Murder Down Under returns with a gripping new two-part special, Natural Born Killer: The Murder of Stephanie Scott, on Tuesday, July 15 and Wednesday, July 16 at 8.30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.

This harrowing true-crime documentary explores the devastating case that shocked Australia to its core: the brutal and senseless murder of Stephanie Scott, a vibrant, 26-year-old school teacher and bride-to-be from the quiet farming town of Leeton in New South Wales.

Stephanie was preparing for the happiest time of her life. With just days to go before her wedding, she visited her workplace, Leeton High School, one last time to finalise her lesson plans before taking time off for her honeymoon. She never came home.  

The Murder of Stephanie Scott follows the remarkable work of Detective Inspector Tim Clark and Detective Sergeant Justin Milne, who quickly realised this was no runaway bride. They came to uncover a horrifying truth, which led them to school cleaner Vincent Stanford, a socially isolated man harbouring violent fantasies.

The series offers a behind-the-scenes account of how local police and detectives, driven by instinct, speed and sheer determination, pieced together a case that not only brought justice for Stephanie but probably saved other lives.  

Through exclusive access to police interviews, gripping firsthand accounts and dramatic recreations, viewers are taken step-by-step through the investigation, from the first filed missing person report to Stanford’s chilling taped confession.

The special also examines Stanford’s violent past in the Netherlands, including disturbing incidents that raised serious questions about missed warning signs for offenders arriving from overseas.

Esteemed Walkley Award-winning investigative journalist Dimity Clancey, who covered the story at the time, and 9News Sydney 6.00pm presenter Peter Overton both feature in the series, explaining how the case unfolded in the media and gripped the nation.

With insights from those who knew Stanford, and interviews from leading international criminologists, this is a harrowing portrait of how a seemingly quiet man plotted his murderous horror, in plain sight.

Murder Down Under – Natural Born Killer: The Murder of Stephanie Scott is produced by Perpetual Entertainment for the 9Network.

MURDER DOWN UNDER
NATURAL BORN KILLER: THE MURDER OF STEPHANIE SCOTT
TUESDAY, JULY 15 AND WEDNESDAY, JULY 16 AT 8.30PM
CHANNEL 9 & 9NOW

For further information, please contact:
Aimee Ball 
9Network Publicity 
aimee.ball@nine.com.au

Wednesday, 2 July, 2025