Erin Pearson is a Courts and Crime Reporter for The Age, where she investigates Australia’s legal system with a focus on forensic practices, defamation law, and criminal trials. Her work, including the acclaimed podcast The Missing Campers Trial, combines rigorous analysis with narrative storytelling to demystify complex cases.
Connect with her via erin.pearson@theage.com.au for stories that intersect law, accountability, and human impact.
Erin Pearson has established herself as a meticulous Crime and Justice Reporter at The Age, where her work dissects complex legal proceedings and criminal investigations with precision. Based in Melbourne, her reporting often bridges courtroom drama with systemic issues in Australia’s judicial and forensic sectors. Pearson’s career highlights include coverage of high-profile defamation cases, homicide trials, and investigative pieces that scrutinize institutional accountability.
This article delves into a defamation lawsuit against a funeral home, where Pearson scrutinized allegations of unsanitary embalming practices. Through courtroom testimony and photographic evidence, she highlighted the tension between professional standards and public perception. Her reporting underscored the challenges of balancing ethical journalism with legal constraints, particularly when covering sensitive topics like mortuary practices. The piece resonated for its unflinching yet respectful approach to a topic often shrouded in stigma.
In this investigation, Pearson exposed procedural lapses in a funeral home’s handling of remains, revealing a five-week gap between a death and the director’s review of the body. The article combined coronial reports, expert interviews, and court documents to question oversight in the funeral industry. Its impact led to broader discussions about regulatory reforms, showcasing Pearson’s ability to transform courtroom narratives into public policy conversations.
As a co-host of this podcast, Pearson analyzes the trial of Gregory Lynn, accused of murdering two campers in Victoria’s High Country. Her episodes blend forensic evidence, witness testimonies, and legal strategy analysis, offering listeners a granular view of Australia’s criminal justice system. The series exemplifies her skill in making complex trials accessible while maintaining rigor—a hallmark of her multimedia storytelling.
Pearson’s work frequently examines how institutions—whether funeral homes, courts, or law enforcement—adhere to ethical and legal standards. Pitches should highlight systemic gaps or reforms, such as proposed legislation to regulate forensic practices. For example, her funeral home coverage [2][5] demonstrates appetite for stories that blend individual cases with broader industry trends.
She excels at weaving personal narratives into courtroom reporting, as seen in her podcast’s victim impact statement analyses [4][9]. Sources offering access to plaintiffs, defendants, or their families will align with her focus on the human toll of legal battles.
Pearson collaborates with forensic experts, historians, and legal scholars to contextualize trials. Pitches incorporating specialists in criminology or forensic pathology—particularly those willing to provide on-record commentary—will resonate.
While specific awards are not listed in available sources, Pearson’s prominence is evident through her role at The Age and her podcast’s reach. Her reporting has been cited in academic discussions about media’s role in legal transparency [7], reflecting her influence beyond traditional journalism circles.
