Zone 7 with Sheryl McCollum

Jabez Spann was 14 years old when he disappeared from Sarasota, Florida, over Labor Day weekend in 2017. It would be two years before his remains were recovered and his death was ruled a homicide. In this episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum welcomes back Jabez’s mother, Tawana Spann, and her husband, Joe Spann, to mark nine years since Jabez went missing and renew their call for anyone with information about his murder to come forward. Tawana and Joe discuss the advocacy work they have built out of their grief, including the Jabez Spann Foundation, the Missing Our Voices podcast, and a new initiative called If We Could Speak. Highlights: (0:00) Sheryl opens the episode with a call to action for anyone who knows what happened to Jabez Spann (2:00) Tawana explains the one question she still needs answered about her son’s murder (5:00) How living without answers can become its own kind of prison for families of missing and murdered children (9:00) Why Jabez’s disappearance led Tawana to create resources for other families searching for loved ones (11:45) How Missing Our Voices gives families a place to talk about the people they lost (14:00) Joe Spann introduces the rapid response readiness kit, and the common misconceptions families can face when someone goes missing● (17:00) Why organization during the first 72 hours can help families become more proactive in a missing-person investigation (19:00) How If We Could Speak uses digital avatars to make people stop, listen, and remember the victim (22:30) Jabez’s digital avatar focuses on the life he should have had and the future that was taken from him (24:45) Joe appeals to anyone who has information about Jabez’s murder to do the right thing (27:00) Joe reflects on Tawana’s strength and how she has channeled her grief into helping other families (33:15) Tawana credits her mother, Lucille Tillery, with helping her turn her anger into advocacy for other families 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. --- Tawana Spann is the mother of Jabez Spann and an advocate for families of missing and murdered loved ones. Through the Jabez Spann Foundation, Missing Our Voices podcast, and other initiatives created in her son’s memory, she works to provide families with practical resources, keep their loved one’s stories visible, and give them a place to be heard. Her husband, Joe Spann, works alongside her as a co-advocate through the foundation. Related Episode Who Killed Jabez Spann? | Seeking to Expose a Killer's Secret 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 X: @ColdCaseTips Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum Instagram:@officialzone7podcast TikTok: @Sheryl.McCollum Sheryl’s new book, Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Solving the Cold Case of the Flint River Killer’s Daughter, is available now wherever books are sold.  

By 1901, Laura Bullion had traded the ranches of her childhood for life with the Wild Bunch, the outlaw gang associated with Butch Cassisy and the Sundance Kid, and took part in the Great Northern train robbery that would eventually send her to prison. After years spent waiting for Ben Kilpatrick, she reinvented herself as a seamstress in Memphis, leaving the people around her with no idea about the life she had once lived. In this episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum welcomes back New York Times bestselling author Chris Enss to talk about Laura Bullion and her newest book, The Last Ride. Chris shares the circumstances that connected Laura to the Wild Bunch, what her prison letters tell us about her relationship with Ben Kilpatrick, and why women like Laura have been largely overlooked in the history of the American West. Highlights: (0:00) Sheryl welcomes Chris Enss and introduces Laura Bullion, the little-known female outlaw of the Wild Bunch (1:15) Laura’s childhood in Texas and the circumstances that put her among cowboys who would later turn to crime (4:45) The complicated relationship between Laura and Will Carver, and how he connected her to the Wild Bunch (7:15) Laura’s role in the 1901 Great Northern train robbery and the gang’s refuge at Hole-in-the-Wall (8:45) How the famous Fort Worth Five photograph helped the Pinkerton detectives identify members of the Wild Bunch (11:45) What Laura’s prison letters tell us about her dysfunctional relationship with Ben Kilpatrick (14:30) Laura Bullion’s mugshot, her aliases, and the years surrounding the train robbery (17:15) Remembering Laura as a criminal in her own right (20:00) How brothels like Fannie Porter’s became a home base for members of the Wild Bunch (22:45) Why the women of the American West, including female criminals, remain largely absent from popular history (27:45) Laura leaves the outlaw life behind, becomes “Freda Lincoln,” and spends her later years as a seamstress in Memphis 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. --- Chris Enss is a New York Times bestselling author who has spent more than three decades researching and writing about women of the American West. She has written more than two dozen books highlighting women whose contributions, adventures, and crimes have often been overlooked in traditional accounts of Western History. Chris Enss’s The Last Ride tells the story of Laura Bullion and her life with the Wild Bunch. Related Episode The Outlaw Queen: Kathryn Throne and the Making of Machine Gun Kelly 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● X: @ColdCaseTips Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum Instagram:@officialzone7podcast TikTok: @Sheryl.McCollum Sheryl’s new book, Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Solving the Cold Case of the Flint River Killer’s Daughter, is available now wherever books are sold.

During the Prohibition era and the rise of organized crime in the early 20th century, Meyer Lansky emerged as one of the figures who helped shape the modern American mob. Through his partnerships with Charles “Lucky” Luciano and Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel, he became closely tied to the development of legalized gambling in Las Vegas and casino operations in Cuba, earning the nickname the “Mob’s Accountant.” He was also remembered by his family for his insistence on education, philanthropy, and what his grandson describes as being a “mobster with morals” who believed in helping the communities where he did business. In this episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum welcomes Meyer Lansky II to discuss his new book, The Lansky Legend: The Life and Letters of Meyer Lansky. Meyer shares his memories of his grandfather, how he gradually came to understand the life his grandfather lived, and his grandfather’s role in Prohibition, gambling, Cuba, and the early development of Las Vegas. Highlights: (0:00) Sheryl introduces Meyer Lansky II and the legacy of his grandfather, Meyer Lansky (2:00) What motivated Meyer to tell his grandfather’s story through The Lansky Legend (5:00) The grandfather Meyer knew and the importance he placed on education, discipline, and doing things well (7:00) What Meyer says about the reported $300 million fortune and what happened to his grandfather’s money (10:00) The childhood gambling loss that taught Meyer Lansky never to bet again● (11:15) How Meyer Lansky met Bugsy Siegel and why their opposite personalities worked so well together (12:30) A confrontation with Lucky Luciano that became the beginning of another lifelong alliance (14:45) Meyer Lansky II begins to realize his grandfather is not the ordinary businessman his family described (16:30) The attempted kidnapping that led to FBI protection and his family secretly leaving town (21:15) Meyer Lansky and Bugsy Siegel’s early vision for Las Vegas and the Flamingo (23:45) The FBI surveillance that followed Meyer Lansky into retirement and continued through the end of his life 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. --- Meyer Lansky II is the grandson and namesake of one of the most recognizable figures in American organized crime history. He grew up knowing his grandfather personally and now shares those memories and family stories to help preserve a more complete picture of Meyer Lansky and the era he helped shape. Meyer Lansky II’s The Lansky Legacy: The Life and Letters of Meyer Lansky is available now. Learn more about the book and order your copy here. 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 X: @ColdCaseTips Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum● Instagram:@officialzone7podcast TikTok: @Sheryl.McCollum Sheryl’s new book, Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Solving the Cold Case of the Flint River Killer’s Daughter, is available now wherever books are sold.

Karmelo Anthony was convicted of murdering 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during an altercation at a high school track meet and was sentenced to 35 years in prison. Anthony’s defense team sought a new trial, and hearings this week revealed that prosecutors and the defense had agreed to keep certain evidence from the original jury. In this episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum is joined by civil litigator Reagan Charleston Thomas to discuss what that newly disclosed information could mean for the case. They look at the agreement between prosecutors and the defense that kept information about both teenagers out of the original trial and the strategy behind that decision. Sheryl and Reagan also discuss the Nolan Wells case and the dispute over access to his phone before reacting to Judge Michael Chitty’s ruling denying Karmelo Anthony’s motion for a new trial. Highlights: (0:00) Sheryl recaps the Karmelo Anthony case and introduces civil litigator Reagan Charleston Thomas (3:00) Reagan discusses her work in digital harm litigation and why teenagers’ phones can become critical sources of evidence (4:15) How lawyers build a case by telling a story within the framework of the law (5:30) The agreement that kept damaging information about both Karmelo Anthony and Austin Metcalf out of the original trial (6:45) When a school could potentially face civil liability for known threats, bullying, or violent behavior (8:00) Karmelo’s alleged text about shooting up the school and questions about why prosecutors chose not to introduce it (12:00) A reported statement about stabbing someone and the evidence involving Austin’s prior graffiti arrest (16:00) The role racial tension and concerns for both families' safety played in shaping trial strategy (18:45) Reagan explains why the alleged knife-related text messages changed the way she viewed the evidence and self-defense claim (21:45) Whether jurors should hear the good, the bad, and the ugly when attorneys decide what evidence reaches the courtroom (25:45) What information cellphones may contain, the Nolan Wells case, and the dispute over access to his phone (33:30) Judge Chitty denies Anthony’s motion for a new trial, and Reagan explains why the case is far from over 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. --- Reagan Charleston Thomas is a civil litigator whose work includes social media addiction and digital harm litigation. A magna cum laude graduate of Loyola University law school, she also provides legal commentary for Fox News, Fox News Radio, and OutKick. 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 X: @ColdCaseTips Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum Instagram:@officialzone7podcast TikTok: @Sheryl.McCollum Sheryl’s new book, Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Solving the Cold Case of the Flint River Killer’s Daughter, is available now wherever books are sold.

While executing an unrelated search warrant, law enforcement discovered 16 children in an isolated Ohio home, ranging in age from 18-month-old twins to an 18-year-old. Parents Gary Siders Jr. and Elizabeth Siders face neglect allegations, while Gary Jr. has also been charged with misdemeanor counts of public indecency. All 16 children were taken to the hospital for evaluation after being removed from the home, with several requiring additional treatment. In this episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum talks with Law&Crime correspondent Angenette Levy about the case. Angenette describes the deplorable living conditions inside the home, what school and truancy records reveal about the children’s years away from the classroom, and the medical treatment some required after being removed from the home. She and Sheryl also look at how an entire family could seemingly disappear from public view and what is known about how the household was being supported financially. Angenette closes the episode with a remarkable story of the day she was assigned to cover an active Amber Alert and ended up finding the missing toddler at the center of it. Highlights: (0:00) Sheryl introduces Angenette Levy and explains why she turned to her for the latest on the Ohio case (3:00) Authorities execute a sealed search warrant and unexpectedly find 16 children inside the Ohio home (5:30) What is known about the public indecency charges against Gary Siders Jr. and what remains unclear (8:30) School and truancy records raise questions about the children’s years away from the classroom (12:30) A neighbor recalls seeing children run toward the house and later came to believe the property was vacant (15:00) Reports about the conditions inside the home (17:15) Angenette looks at public benefits, a local diaper bank, and questions how the household was being supported (20:00) The role schools and mandated reporters can play in identifying children at risk (22:45) The children’s medical treatment after being removed from the home (26:00) Angenette shares how she found a missing toddler while covering an Amber Alert (33:00) Where the children are now and the additional support provided through therapeutic foster care 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. --- Angenette Levy is a correspondent and host with Law&Crime Network. She has covered major trials, including Steven Avery, Kyle Rittenhouse, and Derek Chauvin, and was Emmy-nominated in 2015 for a story in which she helped find a missing toddler during an active Amber Alert. 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 X: @ColdCaseTips Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum Instagram:@officialzone7podcast TikTok: @Sheryl.McCollum Sheryl’s new book, Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Solving the Cold Case of the Flint River Killer’s Daughter, is available now wherever books are sold.

In this episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum is joined by human trafficking survivor and advocate Tina Dixon, who ran away as a young teenager before being trafficked through the Dixie Mafia’s network of brothels and organized prostitution across the South. Together, they discuss the grooming, manipulation, violence, and addiction traffickers use to control their victims and how organized trafficking operations adapt to changing technology as recruitment expands through social media and other online platforms. Tina also explains what finally helped her break free after decades of exploitation and why she has made it her mission to help others escape trafficking and rebuild their lives. Highlights: (0:00) Sheryl explains the Dixie Mafia’s ties to human trafficking and the importance of understanding victimology in investigations (2:00) Why investigators distinguish between different forms of commercial sexual exploitation and how those differences shape an investigation (3:45) Tina runs away at 14, arrives on Bourbon Street, and becomes involved with an outlaw motorcycle club (8:30) The differences between a “Cassanova pimp” and a “gorilla pimp” and how traffickers use manipulation before violence (10:15) Inside Louisiana's prostitution “circuit” of roadside bars, gambling rooms, and brothels hidden throughout the bayous (11:45) How traffickers groom children online using social media, emotional manipulation, and false promises (15:00) Childhood abuse, addiction, and the vulnerabilities traffickers intentionally exploit (17:15) Inside a rural brothel: how victims are trained, controlled, and punished (23:15) Why traffickers profit while victims are left with addiction, trauma, and nothing to show for years of exploitation (24:15) How online predators continue using the same grooming tactics to recruit children today (26:45) The confrontation that led to Tina being shot twice (30:00) Why Destiny House, Hookers for Jesus, and EMDR finally succeeded after 17 rehab attempts 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. --- Tina Dixon is the founder and executive director of Queens Arise, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping survivors of human trafficking build independent futures through education, career training, mentorship, and long-term recovery support. After surviving decades of trafficking herself, Tina now helps survivors create lasting stability while advocating for survivor-led solutions. Learn more about Tina and sign up for updates on her upcoming memoir, Going to the Country: https://queensarise.org/tina-dixon/ 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 X: @ColdCaseTips Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum Instagram:@officialzone7podcast● TikTok: @Sheryl.McCollum Sheryl’s new book, Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Solving the Cold Case of the Flint River Killer’s Daughter, is available now wherever books are sold.

In this episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum takes a closer look at the ransom note released in the Nancy Guthrie case. Based on her decades of crime scene investigation experience, Sheryl examines the message line by line, pointing out the inconsistencies in its wording, timeline, demands, and structure while explaining why she has never believed the case was motivated by money. She’s been saying since day one: it doesn’t add up. Highlights: (0:00) Sheryl’s long-held belief that Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance was never about money (2:30) Why “Hello, Savannah” reads more like a greeting than a demand (4:30) Timeline problems and contradictory deadlines that raise red flags (6:30) A “safe drop-off” promise that doesn’t fit real kidnapper behavior (8:15) Contradictions surrounding negotiation, payment demands, and deadlines (10:00) The shift from “we” to “me” and why it may matter more than the author intended (11:45) The watch detail and the stronger proof Sheryl says should have been included (13:00) Details someone who was actually inside the house should have been able to describe (14:15) A timeline of the ransom emails, family responses, reward increases, and missed deadlines 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 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 X: @ColdCaseTips Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum Instagram:@officialzone7podcast TikTok: @Sheryl.McCollum Sheryl’s new book, Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Solving the Cold Case of the Flint River Killer’s Daughter, is available now wherever books are sold.

In this episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum is joined by board-certified forensic pathologist Dr. Priya Banerjee for a conversation about the ongoing investigation into the death of Nolan Wells. Using publicly known facts of the case, Dr. Priya explains how forensic pathologists approach a suspected drowning and why an autopsy is only one part of a death investigation. Together, they discuss why following the evidence, not speculation, is what will bring Nolan’s family the answers they need. Highlights: (0:00) Sheryl McCollum introduces Dr. Priya Banerjee to Zone 7 and explains why Nolan Wells’ family deserves facts, not speculation (3:00) Why forensic pathologists rarely release preliminary autopsy findings before an investigation is complete (6:00) Reconstructing Nolan Wells’ timeline and why seemingly trivial details can become important evidence (7:45) What forensic pathologists look for when investigating a possible drowning (10:15) Water in the lungs, stomach contents, decomposition, and why drowning is never diagnosed by one finding alone (12:15) When families seek a second autopsy and how independent findings are evaluated (15:00) The emotional impact conflicting forensic opinions have on grieving families (18:15) Ruling out foul play: why investigators wait for a complete forensic examination (20:45) How timelines, witness statements, GPS data, and autopsy findings must support one another (22:15) The cost of speculation during an active death investigation (24:00) Pattern recognition and the role of evidence in forensic investigations 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. --- 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 University, she served for more than a decade as an assistant medical examiner for the Rhode Island Office of the State Medical Examiners and leads a private forensic pathology practice. She previously co-hosted Pathology with Dr. Priya, a forensic science series within Zone 7. 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 X: @ColdCaseTips Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum Instagram:@officialzone7podcast TikTok: @Sheryl.McCollum Sheryl’s new book, Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Solving the Cold Case of the Flint River Killer’s Daughter, is available now wherever books are sold.  

In this episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum is joined by retired Secret Service agent and polygraph examiner Brad Beeler to discuss what 25 years of talking with suspects, witnesses, victims, and some of the worst offenders taught him about getting people to open up and tell the truth. Brad covers why trust has to come before truth, the damage one accusatory word can do to a conversation, and how respect gets people to open up faster than pressure ever will. He also shares practical signs that may indicate deception, why sometimes the best thing you can do is stop talking and listen, and how the same principles he relied on in high-stakes investigations can help anyone become a better communicator. Highlights: (0:00) Sheryl McCollum introduces retired Secret Service agent Brad Beeler and the moment she saw his commitment to a cold case firsthand (5:30) Why making people feel heard, respected, and genuinely listened to can change a conversation (8:00) The worst thing you can call someone when you are trying to get the truth (10:00) Why Brad aims to listen 80% of the time and what investigators can learn when they stop talking (15:45) “Create a space where truth feels safe enough to emerge” (17:45) Why even the worst offenders have to be treated with respect if investigators want answers (21:30) How Brad evaluates possible deception without relying on a single supposed ‘tell’ (23:15) Turning a story into a yes-or-no question to test whether someone will stand behind what they said (24:30) Delayed answers, vocal inflection, overly specific responses, and qualifying words that may signal deception (27:15) Why respect matters more than rapport when you have little in common with someone (28:30) What protecting foreign dignitaries taught Brad about professional respect across cultural and political divides 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. --- Brad Beeler is a retired U.S. Secret Service agent and polygraph examiner with 25 years of experience conducting high-stakes interviews and investigations. Named Secret Service Special Agent of the Year, he is also a recipient of the Director’s Service Award and Forensic Hero Award and a former instructor at the National Center for Credibility Assessment. He is the author of Tell me Everything: A Secret Service Agent’s Proven Strategies for Earning Trust, Revealing Truth, and Communicating with Anyone.| 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 X: @ColdCaseTips Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum Instagram:@officialzone7podcast TikTok: @Sheryl.McCollum Sheryl’s new book, Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Solving the Cold Case of the Flint River Killer’s Daughter, is available now wherever books are sold.  

In this episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum is joined by investigative journalist Angeline Hartmann, along with Kevin Verville Sr. and Angelica Ramsey. Together, they revisit the unsolved 1980 kidnapping of newborn Kevin Verville Jr., taken at 17 days old from off-base military housing near Camp Pendleton by a woman posing as a social worker. For more than 45 years, the Verville family has never stopped searching for Kevin, who they believe has no idea he was ever taken. They believe someone listening today could recognize Kevin, help identify the woman responsible, and finally reconnect him with his family. Watch Kevin’s Story from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20MNq579m3k Highlights: (0:00) Sheryl McCollum introduces Angeline Hartmann and the podcast investigation that helped identify six-year-old William DaShawn Hamilton (5:30) The tip that identified a child John Doe more than 20 years after his remains were found (9:30) How Angeline brought the kidnapping of Kevin Verville Jr. to Sheryl (11:00) Kevin Verville Sr. and Angelica Ramsey join the podcast to discuss their missing son and brother, Kevin Verville Jr. (12:00) A woman posing as a social worker gains the family’s trust through a fake assistance program● (16:15) Kevin Sr. recalls the ruse that got his wife out of the car moments before the suspect drove away with their newborn (19:00) The distinctive hand tattoo investigators hope someone will recognize (22:15) Angelica explains why age progression, DNA databases, and public awareness remain critical to finding Kevin Jr. (26:15) Why renewed public interest in infant abduction cases could help generate new leads (27:45) Why investigators believe Kevin Jr. was deliberately targeted (32:15) How the suspect entered the off-base military housing complex without passing the vehicle checkpoint (34:15) Angeline and Sheryl confront the victim-blaming Kevin Jr. ’s parents faced after the abduction (36:15) Cultural background, small-town trust, and how the suspect exploited the family’s openness (37:15) Why Kevin Jr. may have grown up under another identity without knowing he was abducted (39:00) How listeners can share Kevin Jr. ’s age progression and help identify both Kevin Jr. and the woman who took him 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. --- Angeline Hartmann is the Director of Communication for the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and an award-winning investigative journalist. She previously worked with America’s Most Wanted and hosts the Inside Crime with Angeline Hartmann podcast. Kevin Verville Sr. is the father of Kevin Verville Jr., abducted at 17 days old from off-base military housing near Camp Pendleton on July 1, 1980. Angelica Ramsey is the sister of Kevin Verville Jr., born after his abduction. She advocates for his case, sharing his age progression image and searching for the brother she has never met. 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. Sheryl’s new book, Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Solving the Cold Case of the Flint River Killer’s Daughter, is available now wherever books are sold.

In this episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum is joined by retired Las Vegas Police Sergeant Jenn Benjamins for a look inside undercover police work. Jenn explains what separates basic surveillance from true deep cover, where officers must build believable identities, speak the language of the street, and think fast enough to avoid being “made.” She discusses prostitution stings, pimp culture, human trafficking, and why undercover work requires a specific kind of officer. Jenn also shares how she now carries that experience into Covert Blue LLC, her law enforcement training company, where she helps prepare officers for undercover operations, investigations, leadership, and the realities of the job. Highlights: (0:00) Sheryl McCollum introduces retired Las Vegas Metro Police Sergeant Jenn Benjamins and her 22 years on the force (1:15) Jenn explains why undercover work can produce some of the strongest evidence in criminal investigations (2:15) “Doing theater” for suspects and why successful undercover work requires acting, instinct, and total commitment to the role (4:15) How officers avoid getting “made” while working prostitution and narcotics cases (8:00) Why only a small percentage of officers may be suited for undercover assignments (11:15) The importance of knowing street talk, pricing, roles, and expectations during vice investigations (16:00) Sheryl and Jenn discuss the kind of money that moves through high-end escort work in Las Vegas and why leaving is often more complicated than people assume● (19:00) Jenn explains the different types of pimps, including Casanova and gorilla pimps, and how violence and gang culture changed the prostitution landscape (22:30) Major events like the Super Bowl and the World Cup, the “circuit,” and how large gatherings can bring increased prostitution, trafficking, and related crime into host cities (29:30) Jenn talks about dressing the part, avoiding entrapment concerns, and building a believable undercover appearance (35:15) Sheryl honors Jenn’s law enforcement service and her work training future undercover officers through Covert Blue LLC 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. --- Jenn Benjamins is a retired Las Vegas Metro Police Department sergeant with more than 22 years of experience in patrol, investigations, criminal intelligence, vice, organized crime, and undercover operations. She is the founder of Covert Blue LLC, where she trains law enforcement professionals in undercover work, investigations, leadership, and officer wellness. 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 X: @ColdCaseTips Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum Instagram:@officialzone7podcast TikTok: @Sheryl.McCollum Sheryl’s new book, Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Solving the Cold Case of the Flint River Killer’s Daughter, is available now wherever books are sold.

In this episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum is joined by retired Police Chief Frank Frederickson and Michelle Linn for a case that began with a violent 1988 Cape Cod assault and, years later, became something neither of them could have imagined. Frederickson, then a newly assigned detective, recalls a summer of escalating attacks across Hyannis and Barnstable, Massachusetts, and the unconventional decision to bring Michelle along into the nightclubs to search for the man who attacked her. Michelle shares what finally convinced her to report the assault, how she knew her attacker the instant she saw him, and how one of the most traumatic experiences of her life led to justice, healing, and an unexpected love story. Highlights: (0:00) Sheryl McCollum introduces retired Police Chief Frank Frederickson and details his decades of law enforcement service (1:00) Frank describes the 1988 Cape Cod case and “sets the stage” before cell phones, DNA testing, cameras, and modern investigative tools (2:00) A young woman is attacked while trying to retrieve a motel key; a passerby intervenes as the attacker tries to drag her across the road (3:45) Similar assaults begin happening weekly in Barnstable and Hyannis, Massachusetts, growing more violent as the summer goes on (4:45) Michelle tells Frank she believes she will know the assailant if she sees him again (7:15) Michelle spots the man outside a Hyannis nightclub (8:00) Frank describes following the suspect until a liquor store stop gives police a reason to approach him (11:15) Michelle joins the conversation and shares how she recognized her attacker and what she remembered from the attack (15:30) Michelle recalls not wanting to report the assault, and the moment her friend convinced her that staying silent could put someone else at risk (21:30) Frank and Michelle share the unexpected turn their lives took years later 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. Frank Frederickson is a retired chief of police with more than 45 years in law enforcement, beginning with the Yarmouth Police Department in 1977 and retiring in 2022. He has served as director of government affairs for the Massachusetts Fraternal Order of Police and as executive director of the New England Association of Chiefs of Police. Michelle Linn is a survivor whose courage helped investigators identify and arrest the man responsible for a series of sexual assaults on Cape Cod in 1988. Her decision to report, stay involved, and trust what she recognized helped bring justice for multiple victims. 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 X: @ColdCaseTips Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum Instagram:@officialzone7podcast● TikTok: @Sheryl.McCollum Sheryl’s new book, Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Solving the Cold Case of the Flint River Killer’s Daughter, is available now wherever books are sold.

In this follow-up episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum is joined by retired NYPD detectives Tom Smith and Dan Murphy of Gold Shields to take an investigative look at the unresolved case of Stevie Bates. After revisiting Stevie’s 2012 disappearance and the 2020 discovery of her remains in Glendale, Queens, Sheryl, Tom, and Dan discuss the key questions that remain. They examine why the deleted Facebook messages raise red flags, the legal issues surrounding a squatted property, and why the discovery of Stevie’s remains, wrapped in a blanket and disposed of five feet below ground, points to someone who knew her, knew the area, and likely had help. They also urge anyone with information, no matter how small it may seem, to come forward and help bring resolution to the case and justice for Stevie. Missed Part One? For more background on Stevie Bates’ life, disappearance, and her family’s perspective, listen to the first episode with Stevie’s cousin, Isis Jannierre: Stevie Bates Made It Back to New York. Then She Vanished Highlights: (0:00) Sheryl McCollum recaps Stevie Bates’ 2012 disappearance, her last known sighting, and the eight-year gap before her remains were found (3:45) Why unresolved cases can be especially frustrating when key investigative opportunities may have been missed (4:45) Why a warrant likely wasn’t even required for the squatted property, and what that missed window could have meant (6:00) The importance of conducting face-to-face interviews, doing street work, and reading reactions (7:15) Dan’s starting point: the boyfriend, the gap in Stevie’s timeline, and retracing her last known steps (9:00) Stevie’s relationship history, financial patterns, and the question of motive (12:45) Three crime scenes: Where Stevie was killed, how she was moved, and where her remains were found (14:15) Why working around a person of interest beats confronting them directly (16:15) Sources, leverage, and who in his circle may know more than they’ve shared (17:30) Wrapped in a blanket, buried five feet down: what the recovery scene says about planning, knowledge of the area, and who may have helped (23:00) A cold case where a long-term undercover placement finally drew out the statements investigators needed “to bring to conclusion” (25:00) Tom and Dan speak directly to anyone with information and call for a fresh NYPD cold case review 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. Dan Murphy is a retired NYPD detective sergeant with extensive experience in homicide, major case investigations, and counterterrorism. He co-hosts the Gold Shields podcast and previously served as Chief Security Officer for U.S. Bancorp. Tom Smith is a retired NYPD detective, 2024 National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame inductee, and co-host of the Gold Shields podcast. Over 30 years with the NYPD, he worked in patrol, narcotics, robbery investigations, and the FBI/NYPD Joint Terrorism Task Force. 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 hasworked 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 X: @ColdCaseTips Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum Instagram:@officialzone7podcast TikTok: @Sheryl.McCollum Sheryl’s new book, Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Solving the Cold Case of the Flint River Killer’s Daughter, is available now wherever books are sold.

In this episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum is joined by Caroline McCollum and Huck McCollum to talk about the case involving three horses who were stabbed during a barrel racing event at South Point Casino in Las Vegas. Caroline, a longtime horse rider and criminology student, shares her perspective on what it means to compete with and care for these animals, and how the open, trusting culture of barn life can become a vulnerability. Huck, a juvenile court intake officer and former public defender investigator, explains how a case like this may move through the justice system, including mental health evaluations, prior behavior, and the role social media could play. Together, they look at the trauma this leaves on both riders and horses, the security gaps it exposes, and why animal cruelty cases raise concerns about future violence. Highlights: (0:00) Sheryl McCollum welcomes Caroline and Huck McCollum to Zone 7 and introduces the Las Vegas horse stabbing case (1:00) Three horses, Sully, Detail, and Rocket, are stabbed at South Point Casino and police quickly identify a suspect (3:15) Caroline and Huck bring their own field experience, from horse riding and juvenile court to wildlife forensic training (4:30) Inside the open, social world of competitive riding and why barn access can create security concerns (6:15) Caroline weighs in on animal cruelty as a possible red flag for deeper behavioral concerns (7:30) Huck explains why police withheld the suspect’s name and how being weeks away from turning 18 could affect the case (8:15) Mental health history, school records, prior behavior, and what juvenile court may examine (9:45) The “crush theory” and how months of messages may point to fixation before the attack (13:45) Premeditation, the suspected weapon, and the suspect’s actions after leaving the barn (16:45) Caroline explains why the placement of the wounds matters and how close the horses came to dying (19:30) The permanence of social media, including how posts, messages, and saved chats could help investigators understand the suspect’s behavior (24:45) What this case may change for barn access, event credentials, cameras, and future horse show security 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. Caroline McCollum is a criminology student, longtime horse rider, and lifelong volunteer with the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute. She has also trained with the Wildlife Forensic Academy in South Africa and volunteers with the Wildlife CSI Academy. Huck McCollum is a former public defender investigator and current juvenile court intake officer. He has trained with the Wildlife Forensic Academy in South Africa and volunteers with the Wildlife CSI Academy. 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 X: @ColdCaseTips Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum Instagram:@officialzone7podcast TikTok: @Sheryl.McCollum Sheryl’s new book, Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Solving the Cold Case of the Flint River Killer’s Daughter, is available now wherever books are sold.

In this episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum is joined by former U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service special agent Ed Newcomer and retired Idaho Fish and Game conservation officer Tony Latham for a look at the danger, isolation, and critical work of wildlife law enforcement. They discuss the murders of Idaho game warden Bill Pogue and Conley Elms by Claude Dallas, the cold case of Art Teed, an Idaho game warden who disappeared in 1934 while investigating illegal deer kills, and the family memory that helped bring answers to Idaho’s oldest cold murder case nearly 90 years later. Ed also explains how wildlife crimes can connect to broader criminal enterprises, how wildlife officers became part of the Christopher Dorner manhunt, and what listeners can expect from the new wolf-focused season of Nature’s Secret Service, where wolf recovery, poaching investigations, and the politics of conservation collide. Highlights: (0:00) Sheryl McCollum opens Zone 7 with the danger and isolation of wildlife law enforcement before welcoming guests Ed Newcomer and Tony Latham (2:45) Why wildlife crimes are often connected to broader criminal activity (4:00) Tony recounts the murders of Idaho game wardens Bill Pogue and Conley Elms by Claude Dallas (7:00) How the Christopher Dorner manhunt unexpectedly intersected with California wildlife officers (11:45) The 1934 disappearance of Idaho game warden Art Teed (13:30) Art Teed’s locked vehicle, uneaten lunch, and the massive search that followed his disappearance (15:15) The false report that shifted the case and left Art Teed’s family without answers for generations (17:15) Karen Downing reads a local newspaper and connects a family story to Art Teed’s murder (19:00) George Pentland, two child witnesses, and the family accounts that finally helped close Idaho’s oldest cold murder case (21:45) Ed previews the wolf-focused season of Nature’s Secret Service and the controversy around wolf recovery (26:30) Sheryl closes with Theodore Roosevelt’s words on the courage and hardiness of game protectors 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. Ed Newcomer is a former special agent with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, where he spent more than 20 years investigating wildlife trafficking and other wildlife crimes. He is the host of Nature’s Secret Service, a true crime podcast focused on wildlife law enforcement, poaching, trafficking, and the officers who protect wild animals and plants. Tony Latham is a retired Idaho Fish and Game conservation officer and regional investigator who worked on overt and covert wildlife crime investigations, including cases involving the illegal killing of Idaho’s big game. He is the author of A Case So Cold: The Murder of an Idaho Game Warden, which examines the 1934 murder of Idaho game warden Art Teed. 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 X: @ColdCaseTips Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum Instagram:@officialzone7podcast TikTok: @Sheryl.McCollum Sheryl’s new book, Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Solving the Cold Case of the Flint River Killer’s Daughter, is available now wherever books are sold.

In 2012, 19-year-old Stevie Bates vanished after calling her mother from a Greyhound bus during a layover in Pittsburgh; she made it back to New York but never made it home. Eight years later, her skeletal remains were discovered wrapped in a blanket at an abandoned house in Queens, the same property where her boyfriend had reportedly been squatting. In this episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum welcomes Stevie’s cousin, Isis Jannierre, to discuss who Stevie was, what her family believed from the beginning, and why the case still raises questions about the timeline, suspect behavior, lost investigative time, lost evidence, and the people who may still know what happened. Highlights: (0:00) Sheryl McCollum opens Zone 7 with Stevie Bates’ 2012 disappearance, her final call home, and the Port Authority sighting that confirmed she made it back to New York (1:15) Isis Jannierre joins Zone 7 to establish Stevie’s victimology through the eyes of her family (2:30) Who Stevie was: a gifted student, creative thinker, devoted daughter, and young woman with aspirations (5:15) Hunter College, Occupy Wall Street, and the independent life Stevie was building before she vanished (6:45) Eight years later, Stevie’s skeletal remains are found wrapped in a blanket at an abandoned property in Glendale, Queens (7:30) Why Stevie’s family never believed she intentionally disappeared (11:45) Decomposition, lost evidence, and the unresolved questions of how Stevie died (12:30) Isis pushes back on the drug-use theory and explains Stevie’s role in Brandon Klosterman’s life (15:30) Stevie’s plan to collect her belongings, the end of the relationship, and the family’s working theory (16:45) Deleted messages, squatting, and behavior that raised questions around Brandon Klosterman (25:00) The location of Stevie’s remains raises new questions about missing crime scenes, lost witnesses, and who may still know the truth (28:30) Sheryl presses for the answers Stevie’s family deserves: a clearer timeline, a confirmed alibi, and an explanation for the deleted messages 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. Isis Jannierre is the cousin of Stevie Bates and joins Zone 7 to help bring renewed attention to Stevie’s unresolved case and encourage anyone with information to come forward. 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● X: @ColdCaseTips Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum Instagram:@officialzone7podcast TikTok: @Sheryl.McCollum Sheryl’s new book, Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Solving the Cold Case of the Flint River Killer’s Daughter, is available now wherever books are sold.

Bestselling true crime author and investigative journalist Aphrodite Jones returns to Zone 7 with Sheryl McCollum to discuss her book Dog O’ War and the fatal 2001 dog mauling of Diane Whipple in San Francisco. Drawing on her extensive reporting on the case, Aphrodite details the connections to the Aryan Brotherhood, the Presa Canario dogs Bane and Hera, and the attorneys whose relationship with an incarcerated gang member helped bring the dangerous animals into a Pacific Heights apartment building. Sheryl and Aphrodite also discuss the prior warning signs, the legal fight over owner responsibility, and the concept of implied malice murder that became central to Marjorie Knoller’s conviction. Highlights: (0:00) Sheryl McCollum welcomes Aphrodite Jones back to Zone 7 (1:45) Dog O’ War and the unusual connections behind the Diane Whipple case (2:30) Aphrodite introduces Diane Whipple, a 33-year-old woman killed outside her San Francisco apartment (4:15) Sharon Smith’s wrongful death fight and the legal impact of Diane’s death (6:45) Presa Canario dogs, Paul Schneider, and the Aryan Brotherhood dog-breeding scheme (10:00) Janet’s farm, escalating warning signs, and dogs that could not be controlled (13:30) Marjorie Knoller and Robert Noel bring Bane and Hera into their Pacific Heights apartment building (15:45) Prior attacks, ignored warning signs, and the record of dangerous behavior before Diane’s death (21:15) Marjorie Knoller’s response after the attack and the neighbor who called 911 (25:00) 40 reported incidents become key evidence in the dangerous dog hearing (26:00) What prosecutors had to prove to argue implied malice murder (32:45) Sheryl closes with a passage from Aphrodite Jones’ Dog O’ War 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. Aphrodite Jones is a bestselling true crime author, television personality, and victims’ rights advocate whose work has inspired films and television projects. She created the Investigation Discovery series True Crime with Aphrodite Jones, which ran for six seasons, and has covered major trials, including O.J. Simpson, Casey Anthony, Scott Peterson, Michael Jackson, and El Chapo Guzman. Aphrodite Jones’ book Dog O’ War, about the dog mauling of Diane Whipple, is available now wherever books are sold. 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 X: @ColdCaseTips Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum Instagram:@officialzone7podcast TikTok: @Sheryl.McCollum Sheryl’s new book, Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Solving the Cold Case of the Flint River Killer’s Daughter, is available now wherever books are sold.  

In this week’s episode of Zone 7, Sergeant Eric McCants joins Sheryl McCollum to talk about leadership, community policing, and the mindset required to serve well in high-pressure environments. He discusses the importance of communication, building community trust, getting out of the patrol car, and knowing the people you serve before a crisis ever happens. Eric also addresses first responder mental health, the trauma that can linger after difficult calls, and why asking for help is not weakness but part of staying healthy enough to keep showing up for others. Highlights: (0:00) Sheryl McCollum welcomes Eric McCants to Zone 7 (1:45) Leadership as impact, not title, and learning that not everyone leads the same way (4:15) “You versus you,” Extreme Ownership, and focusing on what you can control (7:15) Policing the Masters in Augusta and managing the large crowds, traffic, and public safety (8:45) Crime suppression, crisis intervention, and the realities of proactive policing (10:15) Why some people need accountability, while others need help, direction, or a second chance (13:30) Communication, rapport, and why the best officers know how to talk to people (14:45) Why getting out of the patrol car can build trust and help solve cases (18:15) Eric’s 12 Day Mindset Program and the power of writing goals down (22:45) First responder trauma, therapy, and knowing when to ask for help (25:45) Final reflections on leadership, service, and Sheryl’s closing quote from John Quincy Adams 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. Sergeant Eric McCants serves with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, where his leadership is rooted in accountability, communication, and community trust. His career has included work in campus safety, school resource policing, crime suppression, special operations, and federal task force operations with the U.S. Marshals Service. Eric is a certified instructor, speaker, mentor, and creator of the 12 Day Mindset Program, which focuses on resilience, personal ownership, and service with purpose. 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 X: @ColdCaseTips Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum Instagram:@officialzone7podcast TikTok: @Sheryl.McCollum Sheryl’s new book, Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Solving the Cold Case of the Flint River Killer’s Daughter, is available now wherever books are sold.

In this week’s episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum is joined by former judge, legal analyst, and former Court TV anchor Ashley Willcott to discuss her decades-long career advocating for children in the legal system, her transition from the bench to television, and her new microformat focusing on fast, fact-based case analysis. Sheryl and Ashley also reflect on cases they have carried with them over the years including Abby and Libby in Delphi and Melissa Wolfenbarger in Atlanta. They emphasize the importance of showing up, returning to the facts, and continuing the work on behalf of victims and families. The episode closes with a tribute to the late Captain Dr. Duanne Thompson, honoring his legacy of quiet loyalty, humility, and lifelong commitment to service. Highlights: (0:00) Sheryl McCollum welcomes Ashley Willcott to Zone 7 (1:45) Court TV’s transition, Law & Crime, and the importance of cameras in the courtroom (3:30) The emotional toll of child cases on professionals (4:30) Ashley explains why child welfare became the focus of her legal career (7:15) Sheryl reflects on Ashley’s hands-on work with the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute (9:15) Why showing up, knowing your strengths, and doing the legwork can change case outcomes (11:15) Facts vs. opinions: Ashley explains how judges must separate evidence from assumptions (13:45) Ashley’s new 60-second legal updates and the need for fast, fact-based case analysis (19:30) From the bench to television Ashley’s path through child advocacy, Law & Crime, and Court TV (23:00) “Surround yourself with good”: Ashley and Sheryl discuss learning from people who make you better (25:15) The Delphi case, Abby and Libby, and why going to the scene can change how a case is understood (27:45) Melissa Wolfenbarger, returning to square one, and the importance of boots-on-the-ground cold case work (29:15) Remembering Dr. Henry Lee and the unexpected lesson that took over a crime convention classroom (31:00) Sheryl and Ashley honor Captain Dr. Duanne Thompson and his lifelong commitment to service (35:30) Sheryl shares the story of Duanne sitting in her mother-in-law’s driveway night after night (38:00) Final reflections and Sheryl’s closing quote from Captain Dr. Duanne Thompson: “You know where to find me.” 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. Ashley Willcott is a former judge, trial attorney, mediator, and Certified Child Welfare Law Specialist with more than 20 years of experience advocating for children in the legal system. She previously served as the Governor-appointed Child Advocate for the state of Georgia before transitioning to television, becoming a trusted legal analyst and anchor known for her work with Court TV and Law & Crime. She also serves as an expert with the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute. 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 X: @ColdCaseTips Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum Instagram:@officialzone7podcast TikTok: @Sheryl.McCollum Sheryl’s new book, Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Solving the Cold Case of the Flint River Killer’s Daughter, is available now wherever books are sold.

In this week’s episode of Zone 7, more than three months after Nancy Guthrie vanished, Sheryl McCollum returns to the case with one central question: what does the evidence actually prove? From the masked suspect’s behavior on camera to the blood patterns at the front door and the complete absence of credible ransom activity, she argues that the scene shows signs of staging, not a financial motive, and makes the case that investigators may need to reset and start again from the ground up. Highlights: (0:00) Welcome to Zone 7 with Sheryl McCollum (0:15) The Hampton’s Whodunit event and early release of Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer (2:00) Nancy Guthrie case: “You don’t tell the evidence what happened; you let the evidence tell you.” (3:45) The critical overnight timeline: Nancy’s drop-off, camera activity, and pacemaker disconnect (5:15) Immediate red flags that point to an abduction rather than a disappearance (6:00) The masked suspect’s gear, behavior on camera, and evidence that points to one suspect, not a team (9:00) What the blood patterns at the front door reveal about the attack (11:30) Camera tampering, staging, and contradictions in the jammer theory (13:30) Key takeaways that reshape the case and call for an investigative reset 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 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 X: @ColdCaseTips Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum Instagram:@officialzone7podcast TikTok: @Sheryl.McCollum Preorder Sheryl’s upcoming book, Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Solving the Cold Case of the Flint River Killer’s Daughter, releasing May 12, 2026.

In this week’s episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum talks to Court TV correspondent Matt Johnson about what it takes to cover high-profile criminal cases and trials, from the Lori Vallow Daybell case and Rex Heuermann to Karen Read and the Delphi murders. Matt explains how deadlines, jury reactions, and the pressure of live television shape the way he turns hours of courtroom testimony into clear, accessible coverage. They discuss the public’s fascination with true crime, investigative missteps, and the emotional weight of sitting near violent offenders, including a moment when Matt says it felt as if “the devil is real, and here he is. Highlights: (0:00) Sheryl McCollum welcomes Matt Johnson to Zone 7 (2:45) Matt’s process for turning complex cases into clear, headline-driven reporting (5:45) The pressure of explaining a full case narrative in seconds on live television (7:15) Matt describes seeing Bryan Kohberger in court and the feeling of being near what he describes as “pure creep and evil” (10:00) The psychological impact of observing defendants like Lori Vallow Daybell during trial (14:30) The Delphi murders, Richard Allen, and how courtroom access, investigative gaps, and missing details shape public trust (18:15) Rex Heuermann, plea deals, and the answers families may never fully receive (20:45) Matt describes Rex Heuermann’s courtroom presence and the unsettling behavior he observed (26:00) The early cases that shaped Matt’s career, including the Turpin family case and Rebecca Zahau (29:30) Matt shares his new YouTube venture: True Crime and Justice with Matt Johnson (31:00) Sheryl closes with a Karen Read quote that captures Matt’s next chapter Guest Bio: Matt Johnson is an Emmy Award-winning crime and justice correspondent for Court TV Network covering major criminal cases and high-profile trials. He hosts the award-winning true crime podcast True Crime Deadline and recently launched True Crime and Justice with Matt Johnson on YouTube 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 X: @ColdCaseTips Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum Instagram:@officialzone7podcast TikTok: @Sheryl.McCollum Preorder Sheryl’s upcoming book, Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Solving the Cold Case of the Flint River Killer’s Daughter, releasing May 12, 2026.

In this week’s episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum talks with retired FBI special agent Jodene Weber about the parallels in their careers and the many times their paths nearly crossed before they officially met. Jodene reflects on the cases that shaped her years in the FBI, from piecing together the timeline of the Olympic Park bombing through crowd photographs to processing debris at the Pentagon after the 9/11 attacks. She shares what investigations of that scale demand from the people working them, and why citizen tips, careful documentation, and keen observation can make all the difference in solving a case. References & Further Reading: The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11 by Garrett M. Graff The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland by Jim DeFede The Bald-Faced Deception by Jodene Weber Come From Away Highlights: (0:00) Sheryl McCollum welcomes Jodene Weber to Zone 7, and traces the overlaps in their careers (2:45) How Nancy Drew, Patricia Cornwell, and a love of reading shaped Jodene’s investigative instincts (4:45) Why strong writing and careful documentation can make or break a case (8:30) Jodene’s journalism career and FBI recruitment story (11:45) Jodene recalls joining the Olympic Park bombing investigation (13:00) How investigators used crowd photos and the Olympic broadcast screen to build a timeline of events (15:00) NASA image enhancement, suspect details, and the Birmingham bombing tip that helped investigators identify Eric Rudolph (20:00) Citizen tips, false leads, and the kind of public memory that could help solve the Nancy Guthrie case (24:00) Sheryl recalls her sister’s diverted flight to Gander, Newfoundland, and the kindness shown to stranded passengers after 9/11 (27:30) Inside the Pentagon response: fire, debris, remains, and aircraft evidence, and the emotional weight at the scene (33:30) Jodene describes the long shifts and the exhausting rhythm of sorting through the 9/11 aftermath (35:15) The generosity shown after 9/11 in Gander and by the volunteers who supported recovery teams (39:30) Ongoing health issues tied to 9/11 exposure and Sheryl’s closing quote Guest Bio: Jodene Weber is a retired FBI agent, former journalist, author, and podcast host whose work brings together investigative experience and clear storytelling. She is the author of The Bald-Faced Deception and hosts the true crime podcast Caught In My Web. 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 X: @ColdCaseTips Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum Instagram:@officialzone7podcast TikTok: @Sheryl.McCollum Preorder Sheryl’s upcoming book, Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Solving the Cold Case of the Flint River Killer’s Daughter, releasing May 12, 2026.  

In this week’s episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum welcomes Julie Grant for a special Legend Series conversation about her path from journalism to the courtroom and the commitment to justice that drives her today. As a former prosecutor and Court TV host, Julie discusses her advocacy for domestic violence survivors, explaining how systemic failures, including those seen in the Gabby Petito case, leave victims vulnerable. She also shares her philosophy on justice-centered prosecution, arguing that being a “minister of justice” requires the discernment to hold dangerous predators accountable while offering grace and second chances to those who have simply lost their way. Highlights: (0:00) Sheryl McCollum welcomes Julie Grant to Zone 7 and reflects on her impact in true crime media (2:15) Julie’s background in prosecution, legal journalism, teaching, and victims’ rights advocacy (9:45) The balance between journalism and law, and the path that took Julie from the newsroom to law school (13:15) What public service taught Julie about prosecution, law enforcement, and the pursuit of justice (15:30) The domestic violence cases that stayed with Julie most, her advocacy work, and the realities survivors face after they leave (22:15) How safety planning can protect victims at the most dangerous point in an abusive relationship (23:45) The Gabby Petito case, missed warning signs, and the failures that stand out (25:45) Julie’s philosophy of prosecution, second chances, and why justice is not the same as winning (29:45) A tragic Georgia case and what it reveals about intent, accountability, and prosecutorial discretion (32:00) Why future prosecutors need empathy, perspective, and a case-by-case view of justice Guest Bio: Julie Grant is a former prosecutor, Court TV host, legal journalist, and law professor at Emory Law School. She has long been an advocate for victims’ rights, including domestic violence prevention, and also serves on the faculty of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy 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 12, 2026. https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Swans-Dont-Swim-in-a-Sewer/Sheryl-Mac-McCollum/9798895652824  

In this week’s episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum talks with forensic DNA expert Suzanna Ryan about how powerful DNA evidence can be and why it is so often misunderstood. They discuss how DNA is analyzed, how touch DNA and mixtures can complicate a case, and how newer tools like genetic genealogy and next-generation sequencing are changing the field. Using the Nancy Guthrie case as an example, Suzanna and Sheryl also explain how private forensic labs can support complex investigations, where their role differs from the FBI, and how CODIS limitations can shape the process. Highlights: (0:00) Sheryl McCollum welcomes Suzanna Ryan to Zone 7 (2:30) The four basic steps of DNA analysis and how evidence is processed in the lab (3:45) The Nancy Guthrie case, private lab testing, and why sending evidence outside the FBI is not a red flag (7:45) What cell-free DNA is, why the term “touch DNA” can be misleading, and how secondary transfer works (9:45) DNA mixtures and how multiple contributors can be found on a single piece of evidence (14:00) Why clothing evidence should always be collected and packaged separately (15:45) How long seminal fluid can remain detectable and when Y-STR testing becomes useful (21:00) Why private labs cannot directly access CODIS, how that creates bottlenecks, and legislative changes in the works (27:30) Genetic genealogy, CODIS, and familial searching (30:15) The future of DNA analysis, including next-generation sequencing and emerging forensic tools Guest Bio: Suzanna Ryan is a forensic serologist and DNA analyst with more than two decades of experience in DNA casework, technical review, and forensic consulting. She is the laboratory director of Pure Gold Forensics and has worked in both private and public forensic laboratories throughout her career. Suzanna has been qualified and testified as an expert in forensic serology and DNA analysis more than 140 times. 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 12, 2026. https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Swans-Dont-Swim-in-a-Sewer/Sheryl-Mac-McCollum/9798895652824  

In this week’s episode of "Zone 7," retired NYPD detective Mike Alcazar joins Sheryl McCollum to talk about what hostage negotiation looks like when a scene is tense, the stakes are high, and one wrong move can change everything. Drawing on decades in law enforcement, Mike discusses the Nancy Guthrie case, explains how negotiators read people in real time, and highlights the importance of patience, trust, and teamwork. He also shares stories from the field and looks back on the path that took him from undercover work to hostage negotiation and, later, to the recovery efforts after 9/11. Highlights: (0:00) Sheryl McCollum welcomes retired NYPD detective Mike Alcazar to Zone 7 (1:00) Mike’s first reaction to the Nancy Guthrie case and why it struck him as unusual from the beginning (4:15) Information negotiators look for first: behavior, history, and possible mental-state concerns (9:00) The challenge of deciding when family can help and when they may make a crisis worse (13:30) Tension between negotiation and tactical response, and how one decision can undo hours of progress (19:30) How Mike became a negotiator and what the training process was like (23:00) A Brooklyn barricade, drone technology, and the friend who helped bring the situation to a peaceful end (29:45) Why voice, personality, and appearance can shape who a subject chooses to trust (31:15) How a sandwich from the bodega helped resolve a case (32:45) Mike looks back on becoming a detective and how 9/11 changed the course of his career (35:15) Ground Zero, recovery efforts, and the emotional toll officers carried after 9/11 Guest Bio Mike Alcazar is a retired NYPD detective with more than 30 years of service in law enforcement. During his time with the department, he worked undercover in vice, served as a hostage negotiator, and handled organized crime investigations. Mike took part in recovery efforts following the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and now serves as an adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. 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 include, in part, The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, and Tupac Shakur. Her work on 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 X: @zone7squad 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. 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.  

In this week’s episode of "Zone 7," Sheryl McCollum talks with author and investigative reporter Casey Sherman about the murder of his aunt, Mary Sullivan, long believed to be the final victim of the Boston Strangler, and the lasting impact her murder had on his family. Casey explains why his family has long questioned the official story, pointing to evidence that, in his view, complicates what many people think they know about the case. Their conversation touches on DNA analysis, missing confession tapes, and alternate suspects that Casey believes raise serious questions about Albert DeSalvo’s role in the murders. Guest Bio Casey Sherman is a New York Times bestselling-author and investigative reporter known for revisiting major crimes and historic tragedies. He is the author of  "A Rose for Mary," which examines the murder of his aunt, Mary Sullivan, and the lingering questions surrounding the Boston Strangler case. 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 case include, in part, The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, and Tupac Shakur. McCollum’s work on 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 X: @zone7squad Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum Instagram: @officialzone7podcast 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. 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 with the DNA dispute at the center of the Boston Strangler case (1:30) Sheryl welcomes Casey Sherman and explains why his work has changed how she views the case (7:15) Casey explains how Mary Sullivan’s murder shaped his family for generations and why his mother never accepted the official story (9:15) The missing confession tapes and the details that convinced Casey the official story didn’t hold up (11:30) Missing evidence, stolen case materials, and the long-term damage they can do to a major investigation (14:00) The DNA evidence Case says pointed to a prime suspect from 1964 and how that lead eventually took him to a golf course in northern New England (16:30) Why Casey believes the Boston Strangler case was not the work of one man and that similar killings stretched across multiple states (19:30) How sensational crime coverage in the 1960s may have helped shape false confessions (21:15) Casey’s theory that George Nassar may have helped feed DeSalvo information and why DeSalvo was never charged with the murders he confessed to (24:15) Casey on the pressure surrounding the case and why he believes too many important questions are still unanswered (27:45) F. Lee Bailey’s role in the case and the unlikely friendship that followed years later (31:30) The importance of revisiting evidence and challenging the accepted story  

After weeks of testimony and a defense case that ended without a single witness, the jury in the Kouri Richins trial returned a guilty verdict in the death of Eric Richins. In this week’s episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum talks with investigative reporter Nate Eaton, who has been in court following the testimony, key witnesses, and the evidence surrounding Eric's death. Together, they discuss the prosecution's theory of motive, the evidence tied to money and deception, the Valentine's Day attempted-poisoning allegation, and the courtroom testimony that steadily tightened the case. Sheryl then provides a final trial update after the verdict, focusing on what the defense did not address and what the guilty verdict implies about the case. Guest Bio Nate Eaton is an award-winning journalist, Dateline NBC contributor, and co-founder of EastIdahoNews.com. He is known for his investigative reporting, courtroom coverage, and years of experience covering major criminal cases and breaking news. 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 include, in part, The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, and Tupac Shakur. Her work on 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 X: @zone7squad Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum Instagram: @officialzone7podcast 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. 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 welcomes Nate Eaton for a courtroom-level look at the Kouri Richins trial (2:30) Why Robert Josh Grossman’s testimony stood out as one of the strangest and most revealing moments in court (4:00) Eric Richins’ death, the 911 call, and autopsy findings pointing toward fentanyl poisoning (5:00) Life insurance questions, trust issues, and millions in debt (7:15) The children’s grief book and why it still leaves people feeling unsettled (9:15) How testimony from the alleged dealer and the house cleaner helped prosecutors build their fentanyl theory (10:45) The Valentine's Day sandwich allegation and why prosecutors pointed to it as an earlier attempted poisoning (13:45) Internet searches about fentanyl, prison, and life insurance payouts add to the prosecution’s theory on intent (15:00) A forged $250,000 HELOC, hidden financial decisions, and contact with a divorce attorney show a marriage in decline (21:00) The scope of Kouri’s financial collapse and apparent lack of remorse (27:45) Money-themed memes found on Kouri’s phone just hours after Eric's death (30:45) Final update: Sheryl reacts to the finals days of the trial and the guilty verdict  

When an 84-year-old woman vanishes from her home in the middle of the night, leaving behind signs of blood and a struggle, every early decision investigators make is critical. Retired NYPD sergeant Joe Giacalone returns to Zone 7 to talk with Sheryl McCollum about the Nancy Guthrie investigation and the mistakes they believe set the case back from the start. Together, they walk through the investigative failures, why the ransom note narrative never rang true, and the steps investigators can still take to regain traction. Guest Bio Joe Giacalone is a retired NYPD sergeant and former commanding officer of the Bronx Cold Case Squad. He serves as an adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and is the author of, "The Criminal Investigative Function: A Guide for New Investigators and The Cold Case Handbook." Giacalone also hosts True Crime with the Sarge and is a frequent media commentator on criminal investigations. 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 case include, in part, The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, and Tupac Shakur. McCollum's work on 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 X: @zone7squad 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. 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 Highlights: (0:00) Sheryl McCollum introduces Joe Giacalone and frames the Nancy Guthrie investigation as a real-time lesson in investigative breakdowns (3:30) Why Nancy Guthrie’s case should have been treated as a homicide or kidnapping from day one (4:15) Why full scene lock down, a command post, and a strict crime scene log should have been prioritized immediately (5:30) Why uncontrolled foot traffic, outside workers, and a scattered “egg hunt” search approach can create long-term problems for investigators and future prosecution (7:15) Nancy’s age, health, and the blood evidence on scene make a voluntary disappearance difficult to believe (9:45) Joe and Sheryl discuss the decision to release the house and why they believe that hurt the case (12:15) Media management failures, public optics, and the confusion created by inconsistent messaging (17:00) Proactive steps that could still generate leads and how holding Annie Guthrie’s car fueled unnecessary suspicion (20:15) The dangers of publicly naming persons of interest too early in an active investigation (24:00) Morale, leadership, and why command staff should be supplying resources and backing investigators (38:00) Final message to officials in charge: put aside conflict, align with the FBI, and get the investigation back on track  

A late-night stop at a Dairy Queen led to one of the biggest stories of Dale Cardwell’s career. In this episode of "Zone 7," Sheryl McCollum talks with Dale about the investigation that uncovered corruption inside the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, exposed deputies working on the clock for Sidney Dorsey, and helped fuel a political shakeup that ended in the murder of Sheriff-elect Derwin Brown. Dale shares how the story unfolded, the danger it brought to his own family, and the break that finally helped tie the killing back to Sidney Dorsey. Guest Bio: Dale Cardwell is a six-time Emmy Award-winning journalist, consumer investigator, and founder of TrustDALE. He is known for helping expose scams, political corruption, and government waste. He teamed up with Clark Howard and now hosts Inside Investigations, which airs on more than 100 television markets nationwide. 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 include The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, and Tupac Shakur. Her work on 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 X: @zone7squad 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. 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. Highlights: (0:00) Sheryl McCollum introduces Dale Cardwell and the Dairy Queen stop that led to one of DeKalb County’s biggest corruption cases (1:15) Dale explains the system he built after years of consumer reporting, focused on helping consumers avoid scams (3:30) Deputies are accused of clocking in at the jail while working private security for Sheriff Sidney Dorsey (6:15) Surveillance, inside sources, and an open-records request lead to the first major break in the story (9:30) The reporting lands just before the election and helps shift attention toward challenger Derwin Brown (12:30) The corruption picture widens with allegations involving sexual harassment and sex-for-favors allegations, fake badges, and inmate labor (15:00) Dale recalls the night police came to his door after Derwin Brown was murdered (19:00) Dale learns he is also believed to be on the hit list, and he and his family are placed under protective custody (23:30) An interview moment raises new questions about Sidney Dorsey’s knowledge of the conspiracy (27:15) A witness’s note on a napkin helps lead investigators back to the murder plot (28:30) Patrick Cuffy describes Dorsey giving the kill order on paper, then tearing it up and swallowing it (33:30) Dale reflects on the cost of the case and his bond with the Brown family    

This episode of Zone 7’s Crime Roundup captures the energy of the first stop on Sheryl McCollum’s 10-8 Tour: a packed house, a hot mic, and the kind of stories you only get when prosecutors, defense attorneys, detectives, and crime-scene folks are all sitting at the same table. With Joshua Schiffer and Franz Borghardt alongside her, Sheryl recaps an unforgettable night featuring surprise moments, Trial Lawyers College stories, and Nancy Grace taking a rapid-fire stack of audience questions like only she can. Want to be in the room for the next event? North Carolina is up next on February 28 at Kefi Vineyards & Winery. Grab your tickets here. Highlights: • (0:00) Welcome to Zone 7’s Crime Roundup with Sheryl McCollum, Joshua Schiffer, and Franz Borghardt • (1:30) Dinner and stories at Manuel’s Tavern: packed full room full of energy • (5:30) A Baton Rouge serial-killer case that kick-started Franz’s career • (7:30) The “lean into what you’ve got” defense strategy when a club-shooting video is the evidence • (9:15) Josh frames trial storytelling as emotional truth, clarity, and human stakes over technical brilliance • (11:30) Trial Lawyers College in Wyoming and Gerry Spence as the foundation for storytelling that translates to true crime • (19:30) The difference between networking and real respect, and why outcomes are better when lawyers and investigators talk • (26:00) Sheryl on the CrimeCon glasses moment and the kind of crowd that looks out for you • (28:30) Sheryl introduces Detective Jarion Shepherd and the Melissa Wolfenbarger connection • (32:15) Nancy Grace walks in, takes the mic, and flips the room into live-show mode with nonstop Q&A • (35:15) The 10-8 Tour roadmap, North Carolina on February 28, and the meaning of 10- 8 • (39:45) Sheryl lays down her friendship standard and closes with a true-friends quote Guest Bio: Joshua Schiffer is a Veteran trial attorney and one of Southeast's most respected legal voices. He is the founding partner at ChancoSchiffer P .C., where he has litigated high-stakes criminal, civil rights, and personal injury cases for over 2 decades. Schiffer is a frequent media contributor and an outspoken advocate for accountability. Franz Borghardt is an attorney with more than a decade of experience. Franz has served as both a felony public defender and prosecutor in east Baton Rouge. He maintains a private practice spanning criminal defense, personal injury, family law, and small business matters. 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 • 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-MacMcCollum/9798895652824  

In this "Zone 7" special on the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, Sheryl McCollum and retired NYPD detective Tom Smith break down what a disciplined first 24 hours should have looked like, and why the public-facing story has created confusion. They walk through the biggest unanswered questions, including “unknown male DNA, ” the surveillance video, and why a classic ransom scenario is not tracking. For those looking to catch up further as the situation develops, additional coverage and updates can be found on "Crime Stories with Nancy Grace." Guest Bio: Tom Smith is a retired NYPD detective and 2024 National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame inductee. With over 30 years of service, he worked in patrol, narcotics and robbery investigations and spent 17 years working with the FBI/NYPD on the Joint  terrorism task Force, including an overseas deployment to Afghanistan. Tom co-hosts the podcast, "Gold Shields," and provides investigative commentary for national media outlets. 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 include The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, and Tupac Shakur. Her work on 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: @zone7squad • 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. 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. Highlights: • (0:00) Sheryl McCollum welcomes listeners, introduces the Nancy Guthrie case, and brings in Tom Smith for a Day One and Day Two reality check • (1:45) First priority: secure the scene, set the perimeter, and control who comes and goes • (3:15) Two-tape strategy, command center placement, and why media management is part of scene control • (6:45) Why this case should trigger FBI resources quickly, including scale, reach, and operational support • (11:15) Family liaison basics: keeping Savannah Guthrie informed without compromising the investigation • (14:15) Could Savannah be the real target? Why some threats move through family • (15:00) The man's on-camera behavior stands out: clothing, pacing, props, and missing urgency • (16:15) “Ransom” is not tracking. The delays, the non-performance, and why this reads as personal • (21:15) Blood pattern questions that should be treated as a major investigative signal • (23:30) Unknown male DNA. What “unknown” means, why the recovery location matters, and what should have been clarified early • (25:00) Geography, logistics, and why certain theories do not fit the known facts • (27:15) The wagon wheel model. How video, leads, warrants, and tech teams feed one command structure • (28:00) Crime scene control and the importance of limiting access • (34:45) “There are things people need to know. If they don’t need to know it, don’t open your mouth.” • (40:00) Optics blowback. The basketball game controversy and why public trust is an investigative asset. • (46:30) Threat assessment red flags and what should have been screened • (54:00) Two fixes that can sharpen the case now: a clean team review and stronger video enhancement  

When a judge declared that Rex Heuermann’s trial would begin after Labor Day “come hell or high water,” the Long Island Serial Killer case entered a decisive new phase. In this episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum is joined by journalist Laura Ingle for a boots-on-the-ground update of the Long Island Serial Killer investigation. They examine the sweeping defense omnibus motion, the ongoing fight over DNA evidence, and what prosecutors are expected to file ahead of the March 3 and March 17 court dates. They also analyze the arrest of Andrew Dykes in the 1997 murder of Tanya Jackson, known as “Peaches,” and discuss whether that development introduces meaningful, reasonable doubt for Heuermann’s defense. From a recovered planning document to burner phones and questions of who knew what, their conversation centers on evidence, legal strategy, and whether this case is headed for trial or moving toward a plea deal. Guest Bio: Laura Ingle is an Emmy Award-winning journalist and the host of "The Ingle Edit," a YouTube series and podcast dedicated to re-examining unsolved cases through on-scene reporting and firsthand interviews. As a longtime network correspondent, she has covered many of America’s most notorious crime stories and continues to champion cold-case investigations. Learn more about the case and view Laura’s on-scene reporting on The Ingle Edit. 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 include The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, and Tupac Shakur. Her work on 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 welcomes Laura Ingle and introduces the latest developments in the Long Island Serial Killer case • (1:00) The Gilgo Beach timeline: from Shannan Gilbert’s 911 call to the initial body discoveries • (3:15) Memorial benches along Ocean Parkway and what the geographic landscape reveals about the case • (5:00) Rex Heuermann’s January 13 court appearance and the 175+ page defense omnibus motion • (8:00) The DNA battle: mitochondrial testing, genetic genealogy, and the hair evidence tied to Sandra Costilla • (10:30) Judge’s declaration: trial will begin after Labor Day “come hell or high water” • (11:15) Andrew Dykes arrested in the 1997 murder of Tanya Denise Jackson (“Peaches”) and what it could mean for the baby • (15:45) Why there are still no charges in Tatiana Marie Dykes’ death and why her remains’ proximity to Valerie Mack matters • (20:30) Why separate mother and child: DNA, dumping-ground logic, and what investigators still cannot place in the timeline • (22:15) Devices, weapons, and the locked vault: what investigators found and what’s still unknown • (24:15) The house and the basement: searches, “workshop” claims, and the importance of the location • (25:00) Planning document and surveillance awareness: traffic cameras, tactics, and intent • (28:15) The “window” theory: family travel timeline and why prosecutors say they line up • (29:15) Asa and the divorce question: blindsided or strategic? • (31:30) How the defense uses the “Peaches” arrest to argue reasonable doubt • (34:00) Outro: The Ingle Edit and Sheryl’s closing quote  

When 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie disappeared from her home, investigators were quickly faced with blood evidence and ransom claims that did not align with standard abduction patterns. In this episode of "Zone 7," Sheryl McCollum, retired NYPD homicide detectives Dan Murphy and Tom Smith, and forensic pathologist Dr. Priya Banerjee assess why blood at the scene, a prolonged presence inside the home, and Nancy’s medical vulnerabilities undermine the ransom narrative. The panel also examines investigative decisions and evidence handling that may shape accountability. For those looking to stay informed as the situation develops, additional coverage and updates can be found on "Crime Stories with Nancy Grace." 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 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. Dan Murphy is a retired NYPD Detective-Sergeant with extensive experience in homicide, major case investigations, and counterterrorism. During his career, he served in units including the Major Case Squad and the FBI/NYPD Joint Terrorism Task Force. Since retiring from law enforcement, Dan has served as Chief Security officer for U.S. Bancorp, co-authored, "Workplace Safety: Establishing an Effective Violence Prevention Program," and co-hosts the podcast, "Gold Shields." Tom Smith is a retired NYPD detective and 2024 National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame inductee. Over 30 years of service, he worked in patrol, narcotics, and robbery investigations and spent 17 years working with the FBI/NYPD on the Joint Terrorism Task Force, including an overseas deployment to Afghanistan. Tom co-hosts the podcast "Gold Shields," lectures on criminal justice and terrorism, and provides investigative commentary for national media outlets. 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 welcomes listeners, introduces the Nancy Guthrie case, and brings in Dan Murphy, Tom Smith, and Dr. Priya Banerjee • (1:30) Savannah Guthrie’s early silence and why not using her platform immediately raised concern • (2:15) Blood at the scene, smashed cameras, and why this should have been treated as an abduction from the start • (4:15) Interior crime scenes, early release, and how evidence integrity can be compromised • (4:45) Dr. Priya Banerjee on age, blood thinners, cardiac disease, and stress-related death • (7:15) The 41-minute timeline inside the home and why it defies kidnapping patterns • (8:30) Delayed ransom demands, media involvement, and why the timing doesn’t track • (12:15) Lights left on inside the house and behavior inconsistent with covert abduction • (13:30) Bitcoin ransom logic and why mixed-payment demands raise red flags • (14:15) A robbery-gone-wrong scenario and what happens if the victim recognizes the offenders • (16:15) Chronic pain, medication dependency, and why prolonged captivity is medically unlikely • (19:00) Family video statements, proof-of-life questions, and linguistics shifts investigators notice • (21:00) Reactionary law enforcement activity and repeated returns to the scene • (24:30) Pacemakers, Apple Watch connectivity, and what technology may still reveal • (28:30) Leadership optics, media interference, and the impact of active investigations • (36:45) Reward amounts, chain of custody concerns, and courtroom implications • (41:30) Final thoughts from the panel on recovery efforts, investigative outlook, accountability, and why Sheryl believes it was never about the money   https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Swans-Dont-Swim-in-a-Sewer/Sheryl-Mac-McCollum/9798895652824    

An active investigation into the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez has left the public with a timeline, a Tesla, and an extensive list of unanswered questions. In this episode of "Zone 7," Sheryl McCollum is joined by journalist Lauren Conlin to review what has been said publicly about Celeste’s initial classification as a runaway, her connections to older individuals, and why the continued absence of a named person of interest raises concern. They also turn to the arrest of actor/director Timothy Busfield and discuss what can and cannot be concluded from selective “evidence” releases, how credibility gets weaponized in public, and why child abuse allegations demand careful, methodical evaluation rather than internet verdicts. Guest Bio Lauren Conlin is a New York-based journalist covering true crime and high-profile investigations. She contributes reporting to Los Angeles Magazine, hosts investigative podcasts, and appears as a legal and crime commentator on platforms including Court TV, Fox News, and "Crime Stories with Nancy Grace." 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 includes, in part, the Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, Tupac Shakur. Her work on 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. 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. Highlights: • (0:00) Sheryl McCollum opens the episode on the death of Celeste Hernandez and why the case is “driving her crazy” • (1:30) Lauren Conlin’s case status framing: no official person of interest, grand jury activity, and what “imminent indictment” does and does not mean • (3:00) Celeste’s runaway classification, age, and how early labels can shape urgency, resources, and risk • (7:15) Behavior after the discovery: canceled tour, transferred home ownership, legal strategy, and public silence • (10:00) Publicity economics: spikes in streams/downloads and the reality of scandal- driven attention • (15:15) Homicide indicator vs. Evidentiary barriers when decomposition complicates cause-of-death determinations • (17:45) Tesla cameras, event data, and why Sheryl expects a digital trail around movement and access • (21:45) Why runaway youth are at elevated risk and how dependency becomes leverage for exploitation • (27:00) Timothy Busfield: prior allegations and the optics of how he presented himself • (29:15) The alleged history patterns, witness context, and credibility disputes around the parents • (33:00) “Tickling to me does not absolve you from being a pervert.” • (36:00) Predatory access: why being near adults does not guarantee safety and how abuse can occur quickly and covertly • (39:15) Sheryl and Lauren address recantation, selective interview clips, and why child abuse cases require restraint, context, and patience before judgment

In broad daylight on October 19, 2025, thieves dressed as construction workers targeted the Louvre and vanished with $100 million in royal jewels in about eight minutes. In this episode of "Zone 7," Sheryl McCollum is joined by former jewel thief Bryan Sobolewski to lay out exactly how a heist like this gets pulled off, what mistakes crews make when the clock is ticking, and why modern forensics can turn a “perfect” job into an evidence trail. Sobolewski then shares his own history, the losses, and long-term consequences, and why he now speaks publicly to warn others away from choosing a life of crime. 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 Bio: Bryan Sobolewski is a former jewel thief who speaks publicly about robbery methods, prevention, and the real-world consequences of criminal conviction. He has appeared on Fox's reality series "The Snake," and on "America's Most Wanted." Sobolewski is also a comedian and personal trainer, and previously hosted the "Family Jewels" podcast and authored the book "Family Jewels." About the Host Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an active crime scene investigator for the 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. Her work on 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 • X: @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 recounts the Louvre entry point, the freight truck with extended ladder, missing jewels, and why “construction work” is the perfect disguise in a crowded tourist environment • (2:45) Sheryl brings in former jewel thief Bryan Sobolewski to talk about the heist • (4:45) The ladder truck problem: sourcing it, driving it, and the traceability thieves cannot erase • (7:15) The moped getaway and why Paris geography favors two wheels • (8:15) Uninsured jewels and what security should have anticipated • (10:00) How fast cases move when the thieves leave obvious evidence behind • (12:15) Flight attempts, the hired-crew theory, and how the organizer can remain invisible • (16:15) DNA, fingerprints, and trace evidence • (19:15) The gear left behind and why serial numbers and rentals make a heist crew traceable • (24:00) Bryan’s New England backdrop, mob proximity, and “street rules” • (27:45) Bryan recounts his father and brother dying on the same night and the questions he is left to live with • (30:15) Why display cases are harder to break than people think, and how reinforced glass slows thieves down • (40:30) Bryan reflects on the long-term cost of crime, what accountability looks like after prison,    

The LAPD’s most famous cold case, the Black Dahlia, has haunted headlines for generations, and a renewed wave of speculation now argues she was killed by the same person who later called himself the Zodiac. In this episode of "Zone 7," Sheryl McCollum is joined by forensic pathologist Dr. Priya Banerjee and forensic psychologist Dr. Joni Johnston to put that theory to the test. They argue Elizabeth Short’s murder reads as intimate and rage-driven, marked by postmortem mutilation and staging, while the Zodiac attacks appear cold and more mission-oriented, closer to an execution than a personal assault. They also clarify the difference between modus operandi and psychological signature, explain why signatures do not just “cool off” over decades, and urge civilians and investigators alike to test assumptions, scrutinize claims, and bring in smarter minds when the facts demand it. Guest Bios: Dr. Priya Banerjee is a board-certified forensic pathologist with extensive experience in death investigation, clinical forensics, and courtroom testimony. A John’s Hopkins graduate, she served for over a decade as Rhode Island’s state medical examiner and now leads a private forensic pathology practice. Dr. Joni Johnston is a forensic psychologist, private investigator, and crime writer. Her work includes prison and parole settings, court-related forensic services, workplace misconduct investigations, parole evaluations for mentally disordered offenders, and expert testimony in criminal and civil cases. 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: X: @149Zone7 Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum Instagram: @officialzone7podcast Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com 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. 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 frames the Black Dahlia and Zodiac question, and why “same killer” theories require disciplined testing • (1:15) The Zodiac’s moniker, symbols, and ciphers as behavioral evidence through public messaging • (2:45) Dr. Joni Johnston on why the Black Dahlia reads as personal, targeted violence rather than opportunistic killing • (4:15) Modus operandi versus signature behavior, and where true crime narratives often blur the line • (5:45) Antemortem versus postmortem behavior, and how that distinction changes scene interpretation • (7:00) Why signature tends to remain stable over time, even when method or opportunity shifts • (8:00) What autopsy findings and scene details can suggest about intent • (15:00) Facial carving as humiliation, defacement, and control, and what that suggests about motive • (18:15) Tattoo removal and insertion framed as symbolic degradation • (20:15) Escalation narratives and control needs, testing patterns against a “same offender” theory • (27:00) BTK comparison, and why taunting and offender messaging are not unique identifiers • (31:45) Timeline gaps and intent differences as evidence against a single-offender theory • (33:00) Closing quote and final takeaway on evidence, teamwork, and disciplined disagreement  

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  

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  

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  

Just blocks from the White House, a quiet act of service ended in tragedy. Two young National Guard members were ambushed; one was killed instantly, and another was left in critical condition. This week on Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum welcomes Dr. Sunny Slaughter to reflect on what happened that day and what it reveals about leadership, language, and the power of restraint. Together, they explore how hate takes root, why communication can be a matter of life and death, and what it truly means to serve with empathy when the world feels like it’s falling apart. Highlights: • (0:00) Sheryl McCollum reveals Zone 7’s 2026 return to weekly episodes and the kickoff. of the 10-8 Tour • (1:00) Welcome to Zone 7 with Sheryl McCollum and guest Dr. Sunny Slaughter • (4:15) The ambush that killed Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and critically injured Andrew Wolfe, 24 • (7:00) How compassion, not politics, defines law enforcement and military duty • (10:00) “Take the temperature down to zero”: Dr. Slaughter’s warning against political violence • (12:30) Dr. Slaughter’s experience teaching “lens, language, and law” and why empathy is operational readiness • (17:00) Service as calling, not career: advice for the next generation of guardsmen and officers • (20:45) Sheryl and Dr. Slaughter on gratitude, resilience, and learning through hardship • (27:00) Finding meaning after loss and the power of service on purpose• (30:00) Preparing for crisis: why every law enforcement professional must plan for the unexpected • (35:00) The Florida eviction tragedy and how quickly crisis can turn fatal • (36:15) Final reflections: honoring the National Guard members through unity, compassion, and continued service Guest Bio Dr. Sunny Slaughter is a law enforcement instructor, expert witness and crisis communication strategist who specializes in counterterrorism, extremism, and emerging threats. As CEO of Sunny Slaughter Consulting and founder of the Sunny Slaughter Group, she helps agencies nationwide build crisis-ready leadership. A former military spouse and longtime advocate for justice and public safety, Dr. Slaughter has served as a U.S. Department of Homeland Security instructor and continues to guide federal, state, and local agencies in strengthening community resilience. 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 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. 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.

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

At 4:22 p.m. on what should have been an ordinary December afternoon, gunfire erupted inside the engineering building at Brown University. Students preparing for final exams found themselves barricaded in classrooms as text alerts warned, “Hide. Stay where you are. Silence your phone.” This week on Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum and retired FBI Special Agent Scott Duffey revisit the Brown University shooting, where a day of finals spiraled into chaos and tragedy. Together, they discuss the confusion inside the building, the calm suspect caught on camera, and the observant witness whose attention to detail helped identify him. Sheryl and Scott examine what went right, what went wrong, and how information, instinct, and timing shaped the investigation. Highlights: • (0:00) Welcome to Zone 7 with Sheryl McCollum and returning guest Scott Duffey to discuss the Brown University shooting and the law-enforcement response that followed • (5:45) The moment violence reached Brown University: students taking finals as shots rang out • (12:30) “Nobody was prepared to take this person on”: why Brown University was a soft target • (15:30) Behavioral clues and why the suspect didn’t fit the usual active-shooter profile • (18:30) How video surveillance, community vigilance, and digital evidence guided the search • (21:15) Law enforcement press conferences and why clear, real-time communication with the public is critical • (25:00) The second engineer’s murder: coincidence or connection? • (28:30) Theorizing motive and method• (31:00) The suspect’s calm demeanor and cultural clues that caught investigators’ attention • (34:45) Terrorism concerns, global context, and seasonal timing during the holidays • (39:00) Update: the shooter found deceased; press conference missteps and misinformation • (43:15) The breakthrough witness whose attention to detail broke open the case • (48:30) Closing thoughts on the investigation, the likelihood of a manifesto, and why violent offenders rarely act in silence Guest Bio: Scott Duffey is a retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent with more than two decades of service in the Bureau’s Baltimore Division, including assignments with the Wilmington Resident Agency and the Delaware Violent Crimes Task Force. He now directs the Criminal Justice Institute at Wilmington University, where he teaches interview and interrogation techniques to law enforcement professionals. Duffey also provides on-air crime analysis for FOX, CNN, NewsNation, and the Wildlife CSI Academy, continuing to educate, inform, and engage audiences worldwide. 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      

The verdict is in: Brian Walshe has been found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of his wife, Anna Walshe. This week on "Zone 7," Sheryl McCollum is joined by Dani, creator and host of "Dani After Dark." The two revisit the Brian Walshe trial, where months of evidence, emotion, and courtroom drama culminated in a single word: guilty. From the disturbing Google searches to the cash-only shopping trips for bleach, buckets, and a hacksaw, the jury weighed the evidence alongside the confession that Walshe dismembered his wife and disposed of her remains. Dani shares what she witnessed inside the courtroom, from the jurors’ reactions to the moment that sealed the case. Then, she and Sheryl break down the digital evidence, behavioral patterns, and courtroom strategy that secured a first-degree murder conviction. Highlights: • (0:00) Sheryl opens with a summary of the Ana Walshe case, outlining the timeline and the accusations against her husband, Brian Walshe before welcoming Dani from Dani After Dark back to Zone 7 • (1:45) What Brian Walshe admitted before trial and what the jury did not hear • (3:15) Brian’s Google searches that dismantled the “sudden death” defense • (6:15) Cash-only shopping trips and the evidence captured on camera • (7:45) The moment the jury watched Walshe’s six-year-old son help him check out at Lowe’s • (13:30) Affair allegations and the life-insurance policy • (16:30) Body language inside the courtroom: Brian Walshe and his mother • (19:00) Why the defense never called on a psychologist, how that decision cost them, and the collapse during closing arguments • (22:45) Verdict day: Guilty of murder and justice for Ana Walshe • (23:45) Final reflections on the events that led to the first-degree murder conviction Guest Bio: Dani is the creator and host of "Dani After Dark," a true-crime and legal analysis channel on YouTube, where she covers high-profile criminal trials in real time. Connect with Dani on Instagram @dani_after_dark or follow her on YouTube at @DaniAfterDark. 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 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. 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  

From college dorms to quiet suburbs, fentanyl's reach no longer fits a stereotype. This week on Pathology with Dr. Priya, a Zone 7 series, Sheryl McCollum and Dr. Priya Banerjee confront the reality of a Providence College house party that nearly claimed seven young lives. Together they discussed the chemistry, economics, and criminal psychology behind modern synthetic drugs, showing how a single white powder can conceal a fatal mix, and how dealers prioritize profit over safety. These drugs do not discriminate; they affect every community, every family, and every socioeconomic group. For parents, this episode serves as a reminder that prevention begins long before a crisis. Awareness, honest conversation, and early education remain the most powerful safeguards against tragedy. Highlights • (0:00) Welcome to Zone 7’s Pathology with Dr. Priya: “’Tis the season”: why overdoses spike between Thanksgiving and New Year’s • (0:45) Seven Providence College students found unresponsive at a house party • (3:00) Fentanyl's evolution from heroin corridors to every college town in America • (5:00) Cutting agents and chemical roulette: what's really in the “white powder” • (7:00) Xylazine, ketamine, and the rise of “zombie drugs” and clandestine labs • (11:15) Dealers, profit, and the deadly absence of quality control • (12:30) "Drugs don't discriminate": how overdose affects every class and community • (16:30) As holiday parties ramp up, Sheryl and Dr. Priya address alcohol, impaired driving, and false confidence behind the wheel• (18:15) “There ain’t a drug dealer out there that cares about anybody they’ve ever sold to”: how profit drives addiction across every demographic • (22:15) Final reflections: stay aware, stay connected, and keep the season focused on life, not loss 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  

The empire is gone, but the influence remains. This week on "Zone 7," Sheryl McCollum and journalist Lauren Conlin discuss Sean “Diddy” Combs’ life inside federal prison, from coveted assignments and rule violations to the month of good time he lost. Drawing on her extensive coverage from jury selection to sentencing, Lauren explains how Diddy's actions inside prison expose the difference between reputation and reality. Their conversation then turns to the NBA's gambling scandal, where federal investigators are piecing together evidence from rigged poker games, high-stakes payouts, and the athletes now under scrutiny. 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. Highlights: • (0:00) Welcome to Zone 7 with Sheryl McCollum and guest Lauren Conlin • (0:30) Lauren on her new Los Angeles Magazine role and coverage of the Diddy trial • (3:15) Revisiting earlier predictions: Diddy’s special treatment and coveted prison job • (5:00) Sentencing day details: defense missteps, emotional pleas, and the judge’s “severe sentence” remark • (10:15) Prison conduct issues: alleged alcohol incident, phone call violations, and loss of release time • (13:00) Diddy’s Thanksgiving initiative with inmate group “Bankroll Bosses” • (14:45) Sheryl reflects on Diddy’s physical transformation, rehab reports, and adapting to life in prison • (21:30) NBA gambling scandal: Chauncey Billups, mob-linked poker games, and the $50,000 payoff • (26:15) Mountain of evidence: texts, surveillance, and why the case could drag well into 2026 • (31:30) Who flips First? Cooperation deal and the government’s strategy to secure testimony • (32:45) Sheryl closes the episode with a Diddy quote on prison life Guest Bio: Lauren Conlin is a New York based journalist and contributor for Los Angeles Magazine, recognized for her coverage of high-profile federal trials and celebrity cases. A former HLN and CNN correspondent, she is regarded as one of the most trusted voices in pop-culture crime and justice. 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. https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Swans-Dont-Swim-in-a-Sewer/Sheryl-Mac-McCollum/9798895652824  

In this week’s Crime Roundup, Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer Break down the federal hearing surrounding Luigi Mangione, the suspect accused of assassinating UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024. What started as a five-day manhunt has transformed into an instructive case, complete with missed warrants, coached testimony, and evidence on the verge of being thrown out. Sheryl and Joshua examine how procedural missteps could weaken a potential death penalty case, and why “get a warrant” isn't just good advice; it's the foundation of justice. They then turned their attention to Massachusetts, where the trial of Brian Walshe, who is accused of killing and dismembering his wife, reveals how arrogance, lies, and a trail of Google searches can expose a killer's truth. Highlights: • (0:00) Welcome to Crime Roundup with Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer • (0:15) "99 percent of the time, you need a warrant... it won’t hurt your case if you get one and don’t need it.” • (4:00) Coached testimony and the danger of tailoring officer statements for admissibility • (7:30) What happens when training, procedure, and pressure collide in the courtroom • (9:00) How early media leaks and “pre-trial publicity” can poison a case before it begins • (10:30) The potential collapse of key evidence and its impact on death penalty eligibility • (12:15) The rules of criminal procedure and what it means when they don’t apply equally • (17:15) The defense’s dream scenario: getting the weapon suppressed because of a“bad stop” • (17:45) The Brian Walshe trail and the anatomy of a cover-up • (19:30) Walshe’s “woke up and she was dead” defense and why it’s collapsing in court • (21:45) The digital trail: how Google searches reveal motive, method, and mindset • (23:00) Closing thoughts: why “get a warrant” isn’t optional, it’s the rule of law About the Hosts Joshua Schiffer is a veteran trial attorney and one of the Southeast’s most respected legal voices. He is a founding partner at ChancoSchiffer P.C., where he has litigated high-stakes criminal, civil rights, and personal injury cases for over two decades. Known for his bold courtroom presence and ability to clearly explain complex legal issues, Schiffer is a frequent media contributor and a fearless advocate for accountability. 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, earned her an Emmy Award for CSI: Atlanta and induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023. 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 Stay Connected Subscribe using your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to support the show. Have acase or topic you’d like Sheryl and Joshua to cover? Email coldcase2004@gmail.com Follow the Hosts: • Sheryl on X: @ColdCaseTips • Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum • Joshua on X and Instagram: @lawyerschiff

During Halloween weekend of 1993, a 34-year-old teacher and mother of three, Cherilyn Hawkley, vanished from Granite Bay, California. Two days later, her body was discovered inside her minivan, less than a mile from the school where she taught fifth grade. In this episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum and Laura Ingle revisit the case that shocked the community, retracing the timeline, the missing hours, and the single piece of rope believed to have been used in Cherilyn’s murder. With the newly established cold-case team reopening the files, they explore how advances in forensic science and a new round of DNA testing may hold the key to solving this 32-year-old cold case. If you have information about this case, contact the Placer County Sheriff’s Tip Line at (530) 889-7830. Highlights: • (0:00) Welcome to Zone 7 with Sheryl McCollum and guest Laura Ingle • (1:00) Laura Ingle recounts growing up near Granite Bay and Cherilyn’s final hours after the school’s Halloween party • (3:30) The van’s location and why it suggests a local offender • (9:30) The rope used in the killing and new DNA testing by the Placer County Sheriff’s Office • (11:45) Cleared suspects: ex-husband, boyfriend, and school custodian • (16:00) Sheryl breaks down potential motives and why the crime does not fit the typical pattern   (17:30) The detailed witness sketch of a man driving a white VW Bug • (21:00) Laura describes visiting the school and the plaque that bears Cherilyn’s name • (24:15) Why it’s important to re-examine every witness and every clue, and how uniting the original detectives with the new cold-case team could uncover what was never written in the files • (26:30) Tip line information and closing message Guest Bio: Laura Ingle is an Emmy Award-winning journalist and the host of The Ingle Edit, a YouTube series and podcast dedicated to re-examining unsolved cases through on-scene reporting and firsthand interviews. As a longtime network correspondent, she has covered many of America’s most notoroious crime stories and continues to champion cold-case investigations. Learn more about the case and view Laura’s on-scene reporting on The Ingle Edit: www.youtube.com/@TheIngleEdit 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      

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.

Just when you think it’s safe to step back into the courtroom, another week proves otherwise. On this episode of Crime Roundup, Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer dig into the newly released Karen Read transcripts that reveal what really happened behind the bench, the face-tattooed suspect raising eyebrows in the Celeste Rivas investigation, and a cruise ship death now under federal review. Together, they take on the week’s most unsettling cases the only way they know how: with sharp insight, hard facts, and a measured dose of humor. Highlights: • (0:00) Welcome to Crime Roundup with Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer • (1:15) Karen Read updates: prosecution releases sidebar transcripts and what they reveal • (4:45) The reality of “bench conferences” and how they shape public perception of justice • (6:00) When prosecutors overcharge: discretion, burden of proof, and why it matters • (9:15) “Creep Factor” cases and the week’s most unsettling stories, featuring an update in the Celeste Rivas investigation • (17:15) Cultural assumptions and the hidden bias in courtroom decision-making • (21:30) Death penalty leverage, coerced confessions, and systemic pressure • (22:45) Cruise ship tragedy: an 18-year-old cheerleader found dead under a bed, and what investigators know so far • (27:45) Ripple effects: trauma across families, classmates, and communities • (28:15) Finding gratitude in chaos: Joshua’s ATV story and the beauty in everyday moments About the Hosts Joshua Schiffer is a veteran trial attorney and one of the Southeast’s most respected legal voices. He is a founding partner at ChancoSchiffer P.C., where he has litigated high-stakes criminal, civil rights, and personal injury cases for over two decades. Known for his bold courtroom presence and ability to clearly explain complex legal issues, Schiffer is a frequent media contributor and a fearless advocate for accountability. 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, earned her an Emmy Award for CSI: Atlanta and induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023. 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-MacMcCollum/9798895652824   Want more from Sheryl? Catch her every week on the Zone 7 podcast, where she hosts the main series on Wednesdays,Pathology with Dr. Priya on Mondays, and Crime Roundup each Friday alongside Joshua Schiffer. Subscribe using your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to support the show. Have a case or topic you’d like Sheryl and Joshua to cover? Email coldcase2004@gmail.com   Follow the Hosts: • Sheryl on X: @ColdCaseTips • Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum • Joshua on X and Instagram: @lawyerschiff

On Mother’s Day 2020, Susan Morphew vanished from her Colorado home, leaving behind a community full of questions and loved ones searching for answers. In this episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum sits down with retired NYPD Sergeant and cold case expert Joe Giacalone to revisit the investigation, the early red flags, and the clues that continue to raise quesions, from the discovery of Susan’s bicycle to the inconsistencies that complicated the case. Highlights: • (0:00) Sheryl opens with the timeline of Susan Morphew’s disappearance and introduces guest Joe Giacalone • (1:30) The early facts of the case and first warning signs: missing bicycle, disabled surveillance cameras, and a Mother’s Day that went unnoticed • (2:00) The 911 call from a neighbor and Barry Morphew's arrival at the scene • (5:45) Inconsistencies in Barry's statements and the odor of chlorine in his hotel room • (9:30) Digital breadcrumbs: truck data, phone records, and deleted text messages • (10:30) The tranquilizer dart, the “chipmunk” story, and the forensic evidence found in the Morphew’s dryer • (16:45) The recovery of Susan's remains and what investigators believe it reveals• (19:00) Barry's behavior raises more questions: his calm demeanor, the sale of Susan's truck, and the discovery of the spy pen that exposed her affair • (26:00) How public pressure, social media, and speculation can influence a case • (28:00) Joe closes with a Mark Twain quote that captures what Barry Morphew failed to grasp: “It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.”   Guest Bio: Joe Giacalone is a retired NYPD Sergeant and former Commanding Officer of the Bronx Cold Case Squad. He serves as an adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and is the author of The Criminal Investigative Function: A Guide for New Investigators and The Cold Case Handbook. Giacalone also hosts True Crime with the Sarge and is a frequent media commentator on criminal investigations.  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. 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 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, earned her an 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