Sea of Lies from Uncover

A body is pulled from the ocean, and a race against time to capture one of the world's most wanted criminals begins.This is the story of a con man who couldn't stop lying. A tale of murder, stolen identities, fine art, a diaper stuffed with gold bars, and a crime solved by a Rolex watch. From rural Canada to coastal England, he lied and deceived at every turn.Award-winning podcaster Sam Mullins (Chameleon: Dr. Dante & Wild Boys) takes you inside the world of a devious scammer whose trail of destruction crosses continents and decades. So who is he? And how did this ruthless villain finally get unmasked?

As a teen, Anne-Marie Robinson dreamed of becoming a professional musician. The talented French horn player soon became the music teacher’s favourite. But it wasn’t the kind of attention she wanted. On a band trip, he bought the kids alcohol and she ended up in his hotel bed. Decades later, she ran into him. It was like seeing a ghost.

Robinson stored her painful, high-school memories deep in her mind. But it all came flooding back in midlife after she saw the music teacher. She decided to confront him. That meeting led Robinson on a journey to discover what really happened and report it to police.

More than a year after Robinson went to police, William Douglas Walker was charged with a sex crime. She alleged he groomed and controlled her when she was 16. After four and half years in court, a judge said there wasn’t enough proof she hadn’t consented to sex. The case was dismissed.

Robinson couldn’t help but think if she knew there were other victims, the outcome of the case would have been different. The investigation finds another survivor, Robinson reaches out and gets a response right away: “Hello Powerful Woman.” She finally meets the woman who got the teacher banned.

Jeanie McKay, a former student of a predatory music teacher, shares her harrowing journey of abuse and the courage it took to report her abuser. She recounts the haunting memories of her teenage years, where she faced the trauma of a relationship marked by manipulation. The conversation delves into the emotional scars left by such experiences and the importance of community for survivors. Jeanie emphasizes the need for accountability in educational environments, shining a light on the systemic failures that often protect abusers over victims.

Jackie Short, a former student and now a professional opera singer, shares her harrowing journey of documenting her music teacher Doug Walker's inappropriate behavior with detailed diaries. She reveals the emotional chaos stemming from his advances towards multiple students and his manipulative tactics. Jackie recounts a pivotal moment during a band trip, where she bravely reported Walker's actions, sparking a discussion on power dynamics and the long-lasting impact of such trauma. Her story sheds light on the importance of confronting injustice and finding strength in shared experiences.

A gathering of five alleged victims reveals haunting stories of harassment and abuse by a once-beloved music teacher. Reflections on a nostalgic band concert take a dark turn as they confront shared trauma and institutional failures. Amid laughter and cake, they emphasize the importance of solidarity and healing. Details emerge about a past assault, sparking a search for accountability. The conversation unveils disturbing patterns of manipulation while highlighting the urgent need for systemic change to protect students from predatory behavior.

Robinson meets Sam, the man behind the punch. He said in 1975, when he found out his 16-year-old daughter had sexual encounters with her high-school music teacher, he went to the principal. When Walker moved schools, he told Robinson about the punch — it made her feel sorry for him. But now she knows what really happened.

A third alleged victim goes to the police about the music teacher, again resulting in no charge or conviction. In season one of this podcast, 10 men came forward to tell police they were sexually abused as teens by one teacher. He was led away in handcuffs and taken to prison. These women don’t understand the double standard for girls.