The 2011 the disappearance of Prison boss David Prideaux is a mystery that bristles with possibilities.
The story that began as a missing person case is now clouded with accusations of betrayal, adultery, conspiracies and murder. Was this a simple case of a man lost in the mountains, or was he silenced because he knew the true story of the murder inside Barwon Prison of Underworld kingpin Carl Williams?
Without a body, all possibilities are still open.
With exclusive access to all the major players we unravel a family saga that has one side of the family looking for answers while the other side would prefer to keep silent.
David Prideaux disappeared while on a hunting trip with his brother in law. Many have gone missing in the bush, but Prideaux’s disappearance came at a critical time.
Months earlier underworld kingpin Carl Williams was bashed to death inside the prison Prideaux was running. Williams had been giving information to police about a murder that involved an allegation that one of their own had organised a hit on an informer and his wife.
Police made arrangements with Prideaux for release visits, so Williams could rat on his underworld friends. The police had also made a deal to pay Williams’ daughter’s school fees in return for the damning information. Williams was bludgeoned to death inside Barwon Prison while reading a front-page story of that very deal.
Rumours abounded that story had been leaked to silence Williams. As they say, “dead men tell no tales”.
Australian Crime Stories investigate whether David Prideaux had copies of Carl’s statements, including sensational allegations of police involvement in corruption and murder, when he vanished without a trace in June 2011.
