Sheryl briefs us on Zone 7 news for the New Year!

Sheryl briefs us on Zone 7 news for the New Year!

Work a cold case alongside investigator Sheryl “Mac” McCollum, Director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute. Every week, Sheryl dives into her cold case files alongside accomplished guests to look for clues into unsolved murders, missing people, and more. This ain’t just a podcast but a war room. Sheryl opens her cold case files, her heart and her little black book! You will quickly realize Zone 7 is not a place but a lifestyle!

Work a cold case alongside investigator Sheryl “Mac” McCollum, Director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute. Every week, Sheryl dives into her cold case files alongside accomplished guests to look for clues into unsolved murders, missing people, and more. This ain’t just a podcast but a war room. Sheryl opens her cold case files, her heart and her little black book! You will quickly realize Zone 7 is not a place but a lifestyle!

Zone 7 with Sheryl McCollum

Coming 2026 on Zone 7...

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/6cf45697-78c0-4687-8f2a-b3bb01082558/transcript

Human trafficking investigations rarely look like abduction stories, and the biggest failures often start with a single mistake: mislabeling the victim. In this Hall of Fame Series installment of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum is joined by Maurice Edwards, a 2023 National Law Enforcement Officer Hall of Fame inductee. Together, they clarify what trafficking looks like in the United States, explain why prosecutors and victim advocates belong in the earliest stages of an investigation, and challenge the language and assumptions that can derail a case. Sheryl and Maurice emphasize a victim-first standard: when a child is being bought and sold, the work begins with protection and recovery.



Highlights:

• (0:00) Sheryl McCollum introduces Maurice Edwards and his career in missing-child and child sex trafficking investigations

• (2:15) Maurice’s current role supporting child sex trafficking investigations at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

• (3:45) What drew Maurice to trafficking work through missing-child cases and pattern recognition

• (6:45) The first trafficking case, first convictions, and the task force model that followed

• (9:00) Why prosecutors must be embedded early to build cases that survive court

• (11:00) Legal precision at the scene, and why Sheryl insists a teamwork mindset makes cases stronger

• (13:45) Misconceptions that derail trafficking cases and why language shapes how  victims are treated

• (18:45) The cases that stay with Maurice: child deaths, coercion, and forced substance abuse tied to exploitation

• (21:25) Carrying the work home: Maurice on emotional boundaries and staying steady in child sex-crime investigations

• (28:30) Technology’s role in trafficking and the investigative reality of criminals adapting to new tools

• (32:15) Practical ways the public can support prevention and a victim-first response

• (33:15) The comparison that exposes the double standard in how minors are treated in commercial sex settings

• (38:00) Closing reflections on service, humility, and credit not being the goal



Guest Bio:

Maurice Edwards is a law enforcement leader specializing in child sex-trafficking investigations and missing and endangered child recoveries. He is currently a supervisor with the Child Sex Trafficking Team at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, supporting agencies with analytical support, operational planning, training, and investigative awareness. He has received multiple professional honors, including the Polaris Star Award, Florida Intelligence Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, the Frederick Douglass Human Trafficking Award, and 2023 induction into the National Law Enforcement Officer Hall of Fame.



Enjoying Zone 7? Leave a rating and review where you listen to podcasts. Your feedback helps others find the show and supports the mission to educate, engage, and inspire.



Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an active crime scene investigator for a Metro Atlanta Police

Department and the director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, which partners with colleges and universities nationwide. With more than 4 decades of experience, she has worked on thousands of cold cases using her investigative system, The Last 24/361, which integrates evidence, media, and advanced forensic testing. Her work on high-profile cases, including The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, Tupac Shakur and the Moore’s Ford Bridge lynching, led to her Emmy Award for CSI: Atlanta and induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023.



Social Links:

• Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com

• Twitter: @ColdCaseTips

• Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum

• Instagram:@officialzone7podcast



Preorder Sheryl’s upcoming book, Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Lessons in Life, Justice, and Joy from a Forensic Scientist, releasing May 2026 from Simon and Schuster.

https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Swans-Dont-Swim-in-a-Sewer/Sheryl-Mac-McCollum/9798895652824

 

Human trafficking investigations rarely look like abduction stories, and the biggest failures often&nbsp;start with a single mistake: mislabeling the victim. In this Hall of Fame Series installment of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum is joined by Maurice Edwards, a 2023 National Law Enforcement Officer&nbsp;Hall of Fame inductee. Together, they clarify what trafficking looks like in the United States,&nbsp;explain why prosecutors and victim advocates belong in the earliest stages of an investigation,&nbsp;and challenge the language and assumptions that can derail a case. Sheryl and Maurice&nbsp;emphasize a victim-first standard: when a child is being bought and sold, the work begins with&nbsp;protection and recovery. 
Highlights:
&bull; (0:00) Sheryl McCollum introduces Maurice Edwards and his career in missing-child and&nbsp;child sex trafficking investigations
&bull; (2:15) Maurice&rsquo;s current role supporting child sex trafficking investigations at the National&nbsp;Center for Missing and Exploited Children
&bull; (3:45) What drew Maurice to trafficking work through missing-child cases and pattern&nbsp;recognition
&bull; (6:45) The first trafficking case, first convictions, and the task force model that followed
&bull; (9:00) Why prosecutors must be embedded early to build cases that survive court
&bull; (11:00) Legal precision at the scene, and why Sheryl insists a teamwork mindset makes&nbsp;cases stronger
&bull; (13:45) Misconceptions that derail trafficking cases and why language shapes how&nbsp; victims are treated
&bull; (18:45) The cases that stay with Maurice: child deaths, coercion, and forced substance&nbsp;abuse tied to exploitation
&bull; (21:25) Carrying the work home: Maurice on emotional boundaries and staying steady in&nbsp;child sex-crime investigations
&bull; (28:30) Technology&rsquo;s role in trafficking and the investigative reality of criminals adapting&nbsp;to new tools
&bull; (32:15) Practical ways the public can support prevention and a victim-first response
&bull; (33:15) The comparison that exposes the double standard in how minors are treated in&nbsp;commercial sex settings
&bull; (38:00) Closing reflections on service, humility, and credit not being the goal 
Guest Bio:
Maurice Edwards is a law enforcement leader specializing in child sex-trafficking investigations&nbsp;and missing and endangered child recoveries. He is currently a supervisor with the Child Sex&nbsp;Trafficking Team at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, supporting agencies&nbsp;with analytical support, operational planning, training, and investigative awareness. He has&nbsp;received multiple professional honors, including the Polaris Star Award, Florida Intelligence Law&nbsp;Enforcement Officer of the Year, the Frederick Douglass Human Trafficking Award, and 2023&nbsp;induction into the National Law Enforcement Officer Hall of Fame. 
Enjoying Zone 7? Leave a rating and review where you listen to podcasts. Your feedback helps&nbsp;others find the show and supports the mission to educate, engage, and inspire. 
Sheryl &ldquo;Mac&rdquo; McCollum is an active crime scene investigator for a Metro Atlanta Police
Department and the director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, which partners&nbsp;with colleges and universities nationwide. With more than 4 decades of experience, she has&nbsp;worked on thousands of cold cases using her investigative system, The Last 24/361, which&nbsp;integrates evidence, media, and advanced forensic testing. Her work on high-profile cases,&nbsp;including The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, Tupac Shakur and the Moore&rsquo;s Ford Bridge&nbsp;lynching, led to her Emmy Award for CSI: Atlanta and induction into the National Law&nbsp;Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023. 
Social Links:
&bull; Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com
&bull; Twitter: @ColdCaseTips
&bull; Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
&bull; Instagram: @officialzone7podcast 
Preorder Sheryl&rsquo;s upcoming book, Swans Don&rsquo;t Swim in a Sewer: Lessons in Life, Justice, and Joy from a Forensic Scientist, releasing May 2026 from Simon and Schuster.
<a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Swans-Dont-Swim-in-a-Sewer/Sheryl-Mac-McCollum/9798895652824">https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Swans-Dont-Swim-in-a-Sewer/Sheryl-Mac-</a><a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Swans-Dont-Swim-in-a-Sewer/Sheryl-Mac-McCollum/9798895652824">McCollum/9798895652824</a>
&nbsp;

The Zone 7 Hall of Fame! Maurice Edwards on Fighting Human Trafficking: The Victim-First Approach

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/8a2ee90a-c565-4428-af72-b3c80130dd15/transcript

Nearly four decades after the Colonial Parkway murders first shocked Virginia, new DNA links have expanded the known scope of the case while raising questions about investigative accountability.

In this episode of "Zone 7," Sheryl McCollum is joined by Bill Thomas, whose sister Cathy Thomas was one of the original victims, and Kristin Dilley, his long-time investigative partner and co-host of the podcast, "Mind Over Murder."

They walk through the latest DNA identifications tied to Alan Wade Wilmer Sr., the procedural barriers that keep his profile out of CODIS, and the growing divide between state-level momentum and federal inaction.

Their discussion centers on what happens when evidence advances while communication and action stall.

Enjoying Zone 7? Leave a rating and review where you listen to podcasts. Your feedback helps others find the show and supports the mission to educate, engage, and inspire.

Guest Bios:

Bill Thomas is a victim advocate and the brother of Cathy Thomas, one of the original victims of the Colonial Parkway murders. For nearly four decades, he has worked with law enforcement, forensic experts, and journalists to seek answers in his sister’s case and accountability for all affected families. Bill is co-host of the podcast, "Mind Over Murder," where he focuses on cold cases, investigative transparency, and the systemic challenges families face in long-term homicide investigations.

Kristin Dilley is a true crime podcaster, researcher, writer, and teacher based in Williamsburg, Virginia. Kristin has worked alongside Bill Thomas for more than seven years and is the co-host of "Mind Over Murder," where she examines cold cases with an emphasis on evidence, patterns, and victim-centered accountability.

About the Host

Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an active crime scene investigator for a Metro Atlanta Police Department and the director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, which partners with colleges and universities nationwide. With more than 4 decades of experience, she has worked on thousands of cold cases using her investigative system, The Last 24/361, which integrates evidence, media, and advanced forensic testing.

Her work on high-profile cases, including The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, Tupac Shakur and the Moore’s Ford Bridge lynching, led to her Emmy Award for "CSI: Atlanta" and induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023.



Social Links:

• Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com

• Twitter: @149zone7

• Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum

• Instagram: @officialzone7podcast



Preorder Sheryl’s upcoming book, "Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Lessons in Life, Justice, and Joy from a Forensic Scientist," releasing May 2026 from Simon and Schuster.

 

Highlights:

• (0:00) Sheryl McCollum opens Zone 7by addressing stalled accountability in long- running cold cases

• (0:45) Bill Thomas and Kristin Dilley return to Zone 7 and reflect on their investigative partnership

• (2:00) Bill remembers his sister Cathy Thomas, her Naval Academy legacy, her character, and her friend Rebecca Ann Dowski

• (5:15) How advocacy and podcasting have helped families move forward on the Colonial Parkway murders

• (9:15) The January 2024 public announcement linking Allen Wade Wilmer Sr. to multiple victims

• (10:15) The confirmed DNA connection to Laurie Ann Powell

• (13:15) Why Wilmer’s DNA is not in CODIS despite evidence of sexual assault

• (17:00) Federal communication failures and the limits of victim services updates

• (19:15) The contrast between FBI silence and Virginia State Police persistence

• (22:45) Whether Cathy Thomas’s case is closer to resolution and what emerging patterns suggest

• (25:15) Evidence handling failures and the long-term consequences for families

• (33:15) Closing reflections on persistence, accountability, and the cost of waiting decades for answers



 

Nearly four decades after the Colonial Parkway murders first shocked Virginia, new DNA links&nbsp;have expanded the known scope of the case while raising questions about investigative&nbsp;accountability.
In this episode of "Zone 7," Sheryl McCollum is joined by Bill Thomas, whose sister Cathy Thomas was one of the original victims, and Kristin Dilley, his long-time investigative partner and co-host of the podcast, "Mind Over Murder."
They walk through the latest DNA identifications tied to Alan Wade Wilmer Sr., the procedural barriers that keep his profile out of CODIS, and the growing divide between state-level momentum and federal inaction.
Their discussion centers on what happens when evidence advances while communication and action stall.
Enjoying Zone 7? Leave a rating and review where you listen to podcasts. Your feedback helps&nbsp;others find the show and supports the mission to educate, engage, and inspire.
Guest Bios:
Bill Thomas is a victim advocate and the brother of Cathy Thomas, one of the original victims of the Colonial Parkway murders. For nearly four decades, he has worked with law enforcement, forensic experts, and journalists to seek answers in his sister&rsquo;s case and accountability for all affected families. Bill is co-host of the podcast, "Mind Over Murder," where he focuses on cold cases, investigative transparency, and the systemic challenges families face in long-term homicide investigations.
Kristin Dilley is a true crime podcaster, researcher, writer, and teacher based in Williamsburg, Virginia. Kristin has worked alongside Bill Thomas for more than seven years and is the co-host of "Mind Over Murder," where she examines cold cases with an emphasis on evidence, patterns, and victim-centered accountability.
About the Host
Sheryl &ldquo;Mac&rdquo; McCollum is an active crime scene investigator for a Metro Atlanta Police&nbsp;Department and the director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, which partners&nbsp;with colleges and universities nationwide. With more than 4 decades of experience, she has&nbsp;worked on thousands of cold cases using her investigative system, The Last 24/361, which&nbsp;integrates evidence, media, and advanced forensic testing.
Her work on high-profile cases, including The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, Tupac Shakur and the Moore&rsquo;s Ford Bridge lynching, led to her Emmy Award for "CSI: Atlanta" and induction into the National Law&nbsp;Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023. 
Social Links:
&bull; Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com
&bull; Twitter: @149zone7
&bull; Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
&bull; Instagram: @officialzone7podcast 
Preorder Sheryl&rsquo;s upcoming book, "<a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Swans-Dont-Swim-in-a-Sewer/Sheryl-Mac-McCollum/9798895652824">Swans Don&rsquo;t Swim in a Sewer: Lessons in Life, </a>Justice, and Joy from a Forensic Scientist," releasing May 2026 from Simon and Schuster.
&nbsp;
Highlights:
&bull; (0:00) Sheryl McCollum opens Zone 7by addressing stalled accountability in long-&nbsp;running cold cases
&bull; (0:45) Bill Thomas and Kristin Dilley return to Zone 7 and reflect on their investigative&nbsp;partnership
&bull; (2:00) Bill remembers his sister Cathy Thomas, her Naval Academy legacy, her&nbsp;character, and her friend Rebecca Ann Dowski
&bull; (5:15) How advocacy and podcasting have helped families move forward on the Colonial&nbsp;Parkway murders
&bull; (9:15) The January 2024 public announcement linking Allen Wade Wilmer Sr. to multiple&nbsp;victims
&bull; (10:15) The confirmed DNA connection to Laurie Ann Powell
&bull; (13:15) Why Wilmer&rsquo;s DNA is not in CODIS despite evidence of sexual assault
&bull; (17:00) Federal communication failures and the limits of victim services updates
&bull; (19:15) The contrast between FBI silence and Virginia State Police persistence
&bull; (22:45) Whether Cathy Thomas&rsquo;s case is closer to resolution and what emerging&nbsp;patterns suggest
&bull; (25:15) Evidence handling failures and the long-term consequences for families
&bull; (33:15) Closing reflections on persistence, accountability, and the cost of waiting&nbsp;decades for answers 
&nbsp;

Colonial Parkway Murders Update: New DNA Links and the CODIS Question

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/7f641ceb-fe91-4d42-97a7-b3c80187b894/transcript

In January 1981, during a severe winter storm, Lonene “Lonnie” Rogers disappeared from her home in rural Pennsylvania, leaving behind her children, her car, and no clear explanation for how she could have survived the conditions.

In this episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum speaks with Lonnie’s daughter, Alison Duiker, about the final hours before the disappearance, the instability that followed, and the long search for answers that began when Alison was just five years old.

Joined by clinical hypnotherapist Monica Miller, their conversation revisits the timeline of that night and the challenges of examining long-dormant cases when physical evidence is scarce.

Highlights:

• (0:00) Sheryl McCollum shares Zone 7’s 2026 plans and the upcoming 10-8 Tour

• (1:15) January 7,1981: the blizzard night Lonnie Rogers vanished

• (2:45) Alison Duiker remembers her mother before the disappearance

• (5:15) Writing A Daughter’s Journey and preserving her mother’s story

• (10:00) The home environment leading up to Lonnie’s disappearance

• (13:00) Neighbors report arguing during the storm and unusual sounds in the duplex

• (14:45) The middle-of-the-night trip to the babysitter and unanswered time gaps

• (16:45) Growing up in instability after her mother vanished

• (19:15) The night Alison was abandoned at a police station

• (21:45) A teacher’s phone number and the moment that everything changed

• (26:15) Finding safety, stability, and resilience through guardianship

• (28:00) Revisiting the case decades later and considering hypnosis as an investigative tool

• (31:30) Monica Miller explains memory, trauma, and timeline-based hypnosis

• (41:45) Creating a controlled, quiet setting to organize memory without suggestion

• (43:45) A key detail: snow wiped from Lonnie’s car

• (50:15) Recovered memory and its investigative implications

• (54:15) The call Alison never expected: a reported confession and arrest after forty-four years

• (58:15) Thanksgiving reflections and plans for a future case update



Guest Bios:

Alison Duiker is a special education teacher with more than twenty years of experience working with young children.

She is the author of "A Daughter’s Journey: A Story of Resilience," a memoir documenting her childhood, her mother Lonnie Rogers’ disappearance, and the lasting impact of unresolved loss. Alison has spent decades advocating for answers in her mother’s case and raising awareness about cold cases.

Monica Miller is a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist based in Atlanta, Georgia, with more than ten years in private practice.

She holds a B.A. from the University of Florida and is also a Licensed Massage Therapist and registered yoga teacher, integrating a mind-body approach in her work. Monica works with a wide range of clients, including professional athletes and individuals in high-stress careers, using a collaborative and client-centered method.

About the Host

Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an active crime scene investigator for a Metro Atlanta Police Department and the director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, which partners with colleges and universities nationwide.

With more than four decades of experience, she has worked on thousands of cold cases using her investigative system, The Last 24/361, which integrates evidence, media, and advanced forensic testing.

Her work on high-profile cases, including The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, Tupac Shakur and the Moore’s Ford Bridge lynching, led to her Emmy Award for "CSI: Atlanta" and induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023.

Social Links:

• Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com

• Twitter: @149zone7

• Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum

• Instagram: @officialzone7podcast



 

In January 1981, during a severe winter storm, Lonene &ldquo;Lonnie&rdquo; Rogers disappeared from her&nbsp;home in rural Pennsylvania, leaving behind her children, her car, and no clear explanation for&nbsp;how she could have survived the conditions.
In this episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum speaks&nbsp;with Lonnie&rsquo;s daughter, Alison Duiker, about the final hours before the disappearance, the&nbsp;instability that followed, and the long search for answers that began when Alison was just five&nbsp;years old.
Joined by clinical hypnotherapist Monica Miller, their conversation revisits the timeline of that night and the challenges of examining long-dormant cases when physical evidence is scarce.
Highlights:
&bull; (0:00) Sheryl McCollum shares Zone 7&rsquo;s 2026 plans and the upcoming 10-8 Tour
&bull; (1:15) January 7,1981: the blizzard night Lonnie Rogers vanished
&bull; (2:45) Alison Duiker remembers her mother before the disappearance
&bull; (5:15) Writing A Daughter&rsquo;s Journey and preserving her mother&rsquo;s story
&bull; (10:00) The home environment leading up to Lonnie&rsquo;s disappearance
&bull; (13:00) Neighbors report arguing during the storm and unusual sounds in the duplex
&bull; (14:45) The middle-of-the-night trip to the babysitter and unanswered time gaps
&bull; (16:45) Growing up in instability after her mother vanished
&bull; (19:15) The night Alison was abandoned at a police station
&bull; (21:45) A teacher&rsquo;s phone number and the moment that everything changed
&bull; (26:15) Finding safety, stability, and resilience through guardianship
&bull; (28:00) Revisiting the case decades later and considering hypnosis as an investigative&nbsp;tool
&bull; (31:30) Monica Miller explains memory, trauma, and timeline-based hypnosis
&bull; (41:45) Creating a controlled, quiet setting to organize memory without suggestion
&bull; (43:45) A key detail: snow wiped from Lonnie&rsquo;s car
&bull; (50:15) Recovered memory and its investigative implications
&bull; (54:15) The call Alison never expected: a reported confession and arrest after forty-four&nbsp;years
&bull; (58:15) Thanksgiving reflections and plans for a future case update 
Guest Bios:
Alison Duiker is a special education teacher with more than twenty years of experience working with young children.
She is the author of "A Daughter&rsquo;s Journey: A Story of Resilience," a memoir documenting her childhood, her mother Lonnie Rogers&rsquo; disappearance, and the lasting impact of unresolved loss. Alison has spent decades advocating for answers in her mother&rsquo;s case and raising awareness about cold cases.
Monica Miller is a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist based in Atlanta, Georgia, with more than&nbsp;ten years in private practice.
She holds a B.A. from the University of Florida and is also a Licensed Massage Therapist and registered yoga teacher, integrating a mind-body approach in her work. Monica works with a wide range of clients, including professional athletes and individuals in high-stress careers, using a collaborative and client-centered method.
About the Host
Sheryl &ldquo;Mac&rdquo; McCollum is an active crime scene investigator for a Metro Atlanta Police Department and the director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, which partners with colleges and universities nationwide.
With more than four decades of experience, she has worked on thousands of cold cases using her investigative system, The Last 24/361, which&nbsp;integrates evidence, media, and advanced forensic testing.
Her work on high-profile cases,&nbsp;including The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, Tupac Shakur and the Moore&rsquo;s Ford Bridge&nbsp;lynching, led to her Emmy Award for "CSI: Atlanta" and induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023.
Social Links:
&bull; Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com
&bull; Twitter: @149zone7
&bull; Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
&bull;&nbsp;Instagram: @officialzone7podcast 
&nbsp;

She Never Came Home: The Lonnie Rogers Cold Case and a 44-Year Search for Truth

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/00fd02a6-0d69-43d9-a377-b3c2012fe3ef/transcript

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