Exhuming the Truth

Asha Walther

Exhuming the Truth is a True Crime podcast hosted by a forensic biologist, toxicologist, criminologist, and forensic investigations research student, Asha Walther. With several years of experience in cold case analysis, Asha explores cold cases, current cases, missing persons, no-body murders, sexual assaults, domestic violence-related crimes, and more while discussing old, current, and emerging forensic techniques that detail many crimes. You will hear from expert guests, victims of crime, and other special guests.   So, get comfortable while we open our next case file and attempt to Exhume the Truth.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    Where is Luke Hazelwood? Missing from Lancelin WA PART TWO

    Where is Luke Hazelwood? Part Two: Geography, What We Know, and What We Still Need In Part Two of our investigation into the disappearance of Luke Hazelwood, we move beyond the timeline and begin examining the geography surrounding the case. Location matters in missing persons investigations. Terrain, access points, transport routes, and environmental factors can all shape what may have happened and where someone might be. In this episode of Exhuming the Truth, we break down the landscape connected to Luke’s last known movements and discuss what the geography may reveal about possible scenarios. We explore what we know so far, what questions remain unanswered, and the critical information still needed to move this case forward. Using a forensic and investigative lens, we analyse the known facts, consider how geography influences search strategy, and discuss why community awareness and information sharing remain essential in cases like this. Someone, somewhere, may hold the missing piece.

    33 min

  2. 24 MAR

    Where is Theo Hayez? Missing Byron Bay Part Two

    The Digital Evidence In Part Two of our look into the disappearnce of Theo Hayez, we take a forensic deep dive into the digital trail he left behind. Theo vanished from Byron Bay in My 2019 after leaving the nightclub Cheeky Monkey's . What followed has been described as a questionable series of phone movements toward the remote headland of Cape Byron. But, when we look into the digital forensics, it paints a far more complicated picture of what actually happened that night. In this episode, we talk about Theo's Google Maps navigational data, the digital timeline from device activity, why the "lighthouse theory" and the "drowning theory" don't clock, what the coastal topography has to challenge about what authorities conclude and the digital indicators that suggest Theo may not have been alone. Was Theo Hayez really alone that night?

    29 min

  3. 17 MAR

    Where is Theo Hayez? Missing Byron Bay

    An 18 year-old backpacker from Belgium comes to Australia for an innocent trip after finishing school. He left Cheeky Monkey in Byron Bay, and his mobile phone recorded every step after that. In this episode of Exhuming the Truth, I break down the disappearance of Theo Hayez, but not just the timeline. I discuss what the digital evidence means, and what it doesn't. If you want a visual understanding of the route Theo Hayez took that night, join us inside Exhuming the Truth Sleuth Society on Facebook - free to access for everyone with a Facebook account.

    33 min

  4. 10 MAR

    Tribute for Rob Snyder

    Tribute to Rob Snyder | The Search, The Community, and the Truth In this special tribute episode of Exhuming the Truth, we honour the life of Rob Snyder and the extraordinary community effort that came together during the search for him. Searches like these are never simple. Behind every public update are countless hours of planning, coordination, and investigation carried out by volunteers, family, advocates, and authorities who refuse to give up on bringing answers home. In this episode, we reflect on the reality of what goes into a missing person search, analysing aerial imagery, reviewing ANPR camera data, exploring remote off-road tracks, documenting and reporting abandoned vehicles, and following up every lead that could bring investigators closer to the truth. We also acknowledge the people who showed up: the searchers, the supporters, the community members who shared information, and those working quietly behind the scenes. Rob was more than a case. He was a person who mattered deeply to many people. This episode is dedicated to his memory and to the commitment that no one who goes missing should ever be forgotten. Listener discretion is advised as this episode discusses missing persons investigations and the emotional realities surrounding them.

    33 min

  5. 3 MAR

    Where is Luke Hazelwood? Missing LANCELIN Wa

    Luke Hazelwood was a Father, a friend, and someone to many people. He was last known to be north of Perth in the coastal town of Lancelin, where he was last seen on the 24th of December, 2025. His ex-wife attempted to report him missing on the 26th of December, however, the reports were not taken seriously until some days into January. With the help of Luke's close friends, we analyse his final known movements, combined with the person Luke is to his loved ones to try to determine what went wrong for Luke. Help us find Luke Hazelwood

    32 min

  6. 24 FEB

    Where is Tristan Griffiths? Part Two

    Missing since January 22, 2025, from South Boulder, Kalgoorlie, Tristan Griffiths’ case has been marked by frustrating gaps from missing CCTV footage to delays in official responses. In Part Two, we break down the critical timeline, the investigative challenges, and the lengths Tristan’s family has gone to keep his story alive. This episode also explores a broader question: when justice is selective, delayed, or incomplete, can it truly be called justice? Join me as we follow the ongoing search for Tristan, highlight systemic issues in missing persons investigations, and examine why accountability matters, not just for one case, but for all.

    31 min

  7. 17 FEB

    Mosman Park Tragedy

    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)

    27 min

  8. 10 FEB

    Where is Scott Hayden?

    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.

    21 min
See All (51)

Ratings & Reviews

4.1
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Exhuming the Truth is a True Crime podcast hosted by a forensic biologist, toxicologist, criminologist, and forensic investigations research student, Asha Walther. With several years of experience in cold case analysis, Asha explores cold cases, current cases, missing persons, no-body murders, sexual assaults, domestic violence-related crimes, and more while discussing old, current, and emerging forensic techniques that detail many crimes. You will hear from expert guests, victims of crime, and other special guests.   So, get comfortable while we open our next case file and attempt to Exhume the Truth.

Information

  • Creator
    Asha Walther
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    51
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Asha Walther
  • Show Website
    Exhuming the Truth

You Might Also Like