Episode 309 - L'Onorata Societa Part 1: The Murder of Stiletto Jean (1932)

Weird Crap in Australia

• Jean Morris's murder in 1932 remains a haunting enigma with a simple answer. Found stabbed 43 times in her home, suspicions fell on her Italian associates Joe Maganetti and Michael Gudas.
• The brutality suggested the involvement of foreign criminal elements, possibly by the notorious Black Hand. Italian national Vincenzo Dagostino emerged as a suspect, allegedly ordering her death for rejecting his advances and knowing too much about Mafia activities.
• As the investigation intensified, the shadows of conspiracy grew darker, leaving Jean Morris's death a chilling tale of crime and secrets.
• Join Holly & Matthew as they begin their journey into the secrets of L'Onorata Societa - the Honored Society.

Sources Used:

• A Ghastly Tragedy | Townsville Daily Bulletin | 5 Oct 1932 | Page 6 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/61693594
• Cairns Items | Townsville Daily Bulletin | 31 Mar 1933 | Page 9 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/61381289
• From The Vault – Murder of ‘Stiletto Jean’ Morris | QPS Media | Oct 28, 2022 | https://mypolice.qld.gov.au/museum/2022/10/28/vault-murder-stiletto-jean-morris/
• Many Stabs | The Sun | 4 Oct 1932 | Page 9 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/229254133
• Murdered sex worker Jean Morris's body lays in an unmarked grave in north Queensland — now locals want to change that | Baz Ruddick and Jessica Naunton | 25 Feb 2024 | https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-25/jean-morris-murdered-grave-headstone-north-queensland/103503982
• No Fresh Light | Toowoomba Chronicle and Darling Downs Gazette |16 Mar 1933 | Page 7 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/254299139
• Stab Frenzy | The Sun |5 Oct 1932 | Page 15 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/229259473
• Terror in the canefields | Georgia Hitch | 27 Jun 2023 | ABC |https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-27/the-black-hand-terror-cane-fields-far-north-queensland/102329810
• The Ayr Murder | Cairns Post | 31 Mar 1933 | Page 8 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/41192651
• The O'Driscoll Memoirs | Truth | 30 Jul 1950 | Page 13 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/201435822

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