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Ivan Milat

Ivan Milat was an Australian serial killer convicted in 1996 of murdering seven young backpackers in New South Wales between 1989 and 1992.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Ivan Milat was an Australian serial killer convicted in 1996 of murdering seven young backpackers in New South Wales between 1989 and 1992. He became widely known as the “Backpacker Murderer” and died in prison in 2019 while serving life sentences without parole.

Early life

Ivan Milat was born in Guildford, New South Wales, in 1944. Public sources describe him as an Australian man who later became known for one of the country’s most notorious criminal cases.

Backpacker murders

Milat was convicted of abducting, assaulting, robbing and murdering seven young backpackers in New South Wales between 1989 and 1992. The bodies were found in the Belanglo State Forest, and the case drew major national and international attention.

Trial and sentence

Milat was convicted in 1996 and sentenced to seven consecutive life terms without parole. He also received additional penalties connected to the attack on Paul Onions.

Death and legacy

Milat died in a Sydney hospital prison custody in 2019, aged 74. His case remains one of Australia’s best-known serial murder investigations and is still the subject of public interest and speculation.

Key facts

  • Milat was convicted of the murders of seven backpackers in New South Wales, Australia.
  • The killings took place between 1989 and 1992, and the victims were aged 19 to 22.
  • He was also convicted of attempted murder, false imprisonment and robbery in relation to Paul Onions.
  • Milat died in prison in Sydney in 2019 at age 74.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Ivan Milat?
Ivan Milat was an Australian serial killer convicted of murdering seven backpackers in New South Wales.
Why was he called the Backpacker Murderer?
He was linked to the abduction and murder of young backpackers who were travelling through southeastern Australia.
How many victims was he convicted of killing?
He was convicted of murdering seven people.
Where did the murders take place?
The victims’ bodies were found in the Belanglo State Forest in New South Wales.
When did Ivan Milat die?
He died in 2019 in Sydney while serving his prison sentence.

References

  1. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-48346543
    Supports: Milat’s identity, conviction, victim count, ages, and sentence.
  2. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-50064571
    Supports: Death in 2019, age 74, and imprisonment for the backpacker murders.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivan_Milat
    Supports: Birth name, dates, convictions, modus operandi, and sentence details.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backpacker_murders
    Supports: Overview of the backpacker murders, locations, victim nationalities, and conviction details.
  5. The Guardian — https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/oct/27/ivan-milat-chilling-serial-murders-haunt-australia-after-death
    Supports: Death, case legacy, and ongoing public interest.
  6. CNN — https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/28/australia/ivan-milat-serial-killer-dead-intl-hnk
    Supports: Death, prison status, and broad description of the case.