Matthew Milat: Keeping Murder in the Family
Matthew Milat: Keeping Murder in the Family
1Digest
This episode of Killer Psyche delves into the chilling case of Matthew Malat, a young man who murdered his friend David Octerlone in 2010. The episode explores the potential influence of Matthew's great uncle, Ivan Malat, the infamous backpack murderer of Australia, on Matthew's actions. The episode examines the nature versus nurture debate, exploring the possibility of a "murder gene" and the role of environmental factors in shaping an individual's behavior. It highlights the disturbing fact that Matthew, who grew up knowing about his uncle's crimes, seemed to idolize him and even changed his last name to Malat. The episode details the events leading up to the murder, including Matthew's growing obsession with his uncle, his increasingly volatile behavior, and his strained relationship with his stepfather. It also recounts the investigation, the arrest of Matthew and his accomplices, and the subsequent trial and sentencing. The episode concludes by reflecting on the complex factors that may have contributed to Matthew's descent into violence, leaving listeners to ponder the nature of psychopathy and the enduring impact of family history.
Outlines
Introduction
This Chapter introduces the episode and its subject, Matthew Malat, a young man who murdered his friend David Octerlone. It also mentions the potential influence of Matthew's great uncle, Ivan Malat, the infamous backpack murderer of Australia, on Matthew's actions.
The Murder of David Octerlone
This Chapter details the events leading up to the murder of David Octerlone, including Matthew's birthday celebration, his plans to hang out with his friends, and the fateful trip to Belanglo State Forest. It describes the brutal attack on David by Matthew, the involvement of Matthew's friends Chase Day and Cohen Klein, and the subsequent discovery of David's body.
Matthew Malat's Background
This Chapter provides background information on Matthew Malat, including his childhood, his relationship with his family, and his early exposure to his great uncle Ivan's crimes. It explores the potential impact of Ivan's notoriety on Matthew's development and the possibility of a genetic link to psychopathy.
The Investigation and Trial
This Chapter details the investigation into David Octerlone's murder, including the arrest of Matthew, Chase, and Cohen, the discovery of evidence, and the subsequent trial and sentencing. It highlights the role of Cohen's cell phone video in providing crucial evidence and the disturbing nature of Matthew's poetry, which reflected his fascination with death and murder.
Outro
This Chapter concludes the episode with a summary of the case and a reflection on the complex factors that may have contributed to Matthew's descent into violence. It leaves listeners to ponder the nature of psychopathy and the enduring impact of family history.
Keywords
Matthew Malat
Matthew Malat is the main subject of this episode of Killer Psyche. He is a young man who murdered his friend David Octerlone in 2010. The episode explores the potential influence of Matthew's great uncle, Ivan Malat, the infamous backpack murderer of Australia, on Matthew's actions.
Ivan Malat
Ivan Malat is the infamous backpack murderer of Australia. He was convicted of killing at least seven people in the Belanglo State Forest just south of Sydney in the 1990s. The episode explores the potential influence of Ivan's notoriety on his great nephew, Matthew Malat, who also committed murder in the same forest.
Belanglo State Forest
Belanglo State Forest is a large forest located in New South Wales, Australia. It is known for being the site of several murders, including those committed by Ivan Malat, the infamous backpack murderer, and the murder of David Octerlone by Matthew Malat. The forest's dark history and association with violence play a significant role in the episode.
Psychopathy
Psychopathy is a personality disorder characterized by a lack of empathy, guilt, and remorse. The episode explores the possibility that Matthew Malat may have inherited a genetic predisposition to psychopathy from his great uncle, Ivan Malat. It also discusses the role of environmental factors in the development of psychopathy.
Nature vs. Nurture
The nature versus nurture debate is a long-standing discussion about the relative contributions of genetic inheritance and environmental factors to an individual's traits and behaviors. The episode explores this debate in relation to Matthew Malat's actions, considering the possibility of a "murder gene" and the influence of his upbringing and exposure to his uncle's crimes.
Serial Killer
A serial killer is a person who commits two or more murders, typically with a cooling-off period between each murder. The episode focuses on the influence of Ivan Malat, a notorious serial killer, on his great nephew, Matthew Malat, who also committed murder. It explores the potential for a family history of violence to contribute to the development of criminal behavior.
Murder Gene
The "murder gene" is a term used to describe a hypothetical genetic predisposition to violence and criminal behavior. The episode explores the possibility that Matthew Malat may have inherited this gene from his great uncle, Ivan Malat. It also discusses the complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors in shaping an individual's behavior.
Backpack Murderer
The backpack murderer is a nickname given to Ivan Malat, a notorious serial killer in Australia. He was convicted of killing at least seven people in the Belanglo State Forest in the 1990s. The episode explores the potential influence of Ivan's crimes on his great nephew, Matthew Malat, who also committed murder in the same forest.
Killer Psyche
Killer Psyche is a podcast that explores the minds of killers and the crimes they commit. The episode focuses on the case of Matthew Malat, a young man who murdered his friend David Octerlone, and the possible influence of his infamous serial killer great uncle, Ivan Malat, on his actions.
True Crime
True crime is a genre of media that focuses on real-life crimes and their perpetrators. The episode of Killer Psyche falls under this genre, exploring the case of Matthew Malat and the potential influence of his family history on his actions.
Q&A
What is the main focus of this episode of Killer Psyche?
This episode focuses on the case of Matthew Malat, a young man who murdered his friend David Octerlone in 2010. The episode explores the potential influence of Matthew's great uncle, Ivan Malat, the infamous backpack murderer of Australia, on Matthew's actions.
What is the nature versus nurture debate, and how does it relate to Matthew Malat's case?
The nature versus nurture debate is a long-standing discussion about the relative contributions of genetic inheritance and environmental factors to an individual's traits and behaviors. In Matthew's case, the episode explores the possibility that he inherited a genetic predisposition to violence from his uncle, Ivan, while also considering the impact of his upbringing and exposure to Ivan's crimes.
What evidence suggests that Matthew may have been influenced by his great uncle, Ivan Malat?
The episode highlights several pieces of evidence suggesting Matthew's potential influence by Ivan. These include Matthew's growing obsession with his uncle, his increasingly volatile behavior, his strained relationship with his stepfather, and his decision to change his last name to Malat.
What was the outcome of Matthew Malat's trial and sentencing?
Matthew Malat pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to 43 years in prison, with no possibility of parole for 30 years. This was the harshest sentence ever given to a juvenile offender in Australia at the time.
What are some of the key takeaways from this episode of Killer Psyche?
This episode highlights the complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors in shaping an individual's behavior. It also raises questions about the nature of psychopathy and the enduring impact of family history on an individual's life. The episode leaves listeners to ponder the possibility of a "murder gene" and the potential for a family history of violence to contribute to the development of criminal behavior.
Show Notes
Retired FBI agent and criminal profiler Candice DeLong digs into the case of Matthew Milat. In his early teen years, Matthew harbored an unhealthy obsession with his uncle -- Ivan Milat, the notorious "Backpack Murderer" of Australia. In 2010, Matthew decided to follow in Ivan's footsteps by killing his own friend. Candice explores Matthew's descent into idolizing his murderous uncle, and how a seemingly normal teenager turned into a cold-blooded killer.
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