Motive & Method

11. Ivan Milat's Accomplice & Questions Of Lost Files

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 07:47:07 +0000

Did Ivan Milat really act alone? And could lost documents link him to unsolved murders?
The Crown prosecutor who put Ivan Milat behind bars believes the notorious serial killer may have had help with some of the murders.
This episode, Tim and Xanthe take you inside the latest NSW parliamentary hearing into unsolved murders and missing persons where crucial questions were asked, and answered. The hearing revisited two unsolved cases - Peter Letcher and Dianne Pennacchio - with questions raised over whether a missing brief of evidence could contain a link to Milat.
And the head of the state’s Homicide Squad concedes, with 400 boxes of archived evidence, there could be more answers buried in the files.

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Lindsay Clancy: A Hung Jury In The Case That Gripped The World

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 19:00:00 +0000

She killed her three children. But was she in control of what she was doing?
The Lindsay Clancy case has gripped the world - a mother accused of killing her three young children, and a trial that ended in a dramatic hung jury after weeks of conflicting evidence about postpartum psychosis, medication and criminal responsibility.
In this episode, emergency physician and trauma expert Dr Josh McConkey takes us inside the medical evidence, examining what we know about Clancy’s mental state, the medications she was prescribed, the injuries to the children and the question of whether psychosis can coexist with planning and intent.
We explore the warning signs families and clinicians may miss, how quickly postpartum psychosis can develop and where the line lies between documented medical evidence and speculation. With the charges still standing and a crucial court hearing ahead, what happens next could reignite one of the most closely watched criminal cases in the world.

Watch the full video episode on YouTube at Crime Central Australia HERE.

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The Murders Of Karlie & Khandalyce

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Two unidentified bodies were found years apart and thousands of kilometres away from eachother- Then came the chilling discovery that they were a mother and her young daughter.When the remains of a young woman were discovered in the notorious Belanglo State Forest, no one knew who she was. Her identity remained a mystery for five years, until the horrific discovery of a toddler's body on the side of a highway, and the heartbreaking truth they were mother and daughter.
This episode, Xanthe takes us through why Karlie Pearce-Stevenson and her daughter Khandalyce were never reported missing - and how they were finally identified.
Plus the depraved actions of the man who killed them - and his calculated deception designed to convince family and police they were still alive.

Watch the full video episode on Youtube at Crime Central Australia HERE.

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Forgery & Foul Play: Who Killed Les Ball?

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Leslie Ball didn't just disappear, someone went to extraordinary lengths to erase him.
But a trail of forged signatures, fraud and burnt evidence couldn't keep this 33-year-old cold case buried forever.
In this episode Xanthe and Tim are joined by News.com.au investigative reporter Jo Townsend to untangle the mysterious 1993 disappearance of 71-year-old Leslie Ball. Townsend details her deep dive into her podcast Witness: Perfect Alibi, exposing how an ex-cop's web of fake documents and fabricated timelines obscured the reality of Ball's murder.
Together, they explore the dark financial motives, the devastating emotional impact on Ball's daughter Le-Chelle and the haunting theory of where his remains may be hidden.

Learn more about the investigation here at news.com.au
Or Listen to 'Witness: Perfect Alibi' on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Watch our full video episodes on YouTube

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Mr Rent-A-Kill: The Underworld Hitman Who Disappeared

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 19:00:00 +0000

For years, Christopher Flannery AKA 'Mr Rent-a-Kill' was the man Australian mobsters hired to make people disappear - until he became a target and vanished into thin air himself.
In 1985, after becoming a volatile liability who simply knew too much about corrupt police and syndicate bosses, the feared assassin vanished without a trace.
In this episode, Tim and Xanthe sit down with former detective and author Duncan McNab to unravel Flannery's violent trajectory from a troubled youth in Melbourne to the high-stakes underworld of Sydney. Together, they examine the infamous hit on police officer Mick Drury, his shady links to notorious corrupt cop Roger Rogerson and the lingering theories behind Australia's most enduring underworld disappearance.

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‘Falsely Convicted’ with Neil Mercer: True Stories of Injustice in Australia

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 19:00:00 +0000

From unvetted science to coerced confessions, catastrophic failures in Australia's justice system have stolen decades from innocent people for crimes they didn't commit.
In this episode Xanthe and Tim sit down with Walkley Award-winning investigative journalist Neil Mercer to discuss his new book, Falsely Convicted. Mercer details how the Australian criminal justice system has catastrophically failed innocent people through police misconduct, prosecutorial oversights and unvetted expert testimony.
Their conversation highlights heartbreaking real-world cases, including a former teacher jailed on biologically impossible abuse claims and a man who served 20 years for murder based on the testimony of an unqualified pathologist. They also examine the tragic case of Gene Gibson - a cognitively impaired Indigenous man coerced into a confession without an interpreter - underscoring the immense barriers vulnerable suspects face.
Neil Mercer gives a sobering insight into the devastating personal toll of wrongful convictions and the extraordinary effort required to overturn them.

For more information on ‘Falsely Convicted’ visit allenandunwin.com

Watch the full video episode on Youtube at Crime Central Australia HERE.

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Port Arthur: The Massacre That Changed Australia

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 19:00:00 +0000

The Port Arthur massacre remains the deadliest mass shooting in Australian history - a tragedy that shattered lives and transformed the country’s gun laws.
On a quiet Sunday afternoon in April 1996, 35 people were killed and dozens more wounded when a gunman opened fire at the tourist site and continued on an hours-long deadly rampage. In this episode, Tim and Xanthe discuss how the events of that tragic day played out and the lasting legacy and impact of the massacre.
They also delve into the life of the shooter, exploring his troubled upbringing, his bizarre relationship with a wealthy heiress, and the complex psychological questions that continue to surround one of Australia’s most infamous killers.

For more information on ‘The Alannah & Madeline Foundation’ mentioned in this episode - click here.

Watch the full video episode on Youtube at Crime Central Australia HERE.

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Terror In The Outback: Can Peter Falconio’s Body Be Found?

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 19:00:00 +0000

On a remote highway Peter Falconio vanished forever - His murder became every outback travellers worst nightmare.
25 years after one of Australia’s most infamous murders, the case is back in the spotlight with the release of never-before-seen police footage and investigation photos. In this episode, Xanthe and Tim retrace the events of that terrifying night and discuss the forensic evidence that secured Bradley John Murdoch’s conviction without a body. Plus, the psychology behind Joanne Lees’ remarkable survival and discuss the enduring mystery of what happened to Peter Falconio’s remains.
Over the decades there has been widespread speculation, and many theories, surrounding what happened to Peter Falconio’s body. Did the truth die with the only man who has the answer?

If you have information, you can contact Crime Stoppers anonymously across Australia by calling 1800 333 000 or submitting a report online via Crime Stoppers Australia.

Watch the full video episode on Youtube at Crime Central Australia HERE.

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10. Painful Patterns: Inside The Grafton Hearing with Tim & Xanthe

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 19:00:00 +0000

At the second hearing of the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into unsolved missing and murdered cases, Tim and Xanthe examine three more cases that expose troubling similarities in the experiences of families searching for answers.
They discuss the unsolved murder of 16-year-old Lee Ellen Stace, the disappearance of Kylee-Ann Schaffer and the long-running mystery of Bronwyn Winfield, whose case has become one of Australia’s most high-profile missing persons investigations. Through the powerful evidence given by family members in Grafton, they explore recurring concerns about delayed investigations, poor police communication and a lack of resources.
Although the cases are unrelated, the testimony reveals strikingly similar systemic failures that have shaped these investigations for decades. As the inquiry continues, Tim and Xanthe examine what these families hope must change to ensure others are not left waiting generations for answers.

You can read the full submissions from the family and friends who spoke at the hearings HERE

If you or anyone else you know needs support please reach out for help:
Lifeline: 13 11 14 (24/7) or text 0477 13 11 14
Mental Health Line: 1800 011 511
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800

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9. Andrew Inglis: The First Love Who Never Came Home

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 19:00:00 +0000

A teenager climbed into his red Datsun and drove off into the rain on Boxing Day 1985. He was never seen again.
Nearly 40 years later, what happened to 18-year-old Andrew Inglis remains a mystery. In this episode, Tim and Xanthe are joined by Andrew’s then-girlfriend, Joanne Greensill, who shares the heartbreak of losing her first love. Although she doesn't believe he met with foul play, his disappearance has haunted her for decades and she believes critical opportunities to find answers were missed.
After giving evidence to the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into unsolved murders and missing persons, Joanne is hoping her story will help change how other missing persons cases are handled.

Anyone with information about Andrew's disappearance is urged to contact Crime Stoppers:
1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au

Watch the full video episode on Youtube at Crime Central Australia HERE.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Thailand Suitcase Murder: An Australian Charged

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 19:00:00 +0000

A 17-year-old disappeared in Thailand after meeting an Australian man. Less than a day later her body was found inside a suitcase abandoned near railway tracks.
In this episode Tim and Xanthe examine the evidence authorities allege they have against Australian man Simon Peter Carman, and how they say they tracked him through an extensive network of CCTV.
Carman denies intentionally killing the teenager - Thanchanok Donhomla - claiming he acted in self-defence, and could face the death penalty if convicted under Thai law.

You can read the Sydney Morning Herald article about Thanchanok Donhomla and her family, mentioned in this episode HERE

Watch the full video episode on Youtube at Crime Central Australia HERE.

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8. Narelle Cox: If Not Milat, Then Who?

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Could an anonymous truck driver hold the key to solving this 50-year-old cold case?
In this episode Tim & Xanthe sit down with Karen Cox, the sister of Narelle Cox, who vanished in 1977 while hitchhiking from Grafton to Noosa. She was just 21 years old and left a note saying she was visiting a friend for the weekend, but she never arrived and she never came home.
Karen shares the devastating impact of Narelle’s disappearance, the police decisions they believe cost valuable time and the lost leads that have haunted them for nearly 50 years. Plus, why possible links to Ivan Milat, or another convicted killer, continue to raise troubling questions.

Anyone with information about Narelle’s disappearance is urged to contact Crime Stoppers:
1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au

Watch the full video episode on Youtube at Crime Central Australia HERE.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

7. Marion Barter Pt. 2 - The Citizen Sleuth Who Found What Police Missed

Sun, 12 Jul 2026 19:00:00 +0000

No badge, no warrant and no official powers - yet she uncovered vital evidence in the search for missing schoolteacher Marion Barter.
In this episode, we speak with citizen sleuth and social worker Joni Condos, whose relentless research from her own living room uncovered crucial evidence in the mysterious disappearance of Marion Barter. Joni reveals how she traced hidden identities, unearthed forgotten records and pieced together key movements that helped reshape the coronial inquest into one of Australia’s most baffling missing persons cases.
She also shares why she believes collaboration between police and skilled civilian researchers could be the key to solving more cold cases.

Watch the full video episode on Youtube at Crime Central Australia HERE.

Anyone with information about Marion’s disappearance is urged to contact Crime Stoppers:
1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au

For more information, follow the links below:
The Lady Vanishes podcast
The Missing Matter podcast
The Green Seat Project

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6. The Mysterious Disappearance of Marion Barter

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 19:00:00 +0000

She secretly changed her name. Hundreds of thousands of dollars disappeared from her bank account. A convicted conman was questioned for days at a coronial inquest, yet nearly three decades later, no one knows what happened to Marion Barter.
In this episode, Tim & Xanthe are joined by Marion’s daughter Sally Leydon. She reveals the extraordinary twists in her mother’s disappearance, the police failures that left the case largely uninvestigated for years and the new leads that continue to emerge.
Sally also reflects on her appearance before the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into unsolved cases, where she’s fighting for reforms to ensure other families don’t endure the same devastating search for answers.

Watch the full video episode on Youtube at Crime Central Australia HERE.

Anyone with information about Marion’s disappearance is urged to contact Crime Stoppers:
1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au

For more information, follow the links below.
The Lady Vanishes podcast
The Missing Matter podcast
The Green Seat Project

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chopper Read: Australia’s ‘Celebrity’ Criminal

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 19:00:00 +0000

How a notorious criminal became a pop culture legend.
Tim & Xanthe unpack the violent life and complicated mythology of Mark Brandon ‘Chopper’ Read - the underworld figure immortalised in film, television, and true crime folklore. From prison violence and gangland crime to media fame and the cult success of 'Chopper', we examine how a brutal criminal transformed himself into an Australian icon. But beneath the stories, one-liners and legend lies a darker question: why are societies so fascinated by violent men like Chopper Read?

Watch the full video episode on Youtube at Crime Central Australia HERE.

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A Family Vanished: The 'Nannup Cult' Mystery

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 19:00:00 +0000

In 2007, four people vanished from a remote town in Western Australia - leaving behind an abandoned home, a cryptic note and a trail of unanswered questions.
At the centre of the mystery was a self-styled spiritual leader, who had built an online doomsday cult. Over the past 20 years, as desperate family, police and coroners examined theories ranging from suicide pacts to staged disappearances, the truth behind the so-called “Nannup Four” only became more disturbing.
In this episode, ABC journalist Dominique Bayens - behind the investigative podcast ‘Expanse: The Nannup Four’ - joins Tim and Xanthe to examine this mystery, and discuss the disturbing psychology behind what has become one of Australia’s strangest and most unsettling cult cold cases.

You can listen to the whole series by Dominique Bayens here: “Expanse: The Nannup Four”

Watch our full video episodes on Youtube on the Crime Central Australia channel.
Follow us on Instagram @Motive&Method

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Bonus: Behind The Scenes With MP Jeremy Buckingham

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 19:30:00 +0000

In this bonus episode, Tim and Xanthe sit down with MP Jeremy Buckingham, the driving force behind the parliamentary inquiry examining some of Australia’s most notorious unsolved murders and missing persons cases.
Buckingham reveals what sparked his decade-long push for answers, the systemic failures families say have left them abandoned and why he believes these cases deserve fresh scrutiny. He also explains what changes could come from the inquiry - and why families believe this may be their best chance yet at answers and accountability.

More episodes of Australia's Killer Secrets coming soon...

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5. Cheryl Grimmer: A Confession Ignored- A Child Killer Never Caught

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 19:30:00 +0000

A three-year-old disappears. A teenager confesses. Yet more than five decades later, Cheryl Grimmer’s family is still fighting for justice.
Cheryl Grimmer vanished from a beach change room in 1970, and despite a detailed confession decades later, no one has ever been held accountable for her murder. In this powerful interview, Cheryl’s brothers, Paul Grimmer and Ricki Nash, share the devastating impact her disappearance has had on their family and their decades-long fight for justice.
They raise troubling questions about missed investigative opportunities, a confession that was ultimately ruled inadmissible, and why they believe authorities failed to properly pursue Cheryl’s case. More than 50 years on, they continue to demand answers and the chance for their little sister to finally have her day in court.

More episodes of Australia's Killer Secrets coming soon...

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4. Keren Rowland: Was She Ivan Milat's First Victim?

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 19:00:00 +0000

What if Ivan Milat’s first victim was killed more than two decades before the backpacker murders?
Keren Rowland was 5 months pregnant when she was brutally murdered and hidden in a pine forest in 1971. In this episode, Tim & Xanthe sit down with Keren's brother Steve Rowland and former UK detective Hugh Hughes.
They detail years of fighting for answers, alleging police ignored crucial leads, withheld information and failed to properly investigate Milat despite mounting evidence linking him to Keren’s murder.
More than 55 years on, the family is still asking the question that haunts this case: if police had done more back then, could Ivan Milat have been stopped before his backpacker killing spree began?

More episodes of Australia's Killer Secrets coming soon...

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3. Kevin Docherty: 47 Years Searching For Answers

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 21:24:30 +0000

A twin brother's 47-year fight for answers, suspicious letters and a new witness who may hold the key to where Kay Docherty is buried.
In this episode, Kevin Docherty shares the heartbreaking story of his sister Kay Docherty, who vanished alongside her friend Toni Cavanagh in 1979. Nearly five decades on, Kevin recalls the night they disappeared, the suspicious letters sent to their families days later, and the long fight for answers after police initially treated the case as a runaway.He also reveals new information from a recently emerged witness that may not only point to Ivan Milat, but to a potential burial site that has never been searched.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2. Ivan Milat's 11 Other Victims?

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 14:32:06 +0000

Families demand answers - police under scrutiny - and a revelation that could reshape the Milat case.
At the first hearing into dozens of Australia’s unsolved murders and missing persons cases, police revealed a previously unheard list of potential additional victims linked to Ivan Milat.

In this episode, forensic scientist and criminologist Dr Xanthe Weston and criminal psychologist Tim Watson-Munro take you inside the landmark parliamentary inquiry in Bowral, NSW. They unpack the heartwrenching testimony from families still searching for answers, and their sharp criticism of police.

Plus, the expert evidence they presented to the inquiry about Ivan Milat’s motives, methods and the murders they believe he may have gotten away with.

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1. Australia's Killer Secrets: Milat, Murders & Missing

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 07:15:15 +0000

What if the full story behind Australia's most notorious serial killer Ivan Milat has never been told?
In episode one of this special series of Motive&Method, forensic scientist Dr Xanthe Weston and criminal psychologist Tim Watson-Munro break down the unsolved missing & murdered cases being re-examined in a landmark parliamentary inquiry.
Tim & Xanthe have been working for years, alongside family members, on many of these cases. Now they're being called to give their expert submissions, highlighting the evidence and potential links in some of the investigations.

In Australia's Killer Secrets, Tim & Xanthe are taking you inside the hearings to explore the evidence - talking to family, police and politicians - in this new search for answers in some of Australia's most enduring mysteries.

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Introducing: Australia's Killer Secrets

Sun, 07 Jun 2026 19:00:00 +0000

What if the full story behind Australia's most notorious serial killer Ivan Milat has never been told? And what if more recent cases point to a copycat killer - or worse?
In this special series of Motive&Method, forensic scientist Dr Xanthe Weston and criminal psychologist Tim Watson-Munro take you inside a landmark parliamentary inquiry examining dozens of unsolved murders and disappearances.
From new evidence to long-overlooked links, Australia’s Killer Secrets explores the mysteries that continue to haunt a nation.

Series launches Wednesday June 10.

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Is There A Byron Bay Serial Killer?

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Mysterious disappearances, unsolved deaths & terrifying stories - Is a killer stalking Byron Bay? And could there be more than one?
In 2019, 18-year-old Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez vanished after a night out in Byron Bay and was never seen again. Since then, the disturbing death of Jackson Stacker and the mysterious cases of Hugo Palmer and Erwan Ferrieux, among others, have become part of a chilling theory that a serial killer may be stalking northern New South Wales.
As social media speculation collides with real police investigations, stories of alleged close calls and suspicious encounters continue to emerge. Are these tragedies connected - or has internet-fuelled fear created a modern Australian myth? In this episode, Tim & Xanthe separate fact from speculation and explore the stories that continue to terrify locals and travellers alike.

Watch our full video episodes on Youtube on the Crime Central Australia channel.
Follow us on Instagram @Motive&Method

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A Horrific Crime In Campbelltown: Australia's DV Crisis

Tue, 26 May 2026 19:00:00 +0000

A mother & two young boys killed allegedly at the hands of their father - This tradegy has once again left an entire country asking how this keeps happening.
The alleged murders in Campbelltown, Sydney have been described as among the most confronting domestic violence scenes seasoned investigators have encountered. Police allege the accused may have been inspired by another shocking family killing in Perth.
In this episode, Tim & Xanthe unpack the allegations while examining the broader national crisis of domestic violence in Australia. Why do these tragedies keep happening - and what will it take for meaningful change?

Click here for the petition calling for Royal Commission into the Killing of Australian Women and Girls

1800RESPECT
Call: 1800 737 732
Text: 0458 737 732
1800respect.org.au/

Lifeline
Call: 13 11 14
Text: 0477 13 11 14
lifeline.org.au/

MensLine Australia
Call: 1300 78 99 78

Kids Helpline
Call: 1800 55 1800
24/7 support via phone and kidshelpline.com.au/

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Youth Crime & 'Crimefluencing': Clicks, Clout & Coercion

Tue, 19 May 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Crimes for clicks, shares and online status - In this episode, Tim and Xanthe unpack the dangerous new phenomenon “crimefluencing”. Australia’s top cop recently highlighted this “new and disturbing front in traditional gender-based violence” - with young people being drawn into online networks that encourage everything from petty offending to serious violence and exploitation. From livestreamed assaults to the coercion of vulnerable teenage girls, this episode explores how social media has gamified criminal behaviour.

WATCH OUR FULL VIDEO EPISODES ON YOUTUBE AT 'CRIME CENTRAL AUSTRALIA'.
Follow us on Instagram @Motive&Method

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Breakthrough: Body Found In Search for Jayden Penno-Tompsett

Wed, 13 May 2026 19:00:00 +0000

In December 2017, two young men took off on a drug-fuelled roadtrip to spend New Year's Eve in Cairns. One made it to the party - the other was never seen again. Now a shocking development could see this case finally solved.

In the final episode of this special series for Outback Murder Highway, investigative journalist Amelia Oberhardt dissects the mysterious disappearance of 22-year-old Jayden Penno-Tompsett who vanished in a tiny town off the Flinders Highway. The coroner ruled out foul play - but Jayden’s mum isn’t convinced and hired a private investigator to find new evidence.

You can watch the Outback Murder Highway TV documentary series 8.30pm Wednesday on Channel 9 from April 22 to May 13.
Or watch anytime here - on 9Now.

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The Wrong Man? Who Killed Leanne Holland

Tue, 12 May 2026 19:00:00 +0000

More than three decades after 12-year-old Leanne Holland was murdered in Ipswich, her case remains one of Australia’s most controversial unsolved killings. In this episode, Tim and Xanthe speak with former police officer turned private investigator Graeme Crowley, whose relentless investigation helped trigger a new coronial inquiry into the case. They unpack the disappearance and murder of Leanne, the quashed conviction of her sister’s boyfriend Graham Stafford and the unanswered questions that have haunted the case for 35 years.

Graeme reveals the new witness sightings, alternative suspects and investigative findings he believes could finally lead to the truth. As authorities prepare to re-examine the evidence once again, this episode explores how one of Queensland’s most contested murder cases is far from over.

You can listen to Graeme's podcast 'Who Killed Leanne Holland' here.

WATCH OUR FULL VIDEO EPISODES ON YOUTUBE HERE: 'CRIME CENTRAL AUSTRALIA'.
Follow us on Instagram @Motive&Method

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Bonus: Mark Jones [Extended Interview]

Fri, 08 May 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Mark Jones’ little brother Tony was hitchhiking to meet their other brother in 1982 when he made a final phone call back home & was never heard from again.

In this extended interview from the documentary series Outback Murder Highway, Mark shares his disappointment in the police investigation. He is confident someone has more information about what happened to his brother, and is hopeful they’ll come forward and give his family answers after four decades of searching.

This interview was conducted by Jo Townsend for the television series Outback Murder Highway - On Channel 9 at 8.30pm on Wednesday nights - from April 22 to May 13.
Or watch anytime here - on 9Now.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Outback Murder Highway: The Disappearance Of Tony Jones

Wed, 06 May 2026 19:00:00 +0000

In the early '80s a young hitchhiker vanished off the Flinders Highway - despite a mysterious tip-off in the mail, a killer’s confession, and growing rumours around one outback town, the truth remains hidden.

In this third episode for Outback Murder Highway, Tim, Xanthe and investigative journalist Amelia Oberhardt unpack the unsolved disappearance of 20-year-old Tony Jones who was on his way to meet his brother in Mt Isa but never arrived.

You can watch the Outback Murder Highway TV documentary series 8.30pm Wednesday on Channel 9 from April 22 to May 13.
Or watch anytime here - on 9Now.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonus: John Twaddle [Extended Interview]

Sat, 02 May 2026 19:00:00 +0000

John Twaddle thought he knew who murdered his brother Gordon, but the person he had suspected has been ruled out by police on multiple occasions.
Almost 50 years after Gordon was found dead off Queensland’s Flinders Highway, alongside his girlfriend Karen and mate Tim, their families are no closer to the truth.

In this extended interview from the documentary series Outback Murder Highway, John shares what it was like to return home to New Zealand without answers, and spend decades waiting for a breakthrough.

This interview was conducted by Callum Denness for the television series Outback Murder Highway - On Channel 9 at 8.30pm on Wednesday nights - from April 22 to May 13.
Or watch anytime here - on 9Now.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Outback Murder Highway: Triple Murder At Spear Creek

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 19:00:00 +0000

In October 1978 three bodies are found at Spear Creek in remote outback Queensland - each has a single rifle shot to the head. Decades later a prime suspect is ruled out but did witnesses identify another man?
In this special episode for Outback Murder Highway, Tim and Xanthe are joined again by investigative journalist Amelia Oberhardt to unpack the documentary investigation into the unsolved murders of Karen Edwards, Tim Thomson and Gordon Twaddle.

You can watch the Outback Murder Highway TV documentary series 8.30pm Wednesday on Channel 9 from April 22 to May 13.
Or watch anytime here - on 9Now.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonus: David Cunningham [Extended Interview]

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 19:00:00 +0000

For over fifty years, David Cunningham has been searching for the truth about his sister Anita, who vanished while hitchhiking Queensland’s notorious Flinders Highway in 1972.
While her friend Robin was tragically found murdered, Anita’s fate remains one of the Outback's most enduring and haunting mysteries.
In this powerful, extended interview from the documentary series Outback Murder Highway, David shares the grueling reality of a half-century search for justice. From the initial desperate weeks to the sudden breakthrough of new witnesses, he explores the theories, the suspects and his hope that someone who knows something will come forward.

This interview was conducted by Jo Townsend for the television series Outback Murder Highway - On Channel 9 at 8.30pm on Wednesday nights - from April 22 to May 13.
Or watch anytime here - on 9Now.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Outback Murder Highway: The Sensible Creek Killings

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Two 18-year-old girls disappeared on the Flinders Highway in 1972. One was found murdered, the other has never been found.
In this first episode of our special series for Outback Murder Highway, Tim & Xanthe are joined by investigative journalist Amelia Oberhardt to dissect the unsolved case of Anita Cunningham and Robin Hoinville-Bartram. Could police have missed crucial evidence all those years ago that could prove they were victims of one of Australia's most notorious serial killers?

You can watch the Outback Murder Highway TV documentary series 8.30pm Wednesday on Channel 9 from April 22 to May 13.
Or watch anytime here - on 9Now.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Introducing: Outback Murder Highway

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:31:29 +0000

One Australian highway - 11 people dead or missing
In this special series, criminal psychologist Tim Watson-Munro and forensic criminologist, Dr Xanthe Weston are unpacking four major cases under investigation in the exclusive new television documentary series Outback Murder Highway.
In each episode, Tim & Xanthe are joined by investigative journalist Amelia Oberhardt to dissect the history of these unsolved cases along Australia's notorious Flinders Highway, and the new developments revealed in the documentary series.
Plus, we'll be releasing bonus extended interviews from the documentary series.
Launching April 23.

Watch Outback Murder Highway every Wednesday night from April 22 - May 13 at 8.30pm on Channel 9 or catch up anytime on 9Now.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ted Bundy Bonus Episode: DNA Breakthrough In Serial Killer Case

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Breaking news on notorious serial killer Ted Bundy decades after his execution - A DNA breakthrough has linked Ted Bundy to another cold case murder, proving his story may not be as closed as once believed. In this bonus episode, Xanthe and Tim unpack the breakthrough and what it reveals about the enduring power of forensic science. Also, how rapid advances in DNA technology are cracking long-cold cases here in Australia and driving fresh arrests. From infamous killers to unknown offenders, this episode explores how science is reshaping investigations and what secrets might still be waiting to surface.

You can watch our full video episodes on Youtube - click here!

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Catching Peter Foster & Finding A Missing Baby: Ken Gamble (Part 2)

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 19:00:00 +0000

A dramatic arrest on a Queensland beach and a years-long search for a missing baby - it’s not all cybercrime for private investigator Ken Gamble! In part two of our conversation, Ken takes us inside his pursuit of Australia’s most notorious conman, Peter Foster. Plus, how he got dragged into a major case of a missing baby in the United States - and unravelled the mother's conflicting claims of murder and adoption.

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Hunting Scammers with Private Investigator Ken Gamble (Part 1)

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 18:00:00 +0000

He’s helped bring down international fraud rings, recover millions for victims and hunt some of the world’s most notorious con artists - including serial swindler Peter Foster.
In part 1 of Tim & Xanthe’s conversation with private investigator Ken Gamble, Ken talks overnight mafia stakeouts, unmasking one of the world’s first major online ticket scammers and busting ‘boiler rooms’ in the Philippines that were stealing millions from Aussie mums and dads.

Part two is out next week - 8th April, 2026.

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A Not So Perfect Murder: The Kouri Richins Case

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 17:00:00 +0000

Her husband died. She wrote a book about grief. Then she was charged with his murder.
The Kouri Richins case is one of the most talked about recent criminal trials. While she was giving interviews spruiking the book she wrote to help her children cope with the loss of their father, investigators were uncovering drug deals, secret debts, an affair and a sinister murder plot. In this episode, Tim & Xanthe discuss how a story of grief unravelled into a murder motivated by greed.

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He Got Away With Murder - Where Is 'Mr Cruel' Now?

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 18:00:00 +0000

He was one of Australia's most feared predators - and he was never caught. In this episode, Tim & Xanthe revisit the terrifying crimes of Mr Cruel, the masked offender who stalked Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, targeting young girls, in the late 1980s. Tim worked alongside Victoria Police at the time, profiling the serial rapist as the attacks grew more brazen, escalating from calculated home invasions and kidnappings to the murder of 13-year-old Karmein Chan.
More than thirty years on, the mystery remains: how did one of Australia’s most methodical offenders get away with it - and could Mr Cruel still be out there?

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Cult On Trial: Who Are The Zizians?

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 18:00:00 +0000

Six deaths, multiple states and a high-IQ cult at the centre of it all. In this episode Xanthe and Tim unravel the bizarre and deeply unsettling case of 'The Zizians', whose alleged victims include a border patrol agent and one member's own parents. So how and why did a group of highly intelligent Silicon Valley overachievers spiral into violence? It's a twisted web authorities are still trying to untangle, with seven cult members currently behind bars awaiting trial.

You can watch our full episodes now on Youtube: click here!

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The Killer Babysitter: Living Free & Babysitting Again

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 17:00:00 +0000

She killed three babies and tried to murder two others. How is Australia's worst female serial killer now living in anonymity within close proximity to young children?
An investigation by A Current Affair reporter Erin Ramsay has thrust the case of Helen Patricia Moore, the so-called killer babysitter, back into the spotlight. Despite serving less than fourteen years for murdering babies in her care, Moore rebuilt her life under a new identity - and was babysitting again.
Plus, a chilling new claim from her own brother raises the possibility she got away with another murder. Erin Ramsay joins us to reveal what she uncovered and the alarming failures meant to protect children.

You can watch A Current Affair stories here: on Youtube or 9Now

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Lucy Letby: Is History Repeating?

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 17:00:00 +0000

Is this another case of wrongful conviction like Kathleen Folbigg?
In this episode, we revisit the case of Lucy Letby, as fresh legal developments continue to reshape how the evidence is being examined. With new inquests announced and ongoing legal processes underway, questions are being raised about expert testimony, systemic failures and whether earlier conclusions still stand. Tim & Xanthe unpack what’s changed, what’s still contested and why this case remains far from settled.

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What Happened To Gus Lamont?

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 17:00:00 +0000

The disappearance of four-year-old Gus Lamont has become one of the most troubling and fast-moving investigations in the country. The case that began as a desperate search in remote South Australia has since shifted into a major crime investigation. This episode, Tim & Xanthe discuss the key developments and turning points, and what detectives are saying now about their direction and their suspect. It's a case still unfolding with updates released literally as we record this episode, so by the time you're listening, the story may have already changed.

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Julian Ingram: Wanted For Murder

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 18:00:00 +0000

At the time this episode is released, Julian Ingram is one of the most wanted men in Australia.
A major manhunt was launched in regional NSW after Ingram allegedly shot and killed his pregnant ex-girlfriend, her new partner and her aunt before fleeing the scene.
As revelations emerge of his criminal history and recent release on bail, serious questions are being asked about risk assessment, firearm access and systemic failures. We break down what is known so far - and why this case is resonating far beyond one small community.

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Sydney’s Baby Farming Murders

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 17:00:00 +0000

When the remains of an infant were uncovered in a Sydney backyard, it was just the start of a dark and twisted scandal that shocked colonial Australia. As police uncovered over a dozen more infant remains, the secret world of Sarah and John Makin’s baby-farming operation came into view.
In this episode we’re joined by author of ‘The Baby Farmers’, Dr Annie Cossens, to dissect what really happened and how baby farming thrived in an era when young women and unmarried mothers had nowhere to turn - and society looked the other way.

Find more information on Dr Annie Cossins' books at the links below:
The Baby Farmers
Female Criminality: Infanticide, Moral Panics and the Female Body

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The Most Isolated Prisoner In The World

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 18:00:00 +0000

Robert Maudsley has spent more than 40 years in near solitary confinement, caged in a bespoke glass cell. Also branded ‘Britain’s Most Dangerous Criminal’ and labelled ‘Hannibal The Cannibal’, his story has been shaped as much by myth as by fact. In this episode, we unpack Maudsley’s troubled upbringing, his violent criminal history and the extraordinary lengths taken to isolate and contain him. It’s a case that raises countless legal and ethical questions around how far a society can go in the name of safety… and what that means for human dignity.

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Taken In The Night: The Eloise Worledge Mystery

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 18:55:34 +0000

Fifty years after eight-year-old Eloise Worledge vanished from her bedroom, the case is back in the spotlight with a $1 million reward announced for answers. In this episode, we speak with Eloise’s aunt, Margie Thomas, who has spent decades refusing to let her niece be forgotten. She takes us inside the night Eloise disappeared, the investigation that stalled and the toll of living with unanswered questions. If someone knows the truth, this conversation is a reminder that it’s never too late to come forward.

Anyone with information about the disappearance of Eloise Worledge is urged to contact crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online.

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Files Unsealed: The Last Woman Executed in Australia

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 17:30:00 +0000

In 1951, Jean Lee was the last woman executed in Australia. 75 years after her execution, the case has been thrust back into the spotlight with the release of never-before-seen court documents. Lee was convicted of murder alongside two men - despite ongoing debate about her true role in the crime. In this episode, Tim & Xanthe unpack the crime, the controversial police investigation and the legal twists that sealed her fate. It’s a case that forces us to confront uncomfortable questions about justice, gender and whether the right person paid the ultimate price.

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Cold Cases Cracked Open In 2025

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 18:00:00 +0000

As we step into the new year, this episode turns the spotlight to some of the meaningful progress made in major Australian cold cases in 2025. After decades of unanswered questions, several long-standing cases saw significant breakthroughs, new evidence and even arrests. Tim & Xanthe revisit just some of the many cases that were cracked back open last year, offering long-awaited progress for families who have been waiting years for answers.

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Year in Crime: Cases That Defined 2025

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 21:25:03 +0000

In this special end-of-year episode, Xanthe and Tim look back on Australia’s biggest and most unsettling cases of 2025. From the trial that gripped the nation, to some of the lesser publicised but equally disturbing cases, they unpack the investigations that shaped public conversation and debate. Plus, the cases we should keep watching as we head into 2026.

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REPLAY: 2025 Fan Favourite - Inside Snowtown with Gordon Drage

Sun, 28 Dec 2025 17:00:00 +0000

Catch up on one of our most-listened episodes in 2025. Forensic investigator Gordon Drage lifted the lid on Australia’s most horrific serial killings - the infamous Snowtown ‘bodies in the barrels' case. 26 years on, he still remembers every detail of the day they made the gruesome discovery in that bank vault. Now retired, Drage is a passionate advocate for mental health support within emergency services, sharing his powerful insights on the profound impact such cases have on those who serve.

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HOLIDAY SPECIAL: Bizarre, Brazen & Baffling Cases of 2025

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 18:00:00 +0000

In this special holiday episode, Tim & Xanthe step away from the dark and disturbing and turn to some of the more unusual crime stories of the year - the bizarre, brazen and baffling! They’re putting each other to the test, in a series of games, to examine the stranger side of human behaviour.

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REPLAY: Xanthe's 2025 Top Episode - The Horrors of Human Trafficking Networks

Sun, 21 Dec 2025 18:00:00 +0000

If you're a new listener or haven't heard this episode, this is Xanthe's 2025 "must listen" episode from February.
While many think human trafficking 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 on modern slavery and human trafficking. From forced labor to exploitation and coercion, Matt uncovers the dark reality of modern slavery and what we can do to fight it.

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BONDI TERROR ATTACK: A Forensic Perspective with Dr Nathan Brooks

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 17:00:00 +0000

In the wake of the deadly Bondi terror attack, Tim and Xanthe are joined by Forensic Psychologist Dr Nathan Brooks - a leading expert in ‘lone actor’ violence and mass casualty attacks. Together, they explore what we know so far and why grounding public understanding in verified facts matter. Dr Brooks cuts through speculation and shares his expertise around offenders, methods and warning signs that can be missed.

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Toyah Cordingley & The International Manhunt To Catch Her Killer

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 18:00:00 +0000

A young woman murdered, a suspect who vanished overseas and a seven-year pursuit of justice that spanned continents. This episode revisits the killing of 24-year-old Toyah Cordingley - murdered on a quiet Queensland beach in 2018 - and the extraordinary international effort to track down her killer. Tim & Xanthe are joined by Nine News reporter Lily Greer, who followed the case from Cairns to India. Together, they unpack the international manhunt that culminated in Rajwinder Singh’s recent conviction and life sentence, and exactly what it took to finally bring this case to an end.

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A Poisonous Legacy: One Family, Two Killers

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 18:00:00 +0000

In 1920 Alexander Newland Lee murdered his wife and three of his children. His method? Poison. It would later be uncovered he was the nephew of infamous serial killer Martha Needle - AKA ‘The Richmond Poisoner’.
Author Dr Samantha Battams - who has written on both cases - sits down with Tim & Xanthe to share her insight into the disturbing threads linking these two generations of killers and the chilling parallels of their crimes.

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Murderous Medics: When Caretakers Become Killers

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 18:00:00 +0000

Around the world disturbing cases have emerged from behind the walls of hospitals and aged care homes of nurses and healthcare workers using their caregiving role as a cover for murder. This episode explores how these killers manipulate trust, vulnerability and medical authority to hide their crimes in plain sight. Tim and Xanthe delve into the darkest side of professions built on compassion, and analyses the disturbing psychology that turns caregivers into killers.

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Diagnosis On Trial: Are Innocent Parents Being Jailed?

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 18:00:00 +0000

Have innocent mums and dads been jailed for a crime they never committed? That’s the question at the crux of a major new investigation into Shaken Baby Syndrome. In this episode, investigative journalist and host of the podcast ‘Diagnosing Murder’, Michael Bachelard joins us to dissect the science, flaws and potential miscarriages of justice he’s uncovered.

Listen to Diagnosing Murder here

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The Toolbox Murders

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 18:00:00 +0000

It was a crime so merciless it shook even the most seasoned detectives and it all started with one photo. In January 2016, Cory Breton and Iuliana Triscaru were lured to a unit in south-east Queensland where they were tortured, locked inside a metal toolbox and dumped into a lagoon. In this episode, Tim and Xanthe unpack the motivations behind the so-called 'Toolbox Murders' and how justice finally caught up nearly a decade later.

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A Perth Serial Killer & The Innocent Men Jailed For His Crimes

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 18:00:00 +0000

It took one determined journalist to uncover the shocking truth behind this Australian serial killer. In the 1960s, Perth was gripped by fear as a string of random murders and attacks left police and the public baffled - until the arrest of Eric Edgar Cooke, a seemingly ordinary family man hiding a violent double life. But even after Cooke’s capture, two innocent men remained behind bars for his crimes.
In this episode, we’re joined by Walkley Award-winning journalist and author Estelle Blackburn, whose relentless investigation exposed the injustice and changed Australian criminal history forever.

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Ed Gein: The Making Of A Monster

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 18:00:00 +0000

The world's attention has been gripped by the story of Ed Gein thanks to a confronting and disturbing new Netflix series. When police entered his Wisconsin farmhouse in 1957, they uncovered a scene so grotesque it redefined horror itself. Gein's crimes inspired cinema's darkest characters, from Psycho's Norman Bates to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre's 'Leatherface'. This episode delves into the mind behind the madness and the real monster who changed horror forever.

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'The Giggling Granny' Serial Killer

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 18:00:00 +0000

Nanny Doss looked like a sweet and kind grandmother - but behind her smile hid a serial killer. For nearly three decades, Nannie Doss left a trail of death through small-town America. Among her 11 victims - four husbands and her own children and grandchildren. This episode, Tim and Xanthe take us back in time to unravel the twisted life and crimes of Nannie Doss, whose disturbing confessions earned herself the chilling nickname ‘The Giggling Granny’.

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Career Criminal & Master Conman: The Extraordinary Life Of Carl Synnerdahl

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 19:00:00 +0000

From child thief to infamous bank robber to master conman, Carl Synnerdahl’s life became a Hollywood script. Carl's story is one of deception, charm and sheer audacity - pulling one of the most brazen ruses Australia has seen, fooling doctors, guards and the courts into thinking he was blind. Tim got to know Carl while working as a psychologist inside Parramatta jail. This episode he shares his unique insight into the mind of a man who build his life on lies.

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Manipulated Into Murder: The Woodchipper Killers

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 19:00:00 +0000

It looked like a tragic accident until detectives unravelled the truth of a gruesome plot - a murder by woodchipper. Three arrests were made, but the mastermind behind Bruce Saunders' death wasn’t even there. Sharon Graham had charmed and manipulated the men around her to kill for her.
In this episode journalist Tara Cassidy - host of the award-winning podcast ‘Crime in Focus: Killer Charm’ - takes us inside this twisted case and the love quadrangle that turned deadly.
And we ask the question; how does someone manipulate others to murder?

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The Hoddle Street Massacre: Inside The Mind Of Julian Knight

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 18:00:00 +0000

In 1987, Tim Watson-Munro was called in to assess one of Australia’s most notorious mass murderers - Julian Knight. He’d just opened fire in the middle of Melbourne's Hoddle Street, killing seven people and injuring 19 more. In this episode, Tim shares his rare and intimate insight into this case. Plus, the surprising message Knight gave Tim during a prison visit years later.

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The Highschool Catfish

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 19:00:00 +0000

This episode, Tim and Xanthe dive into the world of 'catfishing' and explore a truly shocking catfish saga in the United States that’s been unravelled in a new Netflix documentary. When a teenage couple were viciously and relentlessly cyberbullied and tormented, suspicion spread through their school and chaos engulfed the small town. The FBI joined the hunt for the catfish, eventually uncovering the disturbing truth.

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Mushroom Murders: A Life Sentence for Erin Patterson

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 19:00:00 +0000

A stunning conclusion of one of Australia’s most notorious trials - Erin Patterson has been sentenced to 33 years non-parole. The sentencing itself was brief but packed with impact, leaving many shocked. Joining us are Penelope and Erin, hosts of the 'The Mushroom Trial: Say Grace' podcast, to unpack Justice Beale’s words, the courtroom reactions and what this sentence means for Patterson’s future.

Follow ‘The Mushroom Trial: Say Grace’ podcast here

Watch Revealed: 'Death Cap Murders' on Stan here

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The Rise of Lone Actors with Dr Nathan Brooks

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 18:00:00 +0000

What drives lone actors to carry out mass casualty attacks? And could understanding them be the key to preventing the next tragedy? This week, Forensic Psychologist Dr Nathan Brooks joins Tim & Xanthe to unpack the research in his new book - ‘Mass Casualty: The Rise of Lone Actors’ - exposing surprising truths behind their motives and methods. From hidden warning signs to chilling case studies, he dissects what really sets these individuals apart.

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Dezi Freeman: The Porepunkah Police Shootings

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 23:31:25 +0000

On the day this episode is released, the hunt is continuing for self-described sovereign citizen, Dezi Freeman, wanted over the shooting deaths of two police officers in Porepunkah. Tim and Xanthe are joined by one of the country's leading experts on radicalism and extremism - Dr Josh Roose - to unpack the rise of the sovereign citizen movement and the threat it poses in Australia.

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AI Clones: The Future of ‘Artificial’ Evidence

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 18:00:00 +0000

Just months after a world-first AI clone gave a victim impact statement in court, another victim of crime has been re-created to answer questions from beyond the grave. With the use of artificial intelligence on the rise in our justice system, our courtrooms are entering unchartered territory. In this episode, Tim and Xanthe discuss how criminal and legal experts around the world are adapting to these changes. They ask; what is real, what is reliable and what is just?

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The University of Idaho Murders

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 18:00:00 +0000

When four young university students were found brutally stabbed to death in Idaho, with no clear motive and scarce leads, the case became one of the most talked about crimes in America and online. In this episode, Tim and Xanthe unpack the shocking University of Idaho murders, the history and motivations of the killer and the dangerous role social media played as the investigation unfolded.
Nearly three years on, the killer has been sentenced and family and friends are speaking for the first time in a new documentary series ‘One Night In Idaho’.

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Mushroom Trial Update: Erin Patterson’s Police Interview

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 18:00:00 +0000

“Lies, deception and an extreme lack of remorse”. In this special bonus episode, Xanthe and Tim dissect Erin Patterson’s newly released police interview for the ‘The Mushroom Trial: Say Grace’ podcast. They share their expert insights with Nine Reporter Penelope Liersch and The Age Crime & Justice Reporter Erin Pearson.

Follow ‘The Mushroom Trial: Say Grace’ podcast here
Watch the full police interview on 9 News here

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Ashlea Hansen: Cracking Open A Cold Case Murder

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 18:00:00 +0000

The 2001 murder case of Rachelle Childs has been cracked back open in the new investigative podcast ‘ Dear Rachelle’. Host and journalist Ashlea Hansen joins Tim and Xanthe on this week’s episode to take us inside her 18-month long investigation. Ashlea reveals the unexpected twists and turns of the podcast, including new leads and heartbreaking revelations.

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Kerry Tucker: Finding Purpose in Prison

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 18:00:00 +0000

From forging cheques to finding purpose, this week’s guest shares her incredible story of redemption. In this episode, Tim and Xanthe sit down with Kerry Tucker, a woman once jailed for a serious fraud of millions of dollars. Kerry opens up about her time in prison, revealing how her sentence became the turning point of her life. She is now an author and playwright, a leading advocate for prison reform and a powerful voice for second chances.

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Inside Snowtown: The Cop Who Found The Bodies in the Barrels

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 18:00:00 +0000

He’s the cop who lifted the lid on Australia’s most horrific serial killings. In this episode, retired forensic investigator, Gordon Drage, takes us behind the scenes of the infamous Snowtown ‘bodies in the barrels' case. 26 years on, he still remembers every detail of the day they made the gruesome discovery in that bank vault. Now retired, Drage is a passionate advocate for mental health support within emergency services, sharing his powerful insights on the profound impact such cases have on those who serve.

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Love Behind Bars: Pen Pals to Prison Romance

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 15:00:00 +0000

They say you can't help who you fall for... So is it truly possible to fall head over heels in love with a criminal?

From the infamous courtroom "groupies" of serial killers like Ted Bundy and Richard Ramirez, to women who become pen pals with inmates and eventually marry them, this episode of Motive & Method delves into the perplexing phenomenon of "hybristophilia" – or, more simply, loving a criminal.

What compels someone to fall for a person serving time for heinous crimes? Is it a search for control, a desire to "fix" a broken soul, or something far more complex?

In this episode, Tim and Xanthe chat with Clinical & Forensic Psychologist Kim Dilati to unpack why some people, particularly women, choose to build lives, and even families, with those confined by prison walls.

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Life Undercover with Keith Banks

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 15:00:00 +0000

What if the most dangerous criminal you ever hunted was… you?

In this episode, Tim and Xanthe pull back the curtain on the astonishing double life of Keith Banks, an undercover operative who didn't just infiltrate criminal organizations – he became them.

From high-stakes drug deals to the shadowy underworlds few ever glimpse, Banks navigated a labyrinth of deception where a single wrong move meant certain death.

Today's episode explores the psychological toll of living a lie, the chilling reality of befriending the very people you're sworn to betray, and the moment Keith's cover was almost blown...

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BONUS EPISODE: Mushroom Murder Motive with Gary Jubelin

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 04:57:25 +0000

In this bonus episode, the host of I Catch Killers, Gary Jubelin and Dr. Xanthe Mallett unpack the trial which has kept everyone talking.

From the mismatched plates and crocodile tears to the myriad of lies and months of planning, these experts break down every detail of the Erin Patterson case.

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GUILTY: Unpacking The Erin Patterson Verdict

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 15:00:00 +0000

She'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 unpack the verdict of this case with co-hosts of ‘The Mushroom Trial: Say Grace’ podcast, Nine reporter Penelope Liersch and The Age Crime & Justice Reporter Erin Pearson.

What was it like being in the courtroom when the guilty verdict came through? What can we expect from sentencing? What weren’t the jury aware of during this case that can now be revealed post-verdict?

Hit play to find out...

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Kids Who Kill

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 18:00:00 +0000

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, should young murderers be given a new identity and a second chance at life as adults?

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Cassie Sainsbury: Groomed or Guilty?

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 18:00:00 +0000

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.

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Dr. Nathan Brooks: Inside the Mind of a Stalker

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 18:00:00 +0000

Tim 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 what they can't have.

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Female Serial Killers: From Poisoners to Predators

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 18:00:00 +0000

They’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.

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Shooting Victim Confronts His Killer: An Artificial Intelligence World First

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 18:00:00 +0000

In 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 Law Professor Paul Grimm, who unpacks the ethical and legal implications. Together, they explore how grief, justice and technology are colliding in ways we've never seen before.

Watch the AI victim impact statement HERE.

Watch the judge's reaction HERE.

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His Brother Vanished 50 Years Ago - Can The Case Be Solved Now?

Tue, 27 May 2025 18:00:00 +0000

In 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 within reach.

Listen to The Boy in The Goldmine
Contribute to Daryl's search via "Searching For Terry Floyd" on GoFundMe

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Who is ‘The Playboy Swindler’? Inside the Psyche of a Serial Scammer

Tue, 20 May 2025 18:00:00 +0000

This 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 - and why so many believed him.

Read the Sydney Morning Herald Article

Watch the A Current Affair story

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SPECIAL GUEST: Why Innocent People Confess

Mon, 12 May 2025 17:00:00 +0000

Why 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.

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Is Lucy Letby Innocent?

Tue, 06 May 2025 18:00:00 +0000

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.

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The Dark Side of Public Registers: Protection or Peril?

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 18:00:00 +0000

Does 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?'.

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Bondi Junction stabbings one year on with Greg Barton

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 20:00:00 +0000

Distinguished academic, Professor Greg Barton, joins the podcast to reflect on the Westfield Bondi Junction stabbing rampage one year on.

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Do Citizen Sleuths Help or Hinder Investigations?

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 20:00:00 +0000

Xanthe 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.

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Adolescence and the Manosphere

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 20:00:00 +0000

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.

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SPECIAL: Tony Mokbel FREED after a 'Seismic Moment in Legal History'

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 03:35:31 +0000

Tim 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.

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A cult convicted of killing an 8-year-old girl

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 22:55:14 +0000

Xanthe 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.

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Should juries have to explain their verdicts?

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 19:00:00 +0000

Xanthe and Tim examine the jury secrecy principle with barrister and academic Jason Donnelly.

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Will Victoria's 'toughest ever' bail laws reduce reoffending?

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 19:00:00 +0000

Xanthe 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.

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Simon Feldman: The Man Who Embezzled $16.7 Million

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 14:00:00 +0000

Simon 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 candidly confesses to the mistakes which cost him so dearly and how he’s turned his life around.

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Can people really commit crime whilst asleep?

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 14:00:00 +0000

What 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 USYD sociolegal scholar and lecturer Christopher Rudge to discuss the parasomnia defense. Does it hold weight? Can people who kill in their sleep be considered murderers?

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How Belle Gibson conned the world

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 14:00:00 +0000

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, Belle Gibson convinced the world she was a cancer survivor.

In this episode, Tim and Xanthe unpack the story of Belle Gibson... How she got away with lying for so long, and how it eventually all caught up with her.

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