Christopher Dale Flannery, aka “Mr Rent-a-kill,” remains a shadowy figure in Australian criminal history. Reputedly responsible for over a dozen murders, Flannery was never convicted, his life ending in a still-unsolved disappearance in 1985. This Sunday 16 March, Channel 7’s The Hunters aims to separate fact from fiction, examining whether Flannery was truly a prolific hitman or a product of underworld mythology.
The special investigation, airing after Australian Idol, features new interviews with those who knew Flannery, offering fresh perspectives on his life and alleged crimes. Adam Shand and Steve Van Aperen delve into his background, exploring the difficult upbringing that may have set him on a path to becoming one of Australia’s most feared criminals.
The 1980 murder of Roger Wilson, a case for which Flannery was implicated, takes center stage. Mark Clarkson, originally co-accused in the crime, seeks to clear his name, demanding a polygraph test in a bid to uncover the truth. The episode also features insights from Ray Mooney, a former Pentridge Prison inmate and writer, who discusses the significance of Mickie’s Disco as a hub for Flannery’s rise within the criminal underworld.
Adding context and analysis are crime editor Mark Morri, former Detective Michael Drury, former US Special Operations Tactical Officer George Hateley, and barrister Phillip Dunn KC. Their contributions help paint a picture of the era and the environment in which Flannery operated. Was he a master manipulator who cultivated a fearsome reputation, or was his lethality genuinely earned? The Hunters seeks to provide answers. Tune in to Channel 7 and 7plus this Sunday, March 16, after the live performance of Australian Idol.
