The Missing Matter

More than 50 years after Joanne Ratcliffe and Kirste Gordon vanished from Adelaide Oval, journalist Bryan Littlely is still chasing their story not for headlines, but for a promise he made. After decades in newsrooms, Bryan left behind the daily grind to follow one of South Australia’s darkest mysteries. Now, with a small team of volunteers and the girls’ sister, Suzie Ratcliffe, he digs through red dust, old police files, and decades of silence in search of answers the system couldn’t or wouldn’t find. What began as an investigation has become something deeper: a personal mission to honor the missing, challenge authority, and give voice to those long ignored. This is a story about truth, trust, and the people who refuse to let hope fade.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In December 2005, 45-year-old Kathleen “Katie” O’Shea travelled from Melbourne to North Queensland to meet her first grandchild. She never arrived. Nearly twenty years later, Katie’s daughter Lily shares the story of her mother’s disappearance — a journey marked by unanswered questions, lost opportunities, and a family’s enduring hope for justice. This episode of The Missing Matter unpacks the investigation, the inquest, and the pain of living without answers in one of Australia’s most haunting missing person cases. If you know someone who is dealing with a missing person, and would like to share your story, contact Sally at [email protected] omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  On June 17th, 1985, William “Billy” Steffen vanished from North Hobart, Tasmania, leaving behind two young children, a tent burned on the beach, and decades of unanswered questions. Forty years on, his daughter Susie shares her memories, grief, and determination to uncover what really happened to her dad. From lost police records to missed DNA matches, this episode exposes the deep cracks in Australia’s missing persons system and the enduring love of a family who refuse to forget. If you know someone who is dealing with a missing person, and would like to share your story, contact Sally at [email protected] omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sally Leydon sits down with families still searching for their loved ones, stories that have faded from headlines but never from their hearts. In this episode, Sally speaks with Amelia Grozdanovski, whose mother, Lorrin Jane Whitehead vanished from Bannockburn, Victoria, in 2013. Together they revisit that day, the unanswered questions, and the emotional toll of living without answers. It’s a raw and compassionate look at Australia’s missing, the families who keep searching, and the fight to be heard.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In March 2015, Ray and Jennie Kehlet vanished on a prospecting trip in remote WA. Days later, Ray’s body was found at the bottom of a mine shaft. Jennie has never been found. A coronial inquest ruled Ray was murdered, but no one has been charged. The only survivor has changed his story multiple times. This podcast unravels nine years of evidence, missed opportunities, and unanswered questions in the search for justice for Ray and Jennie. If you know someone who is dealing with a missing person, and would like to share your story, contact Sally at [email protected]  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

# The Vanishing of James "Crackers" Hunter In the vast landscapes of rural New South Wales, a man known for his charismatic presence and unpredictable nature simply disappeared. James "Crackers" Hunter was last seen at a Dubbo pharmacy on February 28, 2020 - over 2,000 days ago. His blue Toyota Hilux was found abandoned on a rural property two years later, but James himself has vanished without a trace. For his former partner Marie Farrell, the years since have been consumed by an unrelenting search for answers. The podcast takes us deep into the complex reality of ambiguous loss - the torment of not knowing whether someone is alive or dead. Marie shares intimate details about James's transient lifestyle, his ability to connect with people from all walks of life, and the deep bond they maintained even after their relationship ended. As she navigates the frustrating landscape of police investigations, media misrepresentations, and personal grief, Marie reveals the devastating impact of living in limbo. ## Timestamps and Key Takeaways:- 05:30 - James's last known whereabouts and the timeline of his disappearance- 14:20 - The discovery of James's vehicle and questions surrounding its return to the property- 22:45 - Marie's organization of high-tech drone searches covering 1,700 hectares- 35:10 - The revelation that police considered the case a potential homicide by April 2022- 43:20 - James's intelligent, adaptable nature and his ability to connect with people across social boundaries- 51:30 - The impact of ambiguous loss on Marie's mental health and family relationships If you have any information about James Hunter's disappearance, please contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or the Dubbo Police Station. Even the smallest detail could be the missing piece that brings closure to those who love him. As Marie reminds us, "He doesn't deserve to be an unknown person... he matters because he's important." If you know someone who is dealing with a missing person, and would like to share your story, contact Sally at [email protected]    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this bonus episode of The Missing Matter, crime analyst Laura Richards joins Sally and Joni from Los Angeles to discuss the case of Sal’s mum, Marion, and their recent overseas trip.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Patrick Liedke was 39 when he vanished from Tweed Heads in April 2024 a gentle, artistic soul loved by his family, with paintings on hospital walls and a life shaped by neurodiversity and complex health needs. In the days after a hospital discharge, sightings placed him around Cobaki, Piggabeen and into Currumbin Valley. Then… nothing. This episode follows Patrick’s sister, Nicole, as she turns grief into an unrelenting search — combing ridgelines and creek beds with volunteers, dogs, thermal drones, even paragliders — while wrestling with the what-ifs: delays, borders, systems that didn’t move fast enough. The official multi-agency search stopped on May 1, 2024; Nicole never did.  If you live near Tweed Heads, Piggabeen or Currumbin Valley, please stay alert. Report any information to Tweed Heads Police or Crime Stoppers, and follow Find Patrick Liedke on Facebook for updates and ways to help. For Nicole, every share, every set of eyes on a track, is a step closer to home. If you know someone who is dealing with a missing person, and would like to share your story, contact Sally at [email protected]  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Sarah Wayland is a social work professor and leading researcher who has spent decades working with families of missing people. From frontline support to shaping national conversations on ambiguous loss and trauma, she brings unique insight into what it means to live in the “missing” space and why these stories matter  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Sunday, 25th June 2017, Jorn Jesper Jensen, known to all as Jesper, vanished without a trace. A devoted father and grandfather, Jesper’s sudden disappearance shocked his family and community. In this episode, we go back to the day it happened, retracing Jesper’s last known movements, the first signs that something was wrong, and the search that began to find him. More than 2,900 days later, the questions remain: what happened to Jesper, and why has he never been found? In this episode Sally chats with Belle, one of his daughters, to ask why Jesper matters. If you want to listen to Belle's full podcast about her Dad's disappearance, search Dad's Gone on your favourite podcast app. You can sign the petition for justice for jesper here If you know someone who is dealing with a missing person, and would like to share your story, contact Sally at [email protected]  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Easter Sunday 2008, engineer and devoted dad Warren Meyer set out for a short, well-planned hike at Dom Dom Saddle. He never came home. In this episode, Warren’s wife Zee shares who he was, the day he vanished, and the search that followed. We examine early assumptions that shaped the investigation, the long path through the coroner’s process, and the quiet battles families face when someone goes missing.  If you have a story about ambiguous loss and would like to share your story with Sally Leydon please email here  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this new season Sally Leydon wants to help others who are dealing with ambiguous loss due to a missing loved one. In this episode Jason Sallese tells the story of hsi Dad Nicola who was last seen in November 2008. If you want to contact sally to have an episode feature your missing loved one, contact her here The Missing Matter If you want to listen to know more or help Jason you cna visit him at  Help Find Nicola Sallese Facebook pageSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this new season Sally Leydon wants to help others who are dealing with ambiguous loss due to a missing loved one. In this episode Jay Walkerden tells the story of his uncle Des Carr, who went missing in 1979 and has never been seen since.  If you want to contact sally to have an episode feature your missing loved one, contact her here The Missing Matter If you want to listen to the full podcast series on Des Carr's disappearance, search The Disappearance of Des in your preferred podcast app. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.    Episode 1 for Season 2 is out Monday, August 18th.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  Sally and Joni hit the road to northern New South Wales, knocking on doors, and coming face to face with people who just might hold missing pieces of the puzzle. Along the way, Sally unveils the next chapter for The Missing Matter — an ambitious new direction that will open up the podcast to other families of the missing, giving their stories a voice and their loved ones a platform.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this final episode of this series, Sally and Joni follow a curious lead about a passport found in Tasmania that belonged to the former owner of a house Rick Blum lived in and they journey to Rye, Tonbridge Wells and Burwash  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sally and Joni arrive in Lille, France, hoping to uncover long-buried records. But instead of answers, they find closed police stations, sealed archives, and endless red tape. Could one small detail still hold the key?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this bonus episode, Sally interviews Gary Jubelin, one of Australia's most respected detectives, about her mother's unsolved disappearance. They discuss the importance of connecting key people and events in her mother's final days. Sally also asks Gary for his take on the coroner's findings, tendencies in Rick Blum's behavior, and whether police should dig deeper into his past.  Don't miss out on these fascinating insights and advice from one of Australia's top detectives. Listen to the full episode now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Luxembourg, Sally and Joni set out to meet Monique Cornelius — a key witness in Marion Barter’s case — but instead stumble on a detail that stops them in their tracks:  As they trace old addresses, explore Luxembourg’s hidden banking secrets, and speak with locals in quiet villages, more strange coincidences emerge. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sally and Joni head to Brussels on a mission to follow one of the strangest leads in the case: a mysterious coin cabinet inside Belgium’s Royal Library. As they dig through archives, flea markets, and fragile connections to Rick Blum’s past, they begin to uncover more about his aliases, his dealings, and possible links to stolen coins and foreign bank accounts. But a visit with one of his former victims — and a quiet moment of compassion — reminds them why they’re really here.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Missing Matter, Sally and Joni arrive in Amsterdam, following in Marion’s footsteps through rain-soaked streets, smoky hotel rooms, and winding tram rides. With one of them unexpectedly sidelined, the other takes on the city solo—navigating hidden corners, historic museums, and cryptic conversations in search of answers. What unfolds is a mix of emotion, determination, and discovery in a city that holds more than just memories.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After leaving Japan with even more questions, Sal and Joni land in London.Their first stop is the British Library, and then it's off to the Sphinx to try to place Marion—and possibly Rick Blum—in the same location back in 1997. To find out more about Sally's search for her mum and the high tea, please head to https://themissingmatter.com/  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the last notes Sally received from her mum was written on hotel notepaper from a room at the Hotel Nikko Narita in Japan. In this episode, Sally and Joni travel there to uncover answers: did her mum ever stay at this hotel? Did she get married here? And what immigration records might finally unlock the secret of Marion’s disappearance?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Sally and the team join Search Dogs Sydney at two different locations in New South Wales, following up on leads that have emerged over the past few years. You can help Search Dogs Sydney continue their incredible work for people like Sally—who are living with the pain of ambiguous loss—by visiting https://searchdogssydney.org/ and making a donation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Sal and Joni share the frustration of trying to move forward after the coronial verdict. For every step ahead, they’re pushed two steps back. Tune in to hear about the red tape, the blunders, the nightmares, the lack of empathy—and, finally, the breakthrough.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before you listen to the first episode of The Missing Matter, hear how the story has unfolded. In this bonus episode you can catch up on the story of missing person Marion Barter and her daughter Sally's decades-long journey to find out what happened to her mum, who disappeared in 1997. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On 29 February 2024, the coroner delivered her findings into the disappearance of Marion Barter, Sally’s mum. After almost 27 years, Sally was left with more questions than answers—questions she was determined to resolve. In this episode, hear what unfolded in the aftermath of the inquest and discover what comes next.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just when you thought the story was over, the questions only deepen. Hosted by Sally Leydon - Marion’s daughter and the voice you know from The Lady Vanishes - The Missing Matter picks up the trail after the March 2024 coronial findings. With over 22 million downloads behind it, this fan-funded follow-up launches on its own new feed, ready to chart a fresh journey into the unknown. Join Sally and her investigative team as they: Revisit key locations from Australia to Europe, chasing every lead Deploy scent-tracking dogs in the hunt for Marion’s final resting place Travel worldwide—from Japan and London to Amsterdam, Brussels, Luxembourg and Lille Reflect on the coronial findings, the excitement of live events, and the planning stages of an epic research trip Subscribe now at Apple Podcast subscription for the show early and ad free from Monday May 12th.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.