2027 Crime Night with Sally Leydon

Sally Leydon never imagined she would become one of Australia’s most recognised advocates for missing persons and their families. When her mother, Marion Barter, disappeared nearly 30 years ago, Sally embarked on a journey that would change the course of her life, one defined by unanswered questions, resilience, and an unwavering determination to uncover the truth.

Her search for Marion reached a global audience through the award-winning podcast The Lady Vanishes, which has been downloaded more than 25 million times worldwide and brought unprecedented international attention to Marion’s disappearance.

Determined to continue the search, Sally created The Missing Matter podcast, taking listeners with her on an international investigation alongside researcher and investigator Joni Condos. The series offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the realities of searching for a missing loved one, the setbacks, breakthroughs, hope, and heartbreak. It has since expanded beyond Marion’s story to provide a platform for other families of missing people, giving them a voice and sharing the often-overlooked realities of living without answers.

Drawing on nearly three decades of lived experience with ambiguous loss, Sally brings a perspective few others can. Her conversations are not those of a journalist looking in, but of someone who truly understands the lifelong impact of uncertainty. Through honest, compassionate storytelling, she explores grief, resilience, hope, and the enduring importance of keeping missing people in the public consciousness.

Sally is also the founder of The Green Seat Project, a growing community initiative placing green seats in public spaces across Australia and internationally. Each seat serves as a symbol of hope, remembrance, and connection, featuring a plaque and QR code linking visitors to The Missing Matter while reminding communities that every missing person has a story, and every family deserves answers.

Today, Sally continues to advocate tirelessly for missing persons and their families through podcasting, public speaking, media appearances, and community initiatives. Using the power of storytelling to inspire awareness, compassion, and action, she remains committed to ensuring that missing people are never forgotten.

Her message is both simple and profound: behind every missing person’s case is a family still searching, still hoping, and still waiting. Because every missing person matters.