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Blood Territory: The Death of Jimmy O'Connell
Please note: this series contains mature themes and graphic imagery; and listener discretion is advised.
How far would you go to clear the name of the man convicted of your son’s death?
Red blood stains the red soil of the Australian Northern Territory in this true crime Audible Original Podcast, Blood Territory.
Less than 250,000 people live in the Northern Territory, an area more than twice the size of Texas. If you want to escape from civilisation, you don’t have to go far. But you can’t outrun the heat. Every year during October and November the sweltering climate can drive people wild; they call it ‘Suicide Season’, ‘Mango Madness’ or, more plainly, ‘The Build-up’.
It’s during this blistering heat that Jim O’Connell’s body is found in a creek bed, mummified and with his genitals removed. But when a dubious plea deal buries the truth and puts Jim’s best mate, Philip Mather, behind bars for the crime, the victim’s parents seek to unravel it themselves to prove Philip’s innocence.
Follow journalist Mark Whittaker’s journey into the murky heart of the Northern Territory as allegations of police corruption and judicial racism emerge and a shadowy figure known as The Vigilante lurks on the fringe of the investigation.
This is an Audible Original Podcast. Free for members. You can download all 10 episodes to your Library now.
©2019 Audible Australia Pty Ltd. (P)2019 Audible Australia Pty Ltd.
How far would you go to clear the name of the man convicted of your son’s death?
Red blood stains the red soil of the Australian Northern Territory in this true crime Audible Original Podcast, Blood Territory.
Less than 250,000 people live in the Northern Territory, an area more than twice the size of Texas. If you want to escape from civilisation, you don’t have to go far. But you can’t outrun the heat. Every year during October and November the sweltering climate can drive people wild; they call it ‘Suicide Season’, ‘Mango Madness’ or, more plainly, ‘The Build-up’.
It’s during this blistering heat that Jim O’Connell’s body is found in a creek bed, mummified and with his genitals removed. But when a dubious plea deal buries the truth and puts Jim’s best mate, Philip Mather, behind bars for the crime, the victim’s parents seek to unravel it themselves to prove Philip’s innocence.
Follow journalist Mark Whittaker’s journey into the murky heart of the Northern Territory as allegations of police corruption and judicial racism emerge and a shadowy figure known as The Vigilante lurks on the fringe of the investigation.
This is an Audible Original Podcast. Free for members. You can download all 10 episodes to your Library now.
©2019 Audible Australia Pty Ltd. (P)2019 Audible Australia Pty Ltd.
Audible Audio
Published August 19, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 230 reviews
March 21, 2020
2.5 stars overall
3 stars for performance
2 stars for story
"How far would you go to clear the name of the man convicted of your son’s death?
Red blood stains the red soil of the Australian Northern Territory in this true crime Audible Original Podcast, Blood Territory.
Less than 250,000 people live in the Northern Territory, an area more than twice the size of Texas. If you want to escape from civilisation, you don’t have to go far. But you can’t outrun the heat. Every year during October and November the sweltering climate can drive people wild; they call it ‘Suicide Season’, ‘Mango Madness’ or, more plainly, ‘The Build-up’.
It’s during this blistering heat that Jim O’Connell’s body is found in a creek bed, mummified and with his genitals removed. But when a dubious plea deal buries the truth and puts Jim’s best mate, Philip Mather, behind bars for the crime, the victim’s parents seek to unravel it themselves to prove Philip’s innocence.
Follow journalist Mark Whittaker’s journey into the murky heart of the Northern Territory as allegations of police corruption and judicial racism emerge and a shadowy figure known as The Vigilante lurks on the fringe of the investigation."
3 stars for performance
2 stars for story
"How far would you go to clear the name of the man convicted of your son’s death?
Red blood stains the red soil of the Australian Northern Territory in this true crime Audible Original Podcast, Blood Territory.
Less than 250,000 people live in the Northern Territory, an area more than twice the size of Texas. If you want to escape from civilisation, you don’t have to go far. But you can’t outrun the heat. Every year during October and November the sweltering climate can drive people wild; they call it ‘Suicide Season’, ‘Mango Madness’ or, more plainly, ‘The Build-up’.
It’s during this blistering heat that Jim O’Connell’s body is found in a creek bed, mummified and with his genitals removed. But when a dubious plea deal buries the truth and puts Jim’s best mate, Philip Mather, behind bars for the crime, the victim’s parents seek to unravel it themselves to prove Philip’s innocence.
Follow journalist Mark Whittaker’s journey into the murky heart of the Northern Territory as allegations of police corruption and judicial racism emerge and a shadowy figure known as The Vigilante lurks on the fringe of the investigation."
April 29, 2020
Really interesting Audible investigation into a cold case in Australia. That continent has some great crime!
November 8, 2020
Audiobook narrated by Mark Whittaker
True crime investigation series surrounding the murder of Australian man, Jimmy O'Connell in the Northern Territory by journalist, Mark Whittaker. Interestingly a man was accused and convicted of this crime but not even the victim's family is convinced that he did it.
I couldn't stop listening but tried to separate my experience into two separate nights to stretch out the story. Very addictive listening!
Goodreads review published 08/11/20
True crime investigation series surrounding the murder of Australian man, Jimmy O'Connell in the Northern Territory by journalist, Mark Whittaker. Interestingly a man was accused and convicted of this crime but not even the victim's family is convinced that he did it.
I couldn't stop listening but tried to separate my experience into two separate nights to stretch out the story. Very addictive listening!
Goodreads review published 08/11/20
January 26, 2025
Blood Territory is a true crime investigation into the murder of 22-year-old Jimmy O'Connell. I really felt for Jimmy's family while listening to this audiobook. Whether Jimmy's friend, Philip, is responsible for the murder, remains a mystery.
September 19, 2019
It was l an interesting listen but it just fell a bit short. I don’t think there’s much to the story in regards to what happened.
It’s a family that has been hurt by the system and police so much that they wouldn’t trust them if they told the sky is blue. I found that part the most sad.
Whether who was responsible for Jimmy’s death, I dunno. It’s hard but perhaps they got the right person but I don’t know.
It’s definitely not like Teachers Pet. There isn’t a lot of people willing to talk or know with confidence what happened. A lot of hearsay to go through.
Overall 3 stars
It’s a family that has been hurt by the system and police so much that they wouldn’t trust them if they told the sky is blue. I found that part the most sad.
Whether who was responsible for Jimmy’s death, I dunno. It’s hard but perhaps they got the right person but I don’t know.
It’s definitely not like Teachers Pet. There isn’t a lot of people willing to talk or know with confidence what happened. A lot of hearsay to go through.
Overall 3 stars
May 4, 2023
The conclusions drawn were somewhat inconsistent and relied too much on the testimonies of a few people and not enough on the physical evidence. Overall, though, it was well presented.
March 13, 2020
4 stars!
I'm probably rounding up again, and I was a little deterred from choosing this as an Audible Free Original due to some lackluster reviews, but in the end I'm glad I did. This was quite a wild ride! I think if you are an avid true crime fan you’ll find the complexities of this case interesting, even though it started off a bit slow, and the format is basically a podcast.
I knew absolutely nothing about Australia's Northern Territory, its history of police brutality and corruption, or this case in particular. I knew a little about the mistreatment of its indigenous peoples, but that was about it.
In this story, a man who was a bit of a drifter is found dead and possibly mutilated in the rural Australian Northern Territory. His best friend is later arrested for the murder, and subsequently sentenced and serves his time. What’s interesting about this is that the family of the victim wants to prove the convicted murderer was wrongly accused, and tries to find the real culprit. Thus is the basis of this unofficial investigation.
We’re then taken through an array of possible suspects, which happens to include the same police force working the case, due to a pending lawsuit that both Jimmy, the victim, and his friend and convicted killer, Philip Mather, had against the police department for use of excessive force. Things get even stranger when we find out one of the officers implicated in this lawsuit personally investigated Jimmy's case! The author also touches on other forms of government corruption and rampant racial hostility towards the Aboriginal population. I think for what it is (an investigative podcast), and the mixture of unique location, local customs, and intriguing mystery, this ended up being a good pick.
I'm probably rounding up again, and I was a little deterred from choosing this as an Audible Free Original due to some lackluster reviews, but in the end I'm glad I did. This was quite a wild ride! I think if you are an avid true crime fan you’ll find the complexities of this case interesting, even though it started off a bit slow, and the format is basically a podcast.
I knew absolutely nothing about Australia's Northern Territory, its history of police brutality and corruption, or this case in particular. I knew a little about the mistreatment of its indigenous peoples, but that was about it.
In this story, a man who was a bit of a drifter is found dead and possibly mutilated in the rural Australian Northern Territory. His best friend is later arrested for the murder, and subsequently sentenced and serves his time. What’s interesting about this is that the family of the victim wants to prove the convicted murderer was wrongly accused, and tries to find the real culprit. Thus is the basis of this unofficial investigation.
We’re then taken through an array of possible suspects, which happens to include the same police force working the case, due to a pending lawsuit that both Jimmy, the victim, and his friend and convicted killer, Philip Mather, had against the police department for use of excessive force. Things get even stranger when we find out one of the officers implicated in this lawsuit personally investigated Jimmy's case! The author also touches on other forms of government corruption and rampant racial hostility towards the Aboriginal population. I think for what it is (an investigative podcast), and the mixture of unique location, local customs, and intriguing mystery, this ended up being a good pick.
May 1, 2020
I have some questions on investigative podcasts as a basic format. What happens when you set out to investigate a true crime but then you are not able to uncover anything new? You've raised quite a bit of questions on the prosecution case, thrown mud around for 10 episodes and then what do you do when you run out of budget or reach a timeline?
I think Blood Territory is one such end product. The book starts off promising - an arrest in front of a school - the victim's parents are defending their son's killer - Prosecution for 11 years - a veteran journalist is sure there has been a miscarriage of justice.
Mark Whittaker, an award winning Australian journalist, starts his interviews and raises enough doubts on the prosecution case. In fact to a point that he only keeps raising questions on every witness statement. The most crucial clinching episode gets introduced in part 6 - why? And the ending was a disappointment.
The only saving grace is that it was free on audible.
I think Blood Territory is one such end product. The book starts off promising - an arrest in front of a school - the victim's parents are defending their son's killer - Prosecution for 11 years - a veteran journalist is sure there has been a miscarriage of justice.
Mark Whittaker, an award winning Australian journalist, starts his interviews and raises enough doubts on the prosecution case. In fact to a point that he only keeps raising questions on every witness statement. The most crucial clinching episode gets introduced in part 6 - why? And the ending was a disappointment.
The only saving grace is that it was free on audible.
August 29, 2019
This podcast really doesn't achieve very much or go very far.
March 21, 2020
Retroactive True-Crime Investigation
Review of the Audible Original audiobook (August 2019)
Blood Territory is a retroactive true-crime investigation of a 2006 murder near Darwin, Australia in the Northern Territory. Despite the click-baity title and synopsis the leads towards alternative solutions to the crime are not able to resolve the mystery. The main suspect had pled guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter in order to avoid a life sentence. He is now out of prison and tells his side of the story which is believed by the victim's parents.
The main revelation of all of this is the apparent level of incompetence by the coroner's office and the police at the time of the initial crime, when it was absurdly categorized as a suicide. The later conspiracy theories of a police vengeance plot and a vigilante retribution seem very far-fetched. There is also a tinge of racism to the story with the suspect being of mixed background. Some interesting points are made about indigenous culture being in conflict with colonial culture such as indigenous cultures discussing things in an indirect rather than direct manner. Also that indigenous culture usually dictates a positive response to questioning, so that interrogation about crimes will invariably produce "yes" answers. Those sorts of aspects did make the story dramatic and interesting and did increase the likelihood of a miscarriage of justice.
Mark Whittaker narrates the story well enough. Many participants and witnesses did not cooperate in the investigation and their statements had to be re-enacted by actors in the studio.
Blood Territory was one of the Audible Originals free gifts to members for the month of March 2020, after which it will revert to regular price. It was originally released in August 2019 for a regular price and available to everyone.
Trivia and Link
A 2009 Australian news report of the case can be read online at the Sydney Morning Herald. The link was active as of March 2020.
Review of the Audible Original audiobook (August 2019)
Blood Territory is a retroactive true-crime investigation of a 2006 murder near Darwin, Australia in the Northern Territory. Despite the click-baity title and synopsis the leads towards alternative solutions to the crime are not able to resolve the mystery. The main suspect had pled guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter in order to avoid a life sentence. He is now out of prison and tells his side of the story which is believed by the victim's parents.
The main revelation of all of this is the apparent level of incompetence by the coroner's office and the police at the time of the initial crime, when it was absurdly categorized as a suicide. The later conspiracy theories of a police vengeance plot and a vigilante retribution seem very far-fetched. There is also a tinge of racism to the story with the suspect being of mixed background. Some interesting points are made about indigenous culture being in conflict with colonial culture such as indigenous cultures discussing things in an indirect rather than direct manner. Also that indigenous culture usually dictates a positive response to questioning, so that interrogation about crimes will invariably produce "yes" answers. Those sorts of aspects did make the story dramatic and interesting and did increase the likelihood of a miscarriage of justice.
Mark Whittaker narrates the story well enough. Many participants and witnesses did not cooperate in the investigation and their statements had to be re-enacted by actors in the studio.
Blood Territory was one of the Audible Originals free gifts to members for the month of March 2020, after which it will revert to regular price. It was originally released in August 2019 for a regular price and available to everyone.
Trivia and Link
A 2009 Australian news report of the case can be read online at the Sydney Morning Herald. The link was active as of March 2020.
April 6, 2020
Jimmy O'Connell is missing; 20 days later, his body is found mutilated in a ditch and half mummified. The evidence points to his best friend, Phillip, who later enters a plea deal and gets 11 years. Jimmy's parents don't believe Phillip did it and visited him often in jail. Mark Whittaker decides to revisit this case to see if he can turn up any new evidence.
I liked this Audible original. It wasn't great, but it kept me entertained during a long drive. Because it's set in the northern part of Australia, the accents were sometimes difficult to understand, but Whittaker did a good job of summarizing what was said.
While the ending fell flat for me, I did enjoy learning about this case and the bizarre circumstances around the discovery of Jimmy's body. It's a true crime case I had never heard of and it was definitely a unique one.
I'd recommend this to people who like true crime and want something to listen to quickly.
I liked this Audible original. It wasn't great, but it kept me entertained during a long drive. Because it's set in the northern part of Australia, the accents were sometimes difficult to understand, but Whittaker did a good job of summarizing what was said.
While the ending fell flat for me, I did enjoy learning about this case and the bizarre circumstances around the discovery of Jimmy's body. It's a true crime case I had never heard of and it was definitely a unique one.
I'd recommend this to people who like true crime and want something to listen to quickly.
March 15, 2020
Ne'er-do-well in the Northern Territory with a drug habit and violent tendencies (and possibly a sexual predator) who hangs around with other ne'er-do-wells who do drugs and have violent tendencies finds himself dead - mummified in a dried river bed missing some body parts. Suspect pleads guilty in court. But wait! Maybe the cops killed him, or perhaps a mysterious vigilante.
I think too much was made of the alternative theories, none of which were left unexamined. A single flip-flop found in the same dried river bed! A clue! What could it mean?! I guess this story wouldn't be that interesting if it was presented as the experts determined it happened.
There was some entertaining parts. Some of the characters the author encountered were colorful and edgy. The parents of the murdered man paid thousands of dollars to hire a British psychic to give them vague information. Grown men covet an Esky.
I would've been better off reading the court transcript and police report.
I think too much was made of the alternative theories, none of which were left unexamined. A single flip-flop found in the same dried river bed! A clue! What could it mean?! I guess this story wouldn't be that interesting if it was presented as the experts determined it happened.
There was some entertaining parts. Some of the characters the author encountered were colorful and edgy. The parents of the murdered man paid thousands of dollars to hire a British psychic to give them vague information. Grown men covet an Esky.
I would've been better off reading the court transcript and police report.
March 30, 2020
Ho hum. Not much of a mystery. Investigative reporter delves into mystery down under and realizes it’s likely exactly as thought. Definitely not worth running this story down. Free from Audible. So nothing lost I guess.
May 5, 2020
This was an interesting look into a potential murder in Australia. It's interviews and known facts about the case. It was interesting to hear and really makes me wonder what really happened.
March 25, 2020
Another interesting audible original true crime story.
May 3, 2020
Felt a bit stretched out.
March 12, 2020
Contrary to some of the lower reviews here, I think this was an example of good investigative journalism. They were thorough and sensitive in their approach. A problem with modern journalism is that there is an inclination to twist the narrative or to only ask questions that have a satisfying and pre-determined ending. This is a crew that goes in with one motive and are genuinely surprised by what they find. The ending is not definitive, but little about criminal investigation is. If you want a crime story that resolves perfectly, there is plenty of fiction out there.
March 9, 2020
I enjoyed the narrators voice and cadence. I just thought there was a lot about the story itself left to desire. The investigative audios I'm used to do just that, investigate. This just felt like a regurgitation of the facts with audio clips peppered throughout.
I almost feel like this would have been done better as a Casefile episode.
I almost feel like this would have been done better as a Casefile episode.
March 9, 2020
Interesting listen on a murder in the desolate Northern Territories of Australia. The murder is released from prison after serving an eight year manslaughter term and the author sets out to prove his innocence.
I thought the story was solid and the author was very honest with his findings. It was a little on the gruesome side, so be prepared. Overall not bad for a free listen.
I thought the story was solid and the author was very honest with his findings. It was a little on the gruesome side, so be prepared. Overall not bad for a free listen.
April 7, 2020
Quick listen on Audible, but nothing ground breaking.
March 25, 2020
Blood Territory is an in depth look at the investigation of Jimmy O'Connell's death. As with most true crime stories there are questions that will never be answered. The story is well researched and narrated. A good choice for anyone that enjoys true crime.
September 2, 2019
3.5 stars
The format for this audiobook really appealed as I am a fan of true crime podcasts. This ten-part series explores the murder of Jimmy O’Connell, who died in the Australian bush near Darwin in 2006 in suspicious circumstances. Initially declared a suicide, despite facts including a missing penis, a burnt out car, a vigilante and a corrupt undercover police searching for him on the day he went missing. Eventually his best friend, Phillip Mather, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and served 11 years, with Jim’s parents visiting him in prison every week as they believed in his innocence.
Mark Whittaker got a lot of access to many of the major players, with a couple of crucial omissions. It was certainly interesting to hear the events unfold firsthand but, the only thing that is clear here, is that things are seriously unclear! As many readers have commented, there were lots of interesting avenues explored but most ultimately lead nowhere. Plus the insights into the aboriginal experience of Australian law are very interesting to consider too. The most frustrating element for me was Whittaker’s readiness to believe everyone’s stories, when it is absolutely impossible for them all to be true after all. I felt with the main eyewitness, Vicky, in particular, he gave her a very easy ride and her story just didn’t add up.
Like many true crime stories, nothing is conclusively proven here in terms of guilt or innocence, which many readers may find frustrating. I couldn’t say if Phillip is innocent but the events surrounding his conviction are certainly very suspicious. I found the ending a little disappointing, but certainly credit Whittaker for bravery in returning to Phillip and Jim’s parents to share his findings. I hope we see a second part of this series in the future when perhaps Whittaker has managed to speak to some of the other important players (such as the cop or Vicky’s partner, David) as it very much feels unfinished.
The format for this audiobook really appealed as I am a fan of true crime podcasts. This ten-part series explores the murder of Jimmy O’Connell, who died in the Australian bush near Darwin in 2006 in suspicious circumstances. Initially declared a suicide, despite facts including a missing penis, a burnt out car, a vigilante and a corrupt undercover police searching for him on the day he went missing. Eventually his best friend, Phillip Mather, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and served 11 years, with Jim’s parents visiting him in prison every week as they believed in his innocence.
Mark Whittaker got a lot of access to many of the major players, with a couple of crucial omissions. It was certainly interesting to hear the events unfold firsthand but, the only thing that is clear here, is that things are seriously unclear! As many readers have commented, there were lots of interesting avenues explored but most ultimately lead nowhere. Plus the insights into the aboriginal experience of Australian law are very interesting to consider too. The most frustrating element for me was Whittaker’s readiness to believe everyone’s stories, when it is absolutely impossible for them all to be true after all. I felt with the main eyewitness, Vicky, in particular, he gave her a very easy ride and her story just didn’t add up.
Like many true crime stories, nothing is conclusively proven here in terms of guilt or innocence, which many readers may find frustrating. I couldn’t say if Phillip is innocent but the events surrounding his conviction are certainly very suspicious. I found the ending a little disappointing, but certainly credit Whittaker for bravery in returning to Phillip and Jim’s parents to share his findings. I hope we see a second part of this series in the future when perhaps Whittaker has managed to speak to some of the other important players (such as the cop or Vicky’s partner, David) as it very much feels unfinished.
April 5, 2020
Disappointed. I hate sound effects on audio books first of all. I don’t need plane sounds, dog sounds, or phone sounds to believe what I’m hearing is actually happening. Music and random sounds behind the narrator just makes no sense either. The story just seemed to go over the same things that the first journalist went over. I listened to the entire story but had no problems stopping at any point in the book. I would not recommend this.
March 29, 2020
Well this one being a documental type of thing interested me a lot when I read the sinopsis, know it was very interesting and instructive, but in a way I think this one would have been better in a series or something to see instead to hear.
Now it was very intriguing since they had some many people saying a lot of things, maybe having a lot of misinformation or trampling the truth, I stayed until the end to know what happened and wao it was very curious to say the least.
An intriguing one to hear if you like true crime.
Now it was very intriguing since they had some many people saying a lot of things, maybe having a lot of misinformation or trampling the truth, I stayed until the end to know what happened and wao it was very curious to say the least.
An intriguing one to hear if you like true crime.
June 25, 2020
I was excited about this (and love true crime podcasts) but this fell flat for me.
October 19, 2020
This was an interesting glimpse into a crime that was committed in Australia. Nothing really earth shattering.
October 25, 2020
A very interesting true crime story but falls short on proving anything different.
February 6, 2021
An unbelievable story. Decently put together. Good
Narration.
Narration.
August 27, 2021
Another work listen. This was an interesting story, but I do not think it was executed well.
May 9, 2022
Interesting enough story and okay production but the conclusion was pretty anti climatic.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 230 reviews