Motive & Method is an expert-led Australian true crime podcast. Join Dr Xanthe Mallett and criminal psychologist Tim Watson-Munro as they unpack what really makes the offenders behind some of history’s most notorious cases tick, and also react and unpack crimes as they hit the headlines. You will also hear from victim survivors, investigators and advocates for change analysing motive, and method.
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Reducing Reoffending Podcasts
Behind the Walls is a ground-breaking six-part podcast series that for the first time takes listeners on a journey into NSW prisons and parole offices. Podcast host Michael Duffy, a crime author and former journalist, spent six months recording the interviews at 11 correctional centres and four Community Corrections offices, where staff manage offenders on community orders. Thirty correctional officers from prisons including Bathurst, Lithgow, Cessnock, Cooma and Long Bay share their stories ...
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GUILTY: Unpacking The Erin Patterson Verdict
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36:28She's been dubbed the 'Mushroom Cook' by many, but now, Erin Patterson is a convicted triple murderer. The 50-year-old has been found guilty by the jury of murdering three relatives, and attempting to murder another, at a family lunch in 2023 where she served beef Wellington which contained death-cap mushrooms. In this episode, Tim and Xanthe unpac…
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Australia’s youngest convicted murderer was just 13 years old. In this chilling episode, Xanthe and Tim delve into the disturbing reality of children who kill, exploring cases of offenders as young as eight years old. The discussion grapples with the complex legal and ethical question of what age a child should be held criminally responsible. And, …
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Xanthe and Tim unpack the twisted tale of Cassie Sainsbury aka “Cocaine Cassie” and her claims of coercion and grooming by organised crime. Was she a naive pawn, or a willing player in an international drug smuggling ring? This episode challenges our perceptions of guilt, redemption and who deserves a second chance. See omnystudio.com/listener for …
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Dr. Nathan Brooks: Inside the Mind of a Stalker
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30:28Tim and Xanthe are joined by forensic psychologist Dr. Nathan Brooks to delve into the psychology of stalking - a crime fueled by obsession, control, and dangerous delusion. Together, they break down the distinct types of stalkers and the terrifying tactics they use. From fixation to predation, this episode uncovers how far some will go to possess …
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Female Serial Killers: From Poisoners to Predators
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28:32
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28:32They’re rare, often overlooked, and shrouded in myth - but female serial killers are as deadly as they are complex. In this episode, Xanthe and Tim unravel the motives and methods of these women who kill, exploring what sets them apart from their male counterparts. From poisoners to predators, their motivations defy the stereotypes. See omnystudio.…
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Shooting Victim Confronts His Killer: An Artificial Intelligence World First
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41:33
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41:33In a world first, Stacey Wales used AI to bring her brother back to life so he could face his killer and deliver his own victim impact statement from beyond the grave. In this powerful episode, Stacey shares the emotional journey behind that decision and what it meant to give her brother a voice one last time. Xanthe and Tim also speak with Duke La…
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His Brother Vanished 50 Years Ago - Can The Case Be Solved Now?
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41:15In this gripping and emotional episode, we sit down with Daryl Floyd, whose brother Terry went missing 50 years ago. His relentless search for the truth has uncovered new evidence and promising leads. As the case is thrust back into the spotlight through a new podcast ‘The Boy in the Goldmine’, Daryl reveals why he believes the truth is finally wit…
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Who is ‘The Playboy Swindler’? Inside the Psyche of a Serial Scammer
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40:35This week on Motive and Method, we dissect the mind of David Prince-Popovich, aka ‘The Playboy Swindler’. From bogus bank transfers to private jets, even duping a former Premier, his scams were as elaborate as they were audacious. Sydney Morning Herald crime reporter Clare Sibthorpe joins Xanthe and Tim to explore how one man built a life of lies -…
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SPECIAL GUEST: Why Innocent People Confess
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39:13
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39:13Why would someone admit to a crime they didn’t commit? In this gripping episode, Xanthe and Tim are joined, from the US, by renowned false confessions expert Professor Alan Hirsch to dissect the psychological tactics and high-pressure interrogations that lead innocent people to falsely confess. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…
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Tim and Xanthe are join by Professor Neena Modi, who was part of the international panel who looked at the case of Lucy Letby, to discuss the trial, the review and where it goes from here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Xanthe Mallett and Tim Watson-Munro
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The Dark Side of Public Registers: Protection or Peril?
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31:53
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31:53Does naming and shaming really make our kids safer, or does it just open the door to misinformation and vigilante justice? This federal election could lead to Australia's first public child sex offender register. Tim & Xanthe are joined by Dr Maggie Hall, from Western Sydney University, to ask the question 'Would it do more harm than good?'. See om…
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Bondi Junction stabbings one year on with Greg Barton
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39:57Distinguished academic, Professor Greg Barton, joins the podcast to reflect on the Westfield Bondi Junction stabbing rampage one year on. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Xanthe Mallett and Tim Watson-Munro
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Do Citizen Sleuths Help or Hinder Investigations?
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35:26Xanthe and Tim discuss the rise of citizen sleuths and their impact on investigations, and look at specific case studies such as Gabby Petito, Ivan Milat and The Teacher's Pet. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Xanthe Mallett and Tim Watson-Munro
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Xanthe and Tim discuss Netflix drama Adolescence and how it's turned the world's attention to the growing influence of the manosphere and the influence it's having on teenage boys. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Xanthe Mallett and Tim Watson-Munro
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SPECIAL: Tony Mokbel FREED after a 'Seismic Moment in Legal History'
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52:05Tim and Xanthe are joined by criminal barrister Ruth Parker to discuss the fallout and ramifications after underworld figure Tony Mokbel was set free on bail. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Xanthe Mallett and Tim Watson-Munro
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A cult convicted of killing an 8-year-old girl
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38:55Xanthe and Tim unpack the shocking death of an eight-year-old girl in rural Queensland, after she was denied life-saving medication by her parents and their religious group, who call themselves 'The Saints'. They're joined by A Current Affair reporter Pippa Bradshaw who has followed the case closely since the beginning. See omnystudio.com/listener …
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Should juries have to explain their verdicts?
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29:36Xanthe and Tim examine the jury secrecy principle with barrister and academic Jason Donnelly. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Xanthe Mallett and Tim Watson-Munro
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Will Victoria's 'toughest ever' bail laws reduce reoffending?
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31:26
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31:26Xanthe and Tim discuss bail and its role in the criminal justice system, and if Victoria's sweeping reforms will help to reduce crime rates, and the risk of letting the status quo continue. They also look at the age of criminal responsibility, and the rise of vigilantism as some communities take matters into their own hands. See omnystudio.com/list…
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Simon Feldman: The Man Who Embezzled $16.7 Million
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37:29Simon Feldman was a successful company co-founder at the height of his career… But the higher you fly, the further you can fall. Simon hit rock bottom after being found guilty of embezzling more than $16 million from his family business and was sentenced to four years in Silverwater jail. In this episode, Tim and Xanthe sit down with Simon as he ca…
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Can people really commit crime whilst asleep?
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35:45
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35:45What happens when we sleep? Parasomnia is a sleep disorder that causes people to do strange or even dangerous things while they're asleep. In some shocking criminal cases, people have committed murders or sexually motivated crimes whilst asleep, arguing they acted involuntarily and without awareness. In this episode, Tim and Xanthe are joined by US…
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She built an empire on hope—a wellness guru with a miraculous story of healing. Belle Gibson claimed she had cured her terminal brain cancer through natural remedies, clean eating, and holistic living. Her journey inspired millions, and her app and cookbook became global bestsellers. But there was just one problem… It was all a lie. For years, Bell…
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Remembering Jesse Baird and Luke Davies... One Year On
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28:25
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28:25On February 18 2024, Sydney was shaken by the disappearance and tragic deaths of television presenter Jesse Baird, 26, and his partner, Qantas flight attendant Luke Davies, 29. Their bodies were found in surfboard bags near Goulburn, and ex-NSW police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon, 29, was charged with their premeditated killings. Authorities allege …
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The Unbelievable Horrors of Human Trafficking Networks
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34:01
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34:01Human trafficking is a hidden crime that strips millions of their freedom every year. While many think it’s a distant issue, it’s happening closer than we realise - in neighborhoods, cities, and countries around the world, including Australia. In this episode, Tim and Xanthe speak to Matt Friedman - a leading, internationally renowned global expert…
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It's been one year since the disappearance of 51-year-old Australian woman, Samantha Murphy. Samantha left her home in Ballarat, Victoria, for a morning run… and was never seen again. In this episode, Tim and Xanthe look at the investigation ahead of the impending court date and attempt to answer the public's burning questions about the case... Is …
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How Forensic Genetic Genealogy Is Solving Serial Crime...
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44:11Netflix's latest short series, 'The Breakthrough', has captured the attention of true crime fans across the globe for it's fictional account of the infamous 2004 double homicide in Linköping, Sweden. This double homicide went unsolved for 16 years... Until police on the case enlisted the help of a genealogist, who found the killer by identifying ge…
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Hate Crimes & The Rise of Anti-Semitic Incidents
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30:41Australia has experienced a significant increase in anti-Semitic incidents, with reported cases quadrupling since October 7, 2023. Known more broadly as Hate Crimes, Tim and Xanthe sit down with Matteo Vergani, an Associate Professor at Deakin University who’s spent an enormous part of his career covering these issues. What constitutes a hate crime…
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Unpacking the Menendez case with Laura Richards
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43:53
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43:53Later this month, infamous brothers Erik and Lyle Menendez will have a sentencing hearing, where a judge will determine their fate and freedom. The brothers were found guilty of murdering Jose and Kitty Menendez with shotguns in 1989 and sentenced to life in prison without parole. With new evidence on the table and a brighter spotlight on the case …
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What's the most bizarre case you've ever worked on? Do lie detectors REALLY work? Do you ever suffer from Imposter Syndrome? In this episode of Motive & Method, Tim and Xanthe answer your burning questions before giving a lookahead at what we can expect to see in the world of crime for 2025. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…
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It's the most wonderful time of the year... But also rife for crime. In this episode of Motive & Method, Tim and Xanthe detail the crimes which escalate during the holiday period, the red flags to be wary of and their top tips for how to stay safe during the festive season. Want to get involved in the community? Follow @motiveandmethod on Instagram…
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"He could attack at any time"... The woman who was stalked
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42:25In April 2024, the Netflix miniseries 'Baby Reindeer' captured the attention of millions across the world, following the story of a relentless stalker. For Di McDonald, the series hit too close to home... In this episode of Motive & Method, Tim and Xanthe discuss the recent statistics around stalking in Australia, before hearing from Di about a cus…
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Tracy Hall... The woman who dated an international con artist
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45:33Tracy Hall thought she’d fallen head over heels with the love of her life… But instead, she’d fallen for an elaborate scam which would cost her entire life savings. In this episode of Motive & Method, Tim and Xanthe sit down with Tracy as she unpacks her harrowing story, including the exact moment she discovered 'Max Tavita', aka. Hamish McLaren wa…
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Investigative journalist Neil Mercer on Crime and Corruption
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50:19What happens when a cop crosses the line and partners with a kingpin? Renowned investigative journalist Neil Mercer joins Tim and Xanthe to unpack the criminal empire led by drug lord Terry Clark and the complicity of Detective Sergeant Roger Rogerson. In his latest book, The Kingpin and the Crooked Cop, Mercer reveals an intricate web of corruptio…
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Former Deputy Police Commissioner Mick Willing
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58:16"At 5pm I was Deputy Police Commissioner of the New South Wales Police Force, at 5:30pm, I was unemployed" Mick Willing is one of our most decorated and experienced cops. In a career spanning decades he has seen it all, from drug busts, the Lindt Cafe and ultimately an timely end to a glittering career. In this episode of the podcast Mick opens up …
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Is There a Serial Killer Loose on the NSW North Coast?
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53:37The worst serial killer in Australia’s history may be on the loose in the region from Newcastle to Byron Bay, where 67 murders and disappearances of women remain unsolved. Also in this episode we talk to Laura Clare, a former Byron Bay local who has begun a social media campaign from her troubling experiences in the region. If you have any informat…
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In this episode of the podcast Xanthe and Tim give us their thoughts on the Netflix show Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, which has recently hit the headlines. Also Halloween is here, but what are there issues dressing up as Jeffrey Dahmer? Or walking around your neighbourhood as Leather Face? Want to get involved in the community? Follo…
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A Tale Of Whistleblowers and Rotten Apples
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1:00:20The podcast series 'Rotten Apple' is available now wherever you listen to your podcasts. In this episode of Motive & Method we talk to the award winning journalist behind Rotten Apple, Camille Bianchi, and also one of the whistleblowers taking part in the podcast. This episode discusses child abuse, grooming and exploitation, please listen with car…
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Recently there have been some very high-profile cases of alleged poisoning, some of which we have already dissected on this podcast. This week we are going to look at the breadth of motives and methods of the people who select this type of weapon to harm someone, and what kind of personality types are more likely to engage in this type of abuse. Wa…
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This week the country was shocked by allegations that Nirmeen Noufl (53) killed and dismembered her husband, Mamdouh Noufl (62), who has not been since since May 2023. The police allege this is a case of domestic homicide. The addition of dismemberment, whilst unusual, is not unique, and this week we will compare and contrast a number of cases wher…
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In this episode we have a very special guest, Jae Gerhard, who we will be talking to about all things forensic DNA. Jae is an expert with over 20 years’ experience, working across all areas of casework – from multiple fatality incidents in the AFP, to crime scene analysis for New South Wales Police. She now works independently, and will be sharing …
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Ashley Griffiths | Monster Hiding in Plain Sight
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36:03Childcare predator, Ashley Griffiths, plead guilty to 307 charges recently. He was active across multiple childcare facilities, with charges against him dating back as far back as 2003. He will be sentenced in November. This week we look at the motives and methods of those who prey on the most vulnerable, and how they can get away with it for so lo…
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We’ve talked a lot about violence against women, in various forms, much of it domestic. Largely this has focussed on Australian cases, highlighting the epidemic of family and domestic violence in this country. We’ve seen that FDV permeates all strata of society, all cultures. And nowhere is this more starkly highlighted that in the sleepy, pictures…
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In this episode of the Missing Campers Trial, Penny and Erin are joined once again by leading criminologist Dr Xanthe Mallett, and forensic psychologist Tim Watson-Munro, as they discuss the differences between killers who attack strangers and those who murder people they know. You can find Tim and Xanthe's podcast in your podcast app, it's called …
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The Trauma of Unsolved Child Abduction and Murder Cases
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34:48This week we will talk about the psychological impacts on families in unsolved child abduction and murder cases. This discussion is timely, as September 12th of this year is the tenth anniversary since William Tyrrell went missing from his foster family’s home in 2014. Ten years is a long time for his families to wait for answers. Other cases we wi…
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In this episode of The Missing Campers Trial, Penny and Erin are joined by leading criminologist Dr Xanthe Mallett, and forensic psychologist Tim Watson-Munro, as they take a deep dive into the mind of Gregory Lynn. You can find Tim and Xanthe's podcast in your podcast app, it's called Motive and Method. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info…
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The Brutal and Inexplicable Murder of Charlise Mutten
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34:34On the 26 August 2024, Justin Stein was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for the brutal and callous murder of 9-year-old Charlise Mutten in January 2022. Stein claimed that the child’s mother, Kallista Mutten, to whom he was engaged, was the one who shot and killed her. But evidence proved otherwise. GPS tracking on Stein’s phone…
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This week we will be talking about female sexual predators, in the wake of two women school teachers being accused of sexual assaulting boys in their care. There appear to have been a spate of these types of alleged cases this year, but are cases of alleged abuse by teachers on the rise, or are more alleged cases being reported? We will addressing …
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In 1994 Henry Keogh was found guilty of the murder of his fiancée, Anna-Jane Cheney, and was sentenced to 26 years in prison. Henry’s conviction was overturned in 2014, when it was determined that Anna-Jane had died as the result of a tragic accident – she drowned in the bath whilst home alone. This is the sad case of a death that was misclassified…
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From Bali to Brazil | The Life of a Crime Reporter with Ashlea Hansen
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49:12Ashlea Hansen is a familiar face to everyone interested in true crime, as she has spent over 15 years reporting on some of Australia’s biggest cases; including Malcolm Naden’s capture in 2012 and William Tyrell’s disappearance in 2014. Her career has resulted in Ashlea finding herself in some unusual, sad, frightening, uplifting, and sometimes funn…
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Melissa Downes and Jess Lodge | The Ultimate Sacrifice
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41:14When Gareth, Nathaniel and Stacey Train shot and killed two police officers and their neighbour at their remote property at Wieambilla in December 2022, the country was shocked. What could motivate these three people to plan and carry out such premeditated violence? As the days unfolded, and we heard about the lives of the killers, their motives gr…
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Ben Avery | Just Married: The Anthea Bradshaw Mystery
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53:01It’s April 1994, and Anthea Bradshaw has just married her high school sweetheart, Jeff Hall, before embarking on what she believed was her new adventure, a life with Jeff in Brunei, South East Asia. But just 96 days later, Anthea would be found brutally murdered half a world away – and who killed her remains a mystery. On this episode, we delve int…
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