# The Vanishing of James "Crackers" HunterIn 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 relationshipsIf 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."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
--------
58:29
--------
58:29
Laura Richards - Marion Matters (Bonus)
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.
--------
54:26
--------
54:26
Patrick Matters... 500 days missing
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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
--------
49:51
--------
49:51
Dr. Sarah Wayland – Voices for the Missing
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.
--------
53:35
--------
53:35
Jesper Matters... 2977 Days Missing
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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Just when you thought the story was over, the questions only deepen.
In The Missing Matter: The Next Chapter in the Search for Marion Barter, Sally Leydon and investigative partner Joni Condos team up to reopen the 1997 disappearance of award-winning teacher Marion Barter. Across a global retracing of Marion’s final steps, never-before-heard evidence and interviews with key insiders shed fresh light on cash-trail anomalies, legal briefs, and unanswered questions. The ad-free first episode lands on Apple Podcasts on 12 May 2025, with the full series opening up to all listeners two weeks later.
España