 

In this powerful and deeply informative episode of The Missing Matter, Sally sits down with forensic human identification specialist Dr. Jodie Ward, known by many as the matchmaker for the missing.

Jodie led the AFP’s National DNA Program for Unidentified and Missing Persons, a groundbreaking initiative that uncovered answers for families left waiting for decades. Together, Sally and Jodie unpack the extraordinary science behind identification: the realities of DNA testing, how bone samples are analyzed, why mitochondrial and Y-chromosome DNA matter, and how new SNP technology is reshaping what’s possible.

Jodie shares the behind-the-scenes story of how she fought for a national program, the international techniques she brought to Australia, and the 54 cases her team resolved, including long-term missing people who were never even reported missing.

A powerful conversation between two women working tirelessly to bring answers, dignity, and identity back to those who’ve been lost.

Check out Jodie's work here 

 https://forensichid.co/

 

&nbsp;
In this powerful and deeply informative episode of The Missing Matter, Sally sits down with forensic human identification specialist Dr. Jodie Ward, known&nbsp;by many as the matchmaker for the missing.
Jodie led the AFP&rsquo;s National DNA Program for Unidentified and Missing Persons, a groundbreaking initiative that uncovered answers for families left waiting for decades. Together, Sally and Jodie unpack the extraordinary science behind identification: the realities of DNA testing, how bone samples are analyzed, why mitochondrial and Y-chromosome DNA matter, and how new SNP technology is reshaping what&rsquo;s possible.
Jodie shares the behind-the-scenes story of how she fought for a national program, the international techniques she brought to Australia, and the 54 cases her team resolved, including long-term missing people who were never even reported missing.
A powerful conversation between two women working tirelessly to bring answers, dignity, and identity back to those who&rsquo;ve been lost.
Check out Jodie's work here&nbsp;
&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__forensichid.co_&amp;d=DwMGaQ&amp;c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&amp;r=Nki3aE5yDhIS3-0gK4PiTaUqx1wMnxRwcF2tFXezqgU&amp;m=VFc7ELQXlDVWByA15zzcysEM5FQHZgBk4ZtTCyvDgIs1Rg5g1Dod1Jk1hoGLpMHR&amp;s=rIHI0U1LMroE2is-M_p6ovxfhsDe5YkWPbjZab_A-gY&amp;e=">https://forensichid.co/</a>
&nbsp;

For more than 25 years, Sally Leydon has been waiting for answers about her missing mum, Marion Barter.

In Season 2, Sal steps beyond her own story to speak with other families enduring the same unthinkable reality—the ambiguous loss of a loved one who has vanished without explanation.

These are raw, intimate conversations about hope that refuses to die, grief that never finds closure, and the strength it takes to live in the in-between. 

If you know someone who is dealing with a missing person, and would like to share your story, contact Sally at info@themissingmatter.com

 

For more than 25 years, Sally Leydon has been waiting for answers about her missing mum, Marion Barter.
In Season 2, Sal steps beyond her own story to speak with other families enduring the same unthinkable reality&mdash;the ambiguous loss of a loved one who has vanished without explanation.
These are raw, intimate conversations about hope that refuses to die, grief that never finds closure, and the strength it takes to live in the in-between.&nbsp;
If you know someone who is dealing with a missing person, and would like to share your story, contact Sally at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:info@themissingmatter.com">info@themissingmatter.com</a>
&nbsp;

Just when you thought the story was over, the questions only deepen.  In The Missing Matter: The Next Chapter in the Search for Marion Barter, Sally Leydon and investigative partner Joni Condos team up to reopen the 1997 disappearance of award-winning teacher Marion Barter. Across a global retracing of Marion’s final steps, never-before-heard evidence and interviews with key insiders shed fresh light on cash-trail anomalies, legal briefs, and unanswered questions.

The Missing Matter

Just when you thought the story was over, the questions only deepen. 

In The Missing Matter: The Next Chapter in the Search for Marion Barter, Sally Leydon and investigative partner Joni Condos team up to reopen the 1997 disappearance of award-winning teacher Marion Barter. Across a global retracing of Marion’s final steps, never-before-heard evidence and interviews with key insiders shed fresh light on cash-trail anomalies, legal briefs, and unanswered questions. The ad-free first episode lands on Apple Podcasts on 12 May 2025, with the full series opening up to all listeners two weeks later.

Just when you thought the story was over, the questions only deepen.&nbsp;
In The Missing Matter: The Next Chapter in the Search for Marion Barter, Sally Leydon and investigative partner Joni Condos team up to reopen the 1997 disappearance of award-winning teacher Marion Barter. Across a global retracing of Marion&rsquo;s final steps, never-before-heard evidence and interviews with key insiders shed fresh light on cash-trail anomalies, legal briefs, and unanswered questions. The ad-free first episode lands on Apple Podcasts on 12 May 2025, with the full series opening up to all listeners two weeks later.

The DNA Matchmaker for the Missing : Dr Jodie Ward 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/68562910-857f-40e7-98c8-b3930025b6a3/transcript

In this episode, Sally speaks with Janette Hayden, whose 46-year-old son Scott vanished on 29 May 2025 near Taree, NSW. Scott’s behaviour had been shifting in the weeks before he disappeared—talking about God, training hard, eating clean, and struggling with his mental health. His family did what families do: they worried, they watched, and when things escalated, they went to police. More than once.

Days later, Scott’s bright gold car was found abandoned with his wallet, keys, shoes, food and belongings still inside — but no sign of Scott. It has now been more than 199 days.

Janette bravely walks us through the timeline: the changes in Scott’s behaviour, the alarming events of that night, the unanswered questions, the footprints found, the community efforts, and a police response that left the family feeling dismissed at the most critical moment.

This is the story of a much-loved son, brother and uncle — a man who matters deeply to everyone who knows him.

If you have information that may help find Scott Hayden, please contact Crime Stoppers or reach out privately via the Facebook page Can You Help Find Scott Hayden?

 

In this episode, Sally speaks with&nbsp;Janette Hayden, whose 46-year-old son Scott vanished on 29 May 2025 near Taree, NSW. Scott&rsquo;s behaviour had been shifting in the weeks before he disappeared&mdash;talking about God, training hard, eating clean, and struggling with his mental health. His family did what families do: they worried, they watched, and when things escalated, they went to police. More than once.
Days later, Scott&rsquo;s bright gold car was found abandoned with his wallet, keys, shoes, food and belongings still inside &mdash; but no sign of Scott. It has now been more than 199 days.
Janette bravely walks us through the timeline: the changes in Scott&rsquo;s behaviour, the alarming events of that night, the unanswered questions, the footprints found, the community efforts, and a police response that left the family feeling dismissed at the most critical moment.
This is the story of a much-loved son, brother and uncle &mdash; a man who matters deeply to everyone who knows him.
If you have information that may help find&nbsp;Scott Hayden, please contact Crime Stoppers or reach out privately via the Facebook page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/17WnFRaTAp/?mibextid=wwXIfr">Can You Help Find Scott Hayden?</a>
&nbsp;

Scott Matters... 199 days missing 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/4f8d0d4f-6fc4-4b21-8ae5-b3b00009154d/transcript

In this episode of The Missing Matter, Sally sits down with Aaron Clear’s sister, Cassandra, to uncover the story behind her brother’s disappearance. Aaron vanished in early 2020, leaving behind only fragments of a life and a family searching for answers.

Cassandra shares who Aaron was beyond the missing person posters  his childhood, his struggles, his dreams, and the moments that now carry the most weight. Together, they step through the final known timeline, the reporting delays, and the unanswered questions that still haunt the family today.

 

 

In this episode of The Missing Matter, Sally sits down with Aaron Clear&rsquo;s sister, Cassandra, to uncover the story behind her brother&rsquo;s disappearance. Aaron vanished in early 2020, leaving behind only fragments of a life and a family searching for answers.
Cassandra shares who Aaron was beyond the missing person posters&nbsp; his childhood, his struggles, his dreams, and the moments that now carry the most weight. Together, they step through the final known timeline, the reporting delays, and the unanswered questions that still haunt the family today.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Aaron Matters... 2093 days missing

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/ef9acdcc-a668-4ea0-b41e-b3aa00457107/transcript

In this episode of The Missing Matter, Sally sits down with her friend Chris D'Arcy, the lead behind Search Dog Sydney, the volunteer team called in when families have run out of options. Chris and his dogs work some of Australia’s most heartbreaking cases, from long-term missing searches to human remains detection, stepping in where systems have failed. 

Together, Sally and Chris revisit their own searches, expose the gaps that leave families searching alone, and reveal how these extraordinary dogs find answers that others miss. A raw, powerful look into the people and dogs  fighting to bring the missing home

In this episode of The Missing Matter, Sally sits down with her friend Chris D'Arcy, the lead behind Search Dog Sydney, the volunteer team called in when families have run out of options. Chris and his dogs work some of Australia&rsquo;s most heartbreaking cases, from long-term missing searches to human remains detection, stepping in where systems have failed.&nbsp;
Together, Sally and Chris revisit their own searches, expose the gaps that leave families searching alone, and reveal how these extraordinary dogs find answers that others miss. A raw, powerful look into the people and dogs&nbsp; fighting to bring the missing home

Search Dog Sydney - Chris D'Arcy

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/a2b522ce-9c9b-49bf-a891-b3a20012c200/transcript

The DNA Matchmaker for the Missing : Dr Jodie Ward

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