Motive & Method

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.
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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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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'.
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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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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
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.