Cleo Smith podcast: Episode six: Inside the WA Police investigation

Episode six of the Cleo Smith podcast ‘My Name is Cleo’ looks at the police investigation two weeks after the four-year-old disappeared from the Blowholes campsite.

It’s now that the head of Taskforce Rodia, Detective Superintendent Rod Wilde lands in Carnarvon.

7NEWS crime reporter Joey Catanzaro has been covering the case and speaking to detectives for inside knowledge.

He tells the podcast that Det. Supt Wilde’s arrival is just as much about providing moral support to his team as it is seeing the investigation from the ground.

Joey spent almost 18 days in Carnarvon, following every development and looking into leads of his own while, covering Cleo’s disappearance for 7NEWS.

He tells Host Natalie Bonjolo and journalist Kristin Shorten of the immediate concern police and the Carnarvon locals had that Cleo had been abducted just hours after her disappearance.

LISTEN TO EPISODE SIX IN THE PLAYER BELOW

Two weeks later, that concern turned into an investigation.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the country, a woman who knows all too well the heartache Cleo’s parents are going through is asked about how parents with missing children deal with the worry, devastation and trolling.

Lindy Chamberlain was wrongfully convicted and publicly scrutinised after her daughter Azaria was taken from her tent in the Australian outback more than 40 years ago.

As the police continue to tell the public that Ellie and Jake are not suspects, the trolling and abuse continues, all while Cleo spends another night away from her family.

Join Host Natalie Bonjolo and guests Kristin Shorten and Joey Catanzaro as they take you through days 13-15 of Cleo’s disappearance.

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