A trip to the hair salon turns fatal

Case 276: Claire Acocks & Margaret Penny
May 3 1991, was a typical Friday for 58-year-old Margaret Penny. In the afternoon, she visited the Old London Coiffure in the heart of Portland, Victoria, for her weekly hair appointment with 49-year-old Claire Acocks. But when the two women are found stabbed to death in the salon’s shampoo room, the Portland rumour mill goes into overdrive.
Who could be motivated to commit such a brazen and vicious crime in the middle of the day, in the busiest part of town? And who was the “horrible man” with a hatred of hairdressers who had tormented Claire in the weeks before the crime?
CREDITS
Narration - Anonymous Host
Research & writing - Elsha McGill
Creative direction - Milly Raso
Production and music - Mike Migas
Music - Andrew D.B. Joslyn
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[@KerrieKruegner]

I don’t understand how finding an unknown males DNA casts doubt on the husbands involvement as the theory was that he hired a hit man not that he carried out the murders himself

[@uanime1]

You need to prove the husband knew the unknown male as without this the DNA indicates the husband was not involved.

[@lisas8244]

Does Australian law enforcement use genealogic data bases to identify suspects? This seems like a good case to utilize that capability provided the DNA isn't too degraded to do so.

[@elizabethwilson3499]

I am addicted to this podcast!

[@Loonaticlu]

Same

[@romystumpy1197]

Likewise,he digs deep into every case,draws you in ,as if you are there

[@pr0cessa]

Thank you from Nashville Tennessee!! Narrator voice is addicting

[@carriefawcett9990]

As an Aussie, why, thankyou 😊 🇦🇺

[@romystumpy1197]

​@@carriefawcett9990is his accent Melbourne, Perth,brisbane ,sydney,Darwin, adelaide ? His voice is perfect ,best channel

[@williambruce189]

Nashville 2

[@annegiorgio5602]

@@romystumpy1197as an Adelaide resident it’s difficult to tell which part of Australia.

[@romystumpy1197]

@annegiorgio5602 thanks for that ,I was curious as to how to identify regional accents

[@alpyhaWQFwef]

Treat businesses like online accounts. If you think someone has gotten in without permission. Immediately change the password/locks.

[@owinlaa]

42:44 how the hell did he even manage that 💀

[@moonlover1628]

At first I didn't think much of that but now I also want to know how the heck he did that.

[@godamid4889]

The pronunciation is exceptional.

[@roadwarrior528]

The AI narrator is getting better.

[@JutubIngyen]

@@roadwarrior528I dont think it’s an ai voice tbh

[@annegiorgio5602]

@@roadwarrior528it’s not AI

[@susangutierrez-chadwick2220]

Thank you for this Casefile, it breaks my heart that the children were never given any answers and to this day still suffer. I have been enjoying your channel and look forward to it. Keep up the good work.👍

[@chesspiece81]

Casefile presents my early Saturday morning programming. Good morning everyone

[@raradis]

Hello hello, missed the voice.

[@chantellediamond4935]

Addicted to Casefile 😊

[@MaZaKeRaL]

Me too

[@sidbobby3233]

Good morning to all across the world frm the 🇬🇧😎🙏👊👍✌

[@louiseleite3866]

👍👍🇧🇷🇧🇷

[@bella95]

Goodnight from Australia 🇦🇺

[@garymichaelgallien9382]

❤

[@BDBee81]

>8-D

[@bendyloco]

Good morning 🇺🇸 🤙 ✌️ 👊

[@harleynielsen516]

As a hair dresser of 13 years I just want to say that a rat tail comb, a screw driver and a knitting needle have VERY different diameters! How could they all be possible to make the same wound!

[@annegiorgio5602]

Depends on the gauge of the knitting needle but a screwdriver as a different point, flat or star shaped.

[@andrewforbes1433]

The seance detail with alleged testimony from beyond the grave is irrelevant and should have been omitted. Otherwise, another fine episode.

[@viliabone1952]

It shows the desperation of the daughter

[@andrewforbes1433]

@@viliabone1952 This kind of thing has been presented differently in other episodes. Here it is almost suggested as a viable line of enquiry.

[@JohnathanMackenzie-h8z]

Death is so final. Excellent channel. Most suitable voice.

[@rhondamcewananderson3968]

Thanks Casefile.... this was really great..♥️

[@danrobinson572]

Good 👍 morning from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania in America 🇺🇸.

[@thecatatemyhomework]

Good morning to you from NYC (unfortunately)🇺🇲🇺🇸MAGA🇺🇲🇺🇲

[@danrobinson572]

@@thecatatemyhomework okay 👍

[@Andy-b4r7h]

Quickly becoming my favorite true crime source

[@lunagoodhart5489]

Its an outstanding channel. I've been a listener for years now.

[@orlandomota6685]

One of the Best True Crime channels! I always look forward to Saturdays 🙌🏾

[@phatlassie]

The best

[@LindaKijonka-mu4fv]

If u hear something say something better to be safe then sorry what a shame

[@InfiniteEchos]

Absolute Standout True Crime Series

[@nekogirl1012]

Your the only crime podcast channel that i can honestly say is right up there with Mr. Ballen keep up the absolutely amazing work!!!!!

[@elisaflore2850]

Have you tried the lore Lodge or Stephanie harlowe?

[@SN-zq2gt]

I was thinking the same thing

[@SN-zq2gt]

​@elisaflore2850 I used to listen to Harlow but then I felt a lot of negativity and harshness harshness so I stopped. Maybe it was just me.

[@carriefawcett9990]

And Dr Grande, Zowoki.

[@carriefawcett9990]

​@@SN-zq2gtI've never listened to her, do you mean harshness to wards the victims? Because that's unacceptable! I hate channels who victim-blame.

[@Maligroot]

Thanks Matey 👍

[@themorgan1111]

could the murderer have been actually living in the attic or something, you do hear of these stories, as the hairdresser said someone just appeared in the shop while the doors were locked from the inside, plus no one saw a thing outside...old building too could easily have some old cavities etc..i hope the police checed this scenario out ...well done casefile great story xxx

[@BDBee81]

Phrogging !

[@BDBee81]

Check out this movie.. "I see you". Ultimate frog mask Frogger >8-D

[@themorgan1111]

ahh thats what its called...thankyou,, do you also think this could be what happened?

[@themorgan1111]

yeah i seen that movie ...the guy next door spying on them wasnt it?

[@loredanadincu4300]

There was a dentist office upstairs genius

[@johneuroguy7674]

Good morning from Melbourne, Australia! Just arrived home at 12midnight, and needed an hour or so to unwind, before entering slumberland. In bed now, turn on KZbin, and am informed Casefile has uploaded a couple of hours ago! This bodes well for the special poker tournament I am playing in tomorrow (technically, today, at 11.00am. What a perfect preparation! Cheers everyone!

[@brandyjean7015]

May the cards be in your favor.

[@johnmichaelfitzgerald3052]

G'day, from Roxburgh Park

[@Andrew-ri5qo]

Yes 👍

[@McKinneyMcQuien]

I love this podcast keep going

[@michellecraig6286]

Me two keep going!

[@freeroamflock]

Me three

[@fedup5120]

I was a teen when this happened and used to camp outside with just the dog. I knew major crime happened but we hadn't had one hit Portland that was like this. Mostly drug related stuff, as long as you stayed away from druggies you were usually pretty right. When this happened it was bone chilling. It took me years before I could walk past The Old London without cringing. I stopped camping out after that and became more cautious about locking doors and being more wary about people. The fact it has never been solved pisses me off. I pray that woman comes forward or some other lead happens that finally closes this case and brings closure to the families, particulary Tim. For years we thought of this case, looked at peoe and wondered, did you do it? Portland is a beautiful, safe community, nothing this horrible has happened since, but we need this cold case closed.

[@gamerbanee]

It's always a wonderful Saturday evening when a new Casefile is finally uploaded.

[@dayellefitzgerald4072]

Perfect timing! Love this narrator so much

[@gamerbanee]

He is one of the best storytellers on KZbin.

[@glauvie]

Or in my case, Saturday morning!

[@lowrider81hd]

It’s terrible but wonderful.

[@ladyjenny1746]

Thank you.

[@cynicannkeel8899]

Too many people end up in prison because the clues authorities concentrate on appear to make an innocent person guilty. Can't give innocent people back the years taken away from them while they're sitting in prison, watching other people go on with their lives. After poor Mr Penny died, he could no long defend himself against the suspicions of some of the authorities involved in investigating the death of his wife, or repair the damage accusations aimed at him caused with family members, friends.

[@natalieh4354]

Waited patiently... Thank you

[@sdafc888]

Of course the husband did it. In my opinion

[@michellecraig6286]

Me two!

[@huntlife]

Yes, Claire's husband is correct- I'd love to hear my late husband's snoring again.

[@Johnconno]

After bedrooms, hair salons are the most dangerous places on earth.

[@WVgrl59]

Sad when you have to explain a hair stylist comb

[@natzfernando6040]

What about Kim? She may involved

[@tommytwotones128]

This shit slaps frfr

[@hobbiesandmoremaryking]

Hi, I enjoyed this

[@michellecraig6286]

Me too I'm scared tho/though

[@StacieSmith-rr7gr]

Hooray!!!! Case Files!!!!

[@edgarjryo7071]

24:00

[@lena_lark]

In such situations, families never have suspected the driver/pilot of being suicidal

[@jamescleary-px7qp]

Thank you. Very sad and horrible murder

[@jeepdanielgladit749]

Hello from Georgia, USA

[@pearlkenna5745]

👍🇮🇪

[@lila2028]

Hard to figure, isn't it?

[@rashone2879]

Oh dear. I don’t really like the unsolved ending, but a fantastic presentation nonetheless.

[@faerierain7536]

Why does a coroner need to find a motive 🤨 are they like mortician prosecutors?

[@viliabone1952]

A coronial enquiry looks into the reason for a death when no other reasons can be found, at least that's my understanding.

[@MsHburnett]

no wonder Victoria dwbt is blown out to $126 billion! The state police appear to have a bottomless budget.

[@garethadams9610]

Did Alice in Chains know about this?

[@MsHburnett]

Hello, can't sleep.

[@ryancostello5288]

we need more American stories

[@viliabone1952]

There are plenty already on the internet

[@naomipurdy7045]

This is scary!!!

[@michellecraig6286]

😂ur kidding right? right? RIGHT??

[@klientproby]

I generally enjoy Casefile, but this one really annoyed me. Everyone, from the people who initially heard the screaming, to the women timidly dithering about, was so stupidly silly!

[@justinstoll4955]

"Stupidly silly"? Have you and regularly come upon strange scenes where people have been viciously murdered? Maybe you have and were steely and stoic? I think it's safe to say people that aren't detectives don't know how we'd act given a situation like this.

[@everibarovski7963]

A very difficult case to solve with no motive and so many would be suspects it is my theory that it was her husband that murdered Margaret but again without a motive I remain sceptical. One of the most difficult murders to solve unfortunately. Perth Western Australia 😢😢😢

[@anneloving8405]

There was a high chance the killer was still in the building,I would have been careful too,knowing how those old Victorian buildings are built.

[@Aryasvitkona]

​@@everibarovski7963given the fact her son mentioned the strained relationship and constant fighting, the motive could have been as simple as they fought before she left to her appointment and he was mad enough he went there to harm her.

[@moxie-ik7kz]

is this real? this is such a good podcast

[@chloeew4627]

Strange question .. Google 2 women killed in Portland VIC Aust 1991 .. lots of transient workers there at the time but I think very local .

[@jerrymarshall2095]

Too much prep shaming here

[@michellecraig6286]

Prep!?!?