Ep. 032 | The Murders of Ben Smart and Olivia Hope

The Murders of Ben Smart and Olivia Hope: A Controversial Case

In this episode, Kelsey and Emily delve into one of New Zealand's most infamous mysteries—the disappearances of Ben Smart and Olivia Hope on New Year's Eve 1997. The pair vanished after boarding a boat with a mystery man, and despite extensive searches, their bodies were never found. 26-year-old Scott Watson was convicted of their murders based largely on circumstantial evidence and later-discredited witness testimonies, but he has always maintained his innocence.

The episode examines Watson's controversial conviction, the shaky evidence presented at trial, and the ongoing debate about whether the right man was imprisoned. Join the hosts as they navigate through this complex case, questioning the reliability of the evidence and discussing if justice was truly served.

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