Foretold: Australia's Whiskey Au Go Go Fire - The Finale

Episode 121

After eight episodes, Foretold: Australia’s Whiskey Au Go Go Fire comes to its dramatic conclusion.

In this finale, we examine the extraordinary events that unfolded after James Finch's release from prison, including his televised confession, his immediate recantation, and the allegations that reignited questions about police corruption, fabricated confessions, and perjury. We also explore the competing theories that have surrounded the Whiskey Au Go Go fire for more than fifty years—from organized crime and protection rackets to insurance fraud, revenge, and international heroin trafficking.

Finally, we dive into the evidence presented during the recent coronial inquest, discuss why its findings remain eagerly awaited, and share where we believe the evidence points after eight weeks of research.

But above all, we remember the fifteen innocent people who lost their lives on March 8, 1973, and examine the building failures that transformed a criminal act into one of Australia's deadliest nightclub fires.

CHECK OUT MY NEW AUTHOR WEBSITE: www.anauthornamedapril.com

The Crime to Burn Patreon - The Cult of Steve - is LIVE NOW! Go join and get all the unhinged you can handle. Click here to be sanctified. 

Inner Sanctum Acknowledgments:
Eternal gratitude to our Inner Sanctum patrons, Melanie Curtis, Beth Charis-Molling, Laura Pisciotta, and Jason Wolfe for helping us bring light to the stories others would rather leave in the ashes.

Listener discretion is advised.

Background music by Not Notoriously Coordinated 

Get your Crime to Burn Merch! https://crimetoburn.myspreadshop.com

Please follow us on Instagram, X, Facebook, TikTok and Youtube for the latest news on this case. You can email us at crimetoburn@gmail.com We welcome any constructive feedback and would greatly appreciate a 5 star rating and review. 

If you need a way to keep your canine contained, you can also support the show by purchasing a Pawious wireless dog fence using our affiliate link and use the code "crimetoburn" at checkout to receive 10% off. Pawious, because our dog Winston needed a radius, not a rap sheet. 

SOURCES:

• Plunkett, Geoff. The Whiskey Au Go Go Massacre: Murder, Arson and the Crime of the Century. Big Sky Publishing, 2018.
• Siganto, Talissa. "Whiskey Au Go Go fire bombing witness told by police to change her statement, inquest hears." ABC News Australia, June 16, 2021. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-06-16/qld-whiskey-au-go-go-inquest-witness-police-statement/100220474
• "Murdered Because She Knew Too Much: The Untold Story of the Whiskey Au Go Go Fire." 7NEWS Spotlight, YouTube, June 15, 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH4kz5dbj8g
• Australian Associated Press. "Police were warned Brisbane's Whiskey Au Go Go would be burned down, inquest told." The Guardian, May 11, 2022. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/may/11/police-were-warned-brisbanes-whiskey-au-go-go-would-be-burned-down-inquest-told
• Cavallaro, Ebony. "Whiskey Au Go Go inquest reveals new evidence into fatal nightclub fire." Nine News Australia, February 3, 2022. https://www.nine.com.au/australia-news/whiskey-au-go-go-inquest-new-evidence-in-queensland-1973-nightclub-fire-that-killed-15-people-20220203-p5yegq.html
• "From the Archives: The Deadly Whiskey Au Go Go Nightclub Fire." Brisbane Times, March 7, 2019. https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/from-the-archives-the-deadly-whiskey-au-go-go-nightclub-fire-20190306-p5127e.html
• Antrobus, B. (2022, January 27). Whiskey Au Go Go: Dramatic turn as inquest told top detective had critical recordings. News.com.au. https://www.news.com.au/national/queensland/news/whiskey-au-go-go-dramatic-turn-as-inquest-told-top-detective-had-critical-recordings/news-story/1d2e7d543507fe43c2e1e5eb27651a0e
• Australian Associated Press. (2022, May 11). Police were warned Brisbane's Whiskey Au Go Go would be burned down, inquest told. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/may/11/police-were-warned-brisbanes-whiskey-au-go-go-would-be-burned-down-inquest-told