In the aftermath of the tragedy in Mosman Park, headlines moved quickly — using words like “monster,” “evil,” and “unthinkable.” But what happens when we stop at outrage?

In this episode of Exhuming the Truth, forensic scientist and criminologist Asha Walther examines the structure of murder-suicide through a research-based lens, exploring why the homicide and suicide cannot be separated, why language shapes policy, and why simplistic narratives may prevent us from understanding risk.

Drawing on established criminological and psychological research, this episode explores:

• The behavioural structure of murder-suicide

• The psychology of hopelessness and cognitive narrowing under chronic stress

• Caregiver burden and systemic strain

• The pressures surrounding Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme

• Why affluence does not equal immunity

• And why contextualising violence is not the same as excusing it

This is not an episode about justification.

It is an episode about prevention.

Because when we reduce complex human collapse to moral shorthand, we stop asking the questions that could protect future families.

Every child’s life holds equal weight.

Every postcode contains invisible stories.

And every word we use shapes what happens next.

Listener discretion advised.

References& Further Reading

(As discussed in this episode of Exhuming the Truth)

Arnsten, A. F. T. (2009). Stress signalling pathwaysthat impair prefrontal cortex structure and function. NatureReviews Neuroscience, 10(6), 410–422.https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn2648

Beck, A. T., Weissman, A., Lester, D., &Trexler, L. (1974). The measurement of pessimism: The Hopelessness Scale. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 42(6), 861–865. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0037562

Bronfenbrenner, U. (1979). TheEcology of Human Development: Experiments by Nature and Design. Harvard University Press.

Clement, S., Schauman, O., Graham, T., et al.(2015). What is the impact of mental health-related stigma on help-seeking? Asystematic review. Psychological Medicine, 45(1), 11–27. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291714000129

Joiner, T. (2005). Myths AboutSuicide. Harvard University Press.

(See also: Joiner, T. (2005). Interpersonal-PsychologicalTheory of Suicidal Behavior.)

Marzuk, P. M., Tardiff, K., & Hirsch, C. S.(1992). The epidemiology of murder-suicide. Journal ofthe American Medical Association (JAMA), 267(23),3179–3183. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.1992.03480230073031

McEwen, B. S. (1998). Protective and damagingeffects of stress mediators. New England Journal ofMedicine, 338(3), 171–179.https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM199801153380307

Resnick, P. J. (1969). Child murder by parents: Apsychiatric review of filicide. American Journal ofPsychiatry, 126(3), 325–334.

Schulz, R., & Sherwood, P. R. (2008). Physicaland mental health effects of family caregiving. AmericanJournal of Nursing, 108(9 Suppl), 23–27.

Wilson, M., Daly, M., & Daniele, A. (1995).Familicide: The killing of spouse and children. AggressiveBehavior, 21(4), 275–291.

NationalDisability Insurance Scheme

Official website: https://www.ndis.gov.au

NDIS Review (2023–2024):

https://www.ndisreview.gov.au

Australian Productivity Commission – NDIS Study Report(2017):

https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/completed/ndis-costs/report

LifelineAustralia

13 11 14

https://www.lifeline.org.au

BeyondBlue

1300 22 4636

https://www.beyondblue.org.au

SuicideCall Back Service

AustralianContext & Policy ResourcesNationalDisability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)Suicide& Mental Health Support (Australia)

In this episode, we are sharing an urgent appeal for information regarding the disappearance of Scott Colin Hayden, aged 46.

Scott was last seen on 30 May 2025 in Tibbuc, along Thunderbolts Way near Barring/Gloucester, NSW. At the time, he was wearing a white T-shirt and light-coloured shorts, and he may have been barefoot. Scott has distinctive tattoos, which are available to view in the reference images shared with this episode.

If you saw Scott on 30 or 31 May, or if you have CCTV or dashcam footage from the following areas, your information could be critical:

Bucketts Way

Thunderbolts Way

Dungog

Wauchope

Bulahdelah

Coffs Harbour and surrounding regions

If you have any information, no matter how small it may seem, please contact us or Crime Stoppers.

This appeal has been shared at the request of Scott’s family. Please consider sharing this episode to help widen the search and bring Scott home.

Forensic red flags, systemic failures, and the evidence that was never tested

In Part Two of our examination into the fatal police shooting of Luke Gilbert, we move beyond headlines and into the forensic and procedural foundations of the case and what happens when those foundations are missing.

Despite a coronial finding being handed down, critical evidence in Luke’s death was never independently tested, never fully disclosed, and in some instances, appears to have been altered or withheld entirely. From missing and edited CCTV footage, unresolved ballistic inconsistencies, and misclassified weapons, to allegations of conflicts of interest, unlawful autopsy consent, and failures by oversight bodies, this episode methodically examines the red flags that undermine confidence in the official findings.

This is not an episode driven by outrage or speculation. It is driven by evidence, forensic standards, and the legal obligations that apply when police use lethal force. Drawing directly from the coronial record, the concerns raised by Luke’s family, and accepted forensic and investigative principles, this episode asks one central question: can justice exist where transparency does not?

Luke’s case is not just about one man or one night; it is about the systems meant to protect truth and what happens when they fail.

Correction & Clarification

I want to acknowledge and correct an error made at the end of the most recent episode.

When responding to a listener question about Constable Bryce Collins, I incorrectly stated that he was present at the shooting. That was an error.

Constable Collins was not present at the shooting. As mentioned earlier in the episode, his involvement relates to looking Luke up and passing information on to a member of the public.

Accuracy matters deeply to me, especially when discussing cases that carry so much weight for families and the public. Thank you to those who respectfully flagged this, and I appreciate the continued care and accountability from this community.