Deb Webber
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Paranormal}}
Debra "Deb" Webber is an Australian psychic medium.
Works
Webber has worked extensively as a psychic medium throughout Australia and New Zealand. She has her own company named Seeds of Energy Pty Ltd,{{Cite web|url=http://debwebber.com.au/contact/|title=Contact :: Deb Webber|website=debwebber.com.au|access-date=2017-01-09|archive-date=10 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170110014700/http://debwebber.com.au/contact/|url-status=dead}} which was started in 2003.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aus61business.com/company/Seeds-Of-Energy-Pty-Ltd|title=Australia Business Listing|website=AUS61 Business|access-date=2017-01-09}} She is known for appearing on New Zealand television series Sensing Murder. On the show, she works as a psychic detective to help find evidence relating to unsolved murder cases. Webber also writes a regular column, titled Life After Deb, in Australian magazine Woman's Day.{{Cite web|url=http://debwebber.com.au/|title=Deb Webber|website=debwebber.com.au|access-date=2017-01-09}}
Controversy
Critics have pointed out her show uses cold reading and other techniques used by entertainers like Derren Brown.
= ''Caught on Hidden Camera'' =
On 13 August 2004 Australian Channel 7 broadcast a show called "Caught on Hidden Camera", in which they asked Webber to give readings to three people. The three asked to contact deceased relatives that did not exist. Webber claimed she was able to 'contact' these people. This was later screened in New Zealand on the show Eating Media Lunch as "Sensing Bullshit".{{Cite news|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/539031/i-Sensing-Murder-I-Sleuths-or-scammers|title=Sensing Murder: Sleuths or scammers?|newspaper=Stuff|access-date=2017-01-09}}
= TVNZ psychic disagreement =
{{Quote box | width=30% | align=right | quote="I was walking past the television and [Aisling] popped up, and I went 'oh, she's in a ditch, hole, in West Auckland. That's what I got, instantly". |source= Deb Webber to Paul Henry on Breakfast }}
Webber was involved in controversy regarding a high-profile missing child case in New Zealand in October 2009. The family of missing child Aisling Symes were introduced to Sensing Murder medium Webber by state broadcaster Television New Zealand (TVNZ), a move which was criticised in the media due to Aisling only having disappeared two days previously.{{cite news|author=John Drinnan|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10602134|title=Media: TVNZ role in toddler case unsettling|date=9 October 2009|accessdate=2009-10-10|newspaper=The New Zealand Herald}}
One policeman said when questioned if the New Zealand police would use comments made by Webber on television show Breakfast: "I'm totally aghast - it seems like a totally commercial play". TVNZ responded with the following statement: "We're not trying to push a psychic message to make money and get ratings".{{cite news|author=Matt Nippert|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/television/news/article.cfm?c_id=339&objectid=10602517|title=TV psychic row breaks out as police search for missing girl|date=11 October 2009|accessdate=2009-10-11|newspaper=The New Zealand Herald}} Hundreds of e-mails were sent to the station.