Episode 1: Stan Graham - A Small Town Massacre

Sinister Dynasty - New Zealand (NZ) True Crime Podcast

Our first case! Amidst lots of laughter, Ayla and Andi explore the murders committed by Stanley Graham. After getting into debt due to cattle farming, friends started to think he was suffering mentally. When Stan and his wife Dot’s cattle’s health started failing, they started accusing neighbours of poisoning their cattle. Around this time police recalled guns, upon which Stan said he had none and then blamed his neighbour. In reality, their health was suffering due to poor hygiene in the milking shed, with the bad weather also stopping the cattle from feeding properly. It was later found that Stan did have a firearm, which he was prosecuted for. The abuse towards his neighbours got worse over time, and Stan and Dot started to go target shooting in the middle of the night. Finally, the abuse got to the point where Stan pointed a gun, which he had not handed in, to his neighbour. Policemen were given the same treatment when they confronted Stan and Dot on their property. Three policemen were killed on the property at this time, with one critically wounded. Two others attempted to enter to help the policeman however they were shot at, with one being disarmed before Stan ran off into the bush and started one of New Zealand’s biggest man hunts – 12 days long. Stan was shot three times during the man hunt, before being caught and dying in hospital the following day due to his wounds. The Graham home was burnt down after the event by an unknown person or people. Stan caused seven people to lose their lives.

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Music by Kyle Hsieh