Content Warning: This episode discusses eating disorders, starvation, and medical neglect. Listener discretion is advised.

This week on Pathology with Dr. Priya, a Zone 7 series, Sheryl McCollum and Dr. Priya Banerjee look at some of the most painful and complex ways a body can fail, from starvation and radiation exposure to delayed deaths that can take years to claim a life. Dr. Priya Breaks down the science of how the body deteriorates during starvation, explains why children in famine zones appear bloated, and discusses both abuse and eating disorder cases that show the psychological and biological devastation of prolonged deprivation. They also explore radiation-linked illnesses, the hidden risks of environmental exposure, and what happens when a wound or poisoning leads to death years later. Through every case, Dr. Priya explains the forensic details behind a “slow death” and why, for the body, nothing about it is slow.



Highlights

• (0:00) Sheryl welcome listeners and introduces the topic: slow deaths

• (3:00) Why Thanksgiving reminds Sheryl of slow deaths and what starvation really is

• (4:00) Dr. Priya explains how starvation breaks the body down from within, and how it can stem from both illness and abuse

• (12:45) Dr. Priya describes why starving children often appear bloated and the biology behind kwashiorkor• (16:15) Radiation exposure: how time, dose, and distance determine long-term damage

• (20:45) Delayed deaths, paralysis, and the challenge of proving causation

• (26:15) "Death by a thousand cuts": how blood loss from minor wounds can still be lethal, and how even old wounds can become deadly decades later

• (29:00) Closing thoughts: Sheryl and Dr. Priya reflect on the cruelty of slow deaths



About the Hosts

Dr. Priya Banerjee is a board-certified forensic pathologist with extensive experience in death investigation, clinical forensics, and courtroom testimony. A graduate of Johns Hopkins, she served for over a decade as Rhode Island’s state medical examiner and now runs a private forensic pathology practice. Her work includes military deaths, and high-profile investigations. Dr. Priya has also been featured as a forensic expert on platforms such as CrimeOnline and Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. She is a dedicated educator, animal lover, and proud mom.


Website: anchorforensicpathology.com

Twitter/X: @Autopsy_MD



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.



Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com

Twitter/X: @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




If this episode gave you a new understanding of the science behind slow deaths, share it with a friend and leave a review. Your support helps others discover the science, the stories, and the heart behind Pathology with Dr. Priya | A Zone 7 Series.

Content Warning: This episode discusses eating disorders, starvation, and medical neglect. Listener discretion is&nbsp;advised.
This week on Pathology with Dr. Priya, a Zone 7 series, Sheryl McCollum and Dr. Priya Banerjee look at some of the&nbsp;most painful and complex ways a body can fail, from starvation and radiation exposure to delayed deaths that can&nbsp;take years to claim a life. Dr. Priya Breaks down the science of how the body deteriorates during starvation, explains&nbsp;why children in famine zones appear bloated, and discusses both abuse and eating disorder cases that show the&nbsp;psychological and biological devastation of prolonged deprivation. They also explore radiation-linked illnesses, the&nbsp;hidden risks of environmental exposure, and what happens when a wound or poisoning leads to death years later.&nbsp;Through every case, Dr. Priya explains the forensic details behind a &ldquo;slow death&rdquo; and why, for the body, nothing&nbsp;about it is slow. 
Highlights
&bull; (0:00) Sheryl welcome listeners and introduces the topic: slow deaths
&bull; (3:00) Why Thanksgiving reminds Sheryl of slow deaths and what starvation really is
&bull; (4:00) Dr. Priya explains how starvation breaks the body down from within, and how it can stem from both&nbsp;illness and abuse
&bull; (12:45) Dr. Priya describes why starving children often appear bloated and the biology behind kwashiorkor&bull; (16:15) Radiation exposure: how time, dose, and distance determine long-term damage
&bull; (20:45) Delayed deaths, paralysis, and the challenge of proving causation
&bull; (26:15) "Death by a thousand cuts": how blood loss from minor wounds can still be lethal, and how even old&nbsp;wounds can become deadly decades later
&bull; (29:00) Closing thoughts: Sheryl and Dr. Priya reflect on the cruelty of slow deaths 
About the Hosts
Dr. Priya Banerjee is a board-certified forensic pathologist with extensive experience in death investigation, clinical&nbsp;forensics, and courtroom testimony. A graduate of Johns Hopkins, she served for over a decade as Rhode Island&rsquo;s&nbsp;state medical examiner and now runs a private forensic pathology practice. Her work includes military deaths, and&nbsp;high-profile investigations. Dr. Priya has also been featured as a forensic expert on platforms such as CrimeOnline and Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. She is a dedicated educator, animal lover, and proud mom.
 Website: anchorforensicpathology.com
Twitter/X: @Autopsy_MD 
Sheryl &ldquo;Mac&rdquo; McCollum is an active crime scene investigator for a Metro Atlanta Police Department and the director&nbsp;of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, which partners with colleges and universities nationwide. With&nbsp;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,&nbsp;including The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, Tupac Shakur and the Moore&rsquo;s Ford Bridge lynching, led to her&nbsp;Emmy Award for CSI: Atlanta and induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023. 
Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com
Twitter/X: @ColdCaseTips
Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
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> 
If this episode gave you a new understanding of the science behind slow deaths, share it with a friend and leave a review. Your support helps others discover the science, the stories, and the heart behind Pathology with Dr. Priya | A Zone 7 Series.

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

Pathology with Dr. Priya | Death by a Thousand Cuts: The Cruel Science of Slow Deaths

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/4eeddd19-7f2d-480a-b68b-b3a501833af1/transcript

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