News Feature Story: 60 Minutes
Photo by Donald Tong
Nestled along the rugged coast of Western Australia, one year ago the quiet town of Shoalwater, its tranquillity was shattered by a sinister act of betrayal. A brilliant young mind, Cody Hedrick, met a tragic end at the hands of his classmate, Felix Ryker, who once called him a friend. We delve into this harrowing tale, with an exclusive interview offering a rare glimpse into the motives, reasoning, and the chilling significance behind the unusual murder weapon.Within the confines of Cody's backyard greenhouse, where vibrant flora thrived under his careful tending, the young scholar met his untimely demise. Here, amidst the green foliage, his life's work mingled with instruments of unexpected tragedy. It was in this very sanctuary of growth and discovery that Cody's promising journey was abruptly cut short.
The twenty-seven-year-old, a prodigious scholar, stood on the cusp of a breakthrough that promised to reshape the landscape of biology and medicine. His dedication and brilliance were poised to leave an indelible mark on the scientific community. But beneath the surface of his academic success, jealousy festered, leading to a calculated plan of destruction.
Felix Ryker, now twenty-eight and sentenced to life in prison at Casuarina Prison for the murder of Cody, has granted us a rare opportunity for an exclusive interview. This enigmatic figure, responsible for the heinous act, has kept his motives shrouded in secrecy until this moment. Today, we aim to uncover the answers to the questions that have weighed heavily on everyone's minds: why did he commit such a crime, and what drove him to it?
In the dimly lit interview room at Casuarina Prison, a palpable sense of foreboding hung in the air. The walls, painted a drab shade of grey, seemed to close in on the space, while a single fluorescent light buzzed overhead, casting harsh shadows across the floor. The scent of disinfectant barely masked the underlying muskiness that permeated the room—a testament to the high-security nature of the facility. By the door, a guard stood sentinel, his posture rigid and his gaze unwavering, a stark reminder of the formidable environment.
As Felix Ryker entered the room, his presence seemed to fill the space, his lean 177cm frame exuding an air of calculated confidence. His chestnut hair, unruly and wavy, framed a face marked by a steely resolve. Brown eyes, sharp and piercing, held a glint of arrogance—a testament to a mind still grappling with the consequences of his actions. He moved with a controlled grace, every step measured, every gesture deliberate. As he settled into the chair, in cuffs with his posture remained upright, an unspoken assertion of dominance in this stark, unforgiving setting.
"Good afternoon, Felix. It’s a pleasure to talk with you. Thank you for reaching out to us as well."
"Yeah, likewise." He extends his hand for a shake, but then realizes he's cuffed, chuckling. "Oops, slipped my mind for a second there. Guess they wouldn’t be too keen on that, huh?" He glances over at the guard behind him.
"No worries at all. It's an honour to conduct this interview and share your story not just across Australia, but worldwide."
"Pretty much what I want." He nods.
"First things first, let's get to know you better. Could you tell us about your childhood and growing up?"
"Oh, that's a breeze. I grew up in Port Douglas, somewhere in Queensland, and spent most of my childhood and teen years there. I lived with my grandparents and my mother, though sadly, my father passed away when I was just two."
"I'm so sorry to bring up such a sensitive topic."
"Nah, it's fine. It's ancient history by now." He leans back, trying to settle more comfortably in his chair.
"Alright, I'm curious, what led you to Botany? What early experiences sparked that interest?"
Felix's eyes light up with excitement as he leans forward, animated by his memories.
"It's all thanks to my grandmother," his voice filled with enthusiasm. "She'd take me on these long drives through the forests in the area. Sure, it might sound like a bit of a trek, but trust me, the payoff was worth it. The forests were simply breathtaking. As a kid, I didn't see much beyond greenery, bushes, and dirt. That is, until my grandmother unveiled all the hidden treasures. After that, I was hooked," he said, his words carrying a genuine, happy tone.
"I see. So, after high school, I'm going to assume you decided to move to Rockingham in order to attend Murdoch University. What made you decide to move there?"
"Not quite. I stayed in my hometown for two years after school ended. I moved to Rockingham primarily because I found a place to stay, but another significant reason was Professor Dmitry at Murdoch." His face lit up at the mention of his lecturer, but he quickly reverted to a neutral expression after a short pause. "He's famous for his awards and research in plant science. I came here because of him. He shares the same love for nature as I do, and we're both driven to discover new plant species, whether they're above ground or underwater. Our aim is to advance our research and deepen our understanding of plants." He said this in a steady tone, then looked down after finishing his answer.
"Everything looked like it was going your way at that time. Did it all change when Cody came into the picture? What did he do to make it all fall apart?"
He leans back, his expression turning cold. "Yeah. When Cody came along after a few years into the course. All it took was his 'unique mind' and his 'way of crafting his words' to steal all the professor's attention. That's what the professor said, and he grew fond of him. Then, we were all forgotten just like that. It was as if our work didn't matter anymore when this so-called 'prodigy' came to light."
His voice drips with a mixture of bitterness and frustration, as he continues, "He made our work look like a joke, nothing but sub-human trash in his eyes, we all thought that. We have our pride as soon-to-be botanists, we worked hard to get to where we were... felt like he cheated."
“Was that the moment where you thought about doing ‘that’ to him?”
He tilts his head to the side, then abruptly leans forward while looking away. "Not exactly. I tried to best him as my rival, not that he was aware, but he was my rival. I wanted to overtake him and dismiss his efforts as mere flukes or insinuate he might have cheated."
"I'd like to ask what happened suddenly for you to become his friend? Was this actually genuine or–”
He cuts the interviewer off with a sharp tone. "No f**king way with that prick. I did it so that I could find out what he’s really like. At first, I just wanted to reveal any dirty secrets he had; anything that showed that he was a fraud." His face contorts with anger and hatred, but then he relaxes in his chair. "We barely talked during our classes, so I couldn't really tell what he was like. He never revealed anything, nor did he speak too much. Until I heard that he was just a socially awkward guy."
“Who did you hear that from?”
“The professor.”
“Would you like to tell me how that came about?”
"Well…" He looks down, considering his words carefully. "He asked to chat with me when he felt like I was acting a bit more unusual ever since Cody came. I told him that nothing was wrong and just mentioned how I hate how Cody just doesn’t speak often. That was when he told me that, and it gave me the idea to take advantage of that and get close to him."
"I see. So, back to a previous question. When was the moment you thought about ending Cody’s life and what events brought you to that?"
Felix's smirk darkens, his frustration evident. "After being close for about three months, he invited me to his house. Every second spent with him in those three months was excruciating. He'd drone on incessantly about his work. When I tried to talk about mine, he'd interject with unsolicited 'improvements'. It infuriated me," he says, his tone edged with irritation. "During that visit, he showed me the Venotex Cactus, our joint project. I was surprised he had one. That was the only time he impressed me; they're not easy to acquire."
"As for what finally pushed me to contemplate ending his life, I told him I'd developed an antidote for the cactus. Our research focused on creating effective antidotes for various toxins. But he showed no interest in my work, insisting his was already perfected. He wanted to compare them. That was the moment. Oh, we’ll compare alright, I’ll just use you for more ‘accurate data’.” Felix's eyes widen, leaning forward, and a wide grin stretches across his face as he talks about the events leading up to Cody's demise.
The guard in the back intervenes, gripping Felix's shoulder to guide him back into his seat and sternly warning him to calm down, or the interview will be forcibly ended.
Felix turns his head, meeting the guard's gaze. "No worries, officer. I won't bite," he says, attempting to convey nonchalance with a shrug, though his hands are cuffed, giving the impression of a mischievous child trying to play off a minor transgression.
He then turns towards the interviewer and adds with a dark humour, "Unless you're Cody.”
The guard issues one last warning, and Felix, albeit reluctantly, acquiesces.
"Okay, we'll get ourselves back on track, but first I'd like for you to talk more about the cactus you mentioned earlier. Autopsy reports reveal severe doses of toxic substances that came from the newly discovered species of cactus. Just how dangerous is this plant?"
"Oh, the Venotex Cactus. It's quite a specimen. Recently unearthed in the southwestern states of North America, it stands tall with razor-sharp needles capable of piercing even the toughest skin. And then, there are those needles laced with deadly toxins, potent enough to claim the life of a fully grown adult. It's so lethal that you wouldn't make it to the hospital. You'd be gone within a few hours. The only way to save someone is by having the antidote on hand."
He explains this with a calm and professional demeanour, as if he's switched to a different persona, tailored to the topic at hand.
"The autopsy suggests that you used the cactus to end Cody's life. Can you walk me through how you went about the plan of killing him with it?"
Felix recounts every detail with a twisted sense of pride, punctuating his words with gestures that underscore his satisfaction.
"The planning started right around the time he showed me that cactus and brought up the idea of comparing our antidotes. It was straightforward. I let him ramble on about the cactus, since he was so fond of doing that. Meanwhile, I discreetly got hold of the duct tape nearby. Initially, I considered using a cloth, but then I spotted the tape and thought it would do the job just as well. I swiftly placed it over his mouth, and with a swift kick, I weakened his back legs. Then, I forcefully grabbed his collar and flung him towards the cactus. The needles pierced his skin like butter, securing him in place. Just to be certain, I fetched a garden hose and wrapped it around him."
“It wasn’t too hard, he’s not a big guy after all,” suddenly that confident nature turns into this slight disappointment. “Although, I was hoping for the antidote to work.”
"So, the antidote failed? Could you shed some light on what you planned initially?"
Felix leans forward on his elbows, his expression filled with a mix of frustration and resignation. "Yeah, it failed," he sighs. "As you know, I only wanted to demonstrate to Cody that I could match his achievements. If I could have neutralized the toxin before it proved fatal, without any adverse effects, it would've been a game-changer. It would've shown that I could surpass him, turning his title of 'prodigy' into a complete joke. But the cactus ended up shutting down his system entirely. I was devastated that my antidote didn't work," he pauses, his gaze drifting away as if lost in thought, "...but I was strangely relieved that he died and was out of the picture."
“You were relieved? Do you feel any remorse or regret for your actions?”
"If I were to pick, whether I am regretful or thankful that he is gone, I would choose both. I'm thankful that he is gone. I feel like my mind is at ease knowing that he's not here anymore to get in the way of hard-earned work. Who knows what other professors he's going to lure with that mind of his. As for the regretful part, it's not even about him, just regretful that my antidote didn't work," he chuckles. "I couldn't give a damn about him."
"Did you think about what the people around him would feel about this? Like his family and friends for example?"
"Oh, definitely the people around him would be sad that their little garden caretaker is gone. But his family? I don't think they give a f**k he's gone," his tone rises with a mocking edge, aimed at Cody. "Maybe to this day they have no clue, and if they did, it wouldn't matter to them. I heard from Cody he lost contact with them long ago, seeing as they didn't really support his career path. As for friends, I don't think he has any," he laughs to himself. "He was so happy that he finally made a friend too. Sadly, it was me,” tilting his head quickly to the side with a smile.
“I see…”
The interviewer nods solemnly, absorbing Felix's chilling words. As the weight of their conversation settles, the guard standing nearby raises a hand, signalling that the interview has concluded. Felix stands up, his expression returning to a more neutral facade. He follows the guard's lead, and together they exit the room, leaving behind the stark, sterile environment of the interrogation chamber. The interviewer follows suit, stepping out into the corridor. There's a palpable tension in the air, an unspoken understanding of the gravity of the revelations. They exchange a glance with Felix, a mix of curiosity and unease lingering in their eyes. The guard keeps a vigilant watch, ensuring the distance is maintained. It's a chilling reminder that the story uncovered in that room is not a mere narrative; it's a haunting reality with consequences that extend far beyond those walls.
In the aftermath of this chilling encounter, we are left to contemplate the enigma that is Felix Ryker. His calculated actions, driven by envy and a desire for recognition, paint a portrait of a mind consumed by its own dark ambitions. As we reflect on the chilling revelations, the weight of Cody Hedrick's tragic fate looms heavy, a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the depths to which human emotions can lead us.
In the wake of this revelation, we gain a deeper understanding of the intricate web of motivations that led Felix Ryker down this fateful path. The failed antidote, once a beacon of hope for Ryker, now stands as a testament to the unforgiving nature of the Venotex Cactus. Its deadly embrace proved more formidable than he could have anticipated, sealing Cody Hedrick's tragic fate.
Story Inspired by: Roald Dahl
Within the confines of Cody's backyard greenhouse, where vibrant flora thrived under his careful tending, the young scholar met his untimely demise. Here, amidst the green foliage, his life's work mingled with instruments of unexpected tragedy. It was in this very sanctuary of growth and discovery that Cody's promising journey was abruptly cut short.
The twenty-seven-year-old, a prodigious scholar, stood on the cusp of a breakthrough that promised to reshape the landscape of biology and medicine. His dedication and brilliance were poised to leave an indelible mark on the scientific community. But beneath the surface of his academic success, jealousy festered, leading to a calculated plan of destruction.
Felix Ryker, now twenty-eight and sentenced to life in prison at Casuarina Prison for the murder of Cody, has granted us a rare opportunity for an exclusive interview. This enigmatic figure, responsible for the heinous act, has kept his motives shrouded in secrecy until this moment. Today, we aim to uncover the answers to the questions that have weighed heavily on everyone's minds: why did he commit such a crime, and what drove him to it?
In the dimly lit interview room at Casuarina Prison, a palpable sense of foreboding hung in the air. The walls, painted a drab shade of grey, seemed to close in on the space, while a single fluorescent light buzzed overhead, casting harsh shadows across the floor. The scent of disinfectant barely masked the underlying muskiness that permeated the room—a testament to the high-security nature of the facility. By the door, a guard stood sentinel, his posture rigid and his gaze unwavering, a stark reminder of the formidable environment.
As Felix Ryker entered the room, his presence seemed to fill the space, his lean 177cm frame exuding an air of calculated confidence. His chestnut hair, unruly and wavy, framed a face marked by a steely resolve. Brown eyes, sharp and piercing, held a glint of arrogance—a testament to a mind still grappling with the consequences of his actions. He moved with a controlled grace, every step measured, every gesture deliberate. As he settled into the chair, in cuffs with his posture remained upright, an unspoken assertion of dominance in this stark, unforgiving setting.
"Good afternoon, Felix. It’s a pleasure to talk with you. Thank you for reaching out to us as well."
"Yeah, likewise." He extends his hand for a shake, but then realizes he's cuffed, chuckling. "Oops, slipped my mind for a second there. Guess they wouldn’t be too keen on that, huh?" He glances over at the guard behind him.
"No worries at all. It's an honour to conduct this interview and share your story not just across Australia, but worldwide."
"Pretty much what I want." He nods.
"First things first, let's get to know you better. Could you tell us about your childhood and growing up?"
"Oh, that's a breeze. I grew up in Port Douglas, somewhere in Queensland, and spent most of my childhood and teen years there. I lived with my grandparents and my mother, though sadly, my father passed away when I was just two."
"I'm so sorry to bring up such a sensitive topic."
"Nah, it's fine. It's ancient history by now." He leans back, trying to settle more comfortably in his chair.
"Alright, I'm curious, what led you to Botany? What early experiences sparked that interest?"
Felix's eyes light up with excitement as he leans forward, animated by his memories.
"It's all thanks to my grandmother," his voice filled with enthusiasm. "She'd take me on these long drives through the forests in the area. Sure, it might sound like a bit of a trek, but trust me, the payoff was worth it. The forests were simply breathtaking. As a kid, I didn't see much beyond greenery, bushes, and dirt. That is, until my grandmother unveiled all the hidden treasures. After that, I was hooked," he said, his words carrying a genuine, happy tone.
"I see. So, after high school, I'm going to assume you decided to move to Rockingham in order to attend Murdoch University. What made you decide to move there?"
"Not quite. I stayed in my hometown for two years after school ended. I moved to Rockingham primarily because I found a place to stay, but another significant reason was Professor Dmitry at Murdoch." His face lit up at the mention of his lecturer, but he quickly reverted to a neutral expression after a short pause. "He's famous for his awards and research in plant science. I came here because of him. He shares the same love for nature as I do, and we're both driven to discover new plant species, whether they're above ground or underwater. Our aim is to advance our research and deepen our understanding of plants." He said this in a steady tone, then looked down after finishing his answer.
"Everything looked like it was going your way at that time. Did it all change when Cody came into the picture? What did he do to make it all fall apart?"
He leans back, his expression turning cold. "Yeah. When Cody came along after a few years into the course. All it took was his 'unique mind' and his 'way of crafting his words' to steal all the professor's attention. That's what the professor said, and he grew fond of him. Then, we were all forgotten just like that. It was as if our work didn't matter anymore when this so-called 'prodigy' came to light."
His voice drips with a mixture of bitterness and frustration, as he continues, "He made our work look like a joke, nothing but sub-human trash in his eyes, we all thought that. We have our pride as soon-to-be botanists, we worked hard to get to where we were... felt like he cheated."
“Was that the moment where you thought about doing ‘that’ to him?”
He tilts his head to the side, then abruptly leans forward while looking away. "Not exactly. I tried to best him as my rival, not that he was aware, but he was my rival. I wanted to overtake him and dismiss his efforts as mere flukes or insinuate he might have cheated."
"I'd like to ask what happened suddenly for you to become his friend? Was this actually genuine or–”
He cuts the interviewer off with a sharp tone. "No f**king way with that prick. I did it so that I could find out what he’s really like. At first, I just wanted to reveal any dirty secrets he had; anything that showed that he was a fraud." His face contorts with anger and hatred, but then he relaxes in his chair. "We barely talked during our classes, so I couldn't really tell what he was like. He never revealed anything, nor did he speak too much. Until I heard that he was just a socially awkward guy."
“Who did you hear that from?”
“The professor.”
“Would you like to tell me how that came about?”
"Well…" He looks down, considering his words carefully. "He asked to chat with me when he felt like I was acting a bit more unusual ever since Cody came. I told him that nothing was wrong and just mentioned how I hate how Cody just doesn’t speak often. That was when he told me that, and it gave me the idea to take advantage of that and get close to him."
"I see. So, back to a previous question. When was the moment you thought about ending Cody’s life and what events brought you to that?"
Felix's smirk darkens, his frustration evident. "After being close for about three months, he invited me to his house. Every second spent with him in those three months was excruciating. He'd drone on incessantly about his work. When I tried to talk about mine, he'd interject with unsolicited 'improvements'. It infuriated me," he says, his tone edged with irritation. "During that visit, he showed me the Venotex Cactus, our joint project. I was surprised he had one. That was the only time he impressed me; they're not easy to acquire."
"As for what finally pushed me to contemplate ending his life, I told him I'd developed an antidote for the cactus. Our research focused on creating effective antidotes for various toxins. But he showed no interest in my work, insisting his was already perfected. He wanted to compare them. That was the moment. Oh, we’ll compare alright, I’ll just use you for more ‘accurate data’.” Felix's eyes widen, leaning forward, and a wide grin stretches across his face as he talks about the events leading up to Cody's demise.
The guard in the back intervenes, gripping Felix's shoulder to guide him back into his seat and sternly warning him to calm down, or the interview will be forcibly ended.
Felix turns his head, meeting the guard's gaze. "No worries, officer. I won't bite," he says, attempting to convey nonchalance with a shrug, though his hands are cuffed, giving the impression of a mischievous child trying to play off a minor transgression.
He then turns towards the interviewer and adds with a dark humour, "Unless you're Cody.”
The guard issues one last warning, and Felix, albeit reluctantly, acquiesces.
"Okay, we'll get ourselves back on track, but first I'd like for you to talk more about the cactus you mentioned earlier. Autopsy reports reveal severe doses of toxic substances that came from the newly discovered species of cactus. Just how dangerous is this plant?"
"Oh, the Venotex Cactus. It's quite a specimen. Recently unearthed in the southwestern states of North America, it stands tall with razor-sharp needles capable of piercing even the toughest skin. And then, there are those needles laced with deadly toxins, potent enough to claim the life of a fully grown adult. It's so lethal that you wouldn't make it to the hospital. You'd be gone within a few hours. The only way to save someone is by having the antidote on hand."
He explains this with a calm and professional demeanour, as if he's switched to a different persona, tailored to the topic at hand.
"The autopsy suggests that you used the cactus to end Cody's life. Can you walk me through how you went about the plan of killing him with it?"
Felix recounts every detail with a twisted sense of pride, punctuating his words with gestures that underscore his satisfaction.
"The planning started right around the time he showed me that cactus and brought up the idea of comparing our antidotes. It was straightforward. I let him ramble on about the cactus, since he was so fond of doing that. Meanwhile, I discreetly got hold of the duct tape nearby. Initially, I considered using a cloth, but then I spotted the tape and thought it would do the job just as well. I swiftly placed it over his mouth, and with a swift kick, I weakened his back legs. Then, I forcefully grabbed his collar and flung him towards the cactus. The needles pierced his skin like butter, securing him in place. Just to be certain, I fetched a garden hose and wrapped it around him."
“It wasn’t too hard, he’s not a big guy after all,” suddenly that confident nature turns into this slight disappointment. “Although, I was hoping for the antidote to work.”
"So, the antidote failed? Could you shed some light on what you planned initially?"
Felix leans forward on his elbows, his expression filled with a mix of frustration and resignation. "Yeah, it failed," he sighs. "As you know, I only wanted to demonstrate to Cody that I could match his achievements. If I could have neutralized the toxin before it proved fatal, without any adverse effects, it would've been a game-changer. It would've shown that I could surpass him, turning his title of 'prodigy' into a complete joke. But the cactus ended up shutting down his system entirely. I was devastated that my antidote didn't work," he pauses, his gaze drifting away as if lost in thought, "...but I was strangely relieved that he died and was out of the picture."
“You were relieved? Do you feel any remorse or regret for your actions?”
"If I were to pick, whether I am regretful or thankful that he is gone, I would choose both. I'm thankful that he is gone. I feel like my mind is at ease knowing that he's not here anymore to get in the way of hard-earned work. Who knows what other professors he's going to lure with that mind of his. As for the regretful part, it's not even about him, just regretful that my antidote didn't work," he chuckles. "I couldn't give a damn about him."
"Did you think about what the people around him would feel about this? Like his family and friends for example?"
"Oh, definitely the people around him would be sad that their little garden caretaker is gone. But his family? I don't think they give a f**k he's gone," his tone rises with a mocking edge, aimed at Cody. "Maybe to this day they have no clue, and if they did, it wouldn't matter to them. I heard from Cody he lost contact with them long ago, seeing as they didn't really support his career path. As for friends, I don't think he has any," he laughs to himself. "He was so happy that he finally made a friend too. Sadly, it was me,” tilting his head quickly to the side with a smile.
“I see…”
The interviewer nods solemnly, absorbing Felix's chilling words. As the weight of their conversation settles, the guard standing nearby raises a hand, signalling that the interview has concluded. Felix stands up, his expression returning to a more neutral facade. He follows the guard's lead, and together they exit the room, leaving behind the stark, sterile environment of the interrogation chamber. The interviewer follows suit, stepping out into the corridor. There's a palpable tension in the air, an unspoken understanding of the gravity of the revelations. They exchange a glance with Felix, a mix of curiosity and unease lingering in their eyes. The guard keeps a vigilant watch, ensuring the distance is maintained. It's a chilling reminder that the story uncovered in that room is not a mere narrative; it's a haunting reality with consequences that extend far beyond those walls.
In the aftermath of this chilling encounter, we are left to contemplate the enigma that is Felix Ryker. His calculated actions, driven by envy and a desire for recognition, paint a portrait of a mind consumed by its own dark ambitions. As we reflect on the chilling revelations, the weight of Cody Hedrick's tragic fate looms heavy, a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the depths to which human emotions can lead us.
In the wake of this revelation, we gain a deeper understanding of the intricate web of motivations that led Felix Ryker down this fateful path. The failed antidote, once a beacon of hope for Ryker, now stands as a testament to the unforgiving nature of the Venotex Cactus. Its deadly embrace proved more formidable than he could have anticipated, sealing Cody Hedrick's tragic fate.
Story Inspired by: Roald Dahl
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