Case 128: Joan Vollmer
On Sunday January 10 1993, 54-year-old pig farmer Ralph Vollmer and his 49-year-old wife Joan returned home from a week-long interstate trip. The couple, who lived in the Victorian country town of Antwerp, had driven four-and-a-half hours west to attend a six-day religious convention in the South Australian capital of Adelaide. Ralph, a devout and ardent Christian, had been eager to attend the event, and while Joan didn’t share her husband’s fervour, she attended church regularly and so agreed to accompany him.
Team:
Anonymous Host - narration
Erin Munro - research, writing
Mike Migas - production, scoring
Andrew D.B. Joslyn - additional scoring
Milly Raso - creative direction
Comments (17)
I really hate religion
I'm from one of the towns mentioned in this story and as teens we would always talk about the 'Haunted Glad Wrap House' in Antwerp. Teens would go visit it and go through it late at night etc. I spoke to my Aunty tonight about it and she told me my Nan was actually a jury member for the second trial. Such an awful experience for that poor woman.
This story is so heartbreaking 😭
It bothers me that the prosecution used a "that's not mainstream Christianity" argument, because that is completely irrelevant to the legality of their acts. Also it suggests that if these people's interpretation of the Bible DID become a mainstream or majority view among Christians, then their behavior would be legally acceptable, which seems a dangerous road to go down to say the least.
It would be totally medieval if that were to happen
This story is about a horrific murder perpetrated by disturbed fanatics, not a reason to look down on people with spiritual believes. A sibling of someone battling schizo affected disorder, Joan’s murder breaks my heart because it exposes how vulnerable individuals suffering from mental illness are; to the cruelty of others and to systems that often fail them.
If you ever want a case that shows how little women’s lives can be valued by a man, religion and the justice system, I’d suggest it would be this one. That was really hard to listen to and a great episode by Casefile
Religion strikes again - my god what a disaster. Yet another example of what happens when you try to solve problems based on fairy tale books instead of science and anything with actual evidence. Stories like this sicken me beyond words.
It’s Anneliese Michel all over again. 😔 Incredible episode and story telling! Never knew something like this could happen, so close to modern times. I kept having to remind myself this wasn’t the 1800’s, as the story progressed. ...what the fuck? And now a poor, sick girl is gone, for no reason.
Wow. Incredible. This was hard to listen to. Only because, as always, I hear your voice and words and feel the events. It is amazing how Casefile does it. Thank you
Al I can say. So so sad this case. Thoughtfully and empathetically recounted again Casefile.
Absolutely intriguing case!! Brilliant episode. Thanks al involved 👍😊
You guys are the “Gold dome” on the podcast landscape. After Casefile these stories have been told. I can almost see the faces, feel the air and smell the room. Thank you for setting the standard without bias or exploitation.
Thank you very much Jamie! Very kind words.
This case is more evidence of the ignorance associated with religion. Adding to this ignorance is the comment by a supposed 'expert' that "most Australians regard themselves as religious". The truth is that 61% say that religion plays no part in their lives, and only 22% of weddings are religious.
Well that was a lot to unpack.
Omg finally a case near me...my daughter and her friend went to the house recently...at night...eek