The criminal investigation

Days 8-10:

As Cleo’s disappearance stretches past a week, police and forensics search around the Smith family house.

But they have one message - Ellie and Jake are not suspects.

We’ve seen police make these searches in other missing persons cases - including William Tyrrell, Daniel Morcombe and in the Claremont Serial Killings, and as this episode’s guest Criminologist Dr Xanthé Mallett explains, police always examine the family and those closest to them - to rule them out.

As Ellie and Jake entered their second week without their little girl and Carnarvon reeled over her disappearance, the case of Cleo Smith brought back memories of the heartache in another small town, 1000 kilometres away, 40 years ago.

Mick Murray is a stalwart in the small South West Town of Collie. He served at MP for Collie-Preston and has lived there all his life. He shares how the town dealt with the disappearance of schoolgirl Lisa Mott, who vanished 40 years ago and has never been found.

Even though 40 years have passed, the town of Carnarvon reacted in a similar way to that of Collie - with a community united in support of the family, which eventually turned to suspicion when it was realised a criminal investigation was underway.

The West Australian reporter Brianna Dugan recounts the tension she witnessed while in Carnarvon covering the story.

In this episode, get an insight behind the scenes of a police investigation and an insight into what happens to a town when tragedy strikes.

Join host Natalie Bonjolo, and guests Kristin Shorten, Brianna Dugan, Mick Murray and Dr Xanthé Mallett and they take you though days 8-10 in the search for Cleo Smith.

For more on Cleo Smith head to thewest.com.au and perthnow.com.au

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