In the aftermath of the tragedy in Mosman Park, headlines moved quickly — using words like “monster,” “evil,” and “unthinkable.” But what happens when we stop at outrage?

In this episode of Exhuming the Truth, forensic scientist and criminologist Asha Walther examines the structure of murder-suicide through a research-based lens, exploring why the homicide and suicide cannot be separated, why language shapes policy, and why simplistic narratives may prevent us from understanding risk.

Drawing on established criminological and psychological research, this episode explores:

• The behavioural structure of murder-suicide

• The psychology of hopelessness and cognitive narrowing under chronic stress

• Caregiver burden and systemic strain

• The pressures surrounding Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme

• Why affluence does not equal immunity

• And why contextualising violence is not the same as excusing it

This is not an episode about justification.

It is an episode about prevention.

Because when we reduce complex human collapse to moral shorthand, we stop asking the questions that could protect future families.

Every child’s life holds equal weight.

Every postcode contains invisible stories.

And every word we use shapes what happens next.

Listener discretion advised.

References& Further Reading

(As discussed in this episode of Exhuming the Truth)

Arnsten, A. F. T. (2009). Stress signalling pathwaysthat impair prefrontal cortex structure and function. NatureReviews Neuroscience, 10(6), 410–422.https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn2648

Beck, A. T., Weissman, A., Lester, D., &Trexler, L. (1974). The measurement of pessimism: The Hopelessness Scale. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 42(6), 861–865. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0037562

Bronfenbrenner, U. (1979). TheEcology of Human Development: Experiments by Nature and Design. Harvard University Press.

Clement, S., Schauman, O., Graham, T., et al.(2015). What is the impact of mental health-related stigma on help-seeking? Asystematic review. Psychological Medicine, 45(1), 11–27. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291714000129

Joiner, T. (2005). Myths AboutSuicide. Harvard University Press.

(See also: Joiner, T. (2005). Interpersonal-PsychologicalTheory of Suicidal Behavior.)

Marzuk, P. M., Tardiff, K., & Hirsch, C. S.(1992). The epidemiology of murder-suicide. Journal ofthe American Medical Association (JAMA), 267(23),3179–3183. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.1992.03480230073031

McEwen, B. S. (1998). Protective and damagingeffects of stress mediators. New England Journal ofMedicine, 338(3), 171–179.https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM199801153380307

Resnick, P. J. (1969). Child murder by parents: Apsychiatric review of filicide. American Journal ofPsychiatry, 126(3), 325–334.

Schulz, R., & Sherwood, P. R. (2008). Physicaland mental health effects of family caregiving. AmericanJournal of Nursing, 108(9 Suppl), 23–27.

Wilson, M., Daly, M., & Daniele, A. (1995).Familicide: The killing of spouse and children. AggressiveBehavior, 21(4), 275–291.

NationalDisability Insurance Scheme

Official website: https://www.ndis.gov.au

NDIS Review (2023–2024):

https://www.ndisreview.gov.au

Australian Productivity Commission – NDIS Study Report(2017):

https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/completed/ndis-costs/report

LifelineAustralia

13 11 14

https://www.lifeline.org.au

BeyondBlue

1300 22 4636

https://www.beyondblue.org.au

SuicideCall Back Service

AustralianContext & Policy ResourcesNationalDisability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)Suicide& Mental Health Support (Australia)

In this episode, we are sharing an urgent appeal for information regarding the disappearance of Scott Colin Hayden, aged 46.

Scott was last seen on 30 May 2025 in Tibbuc, along Thunderbolts Way near Barring/Gloucester, NSW. At the time, he was wearing a white T-shirt and light-coloured shorts, and he may have been barefoot. Scott has distinctive tattoos, which are available to view in the reference images shared with this episode.

If you saw Scott on 30 or 31 May, or if you have CCTV or dashcam footage from the following areas, your information could be critical:

Bucketts Way

Thunderbolts Way

Dungog

Wauchope

Bulahdelah

Coffs Harbour and surrounding regions

If you have any information, no matter how small it may seem, please contact us or Crime Stoppers.

This appeal has been shared at the request of Scott’s family. Please consider sharing this episode to help widen the search and bring Scott home.

Forensic red flags, systemic failures, and the evidence that was never tested

In Part Two of our examination into the fatal police shooting of Luke Gilbert, we move beyond headlines and into the forensic and procedural foundations of the case and what happens when those foundations are missing.

Despite a coronial finding being handed down, critical evidence in Luke’s death was never independently tested, never fully disclosed, and in some instances, appears to have been altered or withheld entirely. From missing and edited CCTV footage, unresolved ballistic inconsistencies, and misclassified weapons, to allegations of conflicts of interest, unlawful autopsy consent, and failures by oversight bodies, this episode methodically examines the red flags that undermine confidence in the official findings.

This is not an episode driven by outrage or speculation. It is driven by evidence, forensic standards, and the legal obligations that apply when police use lethal force. Drawing directly from the coronial record, the concerns raised by Luke’s family, and accepted forensic and investigative principles, this episode asks one central question: can justice exist where transparency does not?

Luke’s case is not just about one man or one night; it is about the systems meant to protect truth and what happens when they fail.

Correction & Clarification

I want to acknowledge and correct an error made at the end of the most recent episode.

When responding to a listener question about Constable Bryce Collins, I incorrectly stated that he was present at the shooting. That was an error.

Constable Collins was not present at the shooting. As mentioned earlier in the episode, his involvement relates to looking Luke up and passing information on to a member of the public.

Accuracy matters deeply to me, especially when discussing cases that carry so much weight for families and the public. Thank you to those who respectfully flagged this, and I appreciate the continued care and accountability from this community.

In this episode of Exhuming the Truth, we return to the Claremont case to focus on Sarah Spiers and the legal and court processes that shaped, limited, and ultimately complicated the pursuit of justice in her case.

Rather than retelling the events themselves, this episode breaks down how the Australian court system operated at the time, why Sarah's case was legally treated differently to the others, and how evidentiary rules, procedural limitations, and the absense of evidence could and could not be argued in court.

Corrie Feehan vanished from Leeman, WA, in April of 2025.

In July 2025, we made an initial episode for Corrie and his family, just 12 weeks after he disappeared. Join us in part two, where we share a heartfelt message from his loving family, who are desperate for answers, and learn about the discrepancies in this case and how you can help us get justice for Corrie and his loved ones.

In this episode of Exhuming the Truth, we return to the case of Sarah Spiers, not to rehash the courtroom outcome, but to confront what happened after the verdict. While a conviction was secured, Sarah herself was never recovered, and the effort to find her body quietly lost momentum once the legal process ended.

This episode examines the uncomfortable reality that justice is often treated as complete when a sentence is handed down, even when families are left without answers, without remains, and without peace. We explore the systemic failures, the lack of sustained searches, and the human cost of allowing cases to fade once they are no longer legally active.

Sarah deserves more than a footnote in legal history. She deserves to be found, acknowledged, and brought home. Until that happens, this case and this conversation is not over.

* Includes an audio clip from Sky News - WA Police Commissioner Chris Dawson *

In January of 2012, 66-year-old Charlie Park walked home after a quiet night at the pub in Boulder, WA.

He was last seen entering his home and was never seen again.

In this episode, we examine what is factually known about Charlie's disappearance, the timeline, the early investigation, and why police have re-opened the case.

This episode discusses a long-term missing person case and a suspected homicide - it may be distressing for some listeners. All information presented is drawn from publicly available reporting and police statements. No individuals are accused or implied to be responsible. This episode is intended for educational and public-interest purposes only. Listener discretion is advised.

responsible podcast description that fits Exhuming the Truth and the gravity of the Bondi Beach shooting. It avoids sensationalism, centres community impact, and still signals analysis and accountability.

Episode Description

In this episode of Exhuming the Truth, we examine the tragic shooting at Bondi Beach—an incident that unfolded in one of Australia’s most iconic public spaces and shattered the sense of safety so many take for granted.

We walk through what is known about the events, separate confirmed facts from speculation, and explore the broader implications for public safety, community trauma, and accountability. Beyond the headlines, this episode considers how violence in public spaces impacts victims, witnesses, first responders, and an entire nation left grappling with shock and unanswered questions.

This is not an episode created for shock value. It is an effort to bear witness, to honour those affected, and to ask the difficult but necessary questions about prevention, responsibility, and how we respond—both as systems and as a society—when violence occurs in plain sight.

Content warning: This episode contains discussion of real-world violence and trauma. Listener discretion is advised.

If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available. In Australia, Lifeline is available 24/7 on 13 11 14.

REEL played via @putaustraliafirst @emekaunscripted

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DR-jXpXEQSk/?igsh=ajJpb3hlYWFkcTBn