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Biography[]
Ivan Robert Marko Milat (December 27, 1944 — October 27, 2019) was an Australian serial killer, commonly known as the "Backpacker Murderer", who was convicted of the murders in 1996. Using a .22-calibre Ruger 10/22 and a Bowie knife, he murdered two men and five women in New South Wales between 1989 and 1993.
Early life[]
Ivan Milat was born on December 27, 1944, in Guildford, New South Wales, Australia. He grew up in a large family of 14 children and had a troubled childhood marked by poverty and a strained relationship with his domineering father.
Criminal Beginnings[]
Milat's criminal activities began in his early adulthood. In 1961, he was convicted of a series of crimes, including theft and armed robbery, which led to his imprisonment. Over the years, he became known to law enforcement for his involvement in various criminal activities.
The Backpacker Murders[]
Ivan Milat gained infamy for a series of gruesome murders that took place between 1989 and 1992. He targeted young backpackers traveling through the Belanglo State Forest in New South Wales. Milat would abduct, torture, and murder his victims, often burying their bodies in shallow graves.
Investigation and Capture[]
The investigation into the backpacker murders proved challenging, but Milat's undoing came when British backpacker Paul Onions narrowly escaped an abduction attempt in 1990. Onions provided crucial information to the police, leading to Milat's arrest in 1994.
Trial and Conviction[]
In 1996, Ivan Milat stood trial for the murders of seven backpackers. The evidence presented during the trial included forensic details, witness testimonies, and items belonging to the victims found in Milat's possession. He was convicted on all charges and received seven consecutive life sentences, plus 18 years without parole.
Imprisonment and Death[]
Milat spent the remainder of his life in prison, maintaining his innocence despite overwhelming evidence against him. He never expressed remorse for his crimes. Ivan Milat died on October 27, 2019, at Long Bay Hospital within the Long Bay Correctional Complex in New South Wales. The cause of death was esophageal and stomach cancer.
Victims[]
| Name | Age | Disappeared | Body Found | Cause of Death |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caroline Clarke | 21 | September 19, 1992 | Shooting | |
| Joanne Walters | 22 | September 19, 1992 | Stabbing | |
| James Gibson | 19 | October 1993 | Stabbing | |
| Deborah Everist | 19 | October 1993 | Stabbing | |
| Simone Schmidl | 21 | November 1, 1993 | Stabbing | |
| Gabor Neugebauer | 21 | November 4, 1993 | Shooting | |
| Anja Habschield | 20 | November 4, 1993 |
Survivors[]
| Name | Age | Date of Attack | Method of Attack |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Onions |
Timeline[]
Bibliography[]
Literature[]
Articles[]
- "Ivan Milat". Biography (April 2, 2014). Archived from the original on January 31, 2022.
Documentaries[]
Television[]
YouTube Documentaries[]
- The Backpacker Killer of Australia, Real Crime on YouTube
- Australia's Worst Serial Killer, Our Life on YouTube
- Australia worst serial killer: Ivan Milat’s family reveal his darkest secrets, 60 Minutes Australia on YouTube
- Growing up with Ivan Milat: An insight into the backpacker killer, Australian Story (2004), ABC News In-depth on YouTube
- 'I survived a serial killer' - Paul Onions on Ivan Milat, 60 Minutes Australia on YouTube
Podcasts[]
- Ivan Milat - Part 1. Serial Killers with Greg Polcyn & Vanessa Richardson.
- Ivan Milat - Part 2. Serial Killers with Greg Polcyn & Vanessa Richardson.
In popular culture[]
Film adaptations[]
- Wolf Creek (2005) on IMDb, is based on Milat.
- Catching Milat (2015) on IMDb
Related Articles[]
See also[]
Links[]
- Ivan Milat at Wikipedia
- Ivan Milat on IMDb
- Who were Ivan Milat’s accomplices? Family of backpacker killer’s interview, 60 Minutes Australia on YouTube
- Australia worst serial killer: Ivan Milat’s family reveal his darkest secrets, 60 Minutes Australia on YouTube
Notes[]
References[]