#07: The Bain Family Murders - A Father’s Confession or a Son’s Setup?

Title: "The Bain Family Murders: New Zealand’s Most Divisive True Crime Mystery"

Dive into the unsolved Bain family murders, forensic contradictions, and David Bain’s controversial trial. Explore Laniet Bain’s secret life, Arawa’s tragic fate, and the haunting question: Who killed the Bain family? Listen to the full podcast for untold details.

A Bloody Morning in Dunedin

On June 20, 1994, a frantic 22-year-old David Bain called New Zealand emergency services, screaming, “They’re all dead.” Police arrived at 65 Every Street to a scene of horror: his parents, Robin and Margaret Bain, and siblings Laniet, Arawa, and Stephen lay dead from gunshot wounds. The sole survivor, David, became the focal point of a mystery that would divide a nation for decades. Was he a traumatized son—or a cold-blooded killer?

This case, steeped in forensic contradictions and family secrets, remains New Zealand’s most polarizing true crime saga.

The Bain Family: Fractured Behind Closed Doors

The Bain home, a dilapidated house in Dunedin, masked a world of dysfunction. Robin, a school principal, and Margaret, a former kindergarten teacher, had once been missionaries in Papua New Guinea. But their marriage unraveled into resentment, financial strain, and Margaret’s descent into occult obsessions.

The Children’s Struggles:

- David: The eldest, socially awkward and homeschooled, harbored musical ambitions but struggled academically.
- Laniet: The rebellious middle daughter, who left home at 18, worked as a sex worker, and accused Robin of incest.
- Arawa: A high-achieving teachers’ college student, caught between loyalty to her mother and fear of David’s controlling behavior.
- Stephen: The youngest, a “live wire” with disciplinary issues, whose violent death suggested a desperate struggle.

Key questions linger:

- Why did Laniet allege her father sexually abused her before her death?

- What drove Margaret to diary entries about demons and Robin being the “son of Belial”?

- Could Robin, a respected educator, have committed familicide amid marital collapse?

Forensic Enigmas: Blood, Lies, and a Broken Family

The evidence was as tangled as the family’s relationships:

🔍 David’s Fingerprints:

Clear, unsmeared prints in blood were found on the murder weapon—a .22 rifle with a silencer. If David hadn’t touched the gun that morning, how did his prints remain pristine?

🔍 Margaret’s Glasses:

A lens from her spectacles was discovered in Stephen’s room, where a brutal fight occurred. Was David wearing them during the struggle?

🔍 The Computer Message:

A chilling note on the family computer read: “Sorry, you are the only one who deserved to stay.” Who typed it, and why?

🔍 Robin’s Death:

A gunshot to his left temple (despite being right-handed), no fingerprints on the rifle, and a spare magazine neatly placed by his hand. Suicide—or a staged scene?

David Bain’s Legal Odyssey: From Conviction to Acquittal

1995 Trial:

David was found guilty of murdering his family and sentenced to life in prison. The jury cited his fingerprints, bloodstained clothing, and shifting alibi as damning evidence.

The Retrial (2009):

With support from former All Black Joe Karam, David’s legal team dismantled the prosecution’s case:

- Forensic experts contested blood spatter analysis and sock-print evidence.

- The defense argued Robin had motive: exposure of Laniet’s incest claims and marital despair.

- A jury acquitted David, sparking national debate. Was it justice—or a technical win?

Unanswered Questions: Shadows Over the Case

The Bain murders teem with unresolved threads:

🕵️♂️ Laniet’s Double Life:

- Her work as an escort under the name “Paige,” allegations of incest, and cryptic claims about a cult-like family dynamic.

- Hours before her death, she told friends she planned to confront her parents about her past.

🕵️♂️ Arawa’s Fear:

- She confided in friends about David’s controlling behavior and his ownership of a rifle.

- On the night of the murders, she babysat to avoid tension at home—only to return to a nightmare.

🕵️♂️ David’s “Black Hands” Episodes:

- His claims of hallucinating “black hands” and memory gaps during police interviews. Trauma response—or a calculated act?

🕵️♂️ Robin’s Final Hours:

- Why did he withdraw cash and transfer money to the family Visa account at 11:30 PM?

- Was his move back to Dunedin days earlier a trigger?

Case Timeline

1. 1980s: The Bain family returns to NZ after missionary work; tensions rise.

2. 1993: Laniet leaves home, alleging abuse; Margaret’s diaries grow increasingly paranoid.

3. June 20, 1994: Five Bain family members found dead; David survives.

4. 1995: David convicted of murder; sentenced to life.

5. 2007: Privy Council orders retrial after evidence disputes.

6. 2009: David acquitted amid forensic controversies.

7. 2016: NZ government pays David $925,000 in compensation—without admitting wrongdoing.

Where Are They Now?

- David Bain: Now William Davies, he lives under a new name in Waikato, avoiding public scrutiny.

- Laniet, Arawa, and Stephen: Buried together in Dunedin’s Andersons Bay Cemetery.

- Robin and Margaret: Their gravesite remains a pilgrimage spot for true crime enthusiasts.

Listen to the Podcast: Unlock the Full Mystery

- 🎧 The 911 Call: Analyze David’s panicked voice and cryptic remarks to dispatchers.

- 🎧 Laniet’s Secrets: Hear from friends who knew her as “Paige” and her final, desperate plans.

- 🎧 Arawa’s Diary: Excerpts revealing her fears about David and the family’s unraveling.

- 🎧 Forensic Deep Dives: Experts debate the rifle’s blood spatter and Robin’s disputed suicide.

Ready to decide: Was David Bain wrongfully accused? Listen now for evidence that challenges every assumption.

Main source: Book Black Hands: Inside The Bain Family Murders by Martin van Beynen - https://amzn.to/4joBaWN