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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

Listen to Gone Fishing, a podcast by Stuff and RNZ, by selecting an episode below.

Part one: The fire

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

Part two: The fisherman

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

Part three: Good westie, bad westie

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

Part four: The forest

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

Part five: Liar, liar

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

Part six: The man with the black eyes

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

Part seven: The trials of Gail Maney

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

Part eight: Gone fishing

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

Bonus episode: One year on

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

Characters

The offenders
Gail Maney

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.

Stephen Stone

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.

MARK HENRIKSEN

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 Maney

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.

The victims
DEANE FULLER-SANDYS

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 Stephens

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.

The police officer
MARK FRANKLIN

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.

The witnesses
TANIA WILSON

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.

‘SONIA’

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.

KATHRYN SALLE

Gail’s next-door neighbour who says she witnessed the burglary which police believe was the motive for Gail ordering a hit on Deane.

‘NEIL’

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.

‘MARTIN’

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.

The tipsters
DAVE ARNOTT

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.

NEIL’S EX-WIFE

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.

The friends
GENE DAVEY

Friend of Deane Fuller-Sandys who was meant to go fishing with him on the night he disappeared.

BILLIE AND BRETT

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.

CHRIS CHEVALIER

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.

GARY STONE

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.

The families
CAROL LINTON

Mother of Deane Fuller-Sandys.

WAYNE FULLER-SANDYS

Brother of Deane Fuller-Sandys.

ISLA KIRBY

Grandmother of Leah Stephens.

SYLVIA HARADA

Mother of Leah Stephens.

Mother of Deane Fuller-Sandys.

Brother of Deane Fuller-Sandys.

Grandmother of Leah Stephens.

Mother of Leah Stephens.

The journalist
TONY WALL

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.

The lawyer
ROGER CHAMBERS

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”.

The private investigator
JOHN BRADLEY

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.

SEE ALL CHARACTERS
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MAP

THE DEANE FULLER-SANDYS MURDER

Whitney Street, Blockhouse Bay (Deane’s house)

Shortly after 5pm, on Monday, August 21 1989, Deane Fuller-Sandys, 21, backed out the driveway, and said goodbye to his parents. He said he was going fishing. His mother told him she’d leave his roast chicken dinner in the microwave. The next morning it was still sitting there, untouched.

THE DEANE FULLER-SANDYS MURDER

Whatipu - Ninepin

Fuller-Sandys fished at Whatipu - his favourite spot. It’s a rugged beach on Auckland’s West Coast - fishermen say it’s not uncommon to see rangers carrying away body bags on the beach. The day after Fuller-Sandys disappeared his car was found in the Whatipu carpark. Rescue workers, family and friends searched the beach, but Deane was never found.

THE DEANE FULLER-SANDYS MURDER

22 Larnoch Road, Henderson (Gail Maney’s house)

Gail Maney lived here with her young daughter and several flatmates in 1989. It was the scene of wild parties, and the visitors were often gang members and drug dealers.

In early 1997 police received a tip that back in 1989 a gang member, Stephen Stone, had brought a body in a boot to Larnoch Rd, where it was seen by several people before being driven away and buried somewhere. Police concluded this body was Deane Fuller-Sandys, and that Gale Maney commissioned the murder because she thought he had burgled her house. Later, though, the police scenario of events changed dramatically.

In the new scenario, Stone killed Fuller-Sandys in the Larnoch Rd garage, then forced four other men to shoot the body as several women looked on. One of those witnesses was Leah Stephens.

THE DEANE FULLER-SANDYS MURDER

Westward Ho Tavern, Glen Eden

The police case against Stephen Stone and Gail Maney included eyewitness claims that Maney argued with Deane Fuller-Sandys at the Westward Ho Tavern, a raucous West Auckland pub, shortly before Fuller-Sandys disappeared.

THE DEANE FULLER-SANDYS MURDER

Muriwai

Witnesses told police that Fuller-Sandys’ body was taken to the forest near Muriwai Golf Club and buried in a shallow grave. Despite a huge search involving ground-penetrating radar and multiple search sites, police have never found Fuller-Sandys’ body.

THE LEAH STEPHENS MURDER

Chaplins, 119 Karangahape Road

In 1989, 20-year-old Leah Stephens worked as a prostitute in the red light district around Karangahape Rd. Stephens also sometimes stripped at Chaplins, under the stage-name Zara. The Chaplins scene included doorman Stephen Stone, club DJ “Neil”, and another regular customer “Martin”. Neil and Martin were both friends of Leah.

THE LEAH STEPHENS MURDER

Sunset Strip Club, Fort Street

Leah was meant to meet a friend at Sunset Strip nightclub on the night she disappeared. But she never turned up.

THE LEAH STEPHENS MURDER

Upper Queen Street, Auckland City

Leah was last seen near here on August 26, 1989. Police say she got into a car with Stephen Stone, Martin and Neil.

THE LEAH STEPHENS MURDER

Carpark in Liverpool St

In one of Neil’s many different accounts of her death, Leah was driven to a nearby carpark. There, Stone stabbed her in the stomach then cut her throat.

THE LEAH STEPHENS MURDER

Buchanan St, Kingsland

In another of Neil’s accounts, Leah was taken to this address and raped by Stone. Stone then told both men to rape Leah, then he killed her.

THE LEAH STEPHENS MURDER

22 Larnoch Road (Gail Maney’s house)

Then, in the final version of events that goes to trial, police say the rape and murder of Leah actually happened at Larnoch Rd. Police say Leah witnessed the death of Fuller-Sandys five days earlier and had threatened to speak. So, Stone – along with Neil and Martin – took her back there. She was raped, then Stone killed her.

THE LEAH STEPHENS MURDER

Muriwai Golf Course Access Rd (50m into forest)

After she was killed, Neil and Martin say they then dumped Leah’s naked body in the forest at Muriwai. In 1992, two walkers found the skeletal remains of Leah Stephens in a pine forest near the Muriwai Golf Club. She was lying in foetal position, and the rings she wore on her fingers while alive were found nearby.

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Timeline

1988
 
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.

1988
 
November 1988

Gail Maney moves into 22 Larnoch Rd with her then-partner David Magele, and their young daughter.

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.

1989
 
August 1989

Kathryn Salle tells police it was around this time she witnessed a burglary at 22 Larnoch Rd.

1989
 
21 August 1989

Deane Fuller-Sandys leaves his Blockhouse Bay home, telling his parents he's going fishing.

1989
 
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.

1989
 
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.

1989
 
26 August 1989

Leah Stephens goes missing from upper Queen St where she worked as a prostitute. A police investigation goes nowhere.

1989
 
Mid-September 1989

Maney says she starts working as a prostitute and meets Stephen Stone around this time.

1989
 
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.

1989
 
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.

1989
 
19 October 1989

And it's not until now that a plumber starts working on Salle's house - connecting all wastewater and the sewer.

1992
 
14 June 1992

Operation Muriwai launches after Leah Stephens' remains are found.

1992
 
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.

1995
 
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.

1996
 
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.

1997
 
17 February 1997

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.

1997
 
27 February 1997

Stone is released from prison.

1997
 
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.

1997
 
29 April 1997

Maney is questioned over the death of Deane Fuller-Sandys.

1997
 
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.

1997
 
3 July 1997

Maney is formally charged with the murder of Fuller-Sandys.

1997
 
8 July 1997

Stephen Stone is arrested for the murder of Deane Fuller-Sandys.

1997
 
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.

1997
 
20 August 1997

Maney appears in court on charges in relation to Fuller-Sandys' murder, along with Stephen Stone, Mark Henriksen and Colin Maney.

1998
 
9 March 1998

The witness "Martin", whose evidence will be decisive in the police case, moves abroad.

1998
 
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.

1998
 
1 May 1998

Police start digging at Muriwai in their search for Fuller-Sandys' body. They don't find anything.

1998
 
22 May 1998

The witness "Martin" returns to New Zealand at the police's request, and he's interviewed about Stephens' murder.

1998
 
May - August 1998

"Neil" and "Martin" are questioned extensively by police.

1998
 
12 August 1998

"Neil" and "Martin" are granted immunity from prosecution.

1999
 
1 March 1999

Trial for the murder of Deane Fuller-Sandys begins at the High Court in Auckland.

1999
 
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.

1999
 
26 March 1999

Stephen Stone is found guilty of the murder and rape of Leah Stephens.

2000
 
1 May 2000

Gail Maney and Mark Henriksen are retried after a successful appeal. Both are found guilty again.

2017
 
13 July 2017

After being twice released on parole and then recalled, Maney is released from prison a third time.

Show all events
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Gail Maney
Stephen Stone
Deane Fuller-Sandys
Police
Leah Stephens
1988
 
November 1988
Gail Maney moves into 22 Larnoch Rd with her then-partner David Magele, and their young daughter.
 
 
 
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.
 
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.
 
 
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.
 
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.
 
26 August 1989
Leah Stephens goes missing from upper Queen St where she worked as a prostitute. A police investigation goes nowhere.
1990
 
 
 
 
 
1991
 
 
 
 
 
1992
 
 
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.
 
 
 
14 June 1992
Operation Muriwai launches after Leah Stephens' remains are found.
1993
 
 
 
 
 
1994
 
 
 
 
 
1995
 
 
 
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.
 
 
1996
 
 
 
 
 
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.
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
1998
 
 
 
1 May 1998
Police start digging at Muriwai in their search for Fuller-Sandys' body. They don't find anything.
 
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
 
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.
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.
 
 
 
 
26 March 1999
Stephen Stone is found guilty of the murder and rape of Leah Stephens.
2000
 
1 May 2000
Gail Maney and Mark Henriksen are retried after a successful appeal. Both are found guilty again.
 
 
 
 
·
·
·
 
 
 
 
 
2017
 
13 July 2017
After being twice released on parole and then recalled, Maney is released from prison a third time.
 
 
 
 

Video

Extended video interview with Gail Maney
Extended video interview with Mark Franklin
Extended video interview with Chris Chevalier
Extended video interview with Gary Stone
Extended video interview with Tania Wilson

GONE FISHING IS A JOINT PRODUCTION OF STUFF AND RNZ.

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)