Bio 

Matthew Milat was born in December 1992 in Australia. He became widely known after the 2010 murder of David Auchterlonie. Matthew was the great-nephew of Ivan Milat, the serial killer convicted of murdering seven backpackers in Belanglo State Forest during the 1990s.

Matthew was 17 years old when David Auchterlonie was killed. Because Matthew was a juvenile at the time, his name was first protected by legal restrictions. After he was convicted, the court allowed the media to identify him publicly.

Before the murder, Matthew knew David. Reports described them as friends or childhood friends. Cohen Klein was also involved in the case, and another teenager, Chase Day, was present when the group went to Belanglo State Forest on November 20, 2010. That day was David’s 17th birthday.

The murder was later treated by the court as planned, not sudden. During sentencing, the court heard that Matthew had said, “We’re going out to Belanglo and someone’s going to die.” The axe used in the attack was also shown in court. This evidence helped show that the killing was deliberate.

While in custody, Matthew wrote poems that were later discussed in court. Prosecutors argued that the poems showed a lack of real remorse. A psychiatrist reported that Matthew had said he wished he could take the crime back, but the judge found that his actions and writings did not show genuine remorse.

Matthew Milat’s case is often linked to Ivan Milat because of the family connection and because the murder happened in Belanglo State Forest. However, Matthew was convicted for one murder only, the killing of David Auchterlonie. The court described the crime as deliberate and serious, and he received a long prison sentence.

Murder Story

On November 20, 2010, 17-year-old David Auchterlonie went to Belanglo State Forest in New South Wales with Matthew Milat, Cohen Klein, and another teenager, Chase Day. It was David’s 17th birthday. Reports said the group went there to drink alcohol and smoke marijuana.

Belanglo State Forest was already known as the place where Ivan Milat had murdered seven backpackers in the 1990s. Matthew Milat was Ivan Milat’s great-nephew, so the location became an important part of the case.

According to court reports, David was lured to the forest. Once they arrived, Matthew accused David of spreading information about him. Cohen Klein recorded the confrontation on his mobile phone, and that recording later became key evidence in court.

Matthew attacked David with a double-bladed axe. After the first strike, he continued threatening and tormenting David while David was badly injured. The court later heard that the recording captured the final minutes of David’s life.

Chase Day was present during the attack and reportedly tried to stop what was happening. He was told to get back in the car. Cohen Klein continued recording the attack. Klein was later convicted for his role in the murder.

David died from severe head injuries caused by the axe attack. His body was later found in a shallow grave near a dirt road in Belanglo State Forest after police received a tip-off.

Matthew Milat was arrested shortly after the body was found. Reports said he was arrested two days after the murder. Two other teenagers were also charged in connection with the case. Matthew did not apply for bail, and bail was refused.

Matthew Milat and Cohen Klein later pleaded guilty to David’s murder. During sentencing, Acting Justice Jane Mathews described the murder as deliberate and premeditated. She said the killing was done for personal enjoyment and placed it in the worst category of murder.

In June 2012, Matthew Milat was sentenced to 43 years in prison with a 30-year non-parole period. Cohen Klein received a maximum sentence of 32 years with a 22-year non-parole period, though his sentence was later reduced on appeal. Matthew’s sentence remained in place.

In 2014, Matthew appealed his sentence, but the New South Wales Court of Criminal Appeal rejected it. He later also lost a High Court bid. Reports stated that he would not be eligible for release until at least November 2040.

Matthew Milat remains imprisoned. His confirmed victim count is one: David Auchterlonie. Although his case is often linked to Ivan Milat because of the family relationship and the Belanglo location, Matthew was convicted only for David’s murder.