NZ Fugitive Father: The Hunt For Tom Phillips & His Kids

From child thief to infamous bank robber to master conman, Carl Synnerdahl’s life became a Hollywood script. Carl's story is one of deception, charm and sheer audacity -  pulling one of the most brazen ruses Australia has seen, fooling doctors, guards and the courts into thinking he was blind. Tim got to know Carl while working as a psychologist inside Parramatta jail. This episode he shares his unique insight into the mind of a man who build his life on lies.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It looked like a tragic accident until detectives unravelled the truth of a gruesome plot - a murder by woodchipper. Three arrests were made, but the mastermind behind Bruce Saunders' death wasn’t even there. Sharon Graham had charmed and manipulated the men around her to kill for her. In this episode journalist Tara Cassidy -  host of the award-winning podcast ‘Crime in Focus: Killer Charm’ -  takes us inside this twisted case and the love quadrangle that turned deadly.And we ask the question; how does someone manipulate others to murder?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1987, Tim Watson-Munro was called in to assess one of Australia’s most notorious mass murderers - Julian Knight. He’d just opened fire in the middle of Melbourne's Hoddle Street, killing seven people and injuring 19 more. In this episode, Tim shares his rare and intimate insight into this case. Plus, the surprising message Knight gave Tim during a prison visit years later.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode, Tim and Xanthe dive into the world of 'catfishing' and explore a truly shocking catfish saga in the United States that’s been unravelled in a new Netflix documentary. When a teenage couple were viciously and relentlessly cyberbullied and tormented, suspicion spread through their school and chaos engulfed the small town. The FBI joined the hunt for the catfish, eventually uncovering the disturbing truth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The case of Tom Phillips gripped New Zealand and made headlines worldwide - after nearly four years hiding in the remote wilderness with his three children, his time on the run ended in a deadly shoot-out with police. How did he manage to stay hidden for so long, and what drove him to vanish from society in the first place? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A stunning conclusion of one of Australia’s most notorious trials -  Erin Patterson has been sentenced to 33 years non-parole. The sentencing itself was brief but packed with impact, leaving many shocked. Joining us are Penelope and Erin, hosts of the 'The Mushroom Trial: Say Grace' podcast, to unpack Justice Beale’s words, the courtroom reactions and what this sentence means for Patterson’s future.  Follow ‘The Mushroom Trial: Say Grace’ podcast here  Watch Revealed: 'Death Cap Murders' on Stan here See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What drives lone actors to carry out mass casualty attacks? And could understanding them be the key to preventing the next tragedy? This week, Forensic Psychologist Dr Nathan Brooks joins Tim & Xanthe to unpack the research in his new book -  ‘Mass Casualty: The Rise of Lone Actors’ - exposing surprising truths behind their motives and methods. From hidden warning signs to chilling case studies, he dissects what really sets these individuals apart.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the day this episode is released, the hunt is continuing for self-described sovereign citizen, Dezi Freeman, wanted over the shooting deaths of two police officers in Porepunkah. Tim and Xanthe are joined by one of the country's leading experts on radicalism and extremism - Dr Josh Roose - to unpack the rise of the sovereign citizen movement and the threat it poses in Australia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just months after a world-first AI clone gave a victim impact statement in court, another victim of crime has been re-created to answer questions from beyond the grave. With the use of artificial intelligence on the rise in our justice system, our courtrooms are entering unchartered territory. In this episode, Tim and Xanthe discuss how criminal and legal experts around the world are adapting to these changes. They ask; what is real, what is reliable and what is just?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When four young university students were found brutally stabbed to death in Idaho, with no clear motive and scarce leads, the case became one of the most talked about crimes in America and online. In this episode, Tim and Xanthe unpack the shocking University of Idaho murders, the history and motivations of the killer and the dangerous role social media played as the investigation unfolded.Nearly three years on, the killer has been sentenced and family and friends are speaking for the first time in a new documentary series ‘One Night In Idaho’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.