Motive & Method

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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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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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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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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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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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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The case of Tom Phillips gripped New Zealand and made headlines worldwide - after nearly four years hiding in the remote wilderness with his three children, his time on the run ended in a deadly shoot-out with police. How did he manage to stay hidden for so long, and what drove him to vanish from society in the first place? 

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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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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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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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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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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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“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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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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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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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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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 so...

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...

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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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 verdi...

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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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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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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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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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...

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

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

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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 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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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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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 w...