Crime Analyst

Laura continues her interview with Sarah Ferris moving beyond the initial deception to unpack the deeper patterns, behaviours, and mindset of a conman - and what we must learn from it.

 

Laura and Sarah profile Peter Cowell, who posed as an Admiral, extracting money from senior leaders, veterans and even targeting former police detectives for an organisation he called IntSAR – the International Sea Air Rescue Service, a global humanitarian project with a military-style structure.  It turns out, it is a work of fiction.

 

Drawing on both lived experience and behavioural analysis, Laura and Sarah explore how perpetrators create influence, maintain control, and continue offending - often across multiple victims - while appearing credible and trustworthy to others.

 

Key Takeaways:
• The Pattern Behind the Persona: Why conmen rely on consistency, charm, and credibility - and how this masks repeat offending
• Grooming & Influence: How trust is built quickly and used to establish control and dependency
• Serial Behaviour: Why there is almost always a history -and often multiple victims
• Missed Warning Signs: How red flags are explained away, minimised, or only recognised in hindsight
• Turning the Tables: The power of awareness, collective action, and refusing to stay silent
• Prevention & Protection: Why recognising patterns early is key to reducing harm and protecting others

 

This conversation goes beyond the individual case - it is about understanding the psychology of deception and the patterns of behaviour that enable it.

🎧 Listen, learn, and share - you could change your life.

 

#CrimeAnalyst #SarahFerris #CONmunityPodcast #CoerciveControl #BehaviouralAnalysis #TrueCrime #TrueCrimePodcast #Manipulation #Gaslighting #Grooming #HiddenAbuse #TrustYourInstincts #RedFlags #PatternRecognition #WomenSafety #Empowerment #Prevention #ProtectYourself 

 

Clip 

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/coming-soon-season-two-the-badmiral/id1516505977?i=1000730730060

Find Sarah here: 

Sarah Ferris

CONmunity Podcast 

Klooghless Podcast

Watching Two Detectives:

Stop the Killing 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conmunitypodcast 

 

New charges: https://www.examiner.com.au/story/9233967/alleged-east-coast-conman-to-face-eventual-supreme-court-trial/

 

Thank You to the Crime Analyst Sponsors Who Make the Show Possible. Support The Show Through the Sponsors:Amplify your spring look with Thrive Causemetics. Go to thrivecausemetics.com/ANALYSTS for an exclusive offer of 20% off your first order.

 

Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll use. Head to Quince.com/CRIMEANALYST for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.

 

 

Laura’s Resources and Training information: www.dashriskchecklist.com    www.thelaurarichards.com   

 

Crime Analyst YouTube, Socials and Website   

YouTube @crimeanalyst    

Facebook Crime Analyst Podcast   

Instagram @crimeanalyst @laurarichards999   

Threads @crimeanalyst   

X @thecrimeanalyst @laurarichards999    

TikTok @crimeanalystpod   

Website www.crime-analyst.com    

Leave a 5* Review https://www.crime-analyst.com/reviews/new/   
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In this remastered episode, Laura continues to break down Gabby and Brian’s behaviour using the police body worn camera footage from the Moab City Police Department.

Laura focuses on evidence that Brian is thinking about himself, whilst an emotional Gabby  self-abandons and prioritizes Brian’s needs over her own, as well as how sexism, a gender bias and misogyny played a role in green lighting and reinforcing Brian’s coercively controlling behaviour. 

Laura shares important indicators of coercive control and new information about Brian’s financial situation which catches him in multiple lies to law enforcement.

This is not easy listening – but it’s important. It might just save a future life.

You can follow Laura and her work on: Instagram @crimeanalyst TikTok @crimeanalystpod Twitter @thecrimeanalyst

*This remastered series is to honour Gabby and ensure the warning signs of coercive control are understood. It’s the difference between life and death for so many.

Determined to decode the patterns of coercive control and escalating risk, Laura deconstructs the behaviours that were visible - but too often minimised or misunderstood - with forensic precision.

Join Laura for this remastered investigative series which provides news updates in the case regarding the Utah Supreme Court oral argument in the wrongful death lawsuit appeal, deeper analysis and vital learning to help prevent future harm.

#GabbyPetito #HerNameWasGabbyPetito #CrimeAnalyst #Expert #Analysis #Behaviour #TrueCrime #Podcast #Psychology #WomenMatter #Prevention #MaleViolence #Femicide #Intervention

Clips  

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1310570919412768

Sources

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/23/gabby-petito-brian-laundrie-latest-bank-cardhttps://kslnewsradio.com/1956425/national-park-service-stonewalls-public-records-in-gabby-petito-case/https://www.vox.com/culture/22758030/gabby-petito-domestic-intimate-partner-violence-preventionhttps://www.fox13news.com/news/details-of-gabby-petitos-utah-fight-with-fiance-brian-laundrie-revealed-in-witness-statement-to-policehttps://www.fox13news.com/news/grabbed-me-with-his-nail-utah-police-release-second-bodycam-video-in-gabby-petito-case

2026 Masterclasses and Crime Analyst Resources and Community      

For more insight and knowledge, advocacy and professional development join The Crime Analyst Squad. It’s a growing and dynamic community offering expert insight, in-depth conversations, exclusive episodes and videos, and live events: www.Patreon.com/CrimeAnalyst    

www.dashriskchecklist.com   www.thelaurarichards.com      

Subscribe to Crime Analyst YouTube: @crimeanalyst      

Facebook: Crime Analyst Podcast      

Instagram: @crimeanalyst, @laurarichards999      

Threads: @crimeanalyst      

X (Twitter): @thecrimeanalyst, @laurarichards999      

TikTok: @crimeanalystpod      

Website: www.crime-analyst.com      

If you found this episode valuable, please consider leaving a five star review wherever you listen.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We all like to think we would know a conman when we see one – that’s what savvy Sarah Ferris thought when her sister Emma introduced her to the man she met on Tinder. His name was Andrew Tonks – only it wasn’t. His real name was Andrew W C Tonks Thomson. After six months of dating him he conned her out of more than $250,000.

 

Together with her sister, Sarah, and a brilliant group of women – they didn't let him get away it and turned the tables on him. They made a podcast about it as it happened in real time called Conning the Con. And Tonks/Tomson is still making headlines, having been charged with offences relating to six more victims and a new trial in the Supreme Court. You won’t want to miss this.

 

Listen and learn about:
• Grooming, manipulation, and the psychology of influence;
• Why intelligent, capable people can be targeted and entrapped;
• The importance of recognising patterns - not isolated incidents;
• Trusting your instincts and understanding risk;
• Prevention, awareness, and protecting yourself and others;

 

🎧 Listen, learn, and share - you could change your life.

 

#CrimeAnalyst #SarahFerris #CONmunityPodcast #CoerciveControl #BehaviouralAnalysis #TrueCrime #TrueCrimePodcast #Manipulation #Gaslighting #Grooming #HiddenAbuse #TrustYourInstincts #RedFlags #PatternRecognition #WomenSafety #Empowerment #Prevention #ProtectYourself 

 

Clip 

https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/s1-e1-the-romcon/id1516505977?i=1000504874056

Find Sarah here: 

Sarah Ferris

CONmunity Podcast 

Klooghless Podcast

Watching Two Detectives:

Stop the Killing 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conmunitypodcast 

 

New charges: https://www.examiner.com.au/story/9233967/alleged-east-coast-conman-to-face-eventual-supreme-court-trial/

 

Thank You to the Crime Analyst Sponsors Who Make the Show Possible. Support The Show Through the Sponsors:Amplify your spring look with Thrive Causemetics. Go to thrivecausemetics.com/ANALYSTS for an exclusive offer of 20% off your first order.

 

Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll use. Head to Quince.com/CRIMEANALYST for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.

 

 

Laura’s Resources and Training information: www.dashriskchecklist.com    www.thelaurarichards.com   

 

Crime Analyst YouTube, Socials and Website   

YouTube @crimeanalyst    

Facebook Crime Analyst Podcast   

Instagram @crimeanalyst @laurarichards999   

Threads @crimeanalyst   

X @thecrimeanalyst @laurarichards999    

TikTok @crimeanalystpod   

Website www.crime-analyst.com    

Leave a 5* Review https://www.crime-analyst.com/reviews/new/   
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This remastered series is to honour Gabby and ensure the warning signs of coercive control are understood. It’s the difference between life and death for so many.

Determined to decode the patterns of coercive control and escalating risk, Laura deconstructs the behaviours that were visible - but too often minimised or misunderstood - with forensic precision.

Join Laura for this remastered investigative series which provides news updates in the case regarding the Utah Supreme Court oral argument in the wrongful death lawsuit appeal, deeper analysis and vital learning to help prevent future harm.

***

In this episode, Laura continues to break down Gabby and Brian’s behaviour using the police body-worn camera footage from the Moab City Police Department.

Laura highlights an important eyewitness who details Brian’s controlling behaviour, confirming what Laura believed happened prior to the police stop.

You won’t want to miss this.

You can follow along on Laura’s Instagram @crimeanalyst @laurarichards999 TikTok @crimeanalystpod and Twitter @thecrimeanalyst @laurarichards999

#GabbyPetito #HerNameWasGabbyPetito #CrimeAnalyst #Expert #Analysis #Behaviour #TrueCrime #Podcast #Psychology #WomenMatter #Prevention #MaleViolence #Femicide #Intervention

For more of this crucial conversation, join us in the Squad: 50% off annual membership for new members and Ringleaders -April 6 to May 6. Use code 6D923

Clips  

https://www.fox13news.com/news/gabby-petito-case-dispatch-recordings-show-utah-police-were-told-male-struck-female 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCGsW41aQEw

Sources

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/shedding-light-on-coercive-control-domestic-abuse-resources-1235168142/https://www.fox13news.com/news/details-of-gabby-petitos-utah-fight-with-fiance-brian-laundrie-revealed-in-witness-statement-to-policehttps://www.fox13news.com/news/grabbed-me-with-his-nail-utah-police-release-second-bodycam-video-in-gabby-petito-case

2026 Masterclasses and Crime Analyst Resources and Community      

For more insight and knowledge, advocacy and professional development join The Crime Analyst Squad. It’s a growing and dynamic community offering expert insight, in-depth conversations, exclusive episodes and videos, and live events: www.Patreon.com/CrimeAnalyst    

www.dashriskchecklist.com   www.thelaurarichards.com      

Subscribe to Crime Analyst YouTube: @crimeanalyst      

Facebook: Crime Analyst Podcast      

Instagram: @crimeanalyst, @laurarichards999      

Threads: @crimeanalyst      

X (Twitter): @thecrimeanalyst, @laurarichards999      

TikTok: @crimeanalystpod      

Website: www.crime-analyst.com      

If you found this episode valuable, please consider leaving a five star review wherever you listen.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Laura continues her in-depth analysis of the landmark case Police v Callum Fairleigh with survivor Sam Bouffler, moving beyond the initial conviction to further unpack the patterns, behaviours, and responses that shaped this significant outcome.

 

Key Analytical Takeaways:
• Escalation and Pattern Recognition: How coercive control intensifies over time and why early identification of the pattern - not individual incidents - is critical.
• Serial Perpetration: there’s always a history and multiple victims.
• The Impact on Victims: Understanding the psychological and emotional toll of sustained coercive control and why victims may not be able to leave safely.
• Prevention and Protection: A national register of abusers is needed to ensure men’s histories of controlling and abusive behaviour are joined up

 

Episode Resources and Support:If you or someone you know is experiencing coercive control, help is available:

·       1800RESPECT: Call 1800 737 732 for 24/7 support and counseling.

·       NSW Domestic Violence Line: 1800 656 463.

·       Empower You App: A tool for discreetly documenting abuse and finding support.

 

This episode contains important, life-changing and life-saving information about coercive control, risk, and recognising patterns of abuse. Listen and share this episode. You could save a life.

 

#CoerciveControl #SamBouffler #CrimeAnalyst #expert #TrueCrime #DomesticAbuse #BehaviouralAnalysis #Podcast #Prevention #ListenLearnShare

 

 

Clip 

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x9qvax2

 

Thank You to the Crime Analyst Sponsors Who Make the Show Possible. Support The Show Through the Sponsors:Amplify your spring look with Thrive Causemetics. Go to thrivecausemetics.com/ANALYSTS for an exclusive offer of 20% off your first order.

 

Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll use. Head to Quince.com/CRIMEANALYST for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.

 

Visit MedExpress.co.uk to your check your eligibility and get £40 off with code CRIMEANALYST.

 

Ready to reach your goals? Visit forhers.com/crime to get personalized, affordable care

that gets you. 

 

Follow Sam on TikTok: @sammieejade0

 

Laura’s Resources and Training information: www.dashriskchecklist.com    www.thelaurarichards.com   

 

Crime Analyst YouTube, Socials and Website   

YouTube @crimeanalyst    

Facebook Crime Analyst Podcast   

Instagram @crimeanalyst @laurarichards999   

Threads @crimeanalyst   

X @thecrimeanalyst @laurarichards999    

TikTok @crimeanalystpod   

Website www.crime-analyst.com    

Leave a 5* Review https://www.crime-analyst.com/reviews/new/   
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices