Scott watson, the man convicted of murdering olivia hope and ben smart wont be getting a pardon. Detectives speak of regret at not finding bodies of ben smart, olivia hope, 20 years on from highprofile case. Forget the denials, scott watson definitely killed olivia hope and ben smart, but cops did contort evidence the nz herald, 29 january 2016 david fisher, jonathan dow, jonathan milne, tamihere sick of holocaust the nz herald, 10 april 2005. A new book about the disappearance of ben smart and olivia hope might encourage people with information about the case to come forward, hope s father says. We still have a mystery olivia hopes father rnz news. Ben and olivia were last seen around 4am when a water taxi driver dropped them off at a yacht with another man whom wishart identifies as scott watson. Following the disappearance of ben smart and olivia hope from furneaux lodge on new years day 1998, there was a huge, albeit apparently flawed, police investigation. The action comes thick and fast and is choreographed with marianis trademark skill and authenticity. Subtitled a journalists view, this awardwinning documentary makes the case that scott watson shouldnt have been imprisoned for murdering ben smart and olivia hope because he couldnt have done it. Twenty years ago tonight, ben smart and olivia hope were enjoying what would become their last night on earth.
Olivia hope s father says its a long shot that a photo of a woman is his daughter after she went missing, as claimed by a group maintaining she and ben smart were killed after being on a ketch. In the early hours of new years day 1998, friends olivia hope 17 and ben smart 21 were delivered by watertaxi, along with a mystery man, to a yacht moored in endeavor inlet off furneaux lodge. A popular american crime podcast has turned its sights on new zealands most perplexing double murder the scott watson case. The investigative journalist said he published his new book, titled elementary 2. In 1999 scott watson was convicted of the murders of ben smart and olivia hope following a new years eve party at furneaux lodge in the marlborough sounds new zealand. The blonde hairs, believed to be hopes, were the only physical evidence linking the couple to watson. Scott mariani is perhaps the best working exponent of the classic chase thriller. Ben smart and olivia hope disappeared in the marlborough sounds on new years day in 1998.
Returning to endeavour inlet, veteran director keith hunter talks to witnesses, and argues the prosecution fumbled vital details of the murderers yacht and description. Another slickly crafted adventure from the modern master of mayhem. Two years ago i wrote the book that blew open the scott watsonben. The evidence sadly shows that scott watson has lied, not. Twenty years ago tonight, ben smart and olivia hope were murdered by scott watson. Amateur investigator highlights flaw in the scott watson case stuff. Forget the denials, scott watson definitely killed olivia hope and ben smart, but cops did contort evidence. Elementary share book recommendations with your friends. Id been approached in december 2007 by lundy supporter geoff levick at a conference in wellington because id just written a story about scott watson, controversially convicted of murdering ben smart and olivia hope. Documentary producer keith hunter interviews witnesses and examines the evidence, arguing that watson was wrongly convicted. I am well aware of the case, i know there have been a number of books and documentaries about.
Scott watson killed hope, smart ian wishart newshub. In december 1997, ben smart 21 and olivia hope 17 celebrated new years eve at furneaux lodge in the marlborough sounds with 1,500 other partygoers. To learn how evidence of normal cleaning and painting was presented as unusual behavior at the scott watson trial. Some books on the case have argued so strongly for either innocence or guilt that. The disappearance of blenheim couple ben smart and olivia hope in the dark hours of new. Father of olivia hope says new book might encourage. Many members of new zealands yachting community were subsequently surprised when, despite a number of possible sightings, the police shifted their investigation to scott. She covered the story from start to finish, including the trial of scott watson, the man convicted of murdering the young couple. Two young new zealanders, ben smart and olivia hope, boarded a strangers boat.
Howling at the moon publishing ltd open library donate. Ben smart and olivia hope vanished on new years morning 1998. Although their bodies were never found and there was little evidence a crime had been committed, a local man was charged, and later convicted, of their murders. The two friends had been celebrating on new years eve at furneaux lodge in the marlborough sounds with other partygoers. New evidence has emerged publish date thursday, 28 january 2016, 8.
Ben smart, olivia hope, scott watson and hundreds of others are partying at furneaux lodge in endeavour inlet in the sounds. Book alleges accomplice and bodies not buried at sea. The claim is made by journalist ian wishart in elementary published today and comes as a former senior detective in the case details an extraordinary claim that watson had confessed to. Inside the police search for ben and olivia goulter, john on. Yet, solving the disappearance of ben smart and olivia hope has proved anything but elementary.
Twenty years ago tonight, ben smart and olivia hope were enjoying what would become their last night on earth although of course they didnt know it. Nz police mr hope said watson was silent, unemotional and disconnected when asked about crown evidence that the bodies were disposed in a sleeping bag. Its almost two decades since ben smart and olivia hope disappeared in the marlborough sounds and scott watson was found guilty of their murders. Five months later 25 year old scott watson was arrested and later convicted of their murders.
Copies of hope, smart murder book pulled from shelves newshub. Book claims scott watson had accomplice in the ben smart and. The search to find ben and olivia, or as the days wore on to find out what had happened to them, immediately chilled new zealand. But despite a welter of evidence suggesting he may be innocent, the. Iike most new zealanders ive followed this case from the beginning and at. The marlborough sounds is a very tranquil, picturesque, peaceful place, where even small boats can anchor. Using police files and forensic evidence, goulter examines how the investigation proceeded, the use of private investigators, the issue of police resources and the ensuing trial. Amateur investigator highlights flaw in the scott watson case.
Scott watson was later jailed for their murders but, as mike white discovered, there are doubts police got the right man. It was the early hours of new years day 1998 when ben smart, 21, and olivia hope, 17, were last seen boarding a 26foot yacht, blade, in the marlborough sounds, after partying at furneaux lodge. Yet speculation continues in some quarters despite the privy council upholding the verdict. The two friends had been celebrating on new years eve at furneaux lodge in the marlborough sounds with other partygoers they accepted an offer from a stranger to stay aboard what he said was his yacht, and all three. Watson has always denied any involvement but the new book claims police got the right person, although they contorted evidence to fit a prosecution scenario in which the bodies were dumped in cook strait. Returning to endeavour inlet, veteran director keith hunter talks to witnesses, and argues the prosecution fumbled vital details of the murderers yacht and. Mike white opens up about scott watson interview now to love. Neither has been seen since, and a major police investigation operation tam began the following day. Just look at the evidence and let it challenge your preconceptions.
On reaching the yacht tamarack to drop off amelia hope and rick goddard, wallace found ben smart and amelias sister olivia hope, who was upset all the berths on tamarack were taken and was anxious to return to shore to find somewhere to sleep. A confidential report into the murders of ben smart and olivia hope has emerged with the startling claim the infamous mystery ketch and those on board, have been identified, and the crime had nothing to do with scott watson. How ben smart and olivia hope, two young friends, vanished in the early. Olivia hope, 17, was beautiful, intelligent and outgoing, and excited about starting university soon. Heres a recent scientific report on the problem, reprinted from a quote in elementary 2. A confidential report into the murders of ben smart and olivia hope has emerged with the startling claim the infamous mystery ketch has been identified, with those on board, and the infamous crime had nothing to do with scott watson, now serving 19 years inside for the doublekilling.
Controversial journalist ian wishart presents new evidence on the crew murders that implicates a police officer the late ian johnston in the crime. Journalist ian wishart says he found out that scott watson was indeed the killer of ben smart and olivia hope on new years day 1998, because of sightings another man with watson on his boat. Nz police the 17yearold and 21yearold ben smart were last seen in the early hours of 1 january 1998. On new years eve 1997, ben smart and olivia hope disappeared. But its name, blade, evokes distant memories stretching back to new years eve 1997. The book had been commissioned by penguin books following. Using police files and forensic evidence, goulter examines how the investigation proceeded, the use of private investigators, the issue. The pair were offered a night on an individuals boat and accepted. One of new zealands highest profile investigations began on 2 january 1998 after young friends olivia hope and ben smart disappeared in the early hours of new years morning. Copies of hope, smart murder book pulled from shelves. Scott watson is a new zealander currently serving time in prison for the murders of 21 year old ben smart and 17 year old olivia hope in the early hours of new years day, 1998.
Twenty years ago tonight, ben smart and olivia hope. Open library is an open, editable library catalog, building towards a web page for every book ever published. Ben smart and olivia hope were two young new zealanders who were murdered in the early. Olivia hope s father says its a long shot that a photo of a woman is his daughter after she went missing, as claimed by a group maintaining she and ben smart. Eye witnesses describe the person last seen with ben and olivia in the early hours of new years day as a long haired mystery man with several days beard growth. Ben, 21 and olivia, 17 were last seen by furneaux lodge water taxi operator guy wallace who ferried them, along with a mystery stranger, to a yacht moored in the. Ian wishart for nearly two decades, authors and documentarymakers have given you their own versions of the scott watson evidence, sometimes based on faded memories of people interviewed five or six years after. Wishart said the decision to use evidence that fitted a scenario. The case against scott watson twenty years ago, journalist andi brotherston was on duty in tv3s wellington newsroom when ben smart and olivia hope went missing from the marlborough sounds. Yet when you look through the boards report not yet on the internet, and an earlier one dated 3 july 2015, there is no evidence that he is a high risk, unless you accept that he killed olivia hope and ben smart. The initial search turned into a fullscale murder hunt.
Inside the police search for ben and olivia 97818694866 by goulter, john and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. Ian wishart releases followup scott watson book elementary 2. What followed was one of new zealands biggest, most expensive. It was the early hours of new years day when ben smart and olivia. Nov 16, 2015 white was granted seven hours with the convicted double murderer, who has always protested his innocence.
New zealander scott watson jailed for murdering olivia. Journalist ian wishart says bodies of ben smart and olivia hope could be found, as police say theyll examine new books claims. On new years eve 1997, ben smart and olivia hope went partying with friends in the beautiful marlborough sounds. And guilt that their evidence was twisted by police, they say, to put an innocent. Mar 09, 2020 i didnt want to write about mark lundys case. Ben hope is a series of thriller novels written by the wellknown british author, scott mariani. Olivia hope, 17, and ben smart, 21, disappeared after a new years party in 1998. Tv movies books music culture sideswipe competitions. The generation why podcast this week published its conclusions on the disappearance of marlborough friends ben smart and olivia hope on new years morning 1998. Oct 09, 2016 the scott watson case evidence part 1.
Two years later, he was convicted of luring fellow partygoers ben smart and olivia hope to his boat and murdering them. Ben smart and olivia hope were two young new zealanders who were murdered in the early hours of the morning on new years day, 1 january 1998. Books by ian wishart wheelers books online new books. When ben smart and olivia hope disappeared on the morning of 1 january 1998, new zealand was alerted to try to identify the ketch to which the two young people had reportedly been delivered. The thriller series consists of a total of 10 novels published between the years 2007 and 2015, and revolves around the life of the fictional character named benedict hope. Marlborough sounds, furneaux lodge, ben smart and olivia hope. Olivia hopes father unconvinced of watsons innocence. In 2007, the listener interviewed the two men who know the case inside out and have no doubt that the right man is behind bars. Claim mystery ketch identified otago, south island, new. Fresh evidence in new appeal for convicted sounds double.
May 01, 2000 great book, it basically details how operation tam stuffed up the investigation of olivia hope and ben smart. The emergence of the report by the selfstyled maritime research group comes ahead of the publication tomorrow of a new book by author and investigative journalist ian wishart, which also claims to have identified the ketch, initially the focus. Most people will be familiar with the outline of what happened next. Wisharts book comes 17 years after watson was convicted of murdering ms hope, 17, and mr smart, 21, on new years day 1998. Olivia hope and ben smart were two young new zealanders, who had decided to spend new years eve, 1997, at the furneaux lodge in endeavour inlet, in the beautiful marlborough sounds at the topend of new zealands south island. In the early hours of 1 january 1998, like many young people in their part of new zealand, the two friends headed to marlborough sounds, a popular party spot, to ring in the new year. Yet, solving the disappearance of ben smart and olivia hope has proved anything. In the early hours of new years day 1998, friends olivia hope 17 and ben smart 21 were delivered by watertaxi, along with a mystery man, to a yacht moored in endeavor inlet off furneaux lodge, in the marlborough sounds of the south island of new zealand.
Long story short, a couple of friends ben smart and olivia hope went missing in the early morning hours of new years day in january 1998. Witnesses reported dropping the pair off at a twomasted ketch, but detectives eventually arrested a man with a singlemasted yacht. Forget the denials, scott watson definitely killed. On new years eve 1997, young holidaymakers ben smart and olivia hope dissapeared from a party at a seaside resort, last seen boarding a mystery yacht with a mystery man. Even though the physical evidence against watson was limited and compromised. Twenty years ago tonight, ben smart and olivia hope were enjoying what. Trying to elevate that book as something new, something startling, runs totally contrary to very carefully considered court testimony.
Scott watson, the sounds murders and the game of law. Now a new book puts forward another theory on what really happened that night. But to utter its name, blade, evokes memories stretching back to new years eve 1997. New zealand reports that a new book by author ian wishart to be published tomorrow clears him and that potential sightings of ben smart, 21, and olivia hope, 17, several days after they were thought to have died are among the more startling inclusions in the report. Monday marks the 20th anniversary of the disappearance of ben smart and olivia hope.
Scott watson, of course, was the owner of the infamous sloop blade, anchored near furneax lodge in the marlborough sounds that fateful new years eve in 1997. Guy wallace was serving drinks in the bar that night and also had a boat he used as a water taxi. Multiple sightings of man with scott watson on his boat. The bodies of smart and hope have never been found. Scott watson born 28 june 1971 is a new zealander who was convicted in may 1999 of the murders of ben smart and olivia hope on his boat blade on 1 january 1998. They decided to find alternative accomdation as the original place they were staying at was overcrowded.
Twenty years ago olivia hope and ben smart disappeared from the marlborough sounds. Book alleges accomplice and bodies not buried at sea mystery over the deaths of this young couple gripped a country. Ben smart and olivia hope went out on new years eve. Elementary blows open the scott watson case with evidence youve never. On new years eve 1997, young holidaymakers ben smart and olivia hope disappeared from a party at a seaside resort, and were last seen boarding a mystery yacht with a mystery man. I am releasing this free book online so the whole of new zealand can read what really happened and debate the evidence for themselves.
Big us crime podcast series investigates scott watson case. So the books claims are not only undeniable, they have not been denied. A new book claims convicted murderer scott watson is the person who killed olivia hope and ben smart despite watsons claims he has been wrongly convicted. A nzme investigation and podcast into the disappearance of ben smart and olivia hope in the marlborough sounds. The 3 moments that made ben shapiro famous youtube. Twenty years ago today olivia hope and ben smart disappeared from the marlborough sounds. Scott watson denied parole again as the case against him.
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