prisons. Tim hasn’t examined Hamish but listening to the podcast he believes Hamish is a psychopath who operates at the top 1 percent of offenders. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonus: James Leigh

James Leigh is Canadian security consultant and former US Intelligence and Homeland Security operative, he claims to be able to collect stolen funds which cannot be recovered by conventional methods. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonus: Matt Nable

Before Matt Nable became a successful actor and screenwriter, he was a rugby league player, but gave up being the Manly strength and conditioning coach to be Hamish’s personal trainer. Matt taught Hamish how to box, and witnessing his jet setting, extravagant lifestyle first hand. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonus: Jack Rosen

Jack thought he had a solid role model when Hamish McLaren married his mum, Bec Rosen. But soon the spotlight fell on his high school sweetheart, as Hamish betrayed the family that had let him into their lives. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonus: Catherine Coleman

Catherine Coleman watched from the sidelines as Max Tavita entranced her good friend Tracy Hall. It's very difficult to burst the Hamish bubble, but she tried her hardest, fact checking his story however she could. But what do you do when you find evidence, but your friend refuses to take it seriously? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonus: Lisa Ho

Fashion designed Lisa Ho explains how Hamish inserted himself in her business, the red flags that started to worry her, and the perfect storm that ultimately imploded her life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonus: Tracy Hall

An extended cut of Tracy Hall's interview, in which she explains how she met Max, the stories of his childhood and career in America, the arc of their relationship, and her sense of betrayal. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.