In this special end-of-year episode,  Xanthe and Tim look back on Australia’s biggest and most unsettling cases of 2025. From the trial that gripped the nation, to some of the lesser publicised but equally disturbing cases, they unpack the investigations that shaped public conversation and debate. Plus, the cases we should keep watching as we head into 2026.

In this special end-of-year episode,&nbsp; Xanthe and Tim look back on Australia&rsquo;s biggest and most unsettling cases of 2025. From the trial that gripped the nation, to some of the lesser publicised but equally disturbing cases, they unpack the investigations that shaped public conversation and debate. Plus, the cases we should keep watching as we head into 2026.

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.

Motive &amp; 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.

Motive & Method

Motive & Method is an expert-led Australian true crime podcast. Join Dr Xanthe Weston 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.

Motive &amp; Method is an expert-led Australian true crime podcast. Join Dr Xanthe Weston and criminal psychologist Tim Watson-Munro as they unpack what really makes the offenders behind some of history&rsquo;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.

Year in Crime: Cases That Defined 2025

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. 
Follow us on Instagram@Motive&Method

Mysterious disappearances, unsolved deaths &amp; 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 &amp; Xanthe separate fact from speculation and explore the stories that continue to terrify locals and travellers alike.&nbsp;
<hr>
Watch our full video episodes on Youtube on the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCd4keIp9WCGccovBQGInKfw">Crime Central Australia </a>channel. Follow us on Instagram<a href="https://www.instagram.com/motiveandmethod/"> @Motive&amp;Method</a>

Is There A Byron Bay Serial Killer?

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/

A mother &amp; 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.&nbsp; 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 &amp; 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?
<a href="https://www.change.org/p/royal-commission-into-the-killing-of-australian-women-and-girls">Click here for the petition calling for Royal Commission into the Killing of Australian Women and Girls</a>
<hr>
1800RESPECT Call: 1800 737 732 Text: 0458 737 732 <a href="https://1800respect.org.au/">1800respect.org.au/</a> Lifeline Call: 13 11 14 Text: 0477 13 11 14 <a href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/">lifeline.org.au/</a>
MensLine Australia Call: 1300 78 99 78
Kids Helpline Call: 1800 55 1800 24/7 support via phone and <a href="https://kidshelpline.com.au/">kidshelpline.com.au/</a>

A Horrific Crime In Campbelltown:  Australia's DV Crisis

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'. 
Follow us on Instagram @Motive&Method

Crimes for clicks, shares and online status - In this episode, Tim and Xanthe unpack the&nbsp; dangerous new phenomenon &ldquo;crimefluencing&rdquo;. Australia&rsquo;s top cop recently highlighted this &ldquo;new and disturbing front in traditional gender-based violence&rdquo; - 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 <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCd4keIp9WCGccovBQGInKfw">'CRIME CENTRAL AUSTRALIA'</a>.&nbsp; Follow us on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/motiveandmethod/">@Motive&amp;Method</a>

Year in Crime: Cases That Defined 2025

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