‘Cotard’s syndrome is hard to classify unambiguously owing to the crossover with depression, suicidal thoughts, and psychosis. Often, the aspects of the disorder that delineate Cotard’s are secondary to the more obvious disorders. It is, however, not difficult to diagnose, given its entirely unique presentation. My research from established and respected medical journals has shown that sufficient cases have been studied over the past century to be clear about the primary delusion. The belief that one is dying or dead. In the most comprehensive studies, sufferers were fairly evenly split between males and females. Most cases were in adults. The vast majority were found to have had an underlying brain injury, disease or pathology that could explain the delusion.’

‘With all due respect,’ Overbeck interjected, this time without troubling herself to stand first. ‘We’re not dealing with someone who is simply deluded about their own existence. This is a dangerous predator who has killed twice to our knowledge, and who is holding other victims hostage who might be dead or alive. This man is not depressed. He’s clearly a psychopath.’

‘I’m not a psychiatrist, Superintendent, so I can’t answer to that. I can tell you, however, that I’ve researched cases of Cotard’s syndrome, and I find myself compelled to believe that it is a properly documented, real disorder that offers a credible explanation for the murders and kidnappings in this case.’

‘Could you give us another example of a case of Cotard’s syndrome, Dr Lambert?’ an officer called.

‘Certainly, there are plenty to choose from.’ Ailsa opened a filed and scanned the page. ‘Here we are, a female – twenty-four years of age – in Perth, not far away at all, suffered what appeared to be nothing more than a concussion in a car crash. Soon thereafter, she began experiencing episodes of depression. Her self-care suffered. Her hygiene was found to be lacking by her mother, who tried to care for her daughter and finally took her to the doctor. She reported a sense that there were parts of herself missing. The doctor prescribed antidepressants. The girl had to cease work. Six months later, she was dramatically losing weight. Wrongly diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, she was sent for counselling. Her therapist became concerned when the young woman began to express the idea that her organs were failing and that her death was imminent. She was referred to a psychiatrist who ordered scans, and a lesion was found in her brain. Various attempts at treatment were made, but the young woman eventually died from heart failure having lost so much weight that her body could no longer tolerate the stress it was under.’

‘So, can you point us towards any cases where someone suffering from Cotard syndrome ended up killing or seriously harming another person?’ Overbeck asked.