Exhuming the Truth

In Part One, we step away from the headlines to remember the person at the centre of this case.
This episode explores who Tunchanok "Cake" Donhomla was, her life, the events leading up to her death, and the timeline as it is currently understood. We examine the known facts, separate verified information from speculation, and provide the context needed to understand how this tragedy unfolded.
Our focus is on the victim and those who loved her. This episode does not examine the legal proceedings in detail. That discussion, including the investigation, evidence, court process, and the legal issues surrounding the case, will be covered in Part Two.
As always, this episode is based on information available at the time of recording. Investigations and court proceedings can evolve as new evidence emerges, and criminal responsibility is determined by the courts, not by the media or podcasts.
Content warning: This episode discusses homicide, death, family violence, and other themes that some listeners may find distressing. Listener discretion is advised.

References: 
Tourism Authority of Thailand. Pattaya Destination Guide.
Encyclopedia Britannica. Pattaya.
Reuters. Coverage of the Tunchanok Donhomla homicide investigation (June, 2026)
ABC News Australia. Australian man charged over Thai teenager's death (June, 2026)

In this episode of Exhuming the Truth, we examine one of the most devastating coronial findings to emerge from Australia in recent years: the death of nine-month-old Kobi Shepherdson.

Kobi was a baby who should still be here today. His death was found by a South Australian coroner to have been preventable.

This is not simply the story of one dangerous offender. It is a case that exposes coercive control, escalating warning signs, and the devastating consequences when multiple systems fail to recognise and respond to the true level of risk.

Together, we’ll work through the case chronologically, analyse the documented warning signs, and examine the findings delivered by Acting Deputy State Coroner Ian White in June 2026. As always, our focus is on understanding what happened, what was missed, and the lessons that may help prevent future tragedies.

Content warning: This episode contains discussion of child death, domestic and family violence, coercive control, and other distressing themes that some listeners may find upsetting.

Some conversations take on a life of their own, and this was one of them.
I went into this interview with a list of carefully prepared questions, but within minutes, those notes were forgotten. Chris Gee’s experience, knowledge, and passion made the conversation flow in directions I hadn’t anticipated, and I found myself genuinely fascinated by his work.
In this episode, we explore Chris’s unique career, the challenges he’s faced, the lessons he’s learned and the stories that have shaped his journey. Rather than following a script, this became an authentic discussion driven by curiosity, allowing us to dive deeper into topics that don’t often get the attention they deserve.
Whether you’re interested in investigations, conservation, forensic thinking, or simply hearing from someone whose work is making a real impact, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
Sometimes the best interviews are the ones where the questions stay on the page. I absolutely loved recording this episode with Chris Gee.
I went in with pages of interview questions ready to go… and I don’t think I asked a single one.
Instead, I found myself completely captivated by Chris’s work, asking question after question as the conversation naturally unfolded. Those are my favourite kinds of interviews, the ones that stop feeling like an interview and become a genuine conversation driven by curiosity.
Chris has such an interesting background, and I walked away having learned so much. I think you’ll hear that throughout this episode.
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when two curious minds start exploring a topic without sticking to the script, this episode is for you.
I’d love to know what part of the conversation stood out to you the most after you’ve listened.

Following the recent Seven Spotlight interview with Josie Murray, public discussion surrounding the disappearance of four-year-old Gus Lamont has intensified. In this episode, we move beyond speculation and take a forensic approach to the known facts.
As a criminologist and forensic scientist, I examine the timeline, investigative challenges, search efforts, digital forensic considerations, and the competing theories that continue to surround Gus’s disappearance.

Together we explore:
• The timeline and why it remains the backbone of the investigation
• The difference between evidence, belief and speculation
• The forensic significance of search failures
• The abduction, wandering and concealment hypotheses
• The role of digital evidence in modern missing persons investigations
• Questions raised during Josie Murray’s Spotlight interview
• What investigators know, what we think we know, and what remains unknown

This episode is not about choosing sides.
It is about examining evidence, testing theories and understanding how forensic investigators approach complex missing child cases.
Because the goal is not to prove a theory, the goal is to find Gus.

Listener discretion is advised.
If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a review, follow Exhuming the Truth on social media, and support our ongoing advocacy for missing persons and victims’ families.
REFERENCES

SA Police updates on the disappearance of Gus Lamont and major crime investigation status
    The New Daily – Gus Lamont Major Crime Declaration⁠
ABC News coverage of search efforts and investigation updates
    ABC News – Police search for Gus Lamont explained⁠
ABC News update on ongoing investigation and lack of new evidence from searches
    ABC News – Gus Lamont search finds no new evidence⁠
ABC News six-month investigation update and timeline overview
    ABC News – Six months since Gus Lamont disappeared⁠
Seven Spotlight interview reporting Josie Murray’s statements regarding the investigation and timeline claims
    7NEWS Spotlight coverage – Josie Murray interview reporting⁠
Reporting on police position and Josie Murray’s response to being named a suspect
    AdelaideNow – Josie Murray named as suspect reporting⁠