Motive & Method is an expert-led Australian true crime podcast. Join Dr Xanthe Mallett and criminal psychologist Tim Watson-Munro as they unpack what really makes the offenders behind some of history’s most notorious cases tick, and also react and unpack crimes as they hit the headlines. You will also hear from victim survivors, investigators and advocates for change analysing motive, and method.
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MUSHROOM MURDER UPDATE: Erin Patterson’s Police Interview
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45:33
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45:33“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: …
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Ashlea Hansen: Cracking Open A Cold Case Murder
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26:53
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26:53The 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 re…
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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 auth…
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Inside Snowtown: The Cop Who Found The Bodies in the Barrels
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45:02He’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 …
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Love Behind Bars: Pen Pals to Prison Romance
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33:56They 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 o…
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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 laby…
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BONUS EPISODE: Mushroom Murder Motive with Gary Jubelin
1:01:05
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1:01:05In 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…
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GUILTY: Unpacking The Erin Patterson Verdict
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36:28She's been dubbed the 'Mushroom Cook' by many, but now, Erin Patterson is a convicted triple murderer. The 50-year-old has been found guilty by the jury of murdering three relatives, and attempting to murder another, at a family lunch in 2023 where she served beef Wellington which contained death-cap mushrooms. In this episode, Tim and Xanthe unpac…
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Australia’s youngest convicted murderer was just 13 years old. In this chilling episode, Xanthe and Tim delve into the disturbing reality of children who kill, exploring cases of offenders as young as eight years old. The discussion grapples with the complex legal and ethical question of what age a child should be held criminally responsible. And, …
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Xanthe and Tim unpack the twisted tale of Cassie Sainsbury aka “Cocaine Cassie” and her claims of coercion and grooming by organised crime. Was she a naive pawn, or a willing player in an international drug smuggling ring? This episode challenges our perceptions of guilt, redemption and who deserves a second chance. See omnystudio.com/listener for …
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Dr. Nathan Brooks: Inside the Mind of a Stalker
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30:28Tim and Xanthe are joined by forensic psychologist Dr. Nathan Brooks to delve into the psychology of stalking - a crime fueled by obsession, control, and dangerous delusion. Together, they break down the distinct types of stalkers and the terrifying tactics they use. From fixation to predation, this episode uncovers how far some will go to possess …
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Female Serial Killers: From Poisoners to Predators
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28:32
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28:32They’re rare, often overlooked, and shrouded in myth - but female serial killers are as deadly as they are complex. In this episode, Xanthe and Tim unravel the motives and methods of these women who kill, exploring what sets them apart from their male counterparts. From poisoners to predators, their motivations defy the stereotypes. See omnystudio.…
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Shooting Victim Confronts His Killer: An Artificial Intelligence World First
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41:33
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41:33In a world first, Stacey Wales used AI to bring her brother back to life so he could face his killer and deliver his own victim impact statement from beyond the grave. In this powerful episode, Stacey shares the emotional journey behind that decision and what it meant to give her brother a voice one last time. Xanthe and Tim also speak with Duke La…
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His Brother Vanished 50 Years Ago - Can The Case Be Solved Now?
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41:15
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41:15In this gripping and emotional episode, we sit down with Daryl Floyd, whose brother Terry went missing 50 years ago. His relentless search for the truth has uncovered new evidence and promising leads. As the case is thrust back into the spotlight through a new podcast ‘The Boy in the Goldmine’, Daryl reveals why he believes the truth is finally wit…
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Who is ‘The Playboy Swindler’? Inside the Psyche of a Serial Scammer
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40:35This week on Motive and Method, we dissect the mind of David Prince-Popovich, aka ‘The Playboy Swindler’. From bogus bank transfers to private jets, even duping a former Premier, his scams were as elaborate as they were audacious. Sydney Morning Herald crime reporter Clare Sibthorpe joins Xanthe and Tim to explore how one man built a life of lies -…
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SPECIAL GUEST: Why Innocent People Confess
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39:13
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39:13Why would someone admit to a crime they didn’t commit? In this gripping episode, Xanthe and Tim are joined, from the US, by renowned false confessions expert Professor Alan Hirsch to dissect the psychological tactics and high-pressure interrogations that lead innocent people to falsely confess. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…
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Tim and Xanthe are join by Professor Neena Modi, who was part of the international panel who looked at the case of Lucy Letby, to discuss the trial, the review and where it goes from here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Xanthe Mallett and Tim Watson-Munro
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The Dark Side of Public Registers: Protection or Peril?
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31:53
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31:53Does naming and shaming really make our kids safer, or does it just open the door to misinformation and vigilante justice? This federal election could lead to Australia's first public child sex offender register. Tim & Xanthe are joined by Dr Maggie Hall, from Western Sydney University, to ask the question 'Would it do more harm than good?'. See om…
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Bondi Junction stabbings one year on with Greg Barton
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39:57
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39:57Distinguished academic, Professor Greg Barton, joins the podcast to reflect on the Westfield Bondi Junction stabbing rampage one year on. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Xanthe Mallett and Tim Watson-Munro
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Do Citizen Sleuths Help or Hinder Investigations?
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35:26
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35:26Xanthe and Tim discuss the rise of citizen sleuths and their impact on investigations, and look at specific case studies such as Gabby Petito, Ivan Milat and The Teacher's Pet. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Xanthe Mallett and Tim Watson-Munro
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Xanthe and Tim discuss Netflix drama Adolescence and how it's turned the world's attention to the growing influence of the manosphere and the influence it's having on teenage boys. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Xanthe Mallett and Tim Watson-Munro
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SPECIAL: Tony Mokbel FREED after a 'Seismic Moment in Legal History'
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52:05
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52:05Tim and Xanthe are joined by criminal barrister Ruth Parker to discuss the fallout and ramifications after underworld figure Tony Mokbel was set free on bail. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Xanthe Mallett and Tim Watson-Munro
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A cult convicted of killing an 8-year-old girl
38:55
38:55
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38:55Xanthe and Tim unpack the shocking death of an eight-year-old girl in rural Queensland, after she was denied life-saving medication by her parents and their religious group, who call themselves 'The Saints'. They're joined by A Current Affair reporter Pippa Bradshaw who has followed the case closely since the beginning. See omnystudio.com/listener …
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Should juries have to explain their verdicts?
29:36
29:36
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29:36Xanthe and Tim examine the jury secrecy principle with barrister and academic Jason Donnelly. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Xanthe Mallett and Tim Watson-Munro
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Will Victoria's 'toughest ever' bail laws reduce reoffending?
31:26
31:26
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31:26Xanthe and Tim discuss bail and its role in the criminal justice system, and if Victoria's sweeping reforms will help to reduce crime rates, and the risk of letting the status quo continue. They also look at the age of criminal responsibility, and the rise of vigilantism as some communities take matters into their own hands. See omnystudio.com/list…
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