Premium Content:

What Happened to Scott Johnson?

Scott Johnson

Over twenty years ago Scott Johnson’s naked body was found at the bottom of a cliff in Sydney. Johnson had been out celebrating completing his PhD at Manly. The young mathematicians death was ruled a suicide but his family is not convinced.

- Advertisement -

Tonight’s episode of ‘Australian Story’ on ABC investigates the circumstances around Johnson’s death and his brothers persistence that the case be investigated again. Steve Johnson worked with American journalist Daniel Glick who is well known for his coverage of the Jon-Benet Ramsay case in the USA. After working with Glick, Steve Johnson was able to get new evidence suggesting that his brother may have been the victim of a gay hate crime.

Last year the NSW Coroner overturned the suicide verdict – and after an investigation reclassified the death as an open verdict. The NSW police are continuing to investigate the case.

Tune in to Australian Story on ABC1 tonight at 8pm for the episode ‘On The Precipice’.

Steve Johnson and Daniel Glick at the Manly Cliff Site. (ABC TV)
Steve Johnson and Daniel Glick at the Manly Cliff Site. (ABC TV)

Latest

Queer Screen reveals exciting Mardi Gras Film Festival program

The festival will screen two weeks of LGBTIQA+ cinema as Sydney celebrates Mardi Gras across the city.

Equality Australia urges government to work with The Greens on hate speech laws

“Leaving any group unprotected implies their safety matters less and that violence against them is tolerated."

2026 WA Premier’s Book Awards open for nominations

This year's awards will have a total prize pool of $120,000 spread across eight categories.

‘Campfire’: Award-winning circus show heading to Fringe World

Fusing comedy, horror and circus, Campfire is taking audiences into the wilderness this Fringe World season.

Newsletter

Don't miss

Queer Screen reveals exciting Mardi Gras Film Festival program

The festival will screen two weeks of LGBTIQA+ cinema as Sydney celebrates Mardi Gras across the city.

Equality Australia urges government to work with The Greens on hate speech laws

“Leaving any group unprotected implies their safety matters less and that violence against them is tolerated."

2026 WA Premier’s Book Awards open for nominations

This year's awards will have a total prize pool of $120,000 spread across eight categories.

‘Campfire’: Award-winning circus show heading to Fringe World

Fusing comedy, horror and circus, Campfire is taking audiences into the wilderness this Fringe World season.

Change of leadership at Pride WA

Forer state MP Peter Foster takes over as Chair of Pride WA.

Queer Screen reveals exciting Mardi Gras Film Festival program

The festival will screen two weeks of LGBTIQA+ cinema as Sydney celebrates Mardi Gras across the city.

Equality Australia urges government to work with The Greens on hate speech laws

“Leaving any group unprotected implies their safety matters less and that violence against them is tolerated."

2026 WA Premier’s Book Awards open for nominations

This year's awards will have a total prize pool of $120,000 spread across eight categories.