What drives a teenager to become a killer?

In 2001, three-year-old Courtney Morley-Clarke was put to bed on a hot summer night on the NSW Central Coast. By morning, her bed was empty, the screen door wide open, and her nightie lay on the ground.

Police soon discovered Courtney hadn’t wandered off, she was abducted and murdered by her 13-year-old neighbour, Australia’s youngest convicted killer. He confessed it was practice for more killings.

After serving 22 years in prison, he’s now back in the community. 

So, how can someone so young commit such a horrific act? Criminal psychologist Tim Watson-Munro joins us to explain.

Listen to the Motive & Method podcast here. 

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CREDITS 

Guest: Tim Watson-Munro

Host: Claire Murphy

Senior Producer: Tahli Blackman

Audio Producer: Jacob Round

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We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.