The Murder of Minnie Callan

NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR

On a freezing night in Norman’s Cove, a brutal attack leaves the small coastal town shaken to its core. As police investigate, a twisted plot starts to unravel…

The intention of this episode is to honour the victim of a harrowing crime that was largely ignored by the media at the time, and resulted in harmful rumours. Some names have been changed to respect the privacy of those involved.

Additional content warning: this case contains some details of graphic violence. Please take care when listening.

Look out for early, ad-free release on CTC premium feeds: available on Amazon Music (included with Prime), Apple Podcasts, Patreon and Supercast.

Recommended reading:
The Murder of Minnie Callan: A True Newfoundland Crime Story by Tom Gruchy, 2018.
Court document: 1987 CanLII 5192 (NL SC) | R. v. Butt | CanLII

Canadian True Crime donates monthly to help those facing injustice.
This month we have donated to the organizations that stage the In Her Name Vigil:
First Light St John's Friendship Centre
NL Sexual Assault Crisis and Prevention Centre
St John's Status of Women Council

Credits:

Special thanks to Tom Gruchy.

General script consultant: Carol Weinberg
Audio editor, voice of disclaimer: Krosby Audio
Senior producer: Lindsay Eldridge
Researcher, writer, narration, sound design: Kristi Lee

Music credits:

Theme songs: We Talk of Dreams
Global Warming: Kai Engel
All other music from Epidemic Sound and Blue Dot Sessions.

Sources

Court document:

1987 CanLII 5192 (NL SC) | R. v. Butt | CanLII
Parole documents via the Parole Board of Canada


News archives:

"Man Remanded", CP. Daily Gleaner, March 19, 1986, Page 28. Accessed via Newspapers.com 
"Man Will Stand Trial", CP. Daily Gleaner, April 19, 1986, Page 5. Accessed via Newspapers.com 
Minnie Callan — killed in 1986 — and Victoria Head among women added to In Her Name list - CBC News

Book:

The Murder of Minnie Callan: A True Newfoundland Crime Story: Gruchy, Tom: 9781771177115: Books - Amazon.ca


Other online sources:

In Her Name Vigil - Violence Prevention Avalon East
https://www.ancestry.ca/search/collections/60527/records/239944178?tid=&pid=&queryId=cd8b58a8-8d56-4466-976f-df56e96807a2&_phsrc=kyA12&_phstart=successSource
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/269012276/minnie-callan https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/269012204/silas_s-callan





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The Richardson Family Murders