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The Ultimate Sacrifice

9Podcasts
Queensland Police
Coronial Inquest
Alan Dare
Queensland Police Service
Wieambilla
Weeambilla Shootings
Matthew Arnold
Rachel Mccrow
Gareth Train
William Miller Shootings
Queensland
Nathaniel Train
Stacey Train
Gun Ownership
9NEWS
Police Safety Reforms
Wiembilla
Religious Extremism
Constable Matthew Arnold
Constable Rachel Mccrow

It was a scene of unspeakable evil when a routine callout turned into Queensland's deadliest police shooting.

Four young police officers were ambushed in the outback town of Wieambilla. Two were executed in cold blood, and an innocent neighbour was also gunned down. Two officers escaped the siege, injured but alive. Dozens of police reinforcements engaged in a six-hour gunfight against three heav... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes23Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
True CrimeNews

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Ultimate Sacrifice

Latest Episodes

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60 Minutes’ Adam Hegarty has travelled to Alva Beach to uncover the truth behind one of Australia's most baffling legal cases that raises the burning question: How do two family men lose their li... more

On December 14, 2025, Bondi Beach became the site of the deadliest terror attack on Australian soil - 15 innocent people killed when two gunmen opened fire on a Hanukkah celebration.

Built from eyewitness testimony and deeply personal stories gathe... more

On the first day of her murder trial, the jury learned charges Erin Patterson tried to kill her estranged husband had been dropped. Patterson is standing trial accused of murdering three other family members and attempting to murder a fourth after se... more

Key Facts

Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Ahmed El Ahmed
Witnesses the attack and describes the heroism displayed during the incident.
Episode: Terror At Bondi: Stories from 2GB & 9News
Cody Lillich
Senior Investigative Producer with Arizona's Family
Arizona's Family
Episode: Episode 16: The Plea Deal
Dr. Cathy Reeves
Senior lecturer in Family Law, Domestic Violence and Child Protection Studies at the University of Southern Queensland
University of Southern Queensland
Episode: The Saints - 7. Child Safety Failure
Amanda Kam
Queensland's Minister for Child Safety
Queensland Government
Episode: The Saints - 7. Child Safety Failure
Jade Strews
Sister of Elizabeth Strews, advocating for justice and reforms
Episode: The Saints - 7. Child Safety Failure
Jade Struhs
Sister of Elizabeth, she provides insight into Elizabeth's childhood and the family's involvement in ‘The Saints’ cult.
Episode: The Saints - 1. Elizabeth
Jonathan Kearsley
9News' US correspondent following the case closely.
9News
Episode: Episode 15: Donald Day Jr.
Randall Kirk
Queensland Police Constable recounting his experience
Queensland Police
Episode: Episode 7: Randall Kirk
Anna Rawlings
9News court reporter covering the Wiembilla shooting
9News
Episode: Episode 5: The Inquest Begins

Host

Melissa Downes
Host and presenter known for her empathetic storytelling and approach to complex narratives in news media.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 812 ratings
  • Poor communication

    Melissa Doyle is meant to be an experienced journalist and she just constantly talks over the top of the other host and doesn’t even let her finish her sentences

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    jbhvccg
    Australia2 months ago
  • Huh?

    Just tell the story in order. If you don’t already know this story, this is a difficult listen. It starts with a huge chunk of the story, then clips from too many random perspectives. Interviews from individuals that you don’t know how or where they play into the narrative, throw in even more confusion.

    I got bored because I couldn’t retain the information because there’s no place for me to put it in my brain. It’s too scattered that I couldn’t follow along. Probably an amazing story, but halfw... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    ShenJohn
    United States9 months ago
  • Bad Production Values

    Tragic story, bad production values. Too much melodrama and self promotion on Ch 9’s behalf. I gave up after 20 minutes. Weren’t getting to the point.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Milk Bubbles
    Australia9 months ago
  • Could be done better...

    So repetitive. Same info is given over and over each episode. Listeners aren’t stupid as to need a recap every few minutes. Makes hard going to persist to the end of series.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    LikeByeBye
    Australiaa year ago
  • Trim the fat

    The constant overlapping repetitive media sound bites could not be more annoying, more annoying, annoying, annoying, annoying … also, not sure who Dr Roos is but his constant references to “conspiratol” (not a real word) really got on my nerves.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Simeone's calf muscle
    Australiaa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Others have remarked on the excellent quality of research and the impactful sharing of personal accounts connected to the events covered.
Listeners have praised the emotional depth and thorough investigation of the real events, highlighting the storytelling approach as both engaging and informative.
Some critiques focus on production choices, mentioning overly dramatic elements that detract from the seriousness of the topics discussed.
Several reviewers appreciate the compassionate handling of tragic stories, expressing gratitude for the respectful and informative coverage.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#77
Australia/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#97
New Zealand/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#160
Hong Kong/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#171
Ireland/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 16: The Plea Deal
Q: What can you tell us about the plea deal and the charges against Donald Day Jr.?
Cody explains that Donald Day Jr. was initially facing multiple charges but has entered a plea deal to plead guilty to one charge of being a felon in possession of firearms, dropping the more severe accusations connected to the violence in Australia.
Episode 16: The Plea Deal
Q: Can you take us back to that day when Donald Day Jr. was arrested?
Cody Lillich describes the arrest happening in December 2023, where FBI agents apprehended Donald Day Jr. at a gas station in a rural area, marking the start of significant media attention.
The Saints - 6. Cult Control
Q: What can family and friends do if they suspect someone is getting involved in a cult?
They should offer support, keep communication lines open, and be there for the person if they ever choose to seek help.
The Saints - 6. Cult Control
Q: How do people get so deeply embedded in cult beliefs?
Individuals in cults are often isolated from outside influences and gradually indoctrinated, leading them to accept irrational beliefs.
The Saints - 6. Cult Control
Q: What were the circumstances surrounding Elizabeth's case?
Elizabeth's death was linked to a religious group that withheld medical treatment, believing in divine intervention instead of real medical care.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Ultimate Sacrifice

What is The Ultimate Sacrifice about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focused on a tragic event that revealed the darkest aspects of human nature, this podcast investigates Queensland's deadliest police shooting, exposing the harrowing details of an ambush that killed two officers and an innocent neighbor. Episodes provide in-depth coverage of the chaotic six-hour gunfight, the resulting investigations, and the complex web of conspiracy theories intertwined with religiously motivated acts of violence. The narrative, delivered with compassion and insight, explores not only the dynamics of the incident but also the broader implications on community safety and policing in Australia. Notably, the podcast features robust storytelling and firsthand accounts that create an emotional connection, making it an essentia... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Ultimate Sacrifice?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Ultimate Sacrifice:

1. The Missing Campers Trial
2. Alva Beach: Death At The Door
3. Terror at Bondi
4. True Crime Conversations
5. Australian True Crime

How many episodes of The Ultimate Sacrifice are there?

The Ultimate Sacrifice launched 2 years ago and published 23 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Ultimate Sacrifice?

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What guests have appeared on The Ultimate Sacrifice?

Recent guests on The Ultimate Sacrifice include:

1. Ahmed El Ahmed
2. Cody Lillich
3. Dr. Cathy Reeves
4. Amanda Kam
5. Jade Strews
6. Jade Struhs
7. Jonathan Kearsley
8. Randall Kirk

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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