Never Let Him Go

Although this documentary is very long, lasting for 4 episodes, there are enough details involved to make it necessary to be so lengthy. After all, the family of the victim, Scott Johnson, had to wait for decades for a resolution to the mystery of the death of their beloved family member. What makes this doc so interesting is that they don't just focus on the family seeking justice, but also on the atmosphere that was a part of this story during the time period of the crime, and they also give voice to so many involved in the story, including those from both sides of the fence on the whole issue. At first I thought I would watch 2 episodes and then the other 2 the next day, but the documentary was so well done that I ended up binge watching the entire thing in one sitting. I highly recommend this series for those who find the stories behind true crimes to be very intriguing.

The title Never Let Him Go may allude to either Steve's tenacity at seeking justice for Scott or his inability to resolve his unbridled grief and letting Scott go. The documentary itself was balanced and unbiased with accounts from all key players: from the family members to the attending officer back in 1988 to the lead investigator at unsolved murders. For a saga spanning nearly four decades, I thought the four hours runtime was appropriate.

The most interesting part to me was in episode 3 where we saw the clash between Pamela and Steve. I had a lot of empathy for Pamela and could appreciate her transference when she perceived Steve as an entitled rich white man who undermined her authority and professionalism. This was a woman who had to claw her way to the top in a white male-dominated environment. Steve on the other hand displayed no empathy towards Pamela, gloating later about how Pamela shot herself in the foot when it was he who loaded the gun by leaking her email to him to the media. Her tone remained composed while his own earlier reprimand of her can be described as spiteful.

After the killer was apprehended, found guilty and sentenced, a result that not even the family believed was possible, Steve conceded that he would never get closure and that he would keep returning to the site of Scott's death to mourn what could have been. While it is true that everyone processes grief in their own time, I wonder how much counselling if any Steve has accessed. Almost 35 years since Scott's death, he seems no closer to accepting the loss of his brother, in spite of all the effort spent in the pursuit of justice. Money may have bought him his brother's killer but it is not bringing him any peace.

Do NOT miss "Never Let Him Go." It is a brilliantly made documentary of profound emotional power. As a gay man who somehow survived the 1980s, I look upon the murder of this young gay man as the fate I narrowly escaped. The film yanks the veil of secrecy off the Sydney police, with their code of indifference and silent contempt towards gay men. The perseverance of the victim's brother, Steve Johnson, is astonishing, pushing to find answers for 33 years. Yes, joining Steve on his long painful journey is a slog, but stick with it. The resolution is well worth the time it takes to reach. Even today, as gay men, we remain vulnerable, easily crushed by a toxic brew of self-righteousness, ignorance and hate. We survive only when courageous straight people have our backs. I ask you to be inspired by Steve Johnson. If you have a gay friend or relative, I ask that you stick with him when he needs you most. I ask that you never let him go.

As Episode 1 of "Never Let Him Go" (2023 release; 4 episodes ranging from 50 to 55 min) opens, we are introduced to Steve Johnson. Steve's brother Scott was found dead in a suburb of Sydney, Australia in December, 1988, seemingly by suicide. Steve isn't buying it and decides to look into it... At this point we are 10 minutes into Episode 1.

Couple of comments: this is the latest from producer-director Jeff Dupre ("Atlanta's Missing and Murdered: The Lost Children). Here he reassesses what transpired over 3+ decades as the death of an American in Australia remains unexplained. We get extensive background as to the background of the deceased (how did he end up in Australia?). But we also get a nuances look how the surviving brother Steve decides to "never let hum go", and continues to search for answers, even as the local police in Manly, NSW are clearly tired of the situation and of Steve. "A complex picture of incompetence", is how someone describes it. All that aside, towards the end the observation is made that Steve was able to persist for decades because of his wealth. There is some undeniable truth to this. But without Steve's unending doggedness, he would not have been able to see this through either.

All 4 episodes of "Never Let Him Go" started streaming on Hulu a few days ago. It has gotten widespread critical acclaim, and deservedly so. If you are in the mood for a true crime documentary, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

Very addictive, I watched all four episodes in one sitting. An amazing pursuit of the truth by Steve Johnson of his brother Scott Johnson's death. As others have mentioned, Steve Johnson had the money and resources to pursue leads that others don't. I also understand that there was probably resentment in Australia of an American going there and trying to get media attention for his brother's case over unsolved Australian cases.

Initially it was botched by an inexperienced investigator and the case was closed, like most of the other gay murders in Manly. That suicide location appears to have been a murder location and it looks like nationalist groups just ran wild in that area.

I was struck by how naïve DCI Pamela Young was of the sensitivity of media interviews and attacking politicians. She spent time bashing the Johnson family instead taking leads and giving the family updates. DCI Yeomans was a professional, thankfully he was assigned the case and selected stellar detectives.

Not a full life sentence for the perp, but some justice for the victim.