1 00:00:05,921 --> 00:00:07,281 Speaker 1: Approche production. 2 00:00:12,121 --> 00:00:14,721 Speaker 2: Almost a year ago. One of our producers and I 3 00:00:14,801 --> 00:00:17,561 Speaker 2: were able to look through Eden's social media, which Ason 4 00:00:17,601 --> 00:00:20,040 Speaker 2: and Amanda's permission. We brought you some of that in 5 00:00:20,081 --> 00:00:23,321 Speaker 2: episode thirteen of season one. We were able to look 6 00:00:23,361 --> 00:00:26,320 Speaker 2: through any messages she was sending and also who was 7 00:00:26,361 --> 00:00:29,881 Speaker 2: sending messages to her. She had Snapchat, Instagram, but it 8 00:00:29,961 --> 00:00:35,201 Speaker 2: seemed she used Facebook Messenger frequently. It's now nineteen episodes later, 9 00:00:35,321 --> 00:00:38,320 Speaker 2: and something I just couldn't shake. That boy she was 10 00:00:38,361 --> 00:00:43,241 Speaker 2: talking to just before she died. We know this boy 11 00:00:43,361 --> 00:00:45,561 Speaker 2: was sixteen at the time, and we know his name. 12 00:00:45,921 --> 00:00:48,161 Speaker 2: Last year. We reached out to him back in October, 13 00:00:48,281 --> 00:00:51,440 Speaker 2: but we didn't hear back. There was this little feeling 14 00:00:51,480 --> 00:00:54,041 Speaker 2: for me that talking to this boy might actually help 15 00:00:54,121 --> 00:00:57,481 Speaker 2: us find out Eden's state of mind. Back in February 16 00:00:57,481 --> 00:01:01,081 Speaker 2: twenty fifteen, before police say she took her own life, 17 00:01:04,001 --> 00:01:06,201 Speaker 2: we did a skip trace so this boy. What that 18 00:01:06,281 --> 00:01:08,921 Speaker 2: means is we used our resources to find out anything 19 00:01:08,921 --> 00:01:11,521 Speaker 2: we could about him. Here's what we know so far. 20 00:01:12,401 --> 00:01:15,440 Speaker 2: Eden and him had never met in person, although in 21 00:01:15,481 --> 00:01:18,360 Speaker 2: the text messages on Facebook they were sharing they were 22 00:01:18,360 --> 00:01:21,681 Speaker 2: planning to. He was about sixteen at the time. He 23 00:01:21,681 --> 00:01:25,720 Speaker 2: would now be around twenty five or twenty six. He 24 00:01:25,761 --> 00:01:29,360 Speaker 2: lived in Tasmania and he still does. In the last 25 00:01:29,360 --> 00:01:31,881 Speaker 2: ten years, he's had a business, but it doesn't seem 26 00:01:31,881 --> 00:01:36,200 Speaker 2: to exist anymore. He also has a shop selling Prelove 27 00:01:36,241 --> 00:01:43,801 Speaker 2: sneakers and high end brands. And for all of this 28 00:01:43,920 --> 00:01:47,441 Speaker 2: research we found a mobile phone number for him. We 29 00:01:47,481 --> 00:01:59,961 Speaker 2: call his mobile and no answer. We send him a 30 00:02:00,001 --> 00:02:09,081 Speaker 2: few texts, so then we thought we'd try and buy 31 00:02:09,121 --> 00:02:11,761 Speaker 2: some of his shoes and maybe then we can just 32 00:02:11,801 --> 00:02:13,400 Speaker 2: try to start a conversation. 33 00:02:15,721 --> 00:02:15,881 Speaker 1: Now. 34 00:02:15,921 --> 00:02:18,321 Speaker 2: To be clear, we don't think this boy had anything 35 00:02:18,361 --> 00:02:20,481 Speaker 2: to do with Eden's death. What we do know is 36 00:02:20,481 --> 00:02:22,721 Speaker 2: that he was one of the last people to text 37 00:02:22,881 --> 00:02:28,161 Speaker 2: Eden across those last few days. From a chat with him, 38 00:02:28,161 --> 00:02:30,361 Speaker 2: we were hoping to get a sense of Eden's state 39 00:02:30,401 --> 00:02:32,681 Speaker 2: of mind the night she left the shed and then 40 00:02:32,761 --> 00:02:37,641 Speaker 2: hours later was found dead. We sent our message trying 41 00:02:37,641 --> 00:02:40,361 Speaker 2: to buy these shoes at eleven o nine on Thursday, 42 00:02:40,401 --> 00:02:43,560 Speaker 2: September five. He's got five stars and he's been active 43 00:02:43,601 --> 00:02:45,840 Speaker 2: this week from what we can tell. While we wait 44 00:02:45,881 --> 00:02:48,561 Speaker 2: for his response, which we still haven't got, let me 45 00:02:48,601 --> 00:02:53,560 Speaker 2: go through the timeline of his connection with Eden. Eden 46 00:02:53,641 --> 00:02:57,761 Speaker 2: and this boy first connected on January twenty two, twenty fifteen. 47 00:02:58,401 --> 00:03:00,840 Speaker 2: It started with him reaching out to her at ten 48 00:03:01,001 --> 00:03:07,041 Speaker 2: forty three am with a simple message. 49 00:03:05,561 --> 00:03:11,121 Speaker 1: Hey, hello, how are you pretty good? And you yeah? 50 00:03:11,161 --> 00:03:12,001 Speaker 1: Good but tired? 51 00:03:12,481 --> 00:03:12,921 Speaker 3: Oh yes? 52 00:03:12,960 --> 00:03:16,240 Speaker 1: And why is that always tired? Haha? Can never sleep? 53 00:03:16,601 --> 00:03:17,960 Speaker 3: I have that same problem. 54 00:03:18,561 --> 00:03:22,001 Speaker 1: Yeah, it sucks. Sad face emoji kiss. 55 00:03:22,960 --> 00:03:26,161 Speaker 2: It all seems pretty innocent. Later that night, at about 56 00:03:26,201 --> 00:03:29,161 Speaker 2: ten pm, he asks Eden to snap him on the 57 00:03:29,201 --> 00:03:33,841 Speaker 2: social media site Snapchat. She doesn't, She says she falls 58 00:03:33,881 --> 00:03:36,481 Speaker 2: asleep after having to wake up early the next day 59 00:03:36,601 --> 00:03:39,561 Speaker 2: to work at five point thirty. It's school holidays, so 60 00:03:39,801 --> 00:03:44,041 Speaker 2: Eden was still working at the local bakery Banjos. Eden 61 00:03:44,081 --> 00:03:46,841 Speaker 2: agrees maybe to snapchat later that night. 62 00:03:47,841 --> 00:03:52,321 Speaker 3: Sorry, fell asleep, had work at five thirty. Maybe later tonight. 63 00:03:52,801 --> 00:03:55,201 Speaker 1: Yeah, okay, I'm going out for dinner, so maybe around 64 00:03:55,241 --> 00:03:56,281 Speaker 1: eleven pm for you. 65 00:03:56,561 --> 00:03:59,001 Speaker 3: Oh yeah, I might send you some while you're at dinner. 66 00:03:59,241 --> 00:04:02,681 Speaker 1: Yeah, that'll be entertaining, winky face. Just let me know 67 00:04:02,721 --> 00:04:04,721 Speaker 1: when you are going to send some, if you will, 68 00:04:04,881 --> 00:04:05,721 Speaker 1: you don't have to. 69 00:04:06,161 --> 00:04:08,601 Speaker 3: Oh yeah, okay, I will think about it. 70 00:04:08,881 --> 00:04:11,401 Speaker 1: Watch it up to today work. 71 00:04:11,961 --> 00:04:14,121 Speaker 3: I am on my break. How about you? 72 00:04:14,881 --> 00:04:17,601 Speaker 1: Where do you work? Just chilling. It's raining here, so 73 00:04:17,681 --> 00:04:18,641 Speaker 1: I don't know yet. 74 00:04:18,961 --> 00:04:20,761 Speaker 3: The shitthold they call Banju's. 75 00:04:21,801 --> 00:04:24,041 Speaker 1: Oh haha, I've finally got time off. 76 00:04:25,241 --> 00:04:28,200 Speaker 2: You can tell those two voices are not Eden's or 77 00:04:28,320 --> 00:04:31,960 Speaker 2: this boys. We've used AI to help regenerate some of 78 00:04:32,001 --> 00:04:34,681 Speaker 2: the text that we're reading. As I look through the messages, 79 00:04:34,721 --> 00:04:38,241 Speaker 2: it's obvious that Eden doesn't really reply to messages after 80 00:04:38,281 --> 00:04:40,481 Speaker 2: eight pm. It's probably about the time that she has 81 00:04:40,521 --> 00:04:42,961 Speaker 2: to hand over a phone as per the family agreement. 82 00:04:43,361 --> 00:04:45,641 Speaker 2: It seems from the messages on the twenty second of 83 00:04:45,721 --> 00:04:49,561 Speaker 2: January twenty fifteen, that this boy keeps asking Eden to 84 00:04:49,601 --> 00:04:53,640 Speaker 2: snap him and she doesn't. He asks multiple times each 85 00:04:53,761 --> 00:04:56,721 Speaker 2: day over the next four days, and then says that 86 00:04:56,801 --> 00:05:01,681 Speaker 2: his snapchat doesn't work anymore anyway. Eden doesn't answer any 87 00:05:01,721 --> 00:05:04,761 Speaker 2: of these messages until the first of February. 88 00:05:05,161 --> 00:05:08,241 Speaker 3: Hey, sorry, I haven't been talking. Been working a bit 89 00:05:08,281 --> 00:05:09,041 Speaker 3: more than usual. 90 00:05:09,801 --> 00:05:15,961 Speaker 1: How have you been that's okay? How are you good? 91 00:05:16,161 --> 00:05:19,081 Speaker 1: How are you tired? As eb? Haha? 92 00:05:20,161 --> 00:05:22,361 Speaker 3: Oh yeah same? Are you still in Brisbane? 93 00:05:23,481 --> 00:05:24,281 Speaker 1: Yeah? Last day. 94 00:05:30,440 --> 00:05:33,400 Speaker 2: It seems this boy is traveling for school holidays. He 95 00:05:33,481 --> 00:05:36,201 Speaker 2: goes from Brisbane to Sydney and then back to Tasmania. 96 00:05:36,801 --> 00:05:39,880 Speaker 2: School starts on the Thursday, so he's heading back to 97 00:05:39,921 --> 00:05:42,841 Speaker 2: start school. At this stage it seems just like two 98 00:05:42,921 --> 00:05:47,320 Speaker 2: teenagers being friendly, but then it escalates quickly. On the 99 00:05:47,361 --> 00:05:50,801 Speaker 2: sixth of February twenty fifteen, seventeen. 100 00:05:51,401 --> 00:05:57,441 Speaker 3: Send nudes maybe when I get credit next Okay, sounds 101 00:05:57,481 --> 00:05:58,001 Speaker 3: like a plan. 102 00:05:58,201 --> 00:06:01,161 Speaker 1: How are you good working? Ha ha? How about you? 103 00:06:01,880 --> 00:06:04,161 Speaker 3: Same kiss. 104 00:06:06,641 --> 00:06:09,801 Speaker 2: From the look of the messages, Eden doesn't send any nudes. 105 00:06:10,041 --> 00:06:12,721 Speaker 2: They just keep chatting in messenger. On the fourteenth of 106 00:06:12,721 --> 00:06:16,961 Speaker 2: February Valentine's Day, he asks another question. 107 00:06:19,521 --> 00:06:25,840 Speaker 1: Do you have a Valentine? No? I don't, do you 108 00:06:25,880 --> 00:06:26,841 Speaker 1: no haha? 109 00:06:27,201 --> 00:06:29,681 Speaker 3: Just not loved enough woman shrugging. 110 00:06:29,320 --> 00:06:32,841 Speaker 1: Emoji, we are too good winky face, ha ha. 111 00:06:33,121 --> 00:06:35,241 Speaker 3: That's a good way to look at it. What have 112 00:06:35,361 --> 00:06:36,881 Speaker 3: you done for Valentine's Day? 113 00:06:36,961 --> 00:06:43,520 Speaker 1: He worked? Same ha ha ha, so exciting haha. Why 114 00:06:43,561 --> 00:06:45,961 Speaker 1: is Saint Helen's so far? Sad face? 115 00:06:46,361 --> 00:06:48,760 Speaker 3: I know it would be very good if you were here, 116 00:06:49,241 --> 00:06:50,681 Speaker 3: winky face with a kiss. 117 00:06:51,481 --> 00:06:54,400 Speaker 1: Are you a virgin? No? 118 00:06:54,801 --> 00:06:57,921 Speaker 3: Tongue out emoji? I had sex twice? 119 00:06:58,001 --> 00:06:58,361 Speaker 1: Are you? 120 00:06:58,841 --> 00:07:01,641 Speaker 2: There's a bit more explicit messaging here, with the boy 121 00:07:01,721 --> 00:07:04,921 Speaker 2: asking about Aiden's sexual experience and then they start to 122 00:07:05,241 --> 00:07:07,081 Speaker 2: about when they could possibly meet. 123 00:07:07,121 --> 00:07:08,841 Speaker 1: When I get my pea plates. 124 00:07:09,521 --> 00:07:12,201 Speaker 3: Oh yeah, we will have to make plans. When do 125 00:07:12,281 --> 00:07:13,361 Speaker 3: you get them? Kiss? 126 00:07:13,401 --> 00:07:14,161 Speaker 1: Like next year? 127 00:07:15,161 --> 00:07:18,441 Speaker 3: Oh that's a long time to wait, woman shrugging emoji. 128 00:07:19,121 --> 00:07:21,041 Speaker 1: I know right, I'll have to get a new phone 129 00:07:21,081 --> 00:07:25,361 Speaker 1: to snapchat you with. Yes, you will, do you trust 130 00:07:25,361 --> 00:07:26,361 Speaker 1: sending through Facebook? 131 00:07:26,561 --> 00:07:30,521 Speaker 3: Yeah? I will, only cause it's Valentine's Day and I 132 00:07:30,561 --> 00:07:33,600 Speaker 3: am a nice person. But you will have to wait 133 00:07:33,641 --> 00:07:34,641 Speaker 3: till I have a shower. 134 00:07:35,401 --> 00:07:38,201 Speaker 1: Yeah, I'll let you know when winky face with a. 135 00:07:38,281 --> 00:07:40,841 Speaker 3: Kiss sounds like a plan. It would be so much 136 00:07:40,881 --> 00:07:43,241 Speaker 3: easier if you were here. We could have a very 137 00:07:43,281 --> 00:07:45,881 Speaker 3: eventful time winky face. 138 00:07:46,441 --> 00:07:48,921 Speaker 1: Omg, I'd get a hotel room and we could have 139 00:07:48,961 --> 00:07:51,361 Speaker 1: probably the best Valentine's winky face. 140 00:07:52,201 --> 00:07:55,961 Speaker 2: The chat gets more and more explicit, and then a 141 00:07:56,001 --> 00:08:00,041 Speaker 2: photo of him fully clothed in front of the bathroom mirror. 142 00:08:01,441 --> 00:08:05,561 Speaker 1: Will you play if you want me to start full closed? 143 00:08:06,121 --> 00:08:08,521 Speaker 3: Okay, I will, but you will just have to wait 144 00:08:08,601 --> 00:08:09,121 Speaker 3: a little bit. 145 00:08:10,481 --> 00:08:11,801 Speaker 1: Okay, five minutes. 146 00:08:12,241 --> 00:08:16,241 Speaker 3: Yep, sounds good. Make me hard, I'll try my best. 147 00:08:21,001 --> 00:08:23,641 Speaker 2: The next three pages of messages between this boy and 148 00:08:23,801 --> 00:08:27,281 Speaker 2: Eden are all pretty much sexting. Again, I want to 149 00:08:27,281 --> 00:08:31,441 Speaker 2: reiterate there's nothing illegal about what's happening here. They're just 150 00:08:31,481 --> 00:08:35,241 Speaker 2: two teenagers chatting on social and we're not claiming this 151 00:08:35,281 --> 00:08:38,881 Speaker 2: boy has done anything wrong. His messages start at seven 152 00:08:39,001 --> 00:08:43,401 Speaker 2: twelve pm on Valentine's Day. It looks like they end 153 00:08:43,721 --> 00:08:45,361 Speaker 2: about forty minutes later. 154 00:08:45,641 --> 00:08:47,441 Speaker 1: I'm gonna send photos. 155 00:08:47,001 --> 00:08:49,961 Speaker 3: Okay, send them, send them here because I will run 156 00:08:49,961 --> 00:08:52,201 Speaker 3: out of credit zero four seven three. 157 00:08:52,601 --> 00:08:55,041 Speaker 1: Okay, do you want full nudes? Yeah? 158 00:08:55,241 --> 00:08:56,601 Speaker 3: Kiss, Kiss, Kiss. 159 00:08:58,401 --> 00:09:00,321 Speaker 1: I want you to text me a photo of you 160 00:09:00,401 --> 00:09:00,841 Speaker 1: as well. 161 00:09:03,561 --> 00:09:06,721 Speaker 2: The messages move to text, and of course we can't 162 00:09:06,761 --> 00:09:11,801 Speaker 2: see them because Eden's phone was cremated with Eden, so 163 00:09:11,881 --> 00:09:15,241 Speaker 2: without access to Eden's phone, they might still be on 164 00:09:15,361 --> 00:09:18,321 Speaker 2: this boy's phone, and that's why we're hoping to speak 165 00:09:18,361 --> 00:09:22,001 Speaker 2: to him to find out if the conversation continued after 166 00:09:22,081 --> 00:09:26,601 Speaker 2: this via text. We're hoping this boy, who is now 167 00:09:26,681 --> 00:09:29,241 Speaker 2: a man, will come back to us in one of 168 00:09:29,241 --> 00:09:31,161 Speaker 2: the ways we've tried to reach out to him. If 169 00:09:31,201 --> 00:09:33,841 Speaker 2: he's listening to this episode, then I want to personally 170 00:09:33,881 --> 00:09:35,801 Speaker 2: say that if you want to share your side of 171 00:09:35,801 --> 00:09:38,961 Speaker 2: the story, we can do it anonymously and without judgment. 172 00:09:39,121 --> 00:09:42,001 Speaker 2: It's really all about finding an answer to understand Eden's 173 00:09:42,081 --> 00:09:57,041 Speaker 2: last movements and contacts. While we forensically went through Eden's messenger, 174 00:09:57,801 --> 00:10:00,081 Speaker 2: there was more that we probably missed when we first 175 00:10:00,081 --> 00:10:03,401 Speaker 2: looked through our socials about a year ago. After Eden's death, 176 00:10:03,601 --> 00:10:06,321 Speaker 2: a lot of her friends sent messages, not because they 177 00:10:06,321 --> 00:10:09,081 Speaker 2: thought that you would read them, but more to share 178 00:10:09,161 --> 00:10:12,761 Speaker 2: their own heartache. You have to remember these are fifteen 179 00:10:12,761 --> 00:10:16,121 Speaker 2: and sixteen year old young adults who are navigating their 180 00:10:16,161 --> 00:10:21,401 Speaker 2: own struggles. Here's a few excerpts from inside Eden's messenger. 181 00:10:21,641 --> 00:10:24,601 Speaker 2: We've taken out any names and identifying features and used 182 00:10:24,641 --> 00:10:26,401 Speaker 2: AI to read some of the comments. 183 00:10:26,881 --> 00:10:29,881 Speaker 4: It was three months since we lost the most beautiful person. 184 00:10:30,441 --> 00:10:32,481 Speaker 4: There is not a day when I don't think of 185 00:10:32,521 --> 00:10:36,601 Speaker 4: you or your amazingly strong and beautiful family. When I 186 00:10:36,641 --> 00:10:40,761 Speaker 4: close my eyes, I see you. When I open my eyes, 187 00:10:41,201 --> 00:10:44,481 Speaker 4: I miss you. I was pleasured to meet you and 188 00:10:44,601 --> 00:10:50,161 Speaker 4: make some unforgettable and everlasting memories. Those memories are forever 189 00:10:50,201 --> 00:10:52,041 Speaker 4: in my heart with you. 190 00:10:52,041 --> 00:10:53,241 Speaker 3: You have a heart of gold. 191 00:10:53,401 --> 00:10:57,361 Speaker 4: Eden. I hope you have found peace in heaven. Fly high, 192 00:10:57,361 --> 00:10:59,361 Speaker 4: sweet angel, rest in peace. 193 00:10:59,881 --> 00:11:00,401 Speaker 1: I miss you. 194 00:11:01,921 --> 00:11:03,921 Speaker 5: I didn't know you very well, but to be honest, 195 00:11:04,041 --> 00:11:07,321 Speaker 5: I didn't need to. I can already see you were 196 00:11:07,361 --> 00:11:10,641 Speaker 5: a wonderful person. I wish you would come back because 197 00:11:10,681 --> 00:11:13,961 Speaker 5: I can see your family are hurting and your friends. 198 00:11:14,041 --> 00:11:17,041 Speaker 5: I've seen Sky write some beautiful things about you. 199 00:11:17,241 --> 00:11:18,721 Speaker 1: I was surprised. 200 00:11:18,601 --> 00:11:22,881 Speaker 5: Because she's so young and has so much to say. 201 00:11:23,681 --> 00:11:26,601 Speaker 5: If you honestly did leave because you couldn't be on 202 00:11:26,641 --> 00:11:30,881 Speaker 5: this earth anymore, I hope that wherever you are now, 203 00:11:31,081 --> 00:11:31,681 Speaker 5: you're happy. 204 00:11:32,201 --> 00:11:34,161 Speaker 2: We've reached out to a bunch of these people to 205 00:11:34,201 --> 00:11:36,321 Speaker 2: see if they would talk to us ten years later, 206 00:11:36,521 --> 00:11:39,801 Speaker 2: but most haven't come back. A few have saying they've 207 00:11:39,841 --> 00:11:42,961 Speaker 2: heard the podcast but don't want to talk. It's probably 208 00:11:43,001 --> 00:11:47,441 Speaker 2: still raw even after ten years. There was one person 209 00:11:47,521 --> 00:11:50,121 Speaker 2: that did come back. They wanted to stay anonymous, but 210 00:11:50,161 --> 00:11:52,641 Speaker 2: they were happy for me to share their message, which 211 00:11:52,681 --> 00:11:56,761 Speaker 2: they sent to Eden on the sixteenth of June twenty fifteen. 212 00:11:59,801 --> 00:12:02,401 Speaker 2: We've used AI to recreate this post. This is not 213 00:12:02,521 --> 00:12:04,921 Speaker 2: her voice, but they are her words. 214 00:12:06,201 --> 00:12:06,361 Speaker 4: Eden. 215 00:12:06,841 --> 00:12:10,881 Speaker 3: First of all, i'd like to say sorry. I'm sorry 216 00:12:10,881 --> 00:12:13,401 Speaker 3: that you felt the way you did. I'm sorry you 217 00:12:13,481 --> 00:12:15,481 Speaker 3: felt you had to give up. I know that you 218 00:12:15,561 --> 00:12:20,161 Speaker 3: have passed, and I don't know if spirits exist and 219 00:12:20,201 --> 00:12:22,681 Speaker 3: can somehow check Facebook, but it would be pretty cool 220 00:12:22,681 --> 00:12:26,081 Speaker 3: if they could. I am not sure if anyone knows 221 00:12:26,121 --> 00:12:28,841 Speaker 3: your Facebook password and goes on your account, because it 222 00:12:28,841 --> 00:12:32,041 Speaker 3: would be awkward if someone from school or something new 223 00:12:32,081 --> 00:12:35,601 Speaker 3: how I felt. I know we have never really been friends, 224 00:12:35,641 --> 00:12:38,881 Speaker 3: but growing up in a small town gets you to 225 00:12:39,001 --> 00:12:41,521 Speaker 3: know everyone. I know you wouldn't have thought a second 226 00:12:41,521 --> 00:12:44,041 Speaker 3: about me in your life because you rarely know me, 227 00:12:44,121 --> 00:12:47,721 Speaker 3: and I completely understand that. I also understand that you 228 00:12:47,761 --> 00:12:50,681 Speaker 3: can't reply to these but I'm struggling to cope and 229 00:12:50,761 --> 00:12:53,921 Speaker 3: have to let a ton off my chest. I can't 230 00:12:53,961 --> 00:12:57,721 Speaker 3: get over what happened that day. I'm sad for you 231 00:12:57,801 --> 00:13:01,521 Speaker 3: that you felt so alone this whole time. I wish 232 00:13:01,561 --> 00:13:04,681 Speaker 3: I knew so I could talk to you, but even then, 233 00:13:04,801 --> 00:13:07,681 Speaker 3: I know I know you wouldn't. I mean, who would. 234 00:13:08,681 --> 00:13:11,481 Speaker 3: I am hopeless when it comes to comforting people. I 235 00:13:11,481 --> 00:13:14,881 Speaker 3: don't really know your family either, but I seen their 236 00:13:14,921 --> 00:13:17,601 Speaker 3: speeches at the memorial, and I went to your funeral 237 00:13:17,601 --> 00:13:22,801 Speaker 3: in Launceston. Hunter had such a powerful speech, and Sky 238 00:13:22,961 --> 00:13:25,441 Speaker 3: is one of the bravest girls I've seen. I think 239 00:13:25,481 --> 00:13:28,601 Speaker 3: about you every day, literally, and I think many do, 240 00:13:29,361 --> 00:13:32,521 Speaker 3: including my sister. You might know her. I know she 241 00:13:32,641 --> 00:13:36,801 Speaker 3: is struggling. I don't think she is coping either. She's 242 00:13:36,841 --> 00:13:40,081 Speaker 3: had dreams about you. She mentioned that she had a 243 00:13:40,161 --> 00:13:42,561 Speaker 3: dream that you asked her to paint a white angel 244 00:13:42,641 --> 00:13:46,121 Speaker 3: on your tree, speaking of I had a dream about 245 00:13:46,121 --> 00:13:48,681 Speaker 3: a few days after your passing that I was crying 246 00:13:48,761 --> 00:13:53,201 Speaker 3: over you and was comforting me crying too, but I 247 00:13:53,241 --> 00:13:57,761 Speaker 3: looked over and seeing you as a ghost, comforting her, 248 00:13:58,321 --> 00:14:01,921 Speaker 3: smiling at me. I haven't been feeling the best the 249 00:14:01,961 --> 00:14:04,561 Speaker 3: past few years, but I'm not going into details about 250 00:14:04,561 --> 00:14:07,401 Speaker 3: that because I don't know who could read this now. 251 00:14:07,401 --> 00:14:09,761 Speaker 3: It's only you and I who know how I feel. 252 00:14:10,401 --> 00:14:13,761 Speaker 3: You see, I suffer from low self esteem and confidence. 253 00:14:13,801 --> 00:14:16,401 Speaker 3: I think I may have social anxiety. But I don't 254 00:14:16,401 --> 00:14:19,561 Speaker 3: intend on telling anyone that I'm going to finish this 255 00:14:19,681 --> 00:14:23,881 Speaker 3: now because I realized that I've written more than I would. 256 00:14:26,641 --> 00:14:26,841 Speaker 2: Eden. 257 00:14:28,641 --> 00:14:31,441 Speaker 3: I'm miss seeing your beautiful face around here. I think 258 00:14:31,481 --> 00:14:34,241 Speaker 3: most of us do. Fly high, sweet Angel. 259 00:14:48,721 --> 00:14:51,081 Speaker 2: You can hear in that message the heartbreak of losing 260 00:14:51,161 --> 00:14:54,161 Speaker 2: a friend and a classmate, even though they might not 261 00:14:54,361 --> 00:14:57,921 Speaker 2: have been that close. The person that wrote these words 262 00:14:58,081 --> 00:15:00,481 Speaker 2: did agree for me to ask her some question ten 263 00:15:00,561 --> 00:15:03,561 Speaker 2: years later. Again, they didn't want to come on the podcast, 264 00:15:03,601 --> 00:15:06,561 Speaker 2: but they're willing to share their words in writing. We've 265 00:15:06,561 --> 00:15:10,001 Speaker 2: again used an AI voice to convert these answers into audio. 266 00:15:10,361 --> 00:15:13,481 Speaker 2: The first and most obvious question I wanted to ask 267 00:15:14,161 --> 00:15:15,281 Speaker 2: is if they're ok now. 268 00:15:16,121 --> 00:15:19,801 Speaker 3: I'm okay now. It has been about nine years since 269 00:15:19,801 --> 00:15:24,441 Speaker 3: I messaged Eden. Since then, I have graduated, moved towns, 270 00:15:24,881 --> 00:15:29,201 Speaker 3: have a completely new lifestyle, friends, and job. I wish 271 00:15:29,361 --> 00:15:32,481 Speaker 3: my younger self had gotten help a lot sooner, because 272 00:15:32,521 --> 00:15:36,921 Speaker 3: I spent many years suicidal, anxious, and depressed that could 273 00:15:36,961 --> 00:15:40,881 Speaker 3: have been prevented. I still have down days, but healing 274 00:15:40,961 --> 00:15:43,681 Speaker 3: takes time, and I've had a lot to work on 275 00:15:43,761 --> 00:15:46,561 Speaker 3: with my mental health and believe I have come such 276 00:15:46,561 --> 00:15:48,961 Speaker 3: a long way. It has only been in the last 277 00:15:49,001 --> 00:15:51,921 Speaker 3: twelve months that I have actively seek a professional help 278 00:15:52,161 --> 00:15:56,401 Speaker 3: via my GP. Seeking help was so validating and much 279 00:15:56,441 --> 00:15:59,601 Speaker 3: less intimidating than I thought it would be. I strongly 280 00:15:59,721 --> 00:16:03,281 Speaker 3: encourage anyone struggling to see a GP as a starting process. 281 00:16:08,761 --> 00:16:11,721 Speaker 3: Eden's death affected the school in a few ways. There 282 00:16:11,761 --> 00:16:14,681 Speaker 3: were offers for students to seek psychological help at the 283 00:16:14,681 --> 00:16:19,081 Speaker 3: school after Eden's passing. Some students fortunately came forward and 284 00:16:19,121 --> 00:16:22,481 Speaker 3: seemed help for themselves or were more open to discussing 285 00:16:22,521 --> 00:16:26,241 Speaker 3: mental health concerns they had. It was great in terms 286 00:16:26,241 --> 00:16:29,601 Speaker 3: that the stigma was slightly lightened and people were opening 287 00:16:29,721 --> 00:16:32,281 Speaker 3: up to people, but it shouldn't take a death suicide 288 00:16:32,321 --> 00:16:35,761 Speaker 3: to do this. Some students who caught school buses in 289 00:16:35,921 --> 00:16:39,321 Speaker 3: unfortunately had to witness some of the scene. I'm very 290 00:16:39,361 --> 00:16:42,041 Speaker 3: thankful I didn't see this, as it would be engraved 291 00:16:42,081 --> 00:16:45,601 Speaker 3: in many students' visions and be quite traumatic to think of. 292 00:16:46,681 --> 00:16:50,881 Speaker 3: Teachers had students back into usual routine within a week 293 00:16:51,001 --> 00:16:54,641 Speaker 3: or two from Eden's passing. The only other memory that 294 00:16:54,761 --> 00:16:58,161 Speaker 3: was noteworthy was that there were no further mentions of 295 00:16:58,361 --> 00:17:03,521 Speaker 3: Eden's death at any assemblies or her leaver's dinner, except 296 00:17:03,641 --> 00:17:07,840 Speaker 3: one of her student friends to share condolences or to 297 00:17:07,881 --> 00:17:16,600 Speaker 3: share any photos, etc. In memory. The day of Aiden's 298 00:17:16,681 --> 00:17:20,641 Speaker 3: death was a gloomy and overcast day. I found out 299 00:17:20,681 --> 00:17:23,720 Speaker 3: as soon as I arrived at around eight thirty am, 300 00:17:23,761 --> 00:17:26,640 Speaker 3: as the school buses were pulling up at the same time. 301 00:17:28,961 --> 00:17:33,041 Speaker 3: Within fifteen minutes, rumors had spread that she was a 302 00:17:33,160 --> 00:17:36,840 Speaker 3: Saint Helen's District High student, but no one knew who 303 00:17:37,080 --> 00:17:40,641 Speaker 3: just yet. The school bell would go off at eight 304 00:17:40,761 --> 00:17:44,521 Speaker 3: forty five am daily, so I believe it was around 305 00:17:44,521 --> 00:17:48,521 Speaker 3: this time people started heading to class. I remember our 306 00:17:48,561 --> 00:17:52,801 Speaker 3: teachers and principal ushering all the grade nine tenth students 307 00:17:52,801 --> 00:17:57,160 Speaker 3: into a classroom, and once everyone had arrived, our principal 308 00:17:57,241 --> 00:17:59,961 Speaker 3: read an announcement from a piece of paper. I don't 309 00:17:59,961 --> 00:18:04,201 Speaker 3: remember exactly what was said, but it was something along 310 00:18:04,241 --> 00:18:07,080 Speaker 3: the lines of it with great sadness, that we have 311 00:18:07,241 --> 00:18:10,121 Speaker 3: to announce the death of Eden Westbrook. I think more 312 00:18:10,321 --> 00:18:14,681 Speaker 3: was said, but I can't remember. All the teachers, including 313 00:18:14,681 --> 00:18:18,360 Speaker 3: the principal, were sobbing with the students. It was a 314 00:18:18,441 --> 00:18:21,920 Speaker 3: horrible day, especially for her friends who were close with 315 00:18:22,001 --> 00:18:25,080 Speaker 3: her and had to find out with everyone else. After 316 00:18:25,241 --> 00:18:28,640 Speaker 3: everyone had some time to just have a cry, talk 317 00:18:28,801 --> 00:18:31,761 Speaker 3: and hug, the teachers let students know that they can 318 00:18:31,801 --> 00:18:35,200 Speaker 3: either go home for the day or stay if they wish, 319 00:18:35,681 --> 00:18:39,440 Speaker 3: but schoolwork wouldn't be getting done. I went home after 320 00:18:39,481 --> 00:18:41,440 Speaker 3: an hour or two and spent the rest of the 321 00:18:41,521 --> 00:18:45,640 Speaker 3: day in bed crying, as many others did. I was 322 00:18:45,761 --> 00:18:49,801 Speaker 3: never close to any of the Westbrooks, not for personal reasons. 323 00:18:49,840 --> 00:18:55,120 Speaker 3: We just had different friend circles. Eden was more popular 324 00:18:55,441 --> 00:18:58,561 Speaker 3: and had a great group of friends. I never had 325 00:18:58,600 --> 00:19:02,761 Speaker 3: any problems with her. She always seemed kind and friendly 326 00:19:02,840 --> 00:19:06,520 Speaker 3: to anyone who spoke to her. I do also acknowledge that, 327 00:19:06,561 --> 00:19:10,561 Speaker 3: despite me thinking Eden's death was a suicide, I do 328 00:19:10,640 --> 00:19:14,081 Speaker 3: find it strange how much evidence has been missing, how 329 00:19:14,080 --> 00:19:17,481 Speaker 3: the photos won't be released, and the witness story is 330 00:19:17,600 --> 00:19:21,961 Speaker 3: mentioning murder. I wish I knew more information about this 331 00:19:22,041 --> 00:19:25,601 Speaker 3: because it is bizarre and I can and I can 332 00:19:25,721 --> 00:19:28,721 Speaker 3: understand why the family would have strong concerns based on 333 00:19:28,801 --> 00:19:31,401 Speaker 3: this information. Eden may have. 334 00:19:31,441 --> 00:19:33,080 Speaker 1: Been bullied at school. 335 00:19:33,521 --> 00:19:35,721 Speaker 3: That is something I don't know the answer to and 336 00:19:35,840 --> 00:19:39,200 Speaker 3: haven't heard any rumors of. She was popular and I 337 00:19:39,241 --> 00:19:41,360 Speaker 3: thought a lot of people liked Eden, so I can't 338 00:19:41,360 --> 00:19:44,841 Speaker 3: imagine she was. But there was a bullying problem at 339 00:19:44,840 --> 00:19:47,401 Speaker 3: this school, so I'm sure there were plenty of victims 340 00:19:47,400 --> 00:19:48,001 Speaker 3: of bullying. 341 00:19:49,080 --> 00:19:51,960 Speaker 2: It's people like this coming forward that helped build more 342 00:19:52,080 --> 00:19:54,281 Speaker 2: of a picture of what was going on for Eden 343 00:19:54,400 --> 00:19:57,481 Speaker 2: in those final weeks and days. If you've got anything 344 00:19:57,521 --> 00:20:00,241 Speaker 2: to add, you can always email us anonymously if you 345 00:20:00,441 --> 00:20:04,481 Speaker 2: like what happened to Eden at gmail dot com. There 346 00:20:04,521 --> 00:20:06,720 Speaker 2: was one questionquestion that we asked of this person that 347 00:20:06,761 --> 00:20:09,121 Speaker 2: we've been talking about for a while or at least 348 00:20:09,160 --> 00:20:12,241 Speaker 2: most of us that are investigating this case. That question 349 00:20:12,360 --> 00:20:15,400 Speaker 2: is was Eden being bullied? The rumor we heard is 350 00:20:15,441 --> 00:20:18,400 Speaker 2: that she was being called a slut after nudes that 351 00:20:18,481 --> 00:20:21,881 Speaker 2: she said to someone in school had been sent around 352 00:20:21,880 --> 00:20:23,201 Speaker 2: the school. 353 00:20:23,561 --> 00:20:25,801 Speaker 3: That is something I don't know the answer to and 354 00:20:25,921 --> 00:20:29,240 Speaker 3: haven't heard any rumors of. She was popular, and I 355 00:20:29,281 --> 00:20:31,400 Speaker 3: thought a lot of people liked Eden, so I can't 356 00:20:31,441 --> 00:20:34,881 Speaker 3: imagine she was. But there was a bullying problem at 357 00:20:34,880 --> 00:20:37,401 Speaker 3: this school, so I'm sure there were plenty of victims 358 00:20:37,441 --> 00:20:40,321 Speaker 3: of bullying. I only heard of the rumors about the 359 00:20:40,400 --> 00:20:44,241 Speaker 3: nudes after Eden's death, but not prior. I didn't get 360 00:20:44,281 --> 00:20:47,120 Speaker 3: told any nemes. It was more just a conspiracy at 361 00:20:47,120 --> 00:20:50,880 Speaker 3: the time that maybe she committed suicide because nudes got leaked. 362 00:20:56,681 --> 00:20:59,921 Speaker 2: As we dug deeper through Eden's socials, there were numerous 363 00:20:59,961 --> 00:21:03,200 Speaker 2: messages about being bullied and being called names that we 364 00:21:03,241 --> 00:21:06,480 Speaker 2: won't repeat. Then another message from someone that seemed close 365 00:21:06,521 --> 00:21:09,520 Speaker 2: to Eden. It's a photo of them together and it 366 00:21:09,561 --> 00:21:13,120 Speaker 2: was sent in July of twenty fifteen. After eating pasted. 367 00:21:13,481 --> 00:21:16,080 Speaker 2: It looks like they're in a bowling alley, and I'll 368 00:21:16,120 --> 00:21:21,400 Speaker 2: read the following message, Holy shit, Eden, I completely forgot 369 00:21:21,441 --> 00:21:24,481 Speaker 2: about this day in this photo. I know this is late, 370 00:21:24,801 --> 00:21:27,440 Speaker 2: but I didn't know what to say before, and I 371 00:21:27,481 --> 00:21:34,520 Speaker 2: still don't. I'm struggling to comprehend what happened. Still, I 372 00:21:34,521 --> 00:21:36,640 Speaker 2: know I said some pretty mean shit about how you 373 00:21:36,681 --> 00:21:40,161 Speaker 2: weren't being bullied, but maybe you were. I never saw 374 00:21:40,201 --> 00:21:42,840 Speaker 2: past the jokes people made about you being a slut, 375 00:21:43,120 --> 00:21:48,681 Speaker 2: and maybe I should have, maybe I should have done something. 376 00:21:49,120 --> 00:21:52,161 Speaker 2: But God, Eden, I didn't know you were so good 377 00:21:52,160 --> 00:21:57,441 Speaker 2: at hiding it a smile, reel or fake was gorgeous. Jesus, Eden, 378 00:21:57,600 --> 00:22:00,801 Speaker 2: what happened? What made your resort to this? What made 379 00:22:00,840 --> 00:22:03,240 Speaker 2: you think life was so bad that you ended it? 380 00:22:03,961 --> 00:22:07,400 Speaker 2: I keep thinking about how I didn't realize the cuts 381 00:22:07,441 --> 00:22:10,080 Speaker 2: I saw on you. I look at the scratches, How 382 00:22:10,080 --> 00:22:13,561 Speaker 2: I didn't see what they really were. I want answers, 383 00:22:13,921 --> 00:22:17,961 Speaker 2: I want them so bloody bad. Why, Eden, God tell 384 00:22:18,001 --> 00:22:22,161 Speaker 2: me why? I wrote this to tell you. I miss you. 385 00:22:22,321 --> 00:22:24,641 Speaker 2: I miss your smile and your laugh and the hot 386 00:22:24,721 --> 00:22:28,120 Speaker 2: chocolate she'd make me. I miss our bitching sessions about 387 00:22:28,120 --> 00:22:30,360 Speaker 2: how you tell me about the hot guys coming into 388 00:22:30,360 --> 00:22:33,120 Speaker 2: your work. I missed the details about the hot guys 389 00:22:33,160 --> 00:22:35,521 Speaker 2: you'd meet or talk to. I miss seeing you in 390 00:22:35,561 --> 00:22:37,681 Speaker 2: and out of school, the way you come and talk 391 00:22:37,721 --> 00:22:41,120 Speaker 2: to me. I miss the way you'd always get into trouble, 392 00:22:41,441 --> 00:22:43,921 Speaker 2: like when you swore at netball and got kicked out. 393 00:22:46,961 --> 00:22:47,161 Speaker 1: Eden. 394 00:22:47,681 --> 00:22:50,640 Speaker 2: I miss you, and I'm sorry I couldn't and didn't 395 00:22:50,640 --> 00:22:55,160 Speaker 2: help you. I love you. Fly high, sweet Angel, Rest 396 00:22:55,160 --> 00:23:05,041 Speaker 2: in peace. I love you.