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Death Row at Truro: The shocking true story of Australia's deadliest sex killers
Shortlisted for Australia's best True Crime book of the year, 2023 (Ned Kelly Award - Australian Crime Writers Association).
Seven murders ... seven weeks ... the true story of Australia's worst serial sexual homicides.
Christopher Worrell and James Miller killed as many people as the notorious serial killer Ivan Milat. They are Australia’s most prolific serial sexual homicide offenders, yet they are little known outside their home state of South Australia. This is an injustice.
James Miller, the only one to tell the tale, said it was all his mate’s doing. He and Worrell often picked up girls off the street. Miller drove them to a discreet location, where Worrell and the women had consensual sex. Miller pleased his lover and the women got what they sought, sex with an attractive and charismatic man in an exciting circumstance. It was fun all round.
But then it all went wrong.
On 23 December 1976, they picked up Veronica Knight. Worrell went satanic, killing her without warning. And then it happened again and again, six more times. There was nothing Miller could do. He was victim number eight.
This is the established narrative.
It is a lie.
Using the latest research into serial sexual homicide, the truth of the murder spree and the offender’s motives are uncovered. These revelations can lead to prevention.
Meet the blameless victims who were not just names in the media … they were young women with hopes and dreams. Their lives were stolen by a psychopathic serial killing tag-team.
Seven murders ... seven weeks ... the true story of Australia's worst serial sexual homicides.
Christopher Worrell and James Miller killed as many people as the notorious serial killer Ivan Milat. They are Australia’s most prolific serial sexual homicide offenders, yet they are little known outside their home state of South Australia. This is an injustice.
James Miller, the only one to tell the tale, said it was all his mate’s doing. He and Worrell often picked up girls off the street. Miller drove them to a discreet location, where Worrell and the women had consensual sex. Miller pleased his lover and the women got what they sought, sex with an attractive and charismatic man in an exciting circumstance. It was fun all round.
But then it all went wrong.
On 23 December 1976, they picked up Veronica Knight. Worrell went satanic, killing her without warning. And then it happened again and again, six more times. There was nothing Miller could do. He was victim number eight.
This is the established narrative.
It is a lie.
Using the latest research into serial sexual homicide, the truth of the murder spree and the offender’s motives are uncovered. These revelations can lead to prevention.
Meet the blameless victims who were not just names in the media … they were young women with hopes and dreams. Their lives were stolen by a psychopathic serial killing tag-team.
262 pages, Paperback
Published August 3, 2022
11 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Geoff Plunkett
11 books3 followersGeoff is a retired historian and researcher who wrote the official histories of Australia's involvement in chemical weapons. His research has led to the unearthing of hundreds of lethal phosgene bombs at the old chemical-warfare headquarters at Marrangaroo, near Sydney.
He has written numerous books including an account of Australia’s deadliest building fire.
He now specializes in true crime.
Death Row at Truro was short listed for the Ned Kelly true crime book award. The Whiskey Au Go Go Massacre was instrumental in the Queensland state coroner reinvestigating the 1973 arson murders.
In 2025 he put a mass killing serial arsonist (turned sex predator) back into prison.
His work has featured in all the major newspapers, on radio and TV.
He has written numerous books including an account of Australia’s deadliest building fire.
He now specializes in true crime.
Death Row at Truro was short listed for the Ned Kelly true crime book award. The Whiskey Au Go Go Massacre was instrumental in the Queensland state coroner reinvestigating the 1973 arson murders.
In 2025 he put a mass killing serial arsonist (turned sex predator) back into prison.
His work has featured in all the major newspapers, on radio and TV.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 15, 2022
Compelling. Authoritative.
September 24, 2022
Graphic but empathetic. Good scientific focus on the why.
July 5, 2023
'Death Row at Truro' definitely has 'all' the true crime 'gems' - the bizarre relationship between Worrel and Miller, a one-sided power relationship, and their serial murder spree over seven weeks all under the nose of police and media. The incredible, you couldn't write this ending for Worrel, and then we have one man left standing to 'tell the truth' when he's finally caught. Who to believe?
Plunkett has taken a straightforward approach to the murders, it's facts not fiction. The reflection of the author and the lead investigator on what 'went wrong' is really powerful. In only seven weeks Worrel and Miller murdered seven young women, the last four in only six days ... and yet the lack of response when these young, innocent, didn't do anything wrong, women went missing was not just. There was very little response from the police or the media - their age and sex attributed blame to their actions and as a result meant more young women died. It's just so sad and so wrong.
Plunkett gives these women, their story, light. and it's about time.
I tried to read another book on the Truro murders (not by this author) and it seemed to be an opportunity for sensationalism, gay sex and a focus on the murder and torture - the grab for sales. I didn't finish that particular book and in fact I couldnt give it away - I threw it away.
Death In Truro is exactly what it should be a great true crime book - with some extra care for the victims of the crimes. Well done.
The last page sticks with me ...
'The Advertiser newspaper rightly identified two of the biggest obstacles to the solution of the two-year-old case: public indifference to the killings and the acceptance of the deaths ‘as if they were merely additions to the road toll’, and the fact that the disappearances should have been linked from the beginning.
The remains found were not just a bunch of bones lying in a remote field, they were seven young women with interests, hopes and dreams.'
Vale
Plunkett has taken a straightforward approach to the murders, it's facts not fiction. The reflection of the author and the lead investigator on what 'went wrong' is really powerful. In only seven weeks Worrel and Miller murdered seven young women, the last four in only six days ... and yet the lack of response when these young, innocent, didn't do anything wrong, women went missing was not just. There was very little response from the police or the media - their age and sex attributed blame to their actions and as a result meant more young women died. It's just so sad and so wrong.
Plunkett gives these women, their story, light. and it's about time.
I tried to read another book on the Truro murders (not by this author) and it seemed to be an opportunity for sensationalism, gay sex and a focus on the murder and torture - the grab for sales. I didn't finish that particular book and in fact I couldnt give it away - I threw it away.
Death In Truro is exactly what it should be a great true crime book - with some extra care for the victims of the crimes. Well done.
The last page sticks with me ...
'The Advertiser newspaper rightly identified two of the biggest obstacles to the solution of the two-year-old case: public indifference to the killings and the acceptance of the deaths ‘as if they were merely additions to the road toll’, and the fact that the disappearances should have been linked from the beginning.
The remains found were not just a bunch of bones lying in a remote field, they were seven young women with interests, hopes and dreams.'
Vale
November 2, 2022
I was 18 when this happened while living in North Adelaide. It was huge and terrific. Someone I knew said they knew Worrell from his school and he was sociable enough, but a cocky smug prick.
The story that we grew up with was that Worrell was the man and Miller was the innocent infantile accomplice.
That is demolished in this excellent and well research account.
I reckon this is the best Aussie serial killer book since the Sins of the Brother: The Definitive Story of Ivan Milat and the Backpacker Murders. What I look for is verified detail, without the padding. It starts with Worrells' death, then goes through the body discoveries, who the woman were (a lot is new), then what happened (Miller's account is compared to what really happened) and the reasons for it. All as told by the detective that was in charge of the case.
image:
The story that we grew up with was that Worrell was the man and Miller was the innocent infantile accomplice.
That is demolished in this excellent and well research account.
I reckon this is the best Aussie serial killer book since the Sins of the Brother: The Definitive Story of Ivan Milat and the Backpacker Murders. What I look for is verified detail, without the padding. It starts with Worrells' death, then goes through the body discoveries, who the woman were (a lot is new), then what happened (Miller's account is compared to what really happened) and the reasons for it. All as told by the detective that was in charge of the case.
image:
October 14, 2022
Really really impactful
December 18, 2022
Audiobook: As an Adelaidian, it would’ve been worthwhile if the narrator had bothered to learn the correct South Australian pronunciations.
Read
December 27, 2022It feels odd to “rate” true crime shows or books.
As such, I thought I’d just write a review.
This is a no-BS account of some hard facts of a series of atrocious sexual homicides in Australia in the 70s.
The author doesn’t draw upon evocative appeal to the victims, though doesn’t lack in empathy for them being exactly that, innocent victims. Rather, the authorial opinion/intent seems to lean much more towards debunking the falseties, inconsistencies and mistruths of the surviving murderer in order to provide an alternative narrative that does not paint him as quite such a fearful, scared party/mere accomplice.
The only thing I found odd was, in a way, it came across a little as though the main perpetrator, the mind behind the crimes and main instigator, was archetyped as a clinical psychopath along with typifying their mindset and behaviours which almost makes it “inevitable” or justifiable, whilst the surviving criminal, despite a sexually abusive history, clearly complex mental health and self issues, a life ridden with crime, wasn’t psychoanalysed in quite the same way. It came across as though the survivor, who’d seemingly done physically less, whilst certainly not innocent and rightly served time for his part in horrific murders, was held more accountable by the author for NOT likely being a psychopath and for not exercising moral and social responsibility to stop the other. Whilst the latter point has merit, it just read odd to me the way that the author’s perspective came across in which the killers seemingly weren’t seen as equally accountable.
Also, at times it reads a little fictionally though I don’t doubt the facts presented.
As such, I thought I’d just write a review.
This is a no-BS account of some hard facts of a series of atrocious sexual homicides in Australia in the 70s.
The author doesn’t draw upon evocative appeal to the victims, though doesn’t lack in empathy for them being exactly that, innocent victims. Rather, the authorial opinion/intent seems to lean much more towards debunking the falseties, inconsistencies and mistruths of the surviving murderer in order to provide an alternative narrative that does not paint him as quite such a fearful, scared party/mere accomplice.
The only thing I found odd was, in a way, it came across a little as though the main perpetrator, the mind behind the crimes and main instigator, was archetyped as a clinical psychopath along with typifying their mindset and behaviours which almost makes it “inevitable” or justifiable, whilst the surviving criminal, despite a sexually abusive history, clearly complex mental health and self issues, a life ridden with crime, wasn’t psychoanalysed in quite the same way. It came across as though the survivor, who’d seemingly done physically less, whilst certainly not innocent and rightly served time for his part in horrific murders, was held more accountable by the author for NOT likely being a psychopath and for not exercising moral and social responsibility to stop the other. Whilst the latter point has merit, it just read odd to me the way that the author’s perspective came across in which the killers seemingly weren’t seen as equally accountable.
Also, at times it reads a little fictionally though I don’t doubt the facts presented.
October 9, 2023
A harrowing read about Australia’s first serial killers and the motivations behind their horrible crimes.
January 10, 2023
The coverage of the killers, victims and crimes read like a dot point list without nuance or sensitivity and then was repeated to compare the killers version with the detective’s one. Redeemed slightly by a “Mindhunter”-style analysis at the end.
August 20, 2022
The book completely changes your view on what happened, especially the role of Miller, the ex gang rapist.
April 12, 2025
Seven women murdered...two depraved men...seven short weeks...
I had not even heard about the deaths at Truro until channel 7 aired their Crime Investigation Australia episode "The Killing Fields of Truro" some years ago...and suddenly, my eyes were opened to one of our worst serial killing sprees in our nation's history.
I'll not lie, Christopher Worrell was good-looking, appealing and very easy on the eye for the day - mid-70s. I am not surprised he was able to attract and lure seven innocent teenagers to climb into a car with him and James Miller, and to their respective fates. Look at Ted Bundy, one of the most famous serial killers the world has ever seen. He was just like Worrell. He had charm, charisma and he was good-looking and appealing. He was a chameleon. That is what makes psychopaths so dangerous - their ability to assimilate and blend in, seemingly harmless and charismatic.
I've read quite a few true crime books and I like how this one presents the facts as they were told at the time and then addresses the facts as the previous statements made by Miller were debunked. He begins with an introduction to the killings in a brief summary of facts before leading into the untimely death of Worrell, thus ending the killing rampage. By this stage, no one even knows there had been any killings. And Miller,as the lone survivor, certainly wasn't saying anything.
Plunkett then moves onto the discovery of the bodies in the order in which they were found. The findings were shocking and lead detectives to uncover a murderous killing spree that only ended with the death of one of the duo. He then examines Worrell then Miller respectively before moving onto the seven week spree in which the murders occurred. But the presentation was based on Miller's respresentation, as he was the only surviving informant. After Worrell's death, Miller's downward spiral is evident - which was in direct contrast to the statements he had given police. But again, he was the only survivor. They could only take him at his word. Or could they?
The author the introduces the police into the mix before the murders and leading up to and ultimately the discovery which then put Truro on the map. One Detective Sergeant's doggedness, psychology and empathetic determination lead them to a conviction that was too little too late but better than nothing.
Plunkett then retells the killings of each of the girls through facts determined through clever detective work and the elimination of false facts, thus debunking what the police had initially been told and the public been lead to believe.
And yet despite the discovery of his depraved killing spree, Worrell was still being remembered by some as "a gentle and sensitive soul". Even his gravestone bears the epitaph "untold love and joy he brought to all". I think his victims would disagree with those two statements. The location of his final resting place is published on FindAGrave.com with people even now, as recent as a week ago, leaving RIP messages. It beggars belief. And yet, Plunkett delves further into what makes a psychopath a psychopath. He even goes as far as to say that he wasn't a monster, as those monikers do nothing to help understanding why people like Worrell or Bundy do what they do. They were simply human beings that were either wired wrong and the product of their environments. To truly understand why they do what they do, one really has to study human psychology...though it is far more difficult for most people to even comprehend. However, it really says something if the mother of one of the murdered girls stands up and says that she forgives him.
This is a detailed account of one of Australia's worst cases in history and yet it is done so with empathy and sensitivity. I actually read this in a day and is one of the best accounts without all the faff and padding. It presents the facts (Miller's account versus what really happened), the lives of the girls and who they were and the outcome. All without the dramatisation.
It goes without saying that Worrell would have continued killing had he himself not been killed that night. But Miller was not the innocent party he claimed to be. Plunkett shows that through facts and transcripts and catches Miller out in his lies.
If you're a true crime fan, then you won't want to pass this one up. It's shocking but empathetic.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
I had not even heard about the deaths at Truro until channel 7 aired their Crime Investigation Australia episode "The Killing Fields of Truro" some years ago...and suddenly, my eyes were opened to one of our worst serial killing sprees in our nation's history.
I'll not lie, Christopher Worrell was good-looking, appealing and very easy on the eye for the day - mid-70s. I am not surprised he was able to attract and lure seven innocent teenagers to climb into a car with him and James Miller, and to their respective fates. Look at Ted Bundy, one of the most famous serial killers the world has ever seen. He was just like Worrell. He had charm, charisma and he was good-looking and appealing. He was a chameleon. That is what makes psychopaths so dangerous - their ability to assimilate and blend in, seemingly harmless and charismatic.
I've read quite a few true crime books and I like how this one presents the facts as they were told at the time and then addresses the facts as the previous statements made by Miller were debunked. He begins with an introduction to the killings in a brief summary of facts before leading into the untimely death of Worrell, thus ending the killing rampage. By this stage, no one even knows there had been any killings. And Miller,as the lone survivor, certainly wasn't saying anything.
Plunkett then moves onto the discovery of the bodies in the order in which they were found. The findings were shocking and lead detectives to uncover a murderous killing spree that only ended with the death of one of the duo. He then examines Worrell then Miller respectively before moving onto the seven week spree in which the murders occurred. But the presentation was based on Miller's respresentation, as he was the only surviving informant. After Worrell's death, Miller's downward spiral is evident - which was in direct contrast to the statements he had given police. But again, he was the only survivor. They could only take him at his word. Or could they?
The author the introduces the police into the mix before the murders and leading up to and ultimately the discovery which then put Truro on the map. One Detective Sergeant's doggedness, psychology and empathetic determination lead them to a conviction that was too little too late but better than nothing.
Plunkett then retells the killings of each of the girls through facts determined through clever detective work and the elimination of false facts, thus debunking what the police had initially been told and the public been lead to believe.
And yet despite the discovery of his depraved killing spree, Worrell was still being remembered by some as "a gentle and sensitive soul". Even his gravestone bears the epitaph "untold love and joy he brought to all". I think his victims would disagree with those two statements. The location of his final resting place is published on FindAGrave.com with people even now, as recent as a week ago, leaving RIP messages. It beggars belief. And yet, Plunkett delves further into what makes a psychopath a psychopath. He even goes as far as to say that he wasn't a monster, as those monikers do nothing to help understanding why people like Worrell or Bundy do what they do. They were simply human beings that were either wired wrong and the product of their environments. To truly understand why they do what they do, one really has to study human psychology...though it is far more difficult for most people to even comprehend. However, it really says something if the mother of one of the murdered girls stands up and says that she forgives him.
This is a detailed account of one of Australia's worst cases in history and yet it is done so with empathy and sensitivity. I actually read this in a day and is one of the best accounts without all the faff and padding. It presents the facts (Miller's account versus what really happened), the lives of the girls and who they were and the outcome. All without the dramatisation.
It goes without saying that Worrell would have continued killing had he himself not been killed that night. But Miller was not the innocent party he claimed to be. Plunkett shows that through facts and transcripts and catches Miller out in his lies.
If you're a true crime fan, then you won't want to pass this one up. It's shocking but empathetic.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
April 15, 2024
‘This is a work of non-fiction. The quoted conversations are taken verbatim from those involved, newspaper articles and other archival material. This book is fully referenced and verifiable.’
Yes, I confess. I read a lot of true crime, but I almost did not read this book. Why? Well, ‘shocking true story’ in the title reminded me of the sensationalist ‘reporting’ that so often passes for journalism these days. In this case, I would have been wrong.
Here’s an extract from the blurb:
‘Shortlisted for Australia's best True Crime book of the year, 2023 (Ned Kelly Award - Australian Crime Writers Association).
Seven murders ... seven weeks ... the true story of Australia's worst serial sexual homicides.
Christopher Worrell and James Miller killed as many people as the notorious serial killer Ivan Milat. They are Australia’s most prolific serial sexual homicide offenders, yet they are little known outside their home state of South Australia. This is an injustice.’
I remember vaguely these murders and that James Miller (the only survivor after Christopher Worrell died in a car accident that also took the life of Deborah Skuse) claimed that while he and Worrell picked up the young women involved, Worrell acted alone when killing them.
The women were:
Veronica Knight (23 December 1976; aged 18)
Tania Kenny (2 January 1977; aged 15)
Juliet Mykyta (21 January 1977; aged 16)
Sylvia Michelle Pittmann (6 February 1977; aged 16)
Vickie Howell (7 February 1977; aged 26)
Connie Iordanides (also known as Connie Jordan; 9 February 1977; aged 16)
Deborah Lamb (12 February 1977; aged 20)
Deborah Skuse (19 February 1977; killed in the motor accident that claimed Worrell's life)
Miller died in prison in 2008.
Worrell and Miller met when they were in prison together. Miller was serving a sentence for breaking and entering, while Worrell was serving time for rape and breaching a two-year suspended sentence for armed robbery. After their release Worrell and Miller lived and worked together. Worrell has been characterised as a charismatic psychopath, and Miller as an awkward loner.
I have nothing more to say about Worrell and Miller: Mr Plunkett covers them and their motivations in this well researched book. I was saddened to realise that while I remembered the names of the perpetrators, I had forgotten most of the names of the victims. It is easy, sometimes, to become caught up in the horror of murder, to focus on the perpetrator and his/her motivation and forget those whose lives were cut short. There were people behind the names listed above, people with aspirations and dreams, people who are missed.
And, writing this review just two days after the tragic events at Bondi Junction, after the murders of six young people, we must remember them as people, not only as victims.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Yes, I confess. I read a lot of true crime, but I almost did not read this book. Why? Well, ‘shocking true story’ in the title reminded me of the sensationalist ‘reporting’ that so often passes for journalism these days. In this case, I would have been wrong.
Here’s an extract from the blurb:
‘Shortlisted for Australia's best True Crime book of the year, 2023 (Ned Kelly Award - Australian Crime Writers Association).
Seven murders ... seven weeks ... the true story of Australia's worst serial sexual homicides.
Christopher Worrell and James Miller killed as many people as the notorious serial killer Ivan Milat. They are Australia’s most prolific serial sexual homicide offenders, yet they are little known outside their home state of South Australia. This is an injustice.’
I remember vaguely these murders and that James Miller (the only survivor after Christopher Worrell died in a car accident that also took the life of Deborah Skuse) claimed that while he and Worrell picked up the young women involved, Worrell acted alone when killing them.
The women were:
Veronica Knight (23 December 1976; aged 18)
Tania Kenny (2 January 1977; aged 15)
Juliet Mykyta (21 January 1977; aged 16)
Sylvia Michelle Pittmann (6 February 1977; aged 16)
Vickie Howell (7 February 1977; aged 26)
Connie Iordanides (also known as Connie Jordan; 9 February 1977; aged 16)
Deborah Lamb (12 February 1977; aged 20)
Deborah Skuse (19 February 1977; killed in the motor accident that claimed Worrell's life)
Miller died in prison in 2008.
Worrell and Miller met when they were in prison together. Miller was serving a sentence for breaking and entering, while Worrell was serving time for rape and breaching a two-year suspended sentence for armed robbery. After their release Worrell and Miller lived and worked together. Worrell has been characterised as a charismatic psychopath, and Miller as an awkward loner.
I have nothing more to say about Worrell and Miller: Mr Plunkett covers them and their motivations in this well researched book. I was saddened to realise that while I remembered the names of the perpetrators, I had forgotten most of the names of the victims. It is easy, sometimes, to become caught up in the horror of murder, to focus on the perpetrator and his/her motivation and forget those whose lives were cut short. There were people behind the names listed above, people with aspirations and dreams, people who are missed.
And, writing this review just two days after the tragic events at Bondi Junction, after the murders of six young people, we must remember them as people, not only as victims.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
June 5, 2025
It’s December 1976, Christopher Worrell, along with his accomplice, James Miller pick up their first victim, horribly killing her without warning and dumping her body in the bush near Truro, South Australia. What followed this, was a further 6 killings.
What left me most disgusted by these killings was their satanic nature and the fact that these poor women were just tossed away like pieces of garbage.
This is a well researched book, yet simple to follow and understand. It gives detailed descriptions of the victims, their families and their lives and the events that took place, which was all explained by the accomplice James Miller, as he “helped” police locate the bodies.
It also delves into the psychology behind Christopher and his behaviours.
If you’re a fan of True Crime, go pop this on your TBR, especially if you are local to South Australia, Adelaide and its North.
What left me most disgusted by these killings was their satanic nature and the fact that these poor women were just tossed away like pieces of garbage.
This is a well researched book, yet simple to follow and understand. It gives detailed descriptions of the victims, their families and their lives and the events that took place, which was all explained by the accomplice James Miller, as he “helped” police locate the bodies.
It also delves into the psychology behind Christopher and his behaviours.
If you’re a fan of True Crime, go pop this on your TBR, especially if you are local to South Australia, Adelaide and its North.
March 14, 2023
Well compiled and verified account.
Love books that challenge the established narrative. This one completely overturns the off repeated fable of what happened and makes all previously published accounts redundant.
Who would have thought of talking to the guy who actually led the investigation. Go figure!
Love books that challenge the established narrative. This one completely overturns the off repeated fable of what happened and makes all previously published accounts redundant.
Who would have thought of talking to the guy who actually led the investigation. Go figure!
January 26, 2024
This book seemed to be well researched and gave a somewhat balanced view of the facts as they are known. A strong focus on the victims and the psychology behind the behaviours.
A really good read that was hard to put down.
A really good read that was hard to put down.
January 12, 2025
The fact that I grew up around these areas and was there until age of 9 horrified me. These were innocent girls, yes could have been mischievous but still innocent and trying to get home. How are criminals like this allowed to walk the face of the earth!
November 5, 2022
Saw the Sunday Mail spread, heard the podcast and read the book.
February 4, 2024
Not enough detective work and court time for me.
November 25, 2025
True crime as it should be.
The crime, perpetrator, victims, motives and prevention.
Everything else is excess.
The crime, perpetrator, victims, motives and prevention.
Everything else is excess.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews