Crimes That Shook Australia

The programme recounts how Matthew Milat, the nephew of notorious serial killer Ivan Milat, replicated his uncle’s violent legacy. In November 2010, he murdered and decapitated a friend in the remote Belanglo State Forest, echoing the crimes that made his family infamous.

The programme titled Matthew Milat is presented as an episode‑length entry in the true‑crime genre. It focuses on a single, unsettling incident rather than a broader series, offering a concise look at the events surrounding a notorious family connection. At the heart of the story is the nephew of a well‑known serial killer. Rather than turning away from his uncle’s violent legacy, he mirrors that darkness by committing a similarly brutal act. In November 2010 he took the life of a friend, going as far as to decapitate the victim, an act that starkly echoes the cruelty associated with his relative. The incident unfolded deep within Belanglo State Forest, a location already linked to infamous crimes. The forest setting provides a stark backdrop for the murder, underscoring the isolation and shock of the deed. By placing the event in this specific place, the episode highlights how the environment can become intertwined with the narrative of violent behaviour. Overall, the episode charts the disturbing path of a young man who, despite the opportunity to break from his family’s grim reputation, chose to replicate it. It documents the November 2010 killing, the method of decapitation, and the chilling familial connection, all confined to the remote, wooded expanse of Belanglo State Forest.