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)