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Gail Maney was sent to prison on her son’s birthday. The police said she’d put a hit on a man who stole drugs from her. Maney went to prison for 15 years. She’s consistently denied having anything to do with the disappearance of Deane Fuller-Sandys. In fact, she says, she never even met him.
In this podcast series from Stuff and RNZ, Amy Maas and Adam Dudding expose problems with the police case. Key witnesses speak for the first time. And Gail Maney gives some frank confessions. The original eight-part series was released in June 2018. A bonus follow-up episode was released in September 2019.
Listen to the podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, or any other app using the RSS feed – or play directly from this webpage, using the audio players below.
On this site, you can also read more about the case, watch extended video interviews and keep track of the case with a summary of the characters, a timeline and map.
Listen to Gone Fishing, a podcast by Stuff and RNZ, by selecting an episode below.
Gail Maney has served 15 years in jail for ordering the 1989 murder of young Auckland tyre-fitter Deane Fuller-Sandys. But she says she never knew him. In fact, she thinks he wasn’t even murdered.
Warning: Explicit language and adult themes
For years, Deane Fuller-Sandys was thought to have drowned while fishing at Whatipu. But did police get it right when they later decided Deane was the Larnoch Road “body in the boot”?
Warning: Explicit language and adult themes
Gail Maney had a tough West Auckland upbringing, but she wasn’t a bad kid. Then in the 1990s she slid into a life of hard drugs, petty crime and prostitution. But does that really mean she’s a killer?
Warning: Explicit language and adult themes
A terrified witness contacts police. Revelations about a young woman’s murder force detectives to reconsider everything they thought they knew about the Deane Fuller-Sandys case.
Warning: Explicit language and adult themes
Two historic murder investigations merge into one. But how can police figure out what actually happened, when their key witnesses keep changing their stories?
Warning: Explicit language and adult themes
The media called him a “stone cold killer”, but the truth about Stephen Stone is a bit more complicated than that.
Warning: Explicit language and adult themes
As Gail Maney and three others go on trial for murder, flaws in the prosecution case come to light.
Warning: Explicit language and adult themes
A key witness comes forward with new information that could vindicate Gail Maney, and the lead detective reflects on where his investigation might have gone wrong.
Warning: Explicit language and adult themes
More rumours emerge, another witness recants and Gail Maney finds new allies in her fight to prove she’s innocent.
Warning: Explicit language and adult themes
In 1989, Gail Maney was 22 years old and worked as a prostitute for a brief time.
She is said to have ordered the murder of Deane Fuller-Sandys because she thought he had stolen drugs off her.
Gail was arrested in 1997, and was found guilty of murdering Deane Fuller-Sandys in a High Court trial two years later.
She successfully appealed her conviction after a Court of Appeal judge ruled that the judge presiding over her trial did not present the defence case to the jury.
A second trial was ordered in 2000. Gail was found guilty yet again. A second appeal failed.
Gail was sentenced to life in prison for ordering the murder of Deane Fuller-Sandys.
She’s currently on parole, but will spend her life reporting back to probation and lives under a strict curfew, and strict conditions.
Gail is also a mother to five children.
When he was 19 years old, Stone was a Black Power prospect who spent the late 80s and early 90s working as a bouncer at strip clubs and parlours on Auckland’s Karangahape Road.
He was jailed for life in 1999 for the murder of Deane Fuller-Sandys, and the rape and murder of Leah Stephens.
Stone has made multiple bids for parole, all of which have failed.
He will be eligible to reapply for parole in late 2019.
Stone is the father of three, and has six grandchildren.
Henriksen was a good friend of Stephen Stone. He was convicted of being an accessory to the murder of Deane Fuller-Sandys and sentenced to three years in prison.
Colin is the younger brother of Gail Maney, and was 18 years old in 1989.
He was convicted of being an accessory to the murder of Deane Fuller-Sandys and was given a suspended prison sentence.
In 1989, Gail Maney was 22 years old and worked as a prostitute for a brief time.
She is said to have ordered the murder of Deane Fuller-Sandys because she thought he had stolen drugs off her.
Gail was arrested in 1997, and was found guilty of murdering Deane Fuller-Sandys in a High Court trial two years later.
She successfully appealed her conviction after a Court of Appeal judge ruled that the judge presiding over her trial did not present the defence case to the jury.
A second trial was ordered in 2000. Gail was found guilty yet again. A second appeal failed.
Gail was sentenced to life in prison for ordering the murder of Deane Fuller-Sandys.
She’s currently on parole, but will spend her life reporting back to probation and lives under a strict curfew, and strict conditions.
Gail is also a mother to five children.
When he was 19 years old, Stone was a Black Power prospect who spent the late 80s and early 90s working as a bouncer at strip clubs and parlours on Auckland’s Karangahape Road.
He was jailed for life in 1999 for the murder of Deane Fuller-Sandys, and the rape and murder of Leah Stephens.
Stone has made multiple bids for parole, all of which have failed.
He will be eligible to reapply for parole in late 2019.
Stone is the father of three, and has six grandchildren.
Henriksen was a good friend of Stephen Stone. He was convicted of being an accessory to the murder of Deane Fuller-Sandys and sentenced to three years in prison.
Colin is the younger brother of Gail Maney, and was 18 years old in 1989.
He was convicted of being an accessory to the murder of Deane Fuller-Sandys and was given a suspended prison sentence.
Colin is the younger brother of Gail Maney, and was 18 years old in 1989.
He was convicted of being an accessory to the murder of Deane Fuller-Sandys and was given a suspended prison sentence.
On August 21, 1989, Deane told his parents he was going fishing. That was the last time they saw him. He was 21 years old.
For eight years, his family believed he had drowned while fishing.
But in 1997 police arrested Gail Maney and Stephen Stone for his murder. They say Gail ordered a hit on Deane because she thought he had stolen drugs from her home in Larnoch Road, Henderson. Stone carried out the killing.
His body has never been found.
Leah had been living with her grandmother Isla Fisher when she went missing from the area around Auckland’s Karangahape Road. She was 20 years old.
Her grandmother thought she was a waitress - but instead she was working as a prostitute in the city’s red light district, and sometimes stripped at a club called Chaplins.
She disappeared on Saturday, August 26, 1989.
Her skeleton was found by two walkers in Muriwai, west of Auckland, in 1992.
In 1998, police reopened the case and charged Stephen Stone with her rape and murder.
On August 21, 1989, Deane told his parents he was going fishing. That was the last time they saw him. He was 21 years old.
For eight years, his family believed he had drowned while fishing.
But in 1997 police arrested Gail Maney and Stephen Stone for his murder. They say Gail ordered a hit on Deane because she thought he had stolen drugs from her home in Larnoch Road, Henderson. Stone carried out the killing.
His body has never been found.
Leah had been living with her grandmother Isla Fisher when she went missing from the area around Auckland’s Karangahape Road. She was 20 years old.
Her grandmother thought she was a waitress - but instead she was working as a prostitute in the city’s red light district, and sometimes stripped at a club called Chaplins.
She disappeared on Saturday, August 26, 1989.
Her skeleton was found by two walkers in Muriwai, west of Auckland, in 1992.
In 1998, police reopened the case and charged Stephen Stone with her rape and murder.
A detective for 27 years with the New Zealand Police, Franklin resigned five years after heading the case into the murders of Deane Fuller-Sandys and Leah Stephens.
He moved to Rarotonga where he was later jailed on charges of selling cannabis.
A detective for 27 years with the New Zealand Police, Franklin resigned five years after heading the case into the murders of Deane Fuller-Sandys and Leah Stephens.
He moved to Rarotonga where he was later jailed on charges of selling cannabis.
A childhood friend of Gail Maney who would later become a flatmate in 1989.
Tania is pivotal in Gail’s conviction. Her former partner is the one who provided the tip-off that led to the investigation into Deane Fuller-Sandys’ disappearance.
A friend of Gail Maney’s in 1989. She now lives under a new identity and was offered witness protection and relocation as part of the deal for giving evidence.
She lived with Gail for a short time in the early 90s.
Gail’s next-door neighbour who says she witnessed the burglary which police believe was the motive for Gail ordering a hit on Deane.
Pivotal in the conviction of Stephen Stone and Gail Maney.
Neil is not his real name. He lives under a new identity after being offered immunity from prosecution and witness protection in exchange for testifying against Stone.
He participated in the abduction, rape and murder of Leah Stephens and admitted to dumping her body in Muriwai.
He claims to have been present for the murder of Deane Fuller-Sandys.
Pivotal in the conviction of Stephen Stone and Gail Maney.
Martin is not his real name. He was living overseas at the time of the police investigation, and returned to Auckland with the view to making a deal for immunity from prosecution, a new identity and witness protection in exchange for his evidence.
He was present for the rape and murder of Leah Stephens, and admitted helping Neil dump her body in Muriwai.
Claims to know Gail Maney, and claims to have been present when Deane Fuller-Sandys was murdered.
A childhood friend of Gail Maney who would later become a flatmate in 1989.
Tania is pivotal in Gail’s conviction. Her former partner is the one who provided the tip-off that led to the investigation into Deane Fuller-Sandys’ disappearance.
A friend of Gail Maney’s in 1989. She now lives under a new identity and was offered witness protection and relocation as part of the deal for giving evidence.
She lived with Gail for a short time in the early 90s.
Pivotal in the conviction of Stephen Stone and Gail Maney.
Neil is not his real name. He lives under a new identity after being offered immunity from prosecution and witness protection in exchange for testifying against Stone.
He participated in the abduction, rape and murder of Leah Stephens and admitted to dumping her body in Muriwai.
He claims to have been present for the murder of Deane Fuller-Sandys.
Pivotal in the conviction of Stephen Stone and Gail Maney.
Martin is not his real name. He was living overseas at the time of the police investigation, and returned to Auckland with the view to making a deal for immunity from prosecution, a new identity and witness protection in exchange for his evidence.
He was present for the rape and murder of Leah Stephens, and admitted helping Neil dump her body in Muriwai.
Claims to know Gail Maney, and claims to have been present when Deane Fuller-Sandys was murdered.
Gail’s next-door neighbour who says she witnessed the burglary which police believe was the motive for Gail ordering a hit on Deane.
Former partner of Tania Wilson. After a violent altercation where police are involved, he called police to tip them off about Tania once seeing a body in a boot in 1989. This phone call sets the police investigation in motion.
Former partner of the witness “Neil”. After a turbulent relationship, she made a phone call to police to say that Neil had confessed to her about the murder of Leah Stephens. This sets in motion the police investigation into the second murder.
Former partner of Tania Wilson. After a violent altercation where police are involved, he called police to tip them off about Tania once seeing a body in a boot in 1989. This phone call sets the police investigation in motion.
Former partner of the witness “Neil”. After a turbulent relationship, she made a phone call to police to say that Neil had confessed to her about the murder of Leah Stephens. This sets in motion the police investigation into the second murder.
Friend of Deane Fuller-Sandys who was meant to go fishing with him on the night he disappeared.
Close friends of Gail Maney, and godparents to her eldest daughter.
The couple have known Gail since the 80s, and remain friends with her to this day.
In 2010, Chris Chevalier worked as part of the New Zealand Prison Fellowship where he facilitated a restorative justice meeting between Stephen Stone and Deane Fuller-Sandys’ family. He also facilitated a meeting between Gail and the Fuller-Sandys family.
Stephen Stone is the closest living relative Gary Stone has. He’s moved his life to be closer to his son while he serves out his prison sentence.
Friend of Deane Fuller-Sandys who was meant to go fishing with him on the night he disappeared.
Close friends of Gail Maney, and godparents to her eldest daughter.
The couple have known Gail since the 80s, and remain friends with her to this day.
In 2010, Chris Chevalier worked as part of the New Zealand Prison Fellowship where he facilitated a restorative justice meeting between Stephen Stone and Deane Fuller-Sandys’ family. He also facilitated a meeting between Gail and the Fuller-Sandys family.
Stephen Stone is the closest living relative Gary Stone has. He’s moved his life to be closer to his son while he serves out his prison sentence.
Mother of Deane Fuller-Sandys.
Brother of Deane Fuller-Sandys.
Grandmother of Leah Stephens.
Mother of Deane Fuller-Sandys.
Brother of Deane Fuller-Sandys.
Grandmother of Leah Stephens.
Reporter who covered the police press conferences and court trials relating to the murders of Deane Fuller-Sandys and Leah Stephens.
Reporter who covered the police press conferences and court trials relating to the murders of Deane Fuller-Sandys and Leah Stephens.
Stephen Stone’s defence lawyer at the 1999 trial. Chambers says Stone’s only instruction to him was: “It’s all f...ing shit, do what you want to do”.
Stephen Stone’s defence lawyer at the 1999 trial. Chambers says Stone’s only instruction to him was: “It’s all f...ing shit, do what you want to do”.
Former police officer turned private investigator who conducted research for defence lawyers, and found vital documents that undermined the police timeline of Gail’s movements in 1989. Was unavailable for full interview because of ill-health, but gave a brief phone interview.
Former police officer turned private investigator who conducted research for defence lawyers, and found vital documents that undermined the police timeline of Gail’s movements in 1989. Was unavailable for full interview because of ill-health, but gave a brief phone interview.
Kathryn Salle, who will give vital evidence to police about what she saw at 22 Larnoch Road, buys the land next door at 20 Larnoch Rd and starts building.
Gail Maney moves into 22 Larnoch Rd with her then-partner David Magele, and their young daughter.
Tania Wilson gets in touch with Maney and starts hanging out at Larnoch Rd. She moves in several days later. She works as a prostitute in parlours, and introduces Maney to prescription drugs.
Kathryn Salle tells police it was around this time she witnessed a burglary at 22 Larnoch Rd.
Deane Fuller-Sandys leaves his Blockhouse Bay home, telling his parents he's going fishing.
Fuller-Sandys' mother Carol calls the tyre shop where he worked, concerned he hasn't come home. He hasn't been to work either.
Fuller-Sandys' family and friends start searching the coastline at Whatipu. The search lasts several days. After this, he's listed as missing, presumed drowned.
Leah Stephens goes missing from upper Queen St where she worked as a prostitute. A police investigation goes nowhere.
Maney says she starts working as a prostitute and meets Stephen Stone around this time.
Police raid Maney's house at 22 Larnoch Rd in search of stolen property. They neither look for, nor find, any evidence of any homicides.
Kathryn Salle claimed to have seen a burglary at number 20 about three months earlier. But it's not until now that an electrician starts connecting the wiring at her house.
And it's not until now that a plumber starts working on Salle's house - connecting all wastewater and the sewer.
Operation Muriwai launches after Leah Stephens' remains are found.
Stephen Stone commits an aggravated robbery at a winery in Kumeu. He's found guilty, and is sentenced to five years in prison.
Fuller-Sandys' sister, Leonie Curran writes to police to ask if her brother is still listed as a missing person and says his death weighs heavily on her. Police say the file is open, but inactive and that a missing person can only be declared dead by a Coroner after seven years - or if the family applies to the court.
The partner of the witness "Neil" contacts police to say she has information about Leah Stephens' death. She offers both Neil and Stephen Stone's names. This tip goes nowhere for a while.
Police receive a tip-off from Tania Wilson's former partner Dave Arnott, who says Stone once arrived at Larnoch Rd with a body in the boot.
Stone is released from prison.
Stone is involved in a head-on crash in Dairy Flat, north of Auckland in which elderly woman Hazel Bennett is killed. He's sentenced to periodic detention.
Maney is questioned over the death of Deane Fuller-Sandys.
Police hold a press conference in relation to the tip about the body in the boot and there is a crime scene re-enactment. They name three men who went missing around that time, including Fuller-Sandys.
Maney is formally charged with the murder of Fuller-Sandys.
Stephen Stone is arrested for the murder of Deane Fuller-Sandys.
Following the arrests of Maney and Stone, Colin Maney and then Mark Henriksen are also arrested in relation to the murder of Fuller-Sandys.
Maney appears in court on charges in relation to Fuller-Sandys' murder, along with Stephen Stone, Mark Henriksen and Colin Maney.
The witness "Martin", whose evidence will be decisive in the police case, moves abroad.
Police start re-investigating Leah Stephens' murder; and link it to the Deane Fuller-Sandys case. This is after the witness, "Neil", contacts police to tell them he's afraid because he's run into Stone.
Police start digging at Muriwai in their search for Fuller-Sandys' body. They don't find anything.
The witness "Martin" returns to New Zealand at the police's request, and he's interviewed about Stephens' murder.
"Neil" and "Martin" are questioned extensively by police.
"Neil" and "Martin" are granted immunity from prosecution.
Trial for the murder of Deane Fuller-Sandys begins at the High Court in Auckland.
Gail Maney and Stephen Stone found guilty of the murder of Deane Fuller-Sandys. Colin Maney and Mark Henriksen found guilty as accessories after the fact.
Stephen Stone is found guilty of the murder and rape of Leah Stephens.
Gail Maney and Mark Henriksen are retried after a successful appeal. Both are found guilty again.
After being twice released on parole and then recalled, Maney is released from prison a third time.
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Gail Maney
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Stephen Stone
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Deane Fuller-Sandys
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Police
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Leah Stephens
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| 1988 |
November 1988
Gail Maney moves into 22 Larnoch Rd with her then-partner David Magele, and their young daughter.
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January 1988
Kathryn Salle, who will give vital evidence to police about what she saw at 22 Larnoch Road, buys the land next door at 20 Larnoch Rd and starts building.
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| 1989 |
12 August 1989
Tania Wilson gets in touch with Maney and starts hanging out at Larnoch Rd. She moves in several days later. She works as a prostitute in parlours, and introduces Maney to prescription drugs.
mid-September 1989
Maney says she starts working as a prostitute and meets Stephen Stone around this time.
26 September 1989
Police raid Maney's house at 22 Larnoch Rd in search of stolen property. They neither look for, nor find, any evidence of any homicides.
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21 August 1989
Deane Fuller-Sandys leaves his Blockhouse Bay home, telling his parents he's going fishing.
22 August 1989
Fuller-Sandys' mother Carol calls the tyre shop where he worked, concerned he hasn't come home. He hasn't been to work either.
23 August 1989
Fuller-Sandys' family and friends start searching the coastline at Whatipu. The search lasts several days. After this, he's listed as missing, presumed drowned.
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August 1989
Kathryn Salle tells police it was around this time she witnessed a burglary at 22 Larnoch Rd.
5 October 1989
Kathryn Salle claimed to have seen a burglary at number 20 about three months earlier. But it's not until now that an electrician starts connecting the wiring at her house.
19 October 1989
And it's not until now that a plumber starts working on Salle's house - connecting all wastewater and the sewer.
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26 August 1989
Leah Stephens goes missing from upper Queen St where she worked as a prostitute. A police investigation goes nowhere.
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| 1990 |
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| 1991 |
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| 1992 |
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15 August 1992
Stephen Stone commits an aggravated robbery at a winery in Kumeu. He's found guilty, and is sentenced to five years in prison.
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14 June 1992
Operation Muriwai launches after Leah Stephens' remains are found.
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| 1993 |
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| 1994 |
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| 1995 |
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24 August 1995
Fuller-Sandys' sister, Leonie Curran writes to police to ask if her brother is still listed as a missing person and says his death weighs heavily on her. Police say the file is open, but inactive and that a missing person can only be declared dead
by a Coroner after seven years - or if the family applies to the court.
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| 1996 |
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28 June 1996
The partner of the witness "Neil" contacts police to say she has information about Leah Stephens' death. She offers both Neil and Stephen Stone's names. This tip goes nowhere for a while.
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| 1997 |
29 April 1997
Maney is questioned over the death of Deane Fuller-Sandys.
3 July 1997
Maney is formally charged with the murder of Fuller-Sandys.
20 August 1997
Maney appears in court on charges in relation to Fuller-Sandys' murder, along with Stephen Stone, Mark Henriksen and Colin Maney.
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27 February 1997
Stone is released from prison.
March 1997
Stone is involved in a head-on crash in Dairy Flat, north of Auckland in which elderly woman Hazel Bennett is killed. He's sentenced to periodic detention.
8 July 1997
Stephen Stone is arrested for the murder of Deane Fuller-Sandys.
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8 July 1997
Following the arrests of Maney and Stone, Colin Maney and then Mark Henriksen are also arrested in relation to the murder of Fuller-Sandys.
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9 June 1997
Police hold a press conference in relation to the tip about the body in the boot and there is a crime scene re-enactment. They name three men who went missing around that time, including Fuller-Sandys.
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| 1998 |
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1 May 1998
Police start digging at Muriwai in their search for Fuller-Sandys' body. They don't find anything.
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9 March 1998
The witness "Martin", whose evidence will be decisive in the police case, moves abroad.
22 May 1998
The witness "Martin" returns to New Zealand at the police's request, and he's interviewed about Stephens' murder.
May - August 1998
"Neil" and "Martin" are questioned extensively by police.
12 August 1998
"Neil" and "Martin" are granted immunity from prosecution
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mid-April 1998
Police start re-investigating Leah Stephens' murder; and link it to the Deane Fuller-Sandys case. This is after the witness, "Neil", contacts police to tell them he's afraid because he's run into Stone.
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| 1999 |
1 March 1999
Trial for the murder of Deane Fuller-Sandys begins at the High Court in Auckland.
26 March 1999
Gail Maney and Stephen Stone found guilty of the murder of Deane Fuller-Sandys. Colin Maney and Mark Henriksen found guilty as accessories after the fact.
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26 March 1999
Stephen Stone is found guilty of the murder and rape of Leah Stephens.
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| 2000 |
1 May 2000
Gail Maney and Mark Henriksen are retried after a successful appeal. Both are found guilty again.
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| 2017 |
13 July 2017
After being twice released on parole and then recalled, Maney is released from prison a third time.
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Written, presented and produced by
Amy Maas and Adam Dudding
Executive producers
Tim Watkin and Justin Gregory (RNZ) and Kathrin Goldsworthy (Stuff)
Sound engineer
Rangi Powick
Visual journalist
Jason Dorday
Digital designer
Tom Young
Interactive designer
Suyeon Son
Digital editor
John Hartevelt
Commissioning editors
Keith Lynch and Patrick Crewdson (Stuff); Glen Scanlon (RNZ); and Jonathan Milne (Sunday Star-Times)
