Podcasts · Killer In The Family
Episode 99 - The Bartholomew Family
· 30 min · Episode 99
Episode Episode 99 - The Bartholomew Family
In September 1971 in South Australia 40 year old Heather Bartholomew, her seven children – Neville, Christine, Sharon, Helen, Gregory Roger and Sandra - her sister Winnis and her 19 month old son Daniel were all killed by Clifford Bartholomew – Heather’s husband and father of six of the eight children he killed.
Known at the time as the deadliest familicide in Australian history – Bartholomew was arrested and sentenced for the murder of his wife. Although given a life sentence he ended up serving less than 8 years. Once out of prison Bartholomew changed his name, married again and was stepfather to children who were similar ages to his children that he killed. His second family had no idea that he had murdered so many people until he and his wife died.
A horrific family annihilator who was given a second chance by the justice system.
This is the unbelievable story of the Bartholomew Family.
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Information and support
• Samaritans UK Contact Us | Samaritans • Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse (AAFDA) Home - AAFDA • Women’s Aid Home - Women's Aid • National Domestic Abuse Helpline UK 0808 2000 247 • Mental health support USA Mental Health America | Homepage | Mental Health America • Domestic abuse helpline USA 1.800.799.SAFE Domestic Violence Support | National Domestic Violence Hotline
References
Heather Alice Betterman Bartholomew (1931-1971) - Find a Grave Memorial
Mass murderer who killed his seven biological kids remembered as a 'gentleman' by adopted children | Daily Mail Online
How one family's mild-mannered pop turned out to be a killer | that's life!
Hope Forest shooting - Wikipedia
THE SECRET LIFE OF 'POPPY CLIFF' - The RED HEART Movement
Crime Reel podcast https://youtu.be/wdkwKr1H7kA?si=Tfyd2DvvS_-qqG7U
Clifford Bartholomew murdered 10 members of his family.
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Links in the notes 14
- https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
- https://aafda.org.uk/
- https://www.womensaid.org.uk/
- https://www.mhanational.org/
- https://www.thehotline.org/
- https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/152815752/heather_alice-bartholomew
- https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5798283/Mass-murderer-killed-seven-biological-kids-remembered-gentleman-adopted-children.html
- https://www.thatslife.com.au/true-crime/cliff-palmer-family-secret/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hope_Forest_shooting
- https://australianfemicidewatch.org/2025/09/09/the-secret-life-of-poppy-cliff/
- https://youtu.be/wdkwKr1H7kA?si=Tfyd2DvvS_-qqG7U
- https://www.mamamia.com.au/clifford-bartholomew
- https://art19.com/privacy
- https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info
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