A Western Australian podcaster who hosted programs focused on conspiracy theories, the occult and spirituality has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his partner, ending a case that shocked the Perth community and reignited discussions about domestic violence and drug-fuelled offending.
The Supreme Court of Western Australia heard that 33-year-old Tobias Nuttall murdered his partner, 30-year-old Alisha Lauren Hendren-Krippner, at her home in Bassendean in August 2025. The couple had been in a relationship for approximately six months and had recently returned from a trip to Sydney when tensions between them escalated. Evidence presented to the court revealed that the relationship had been deteriorating and conflict had emerged during their trip before continuing after they arrived back in Perth.
According to court findings, the fatal confrontation occurred less than an hour after the couple returned to Ms Hendren-Krippner's residence. Nuttall later claimed an argument developed over the condition of the home ahead of a rental inspection. He alleged that his partner confronted him with a knife and that he acted in self-defence. However, Justice Amanda Forrester rejected that account, finding there was no evidence supporting claims of self-defence, coercive control or abuse by the victim.
The court heard Nuttall stabbed Ms Hendren-Krippner about nine times in the neck and torso during what the judge described as an uncontrolled and violent attack. Emergency services were contacted after the assault, but despite being transported to hospital, Ms Hendren-Krippner died from her injuries. Police later recovered a blood-stained dagger from the property.
During sentencing, Justice Forrester examined text messages Nuttall sent to his father shortly before the killing. In those messages, he described the relationship as difficult and referred to being in what he called an "evil situation." The court also heard evidence that both Nuttall and Ms Hendren-Krippner had consumed methamphetamine during their trip and in the period leading up to the fatal incident. Toxicology findings formed part of the broader evidence considered during sentencing.
A victim impact statement from Ms Hendren-Krippner's father described the devastating effect her death had on the family. He remembered his daughter as kind, compassionate and full of life, saying her future had been taken away in an instant. The court acknowledged the profound and lasting grief experienced by her loved ones.
Justice Forrester sentenced Nuttall to life imprisonment and ordered that he serve at least 18 years before becoming eligible for parole. In delivering her judgment, she condemned the violence and emphasised that relationship conflict can never justify a fatal attack. She also noted the broader societal impact of domestic violence, particularly violence against women.
The case attracted significant public attention because of Nuttall's role as co-host of the "Waking World" podcast, where he discussed conspiracy theories, spirituality and supernatural topics. His guilty plea earlier in 2026 spared the victim's family a lengthy trial, but the sentencing hearing provided a detailed account of the events leading to the killing and the devastating consequences for those left behind.
