Katherine Knight, Sarah Makin, Caroline Grills, Catherine Birnie, Helen Moore, and Rachel Pfitzner are among the most notorious female killers in Australian history. But what compels a woman to take a life, whether it’s someone close to her or, more rarely, a stranger?

Dr Xanthe Weston, a criminal psychologist, has long been driven by this very question. Drawing on years of research into cases like these, she joins us today to explore what she’s discovered - why women’s motives for killing often differ from men’s, and whether some perpetrators are inherently predisposed to violence, or shaped by circumstance.

LINKS

Listen to the Method & Motive podcast here. 

If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

GET IN TOUCH

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @truecrimeconversations

Want us to cover a case on the podcast? Email us at truecrime@mamamia.com.au or send us a voice note.

Make sure to leave us a rating and review on Apple & Spotify to let us know how you're liking the episodes. 

CREDITS 

Guest: Dr Xanthe Weston

Host: Gemma Bath 

Senior Producer: Tahli Blackman

Group Executive Producer: Ilaria Brophy

Audio Engineer: Jacob Round

Mamamia acknowledges the traditional owners of the land on which we have recorded this podcast.

Katherine Knight, Sarah Makin, Caroline Grills, Catherine Birnie, Helen Moore, and Rachel Pfitzner are among the most notorious female killers in Australian history. But what compels a woman to take a life, whether it&rsquo;s someone close to her or, more rarely, a stranger?
Dr Xanthe Weston, a criminal psychologist, has long been driven by this very question. Drawing on years of research into cases like these, she joins us today to explore what she&rsquo;s discovered - why women&rsquo;s motives for killing often differ from men&rsquo;s, and whether some perpetrators are inherently predisposed to violence, or shaped by circumstance.
LINKS
Listen to the Method &amp; Motive podcast <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/motive-method/id1676882162">here</a>.&nbsp;
If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on <a href="tel:1300 22 4636">1300 22 4636</a>.
GET IN TOUCH
Follow us on Instagram and TikTok&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/truecrimeconversations/?hl=en">@truecrimeconversations</a>
Want us to cover a case on the podcast? Email us at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:truecrime@mamamia.com.au">truecrime@mamamia.com.au</a>&nbsp;or <a href="https://help.mamamia.com.au/en-US/send-a-podcast-voice-note-467960">send us a voice note.</a>
Make sure to leave us a rating and review on Apple &amp; Spotify to let us know how you're liking the episodes.&nbsp;
CREDITS&nbsp;
Guest: Dr Xanthe Weston
<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0533976/"></a>Host: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemmabath/?originalSubdomain=au">Gemma Bath</a>&nbsp;
Senior Producer: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tahli-blackman-205a891b7/?originalSubdomain=au">Tahli Blackman</a>
Group Executive Producer: Ilaria Brophy
Audio Engineer: Jacob Round
Mamamia acknowledges the traditional owners of the land on which we have recorded this podcast.

True Crime Conversations explores the world's most notorious crimes by speaking to the people who know the most about them. Hosted by Gemma Bath.

True Crime Conversations explores the world's most notorious crimes by speaking to the people who know the most about them. Hosted by Gemma Bath.

True Crime Conversations

Inside The Minds Of Australia’s Worst Female Killers

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/3ea926be-9be7-482a-8ac3-a44f016e43d1/clips/4778b3d7-172a-4621-9b23-b41f00361a05/transcript