Overview of Matty — Episode 1
This episode (Matty — Episode 1) — presented by Casefile Presents and produced in collaboration with Lauren O’Keefe and the Mist Foundation (formerly the Missing Persons Advocacy Network, MPAN) — introduces the disappearance of 20‑year‑old Matthew (Matt) Leveson in Sydney in September 2007. Host Lauren O’Keefe frames the series by explaining why she made MPAN and why families of missing people often keep fighting long after media attention fades. Episode 1 covers the Levesons’ family life, Matt’s coming out, his relationship with a much older man (Michael Atkins), the immediate events around his disappearance, early police interactions, and the emotional toll on his parents Mark and Faye.
Key people
- Matthew (Matt) Leveson — 20 years old when he disappeared in 2007. Described as introverted, animal‑loving, good with computers, and close to his family and friends.
- Mark and Faye Leveson — Matt’s parents. Central figures in the decade‑long search for their son.
- Michael (Mike) Atkins — A much older man who met Matt online and who Matt moved in with in Cronulla. Employed as a security guard (Sutherland United Services Club) and described as controlling, secretive about his age and personal life.
- Lauren O’Keefe — Host/narrator, founder of MPAN (now Mist Foundation); lost her brother in 2011 and uses that experience to support other families of missing people.
- Friends and colleagues (pseudonyms used in the series) — provide witness accounts and context about Matt’s last days.
What this episode covers
- A personal introduction from Lauren O’Keefe: why she founded MPAN/Mist Foundation and her connection to the Levesons.
- The Leveson family background — childhood, relationships between the three brothers (Peter, Matthew, Jason), and the parents’ personalities and values.
- Matt’s teenage years and adulthood: schooling, coming out (letter to his parents before his HSC), college attempts, jobs (Big W, NRMA/insurance call centre), hobbies (computers, music, travel).
- Matt’s relationship history:
- First boyfriend (Daniel) — supportive friendship.
- Later relationship with Michael Atkins — large age gap (Atkins portrayed as 43 while claiming to be younger), controlling behavior, isolation tactics (discouraging friends, dominating time together), red flags noticed by Mark and Faye.
- Events leading up to the disappearance:
- Mid‑September 2007: Matt appears subdued when Atkins is present; tensions escalate at a 21st party where Atkins and Matt are involved in an altercation.
- Saturday 22 → early Sunday 23 September 2007: work shift, arguments referenced in texts, a night out at Arc nightclub with friends; last communication (text exchange around 3:03–3:32am) shows Matt upset and telling a friend “Mike’s having a fucking cry… he’s taking me home and won’t let me stay.”
- The Levesons report Matt missing after he fails to show for work on Monday 13 August (note: transcript date confusion present), police enquiries locate Matt’s car and identify “Mike” as Michael Atkins. Atkins initially lies about his interactions with Matt.
- Early police handling and investigation notes:
- Initial response: police examined Matt’s room and car; no immediate crime recorded.
- Atkins’s conflicting statements raised concern.
- By the end of the episode, the case had been transferred to homicide investigations (teaser for the next episode).
- Teasers for Episode 2: further inquiry into Atkins’s activities, a receipt showing purchased items (duct tape and a “garden master” item) and continuing investigation details.
Timeline (concise)
- Childhood/young adulthood: Matt grows up in Sydney suburbs, close family ties; comes out to friends and later to parents by letter.
- Relationship with Atkins: begins online when Matt was a teenager; moves into Atkins’s apartment in Cronulla in 2006; relationship becomes controlling over time.
- Sept 22–23, 2007: last night out at Arc nightclub; last texts to friends around 3:20–3:32am show an argument with “Mike.”
- Within days: family alarms, police queries, identification of Atkins, early investigative steps; later the matter transfers to homicide.
Main themes and takeaways
- The long, traumatic process families endure when a loved one goes missing: emotional, financial, administrative, social fallout.
- How media coverage can simplify people into statistics and soundbites; this series aims to humanize the missing person and show the background work families do.
- Warning signs of grooming and coercive control in relationships that can be subtle and escalate — especially when there’s a large age gap and a controlling partner.
- The crucial role of community activism and organizations (MPAN/Mist Foundation) in supporting families and keeping cases in public view when official resources are limited or slow.
- The episode shows how early police interactions and misleading statements by key witnesses can complicate investigations.
Notable excerpts / quotes
- From Lauren O’Keefe: “No one ever prepared to have a loved one go missing… Missingness is an experience that stays with you, just below the surface.”
- From Matt’s coming‑out letter (excerpt): “Please don’t hate me… I do deeply love him… I will forever love you as my parents and I hope you will love me back.”
- Matt’s last text exchange (captures tone): “Mike’s having a fucking cry. He’s taking me home and won’t let me stay. Fucking cunt.”
Trigger warnings
Explicit language, sexual themes, references to drug use, and discussion of potential abuse/violent circumstances surrounding a disappearance.
Where to listen / further episodes
- The full Matty series (originally a Spotify exclusive) is now available across podcast platforms under Matty (search M-A-T-T-Y) and within the Casefile Presents feed. Episode 1 ends with a teaser pointing to further investigative developments in Episode 2.
Why this matters
This episode introduces a human, detailed look at a missing person case beyond headlines — showing how family advocacy, community support, and investigative persistence matter. It also highlights systemic gaps families face, and the personal cost of long investigations. The series is both a true‑crime investigation and an exploration of the lived experience of families left behind.