The Missing Matter

In this episode, we sit down with renowned criminal psychologist Tim Watson-Munro to unravel the complexities of the Samantha Murphy case from Ballarat. Samantha's disappearance has puzzled law enforcement and the public alike, leaving more questions than answers. Through an in-depth conversation with Tim, we explore the psychological underpinnings of the case, examine the clues left behind, and discuss the impact on the community and the ongoing search for justice. Watson-Muro brings his expert analysis and unique insights, shedding new light on one of Australia's most perplexing cases. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A man has now been charged with the alleged murder of Samantha Murphy, but many questions about what happened on the morning she disappeared remain unanswered. In this episode, former Victorian Police detective Damien Marrett helps piece together what investigators may have known before the arrest, how phone and location data could have shaped the investigation, and what happens behind the scenes when police decide they have enough evidence to charge someone with murder. As the case moves towards court, we examine the evidence still missing from the public picture and why finding Samantha remains so important. The accused is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the investigation into Samantha Murphy’s disappearance intensified, police were not only searching the ground — they were also following a digital trail. Telecommunications expert Associate Professor Mark Gregory explains how mobile phones, smartwatches and tower data can help investigators map movements, identify devices in an area and look for unusual patterns. We examine how this kind of digital evidence may have helped police piece together crucial parts of the investigation. IMPORTANT NOTE: This episode was originally recorded and published during the early stages of the investigation and reflects information publicly available at that time. Since its original publication, criminal proceedings relating to Samantha Murphy’s disappearance have commenced. This episode has not been updated to discuss those proceedings and does not address the person currently before the courts, the evidence in those proceedings, or questions of guilt or innocence. Nothing in this episode should be interpreted as commenting on, prejudging or seeking to influence any current court proceedings. The accused is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty according to law. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the search for Samantha Murphy intensified, police canvassed the area while hundreds of volunteers joined the effort to find answers. Bush tracker Jake Cassar travelled to Ballarat to help search the surrounding terrain, bringing years of experience from other missing-person cases. He takes us inside the search, explaining the clues trackers look for, the challenges of the bushland and what caught his attention on the ground. IMPORTANT NOTE: This episode was originally recorded and published during the early stages of the investigation and reflects information publicly available at that time. Since its original publication, criminal proceedings relating to Samantha Murphy’s disappearance have commenced. This episode has not been updated to discuss those proceedings and does not address the person currently before the courts, the evidence in those proceedings, or questions of guilt or innocence. Nothing in this episode should be interpreted as commenting on, prejudging or seeking to influence any current court proceedings. The accused is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty according to law. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the morning of 4 February 2024, Ballarat mother Samantha Murphy left her home for a routine run and never returned. Originally recorded during the early stages of the investigation, this episode retraces Samantha’s last known movements and the massive search that followed. We speak with former Detective Inspector Greg Lamey about what happens in those crucial first 48 hours of a missing-person investigation, what police look for, and why seemingly insignificant information can become an important piece of the puzzle. What did investigators know in those early days and what were the missing pieces? IMPORTANT NOTE: This episode was originally recorded and published during the early stages of the investigation and reflects information publicly available at that time. Since its original publication, criminal proceedings relating to Samantha Murphy’s disappearance have commenced. This episode has not been updated to discuss those proceedings and does not address the person currently before the courts, the evidence in those proceedings, or questions of guilt or innocence. Nothing in this episode should be interpreted as commenting on, prejudging or seeking to influence any current court proceedings. The accused is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty according to law. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Years after “Bob” disappeared, his family were finally waiting for an answer. In this episode, we revisit the case, the courtroom, and the evidence that emerged along the way including claims involving a shooting, a mysterious vehicle, and other people whose names surfaced during the investigation. But as the case reaches a crucial moment, Bob’s family is left facing questions they never expected to still be asking. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the days before he disappeared, Dylan Dickiewas struggling. After being discharged from a mental health unit, he sent his father Damien a heartbreaking message that sounded like a final goodbye. The next day, Dylan vanished. His motorbike, helmet, gloves, and other belongings were later found scattered through dense bushland, but Dylan himself has never been found. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Damien remembers Dylan as his best mate, a funny, mischievous kid who grew up riding motorbikes, making people laugh and eventually working alongside his dad as a plasterer. But in the year before Dylan disappeared, Damien began to notice changes. Money was going missing, Dylan’s appearance was changing and drugs had entered his life. In this episode, Damien reflects on the son he knew, the warning signs he saw, and the questions he has carried ever since. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When 71-year-old Robert “Bob” Dickie suddenly stopped answering his phone, his son Damien drove to his remote property near Dubbo looking for answers. Bob was nowhere to be found. But a woman Damien didn’t know was at the property, claiming to be Bob’s wife and saying he had simply gone to a party. Robert has never been seen again. Note: A woman investigated in connection with Robert’s disappearance was acquitted in the NSW courts in November 2023. No allegation is made against her contrary to that decision. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Days after the inquest into Des Carr’s disappearance, a message arrives from a stranger named Robert. Robert says he knew Des in the Kimberley—and is adamant that sometime after Des vanished in 1979, he bumped into him on a Perth street. But when Robert called out his name, the man he believes was Des denied knowing him and claimed he had never even been to the Kimberley. Then another extraordinary story emerges. Years after Des disappeared, a member of his own family remembers seeing a man in a Perth pub who she was convinced was her missing uncle. Could Des have survived? Were both sightings simply cases of mistaken identity? Or does this completely change what we thought we knew about his disappearance? Police are now looking into Robert’s account. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For more than 40 years, Pam and her daughter Jodie have carried their own theory about what happened to Des Carr that he never simply wandered away, and that his disappearance may have involved foul play. They share memories of Des, the days after he vanished, and why they believe the answer could still lie somewhere along the remote roads of the Kimberley. Then, just as Jodie hopes someone might hear the podcast and finally break their silence, a message arrives. A man named Robert says he knew Des and claims he saw him again after he disappeared. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More than four decades after Des Carr vanished from a road roller in the remote WA outback, a coronial inquest finally examines what may have happened. A mysterious fire, new witness evidence, and an acknowledgement that police could have done more raise fresh questions and just when the family thinks the case is over, a confronting new theory emerges. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More than four decades after DeS disappeared without a trace, his family finally receives the news they have been waiting for: his case is being prepared for the coroner. As police revisit the evidence, new questions emerge. Could unidentified human remains found near Newman be connected to Des? Will family DNA finally provide an answer? And what should be made of a disturbing account buried in the police file — a claim that Des may have been murdered after intervening to protect a young girl? For a family that has spent more than 40 years living with uncertainty, there is finally movement. But with every new piece of information comes another question about what really happened to Desmond Carr. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Forty years after Des vanished, new information is still emerging. Peter Connolly has now made an official statement to police about seeing Des after he disappeared — and one detail about what Des was wearing raises fresh questions about whether unidentified remains found years later could really be his. Then come two potentially important identifying clues: Des had missing teeth and may also have had a metal plate in his jaw information that has now been passed to police. As old photographs, family records and memories continue to surface, the search for answers is gathering momentum and proving that even after four decades, a cold case can still move forward. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We have had many emails with theories about what happened to my Uncle Des. Some of them have been wild and would never make the podcast, some we followed up but went nowhere and then others we believe needed further exploring… this theory is one of them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I didn’t ever think I would open up my laptop again and start writing another episode about Des, who disappeared 40 years ago. After we released episode 5 I was not hopeful anyone would come forward with new information. That was until Tuesday night the 4th of September when my phone pinged just before going to bed….. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Forty years after Des disappeared without a trace on a remote outback road, the mystery takes an unexpected turn. For the first time, the host reveals the deeply personal connection behind the investigation—Des wasn't just another missing person. As childhood memories collide with decades of unanswered questions, a previously unknown lead emerges from police files: a witness who claimed to have seen Des alive after he vanished, and years later returned to the area where he believed he found one of Des's belongings. Why did it take more than 30 years for this witness to come forward? Why wasn't the family told? And could this overlooked lead finally explain what happened on that isolated stretch of highway in 1979? This episode explores the lifelong impact of having a loved one simply disappear, the hope that never truly fades, and the difficult reality of living without answers. It also uncovers fresh information that could reignite one of Western Australia's most enduring missing person cases. Sometimes the biggest discoveries don't come from finding new evidence. They come from asking questions no one realised still needed answering. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At 4:00pm on August 2, 1979, road worker Desmond "Des" Carr should have been waiting to be picked up at the end of his shift on a remote stretch of highway in Western Australia's Kimberley. Instead, his steamroller was left idling. His lunch was untouched. His water bottle remained. And Des was gone. No footprints. No body. No signs of a struggle. Despite an extensive search of one of Australia's harshest landscapes, investigators found nothing. Nearly 50 years later, his family are still searching for answers. Was Des suffering the effects of a serious head injury? Did he wander into the unforgiving outback? Did someone pick him up? Or did something far more sinister happen on that lonely stretch of road? In Episode One, we meet the country boy from York who grew into a hardworking road crew operator, explore the events leading up to his disappearance, and uncover the strange inconsistencies that have fuelled decades of unanswered questions. Some disappearances leave clues. This one left almost nothing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this final episode of the disappearance of Jorn Jensen, Belle visits a prominent physic medium and he reveal's what he believes happens. If you know anything that could help Belle and her family find closure please contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode Belle talks of her suspicions on what happened to her missing dad. The missing money, the DNA evidence. The CCTV of a car traveling to Lanclien and the mystery surrounding how her Dads car drove 1 hour and 17 minutes away when she believes he was unable to drive. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode we hear Belle reveal her suspicions around the case of her missing Dad. We also meet the police officer in charge and ask him if he believes there is anything more to this baffling mystery. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A blood stained kitchen, a missing car and the garage door left wide open is what confronted Belle when she went to check on her Dad. 24 hours later her Dad's car was found 1 hour and 17 minutes away, parked in a beachside pubs carpark See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John “Jesper” Jensen was a six-foot-three gentle giant a Danish-born father, grandfather, husband and much-loved mate who built a life in Western Australia after arriving from Denmark as a teenager. To his family, he was quiet, loyal, funny and deeply devoted. But in June 2017, Jesper opened his garage door, drove more than an hour from his Ocean Reef home to Lancelin, and vanished. His car was later found near the Lancelin Beach Hotel, but Jesper was gone. For his daughter Belle, the official explanations have never answered the questions that haunt her. There was blood. There were footprints. And there was a family left behind, fractured by grief and searching for the truth. In this episode, we begin Jesper’s story who he was, the life he built, the loss that changed everything, and the mystery that still surrounds what happened to him. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this final episode of the story of the two children that were abducted from Adelaide Oval in 1973, we hear from Suzie Ratcliffe about what she thinks happened to the girls, how she feels about the police operation over the past 53 years. If you think you can help with information on this case please contact crime stoppers on 1800 333 000. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

***Trigger warning, this episode contains strong and graphic detailed descriptions that may cause stress to some listeners.*** In this episode we hear the disturbing details of Mark Marshall about what he says happened to the girls and some of the depraved acts that were inflicted on him as a child. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Bear" Aka Robert Cameron the BIkie begins his search for answers on the disappearance of the little lost girls and find some very interesting information including a letter from a known pedophile. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Information comes forward around another possible person of interest in the case of the missing children but not from police, from a BIkie called Bear. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode we learn details of the moments after the abduction of Joanne and Kirste Gordon from Adelaide oval in 1973 It includes various witness accounts of a suspect that was seen leaving the oval with two children and police reports from around that time. it also includes evidence against the first person of interest in this case Arthur Brown. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joanne Ratcliffe (11)and Kirste Gordon(4) were two Australian girls who went missing while attending an Australian rules football match at the Adelaide Oval on 25 August 1973. In this first Episode we meet Suzie, Joanne's little sister and find out the circumstances around their disappearance 53 years ago. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2021 we spoke with Joanne' sister about her disappearance, in 2026 its been 53 years since both girls went missing at the Adelaide Oval. This short 6 part series explores the details of their disappearance and the theories around what happened to Joanne and Kirste. Ep 1 is out Monday 22nd June See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this new update about the case of missing mum Katie Oshea, who went missing in 2005. QLD government have put forward a $500,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of persons involved in her murder. If you can help, contact crimestoppers on 1800 333 000. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we talk to Danny O'Shea, who was just 16 when his mother vanished without a trace. He hasn't spoken to anyone over 20 years until now See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode we explore the second person of interest in the disappearance of Katie O'Shea. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode we explore two persons of interest in the disappearance of Katie O'Shea. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the lead up to Katie O'Shea's disappearance we explore the unanswered question and reveal a possible suspect. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When we first released this podcast in 2020, Kathleen “Katie” O’Shea’s family had already spent nearly 15 years searching for answers. Now, on the 20th anniversary of her disappearance and suspected murder, police and Katie’s daughter are again appealing to the public. Katie was last seen in Atherton on 29 December 2005 after travelling to Queensland to visit family. A coronial inquest later found she likely died soon after, in the Tablelands area. With a $500,000 reward now on offer, investigators believe someone still knows what happened. In this episode, we revisit Katie’s story, the unanswered questions, and the family’s ongoing fight for truth and justice. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When your 18 year old son goes missing and there are no clear answers after a long period of time, you resort to any means necessary to find out What happened to Zac Barnes? If you know anything about Zac Barnes’ disappearance, contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Zac's disappearance didn't just impact the family, it impacted those left behind in the community around them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Head back to that weekend in 2016 when Zac went missing plus we visit the location where he was last seen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2019, we told the story of Zac Barnes an 18-year-old from the Hunter Valley who vanished in November 2016 after getting out of a friend’s car on the way to Thornton train station and running into nearby bushland. At the time, Zac’s family were still searching for answers. His body had never been found. The questions around what happened that day and what may have happened afterwards remained unresolved. Now, almost a decade after Zac disappeared, a NSW coronial inquest has found that Zac is most likely deceased and that he died in suspicious circumstances. The coroner was unable to determine the exact manner, cause, or place of his death, but recommended the NSW unsolved homicide team take over the investigation. This new release revisits the story we first told in What Happened to Zac?, with the benefit of the coroner’s findings and the painful clarity they bring. It is a story about a young man who never came home, a family who refused to stop fighting for him, and a case that still demands answers. Zac’s mum said he “deserves justice and to be found” and that his family deserves answers. What Happened to Zac? is the story of a disappearance, a delayed search, years of uncertainty, and a family’s ongoing fight to find out what really happened to Zac Barnes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to a new podcast in this feed. It's called What Happened To... Each week we will share new stories of long-term missing Australian people. The idea is to bring awareness to these cases. To kick off, we are republishing some of the previous shows we have produced in support of the missing. In 2019, we told the story of Zac Barnes, an 18-year-old from the Hunter Valley who vanished in November 2016 after getting out of a friend’s car on the way to Thornton train station and running into nearby bushland. At the time, Zac’s family was still searching for answers. His body had never been found. The questions around what happened that day and what may have happened afterwards remained unresolved. Now, almost a decade after Zac disappeared, a NSW coronial inquest has found that Zac is most likely deceased and that he died in suspicious circumstances. The coroner was unable to determine the exact manner, cause, or place of his death but recommended the NSW unsolved homicide team take over the investigation. This re-release revisits the story we first told in What Happened to Zac? with the benefit of the coroner’s findings and the painful clarity they bring. It is a story about a young man who never came home, a family who refused to stop fighting for him, and a case that still demands answers. Zac’s mum said he “deserves justice and to be found" and that his family deserves answers. What Happened to Zac? It is the story of a disappearance, a delayed search, years of uncertainty, and a family’s ongoing fight to find out what really happened to Zac Barnes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.