When Thomas and Jennifer Ayers were found dead, the suspect was known from the start. But the investigation questioned motives and in the end, it was up to a judge to balance justice with mercy.

This case is *solved*

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Sources:

2026 Crimelines Podcast Source List

Transcript: https://app.podscribe.ai/series/3790

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Theme music by Scott Buckley https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/

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An interview with Dr. Jeffery Smalldon, author of “That Beast Was Not Me: One Forensic Psychologist, Five Decades of Conversations with Killers”

THAT BEAST WAS NOT ME documents five decades of conversations with murderers like John Wayne Gacy, Charles Manson, Ted Bundy, serial sniper Thomas Lee Dillon, and Donald Harvey-then thought to be the most prolific serial killer in American history. Through letters, prison visits, and interviews, Smalldon gives readers a terrifying look into the darkest recesses of the human psyche.

Get the book here

To learn more: https://jeffreysmalldon.com/

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For one time support:

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Links to all my socials and more:

https://linktr.ee/crimelines

Sources:

2026 Crimelines Podcast Source List

Transcript: https://app.podscribe.ai/series/3790

If an exact transcript is needed, please request at crimelinespodcast@gmail.com

Licensing and credits:

Theme music by Scott Buckley https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/

Cover Art by Lars Hacking from Rusty Hinges

Crimelines is a registered trademark of Crimelines LLC.

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Lucille Butterworth went missing in Tasmania in 1969, and Australians were shocked to learn decades later that someone confessed to her murder just 7 years after her disappearance. Confirmation bias, tunnel vision, and poor police procedures so damaged this case that even a confession was not enough to close it.

This case is *unsolved*

If you know anything about the disappearance of Lucille Butterworth, you can contact the Tasmania Police at 131 444 or Crime Stoppers at 1 800 333 000.

Support the show!

Get the exclusive show Beyond the Files plus Crimelines episodes ad free on

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For one time support:

https://www.basementfortproductions.com/support

Links to all my socials and more:

https://linktr.ee/crimelines

Sources:

2026 Crimelines Podcast Source List

Transcript: https://app.podscribe.ai/series/3790

If an exact transcript is needed, please request at crimelinespodcast@gmail.com

Licensing and credits:

Theme music by Scott Buckley https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/

Cover Art by Lars Hacking from Rusty Hinges

Crimelines is a registered trademark of Crimelines LLC.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.