One of Tasmania’s oldest unsolved murders – and the ghost story that grew around it.
Episode OverviewIn our premiere episode, we revisit the tragic and unsettling story of Chrissie Venn, a 13-year-old girl whose murder near North Motton in 1921 remains unsolved. More than a century later, the case continues to fascinate Tasmanians. Over time, the real events surrounding Chrissie’s death have also become entangled with tales of ghosts, unexplained lights and a mysterious girl said to appear along Allison Road. In this episode, we examine the disappearance, the discovery of Chrissie’s body, the police investigation, the suspects and the evidence that emerged during the inquest and trial. We also look at the folklore that grew around the case and separate the documented history from the stories that have been repeated for generations.
Inside This Episode
Lore vs FactOver the decades, Chrissie Venn’s murder has gradually become part of Tasmanian folklore. Ghost stories, roadside sightings and local legends have become mixed with the historical record. In this episode, we separate those stories from what was actually documented during the 1921 investigation.
The Local LegendGeographic Drift:
Some later folklore has incorrectly associated the story with Allison Road in other parts of Tasmania.
Ghostly Sightings:
Stories describe unexplained lights, stalled cars and a mysterious young girl appearing beside the road.
The Restless Spirit:
The legend portrays Chrissie as a ghost forever wandering the roadside.
The Historical RecordThe Real Location:
The murder occurred near North Motton, close to Ulverstone on Tasmania’s north-west coast.
A Human Crime:
The historical record details a brutal murder, an intense police investigation, an anonymous letter and a highly publicised legal process.
The Sombre Reality:
Chrissie’s body was discovered concealed inside a large hollow tree stump. She was later buried at North Motton.
Listen NowYou can stream Episode 1 – The Ghost of Allison Road: The Murder of Chrissie Venn directly on the True Crime Tasmania website or listen through your favourite podcast platform.
True Crime Tasmania explores murders, disappearances, mysteries and serious crimes from Tasmania’s past and present. Our episodes take a conversational approach while aiming to distinguish documented facts from allegation, speculation and folklore. Where cases remain unsolved, we do not assume guilt and we respect the legal status of those involved.
