Zone 7 with Sheryl McCollum

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.

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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 FlintRiver Killer’s Daughter,is available now wherever books are sold.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

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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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 FlintRiver Killer’s Daughter,is available now wherever books are sold.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 FlintRiver Killer’s Daughter,is available now wherever books are sold.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

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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 FlintRiver Killer’s Daughter,is available now wherever books are sold.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

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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 FlintRiver Killer’s Daughter,is available now wherever books are sold.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

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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 FlintRiver Killer’s Daughter,is available now wherever books are sold.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

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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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 FlintRiver Killer’s Daughter,is available now wherever books are sold.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 FlintRiver Killer’s Daughter,is available now wherever books are sold.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 FlintRiver Killer’s Daughter,is available now wherever books are sold.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 IdahoGame 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 FlintRiver Killer’s Daughter,is available now wherever books are sold.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 FlintRiver Killer’s Daughter,is available now wherever books are sold.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bestselling true crime author and investigative journalist Aphrodite Jones returns to Zone 7with 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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Caseof the Flint River Killer’s Daughter,releasing May 12, 2026.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Johnsonis 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 Caseof the Flint River Killer’s Daughter,releasing May 12, 2026.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 TheBald-Faced Deceptionand 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 Caseof the Flint River Killer’s Daughter,releasing May 12, 2026.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 7and 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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Ryanis 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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Alcazaris 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:

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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Shermanis 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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Eatonis 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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Giacaloneis 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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Cardwellis 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:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Schifferis 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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Smithis 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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Ingleis 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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Conlinis 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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Sobolewskiis 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,

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Banerjeeis 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:

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 ofZone7, 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 Edwardsis 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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Thomasis 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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Duikeris 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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Slaughteris 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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 onZone7, 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 Duffeyis 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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 DaniAfter 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:

Daniis 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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 CrimeOnlineand 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, TheLast 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 aForensic Scientist,releasing May 2026 from Simon and Schuster.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Zone7, 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 Ingleis 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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

This week on Pathology with Dr. Priya, a Zone7series, 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 CrimeOnlineand 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, TheLast 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 friendand leave a review.Your support helps others discover the science, the stories, and the heart behind Pathology withDr. Priya | A Zone 7 Series.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Zone7, 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 Giacaloneis 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 ColdCase 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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A photograph can provide documentation but can’t tell the whole story. This week on Pathology with Dr. Priya, a Zone 7 series, Dr. Priya Banerjee joins Sheryl McCollum to share why revisiting a cold-case scene, sometimes decades later, can completely shift an investigation. When she traveled for hours to inspect an identical car tied to a cold case, she discovered details impossible to see on paper. They talk about how vehicles can become part of the forensic story, why the setting itself matters, and how today’s technology can clarify what investigators once assumed. From seat position to power locks, their conversation highlights what’s lost when professionals rely only on reports and what’s gained when they return to the scene.

Highlights

• (0:00) Sheryl welcome listeners and introduces the topic: why visiting a scene is essential in cold-case investigations

• (1:00) Dr. Priya describers visiting a cold-case scene and inspecting an identical car for accuracy

• (2:15) The car as a crime scene: how transport vehicles create multiple evidence locations

• (3:30) How changing car technology, from manual locks to sensors, alters forensic interpretation

• (5:00) What revisitng a scene reveals that photos and reports cannot

• (10:00) Revisiting old neighborhoods and the effects of time, urban change, and memory on case context

• (12:00) Dr. Priya’s methodical process for documenting and photographing scene and how that strengthens her courtroom testimony

• (13:15) Returning submerged and long-missing vehicles and bringing families long-awaited closure

• (14:30) Dr. Priya on method, teamwork, and why working cold cases feels like giving back

• (20:45) Revisiting old files with fresh eyes: how old photos, modern technology, and tools like Othram and NamUs can finally move cold cases forward

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 McCollum is an Emmy Award–winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, and the Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. She works as a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department and is the co- author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute (CCIRI), a nationally recognized nonprofit that brings together universities, law enforcement, and experts to help solve unsolved homicides, missing persons cases, and kidnappings.

Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com

Twitter/X: @ColdCaseTips

Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum

Instagram: @officialzone7podcast

If this episode gave you a new understanding of cold case investigations, 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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some moments divide life into a before and after. For Terry Strada, that moment came on the morning of September 11, 2001, when her husband, Tom, called her from the North Tower after the first plane struck. In this episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum speaks with Terry about the phone calls, the hours of not knowing, and the reality of raising their three children in the wake of unimaginable loss. Terry shares how she moved from grief to action by becoming the National Chair of 9/11 Families United and pushing for accountability from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their role in supporting terrorism.

Highlights:

• (0:00) Sheryl welcomes listeners to Zone 7and introduces guest Terry Strada

• (1:00) Tom leaves for work; three children at home, one just four days old

• (2:45) The phone call from the North Tower: “A plane has hit the building... it’s horrible...”

• (4:45) Realizing the attacks were deliberate

• (6:00) Calls among Cantor Fitzgerald families in the hours of uncertainty

• (7:00) Who Tom was as a husband, father, and leader

• (9:00) How Terry became part of the lawsuit against Saudi Arabia

• (11:30) Evidence trail: funding networks and support teams inside the U.S.

• (15:30) Scotland Yard evidence and what was withheld in the U.S.

• (18:00) The federal ruling that the case may move forward

• (20:00) Saudi influence, LIV Golf, and how it affected 9/11 families• (29:00) Final reflections and closing quote, “Never Forget”

Guest Bio:

Terry Stradabecame a national voice for 9/11 families after losing her husband, Tom, in the North Tower on September 11, 2001. As National Chair of 9/11 Families United, she has spent more than twenty years advocating for transparency and accountability, working with lawmakers and federal agencies to expose how terrorism is financed and supported.

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

---

Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, forensic and crime scene expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and co-author of the textbook ColdCase: Pathways to Justice. She is the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a national collaboration that advances techniques for solving cold cases and assists families and law enforcement with unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnappings.

Social Links:

• Email:coldcase2004@gmail.com

• Twitter: @ColdCaseTips

• Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum

• Instagram:@officialzone7podcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Electrocution can be silent and sudden, leaving few external signs and limited clues without careful investigation.

This week on Pathology with Dr. Priya, a Zone 7 series, Sheryl McCollum and Dr. Priya Banerjee explain how electrical current travels through the body, why the heart can stop in an instant, and what pathologists look for at the entry and exit points of a shock.

They discuss real-world risks, from downed power lines to home repairs, and the safety measures that can prevent fatal accidents.

Highlights

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

• (2:00) Entry and exit points: irregular burn and blister patterns on hands, feet, or other points of contact

• (3:30) How electrical current disrupts the heart’s rhythm and can lead to sudden death

• (6:00) Who is more vulnerable: pre-existing heart conditions and age can increase susceptibility to fatalarrhythmia

• (8:15) Storm damage, downed lines, and why no one should move live wires

• (10:45) “Weekend warrior” risks and everyday household hazards

• (15:15) What electrocution looks like internally: tissue damage, muscle breakdown, and organ findings

• (17:30) Seasonal reminders: holiday lights, wet environments, and the importance of hiring professionals forelectrical work

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 McCollum is an Emmy Award–winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, and the Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. She works as a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department and is the co-author of the textbook, "Cold Case: Pathways to Justice."

Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute (CCIRI), a nationally recognized nonprofit that brings together universities, law enforcement, and experts to help solve unsolved homicides, missing persons cases, and kidnappings.

Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com

Twitter/X: @149zone7

Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum

Instagram: @officialzone7podcast

If this episode provided clarity on electrocution deaths and scene safety, share it with a friend and leave areview. Your support helps others discover the science, the stories, and the heart behind Pathology with Dr. Priya | A Zone 7 Series.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are living in a time when crime does not stop at the courtroom. It continues in the headline, on social media, and in the public’s imagination.

This week on Crime Roundup, Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer discuss the laws that prevent offenders from profiting off their crimes and why cases like Bryan Kohberger’s continue to test those boundaries.

They talk about the world of murderabilia and the broader culture that turns high-profile cases into collectibles and conversation.

They also examine an ongoing beheading case involving a former adult film actress that has drawn national attention, plus several other stories of interest this week.

Highlights:

• (0:00) Welcome to Crime Roundup with Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer

• (2:45) The Slayer Statute and whether Bryan Kohberger could profit from notoriety

• (7:45) Murderabilia and prison fan culture

• (10:30) The beheading case involving a former adult film actress and her withdrawn plea

• (13:45) Diddy’s prison hooch and how inmates make alcohol behind bars

• (18:00) Sports betting and game-fixing concerns across leagues

• (19:30) Kim Kardashian’s justice reform work and bar exam attempts

• (23:30) Sheryl’s 2023 National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame recognition and final

reflections

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 Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, a forensic and crime scene expert for "Crime Stories with Nancy Grace," and co-author of the textbook, "ColdCase: Pathways to Justice."

She is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a national collaboration that advances techniques for solving cold cases and assists families and law enforcement with unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnappings.

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.

Stay Connected

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: @149zone7

• Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum

• Joshua on X and Instagram: @lawyerschiff

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Day after day, case after case, Tom Smith returned to the job with a clear sense of purpose: protect, respond, and stand with the people beside him. On this episode of Zone7, Sheryl McCollum talks with the retired NYPD detective about the path that led him from patrol work to the Joint Terrorism Task Force and ultimately, to a lifetime of service recognized at the national level. Tom shares how his father shaped his calling, how partnership becomes its own lifeline, and how a series of events during one 12-hour shift in the Bronx has stayed with him ever since.

Highlights:

Guest Bio:

Tom Smithis 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.

---

Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, forensic and crime scene expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. She is the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a national collaboration that advances techniques for solving cold cases and assists families and law enforcement with unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnappings.

Social Links:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For more than fifty years, the official story stood unchallenged. Modern forensic science is now putting it to the test.

In 1967, Sheriff Buford Pusser and his wife, Pauline, were ambushed on a rural Tennessee road, an attack that inspired the basis for the "Walking Tall" films.

In part two, Sheryl McCollum continues her conversation with Mike Elam, Jason White, Dennis Hathcock, and Danny Cupples, as they revisit the physical evidence and confront the inconsistencies that have haunted this case for decades.

For more background on the Pusser case, listen to Sheryl’s previous "Zone 7" episodes:

Highlights:

Guest Bios:

Mike Elamis a former Benton County Sheriff’s Deputy and author. His book, "Buford Pusser: The Other Story," traces his own cold case investigation into the 1967 ambush that killed Pauline Pusser.

Jason White is a veteran homicide detective with the Tulsa Police Department, a featured investigator on A&E’s "The First 48," and the podcast hostofKGRA’s "Into the Fire."

Danny Cupples is Tennessee’s first Chief Death Investigator and a certified forensic death investigator who has trained elite forensic teams in New York. Danny teaches infant death investigations at MTSU and continues to serve on a cold case unit.

Dennis Hathcock was a teenager when he saw Sheriff Buford Pusser on the night of the ambush and later discovered critical evidence along New Hope Road.

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

About the Host 

Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, forensic and crime scene expert for "Crime Stories with Nancy Grace," and co-author of the textbook, "Cold Case: Pathways to Justice." She is the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a national collaboration that advances techniques for solving cold cases and assists families and law enforcement with unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnappings. 

Social Links:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No one suspected that the woman he had trusted for decades was quietly planning his death.

This week on Pathology with Dr. Priya, a "Zone7"series, Sheryl McCollum and Dr. Priya Banerjee discuss the case of Marcy Oglesby, who, over several months, secretly mixed over-the-counter eye drops into Young's food and drinks.

When his body was later discovered inside a storage unit, toxicology revealed lethal levels of tetrahydrozoline, the active ingredient in common eye drops.

Dr. Priya explains how this drug attacks the cardiovascular system, why it is almost undetectable without targeted testing, and what makes poisonings like this so difficult to identify until it's far too late.

Highlights

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, NSA cases, 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 McCollum is an Emmy Award–winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, and the Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for "Crime Stories with Nancy Grace."

She works as a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department and is the co-author of the textbook "Cold Case: Pathways to Justice."

Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute (CCIRI), a nationally recognized nonprofit that brings together universities, law enforcement, and experts to help solve unsolved homicides, missing persons cases, and kidnappings.

Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com
Twitter/X: @149zone7
Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
Instagram: @officialzone7podcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1967, an ambush on a quiet Tennessee road left Sheriff Buford Pusser wounded and his wife, Pauline, killed.

Decades later, new investigative forces have taken a fresh look at the case. In part one of a three-part investigative series, Sheryl McCollum brings back author and researcher Mike Elam, veteran homicide detective Jason White, eyewitness Dennis Hathcock, and former death investigator Danny Cupples to revisit what actually happened that August evening.

They recount evidence that challenges the official narrative: guns being transferred between vehicles, a frantic officer making threats at a woman’s home, and a teenage witness discovering part of Pauline’s remains near the roadway.

For more background on the Pusser case, listen to Sheryl’s previous Zone 7 episodes:

Highlights:

Guest Bios:

Mike Elamis a former Benton County Sheriff’s Deputy and author. His book Buford Pusser: The Other Story traces his own cold case investigation into the 1967 ambush that killed Pauline Pusser.

Jason White is a veteran homicide detective with the Tulsa Police Department, a featured investigator on A&E’s The First 48, and the podcast hostof KGRA’s Into the Fire.

Danny Cupples is Tennessee’s first Chief Death Investigator and a certified forensic death investigator who has trained elite forensic teams in New York. Danny teaches infant death investigations at MTSU and continues to serve on a cold case unit.

Dennis Hathcock was a teenager when he saw Sheriff Buford Pusser on the night of the ambush, later discovering critical evidence along New Hope Road.

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

---

Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, forensic and crime scene expert for "Crime Stories with Nancy Grace," and co-author of the textbook, "Cold Case: Pathways to Justice." She is the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a national collaboration that advances techniques for solving cold cases and assists families and law enforcement with unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnappings.

Social Links:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Pathology with Dr. Priya, a Zone7series, Sheryl McCollum and Dr. Priya Banerjee continue their forensic review of the 2011 death of Ellen Greenberg, a young woman found with more than twenty stab wounds in her Philadelphia apartment. Picking up where part one left off, Dr. Priya discusses the two critical stab wounds that penetrated Ellen's brain stem and spinal cord; injuries she believes would have rendered her incapable of any further self-harm. From the anatomy of the cervical spine to the forensic interpretation of bruising, Dr. Priya explains why the medical evidence in this case still challenges the official ruling of suicide, and why the Greenberg family continues to fight for justice.

Highlights

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, NSA cases, and high-profile investigations. Dr. Priya has also been featured as a forensic expert on platforms such as CrimeOnlineand Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. She is a dedicated educator, animal lover, and proud mom.

Website: anchorforensicpathology.com
Twitter/X: @Autopsy_MD

Sheryl McCollum is an Emmy Award–winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, and the Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. She works as a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department and is the co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute (CCIRI), a nationally recognized nonprofit that brings together universities, law enforcement, and experts to help solve unsolved homicides, missing persons cases, and kidnappings.

Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com
Twitter/X: @ColdCaseTips
Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
Instagram: @officialzone7podcast

📣If this episode gave you new insight into the forensic complexities of Ellen Greenberg’s case, 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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It starts with a single message: “I’ve been taken.” Within minutes, panic spreads, officers mobilize, and fear grips an entire community. But what if the whole thing is a lie? In this week's episode of Crime Roundup, Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer explore the rise of modern hoaxes, from a Florida teen’s fake abduction to the mysterious disappearance of a Cobb County dentist. They expose how a single false story can spiral into chaos and change the lives of everyone it touches.

Highlights:

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 Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, a forensic and crime scene expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. She is the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a national collaboration that advances techniques for solving cold cases and assists families and law enforcement with unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnappings.

🎧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.

📢 Stay Connected

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:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Behind every major shift in American law enforcement is someone willing to risk it all. In this episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum speaks with retired FBI Special Agent Joe Pistone, better known as Donnie Brasco. His six-year infiltration of the Mafia redefined undercover work and exposed key figures within the Bonanno and Colombo families. Pistone reflects on the danger, isolation, and moral weight of living inside the mob, as well as the lasting personal cost of pursuing justice from within.

Guest Bio and Links:

Joe Pistone is a retired FBI Special Agent best known for his six-year undercover assignment infiltrating the Bonanno and Colombo Mafia families under the alias of Donnie Brasco. His work led to more than 200 convictions and remains one of the FBI’s most significant undercover operations. Pistone is the author of Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia and continues to lecture worldwide on organized crime, covert operations, and law-enforcement ethics.

Highlights:

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

---

Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, forensic and crime scene expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. She is the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a national collaboration that advances techniques for solving cold cases and assists families and law enforcement with unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnappings.

Social Links:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Pathology with Dr. Priya, a Zone7series, Sheryl McCollum and Dr. Priya Banerjee begin a two-part forensic review of the 2011 death of Ellen Greenberg, a young woman found with more than twenty stab wounds in her Philadelphia apartment. Despite the severity and location of her injuries, Ellen’s death was ruled a suicide not once but twice. In part one, Dr. Priya walks listeners through the science of sharp-force injuries, defines key forensic terminology, and explains why certain wound patterns, especially those to the back of the head and neck, raise significant questions about how this case was ever closed.    

Highlights

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, NSA cases, and high-profile investigations. Dr. Priya has also been featured as a forensic expert on platforms such as CrimeOnlineand Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. She is a dedicated educator, animal lover, and proud mom.

Website: anchorforensicpathology.com
Twitter/X: @Autopsy_MD

Sheryl McCollum is an Emmy Award–winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, and the Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. She works as a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department and is the co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute (CCIRI), a nationally recognized nonprofit that brings together universities, law enforcement, and experts to help solve unsolved homicides, missing persons cases, and kidnappings.

Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com
Twitter/X: @ColdCaseTips
Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
Instagram: @officialzone7podcast

📣If this episode gave you new insight into the forensic complexities of Ellen Greenberg’s case, 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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes the most powerful lessons in justice come from the most unexpected places.

 In this episode of Zone 7,Sheryl McCollum joins retired FBI agent Scott Duffey and retired NYPD Sergeant Joseph Giacalone for the first-ever Wildlife CSI Academy at Pennsylvania's Lake Tobias Wildlife Park.

Surrounded by giraffes, kangaroos, and a sloth named Chewy, they reflect on how working beside endangered animals reshaped their understanding of empathy, preparation, and teamwork. This heartfelt conversation reminds us that sometimes the best lessons in justice come from the wild.

Guest Bio and Links:

Joseph Giacalone is a retired NYPD Sergeant (SDS) 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.

Scott Duffey is a retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent who served more than two decades in the Bureau's Baltimore Division, including the Wilmington Resident Agency and the Delaware Violent Crimes Task Force. He now directs the Criminal Justice Institute at Wilmington University and continues to teach interview and interrogation techniques to law-enforcement professionals. Duffey also provides on-air crime analysis for FOX, CNN, and NewsNation

Highlights:

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

---

Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, forensic and crime scene expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. She is the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a national collaboration that advances techniques for solving cold cases and assists families and law enforcement with unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnappings.

Social Links:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before a body is ever opened, a medical examiner must consider what dangers might be waiting inside: fentanyl, tuberculosis or even a hidden needle. This week on Pathology with Dr. Priya, a Zone7series, Sheryl McCollum and Dr. Priya Banerjee share stories from their recent visit to Lake Tobias Wildlife Park. There, they took part in Wildlife CSI training, a hands-on blend of forensic education and animal encounters, including time with Chester, a baby kangaroo who quickly won everyone over. From there, the conversation shifts to the serious risks medical examiners face every day. From bloodborne pathogens and drug exposure to unstable death scenes and unpredictable infections, Dr. Priya offers a closer look at the hidden hazards behind every autopsy.    

Highlights

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, NSA cases, and high-profile investigations. Dr. Priya has also been featured as a forensic expert on platforms such as CrimeOnlineand Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. She is a dedicated educator, animal lover, and proud mom.

Website: anchorforensicpathology.com
Twitter/X: @Autopsy_MD

Sheryl McCollum is an Emmy Award–winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, and the Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. She works as a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department and is the co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute (CCIRI), a nationally recognized nonprofit that brings together universities, law enforcement, and experts to help solve unsolved homicides, missing persons cases, and kidnappings.

Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com
Twitter/X: @ColdCaseTips
Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
Instagram: @officialzone7podcast

📣If this episode gave you a new perspective on the behind-the-scenes risks of forensic work, 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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's Crime Roundup, Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer discuss one of the most urgent and misunderstood frontiers in criminal law: who owns your identity in the age of AI? From celebrities digitally resurrected without consent to student-athletes blocked from profiting off their own names, Sheryl and Joshua expose the legal chaos surrounding name, image, and likeness (NIL). They share real cases involving image theft, fraud, and stalking to show just how deep this rabbit hole goes, including how NIL rights intersect with immigration law, gambling, and even organized crime. Whether it’s a deepfake of Robin Williams or a repurposed viral video, the message is clear: your face, your voice, and your story... they’re assets. And they’re up for grabs.

Highlights:

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 Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, a forensic and crime scene expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. She is the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a national collaboration that advances techniques for solving cold cases and assists families and law enforcement with unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnappings.

🎧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.

📢 Stay Connected

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:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Zone 7,Sheryl McCollum welcomes back Georgia Durante, whose remarkable life story took another unbelievable turn. While watching a true crime documentary, Georgia did not expect to see her photograph among evidence connected to convicted serial killer Joseph Naso. Sheryl and Georgia discuss how that moment unfolded, how it ties to the unsolved “Alphabet Killer” cases in Rochester, New York, and the shocking realization that Georgia once worked with a man who would later be convicted of multiple murders. Georgia also reflects on her plan to confront him in prison, and why she believes she might have been “the one who got away.”

Guest Bio and Links:

Georgia Durante is a former model, getaway driver for the mob, and author of The Company She Keeps. Her modeling career began at the age of 12, and by 17 she was one of America’s most recognizable faces as the "Kodak Girl.” After escaping an abusive marriage and a life tied to organized crime, Georgia rebuilt herself as one of Hollywood’s most sought-after stunt drivers. Listeners can learn more about Georgia at her website https://www.georgiadurante.com/ or on Facebook @GeorgiaDurante. 

 The Company She Keeps by Georgia Durante

Watch the 2025 docuseries Death Row Confidential: Secrets of a Serial Killer on Prime Video or Oxygen.

Missed Georgia Durante’s first Zone 7 episode? The Company She Keeps | Georgia Durante

Highlights:

Enjoying Zone 7? Leave a rating and review. Your feedback helps others find the show and supports our mission to educate and investigate.

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Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, forensic and crime scene expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. She is the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a national collaboration that advances techniques for solving cold cases and assists families and law enforcement with unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnappings.

Social Links:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In February 2017, teenagers Liberty German and Abigail Williams were murdered while walking in the woods near Delphi, Indiana.

The next day, their bodies were discovered, and investigators revealed that Liberty had recorded a brief video of the suspect ordering the girls to “go down the hill.”

After years of speculation, dead ends, and online conspiracy theories, the 2022 arrest of local resident Richard Allen threw the case into an even deeper firestorm of controversy.

Guest Bio and Links:

Áine Cain and Kevin Greenlee

Journalist Áine Cain and attorney Kevin Greenlee are the husband-and-wife team behind The Murder Sheet, an investigative true-crime podcast that made national news with its reporting on the Delphi case.

They recently co-authored "Shadow of the Bridge," the first book to chronicle the murders of Liberty German and Abigail Williams and the investigation that followed.

The Murder Sheet Podcast

Shadow of the Bridge: The Delphi Murders and the Dark Side of the American Heartland

Missed their first Zone 7 episode? Behind the Scenes of the Delphi Trial: Haunting Truths, Unbreakable Community, and Justice in Focus

In this episode of Zone 7,Sheryl McCollum is joined once again by journalist Áine Cain and attorney Kevin Greenlee, the duo behind The Murder Sheet podcast, to talk about their book, "Shadow of the Bridge," and what it took to cover the Delphi case.

They describe the cramped courtroom and strict no reentry policy, the grind of working 17- to 18-hour days under a gag order, and how they decided what information to include in their book.

They also explain why they approach the “Odinism” claims with a critical, evidence-based lens, and what it was like to finally reveal information the jury, and the public never saw.

Highlights:

Enjoying Zone 7? Leave a rating and review. Your feedback helps others find the show and supports our mission to educate and investigate.

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Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, forensic and crime scene expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. She is the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a national collaboration that advances techniques for solving cold cases and assists families and law enforcement with unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnappings.

Social Links:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week’s episode of Pathology with Dr. Priya, a Zone7series, is all about your questions on the science behind death investigation. Together, Sheryl McCollum and Dr. Priya Banerjee take on the topics that listeners are most curious about, from family rights and religious objections to what autopsies can and cannot reveal. They also dispel misconceptions about embalming, toxicology, and even what really happens at the funeral home. With clarity and respect, Dr. Priya and Sheryl break down the science, the law, and the realities behind the most-asked questions in forensic pathology.

Highlights

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, NSA cases, and high-profile investigations. Dr. Priya has also been featured as a forensic expert on platforms such as CrimeOnlineand Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. She is a dedicated educator, animal lover, and proud mom.

Website: anchorforensicpathology.com
Twitter/X: @Autopsy_MD

Sheryl McCollum is an Emmy Award–winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, and the Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. She works as a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department and is the co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute (CCIRI), a nationally recognized nonprofit that brings together universities, law enforcement, and experts to help solve unsolved homicides, missing persons cases, and kidnappings.

Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com
Twitter/X: @ColdCaseTips
Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
Instagram: @officialzone7podcast

📣If this episode answered one of your questions, share it. Follow the show, tell 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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Crime Roundup, Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer return to break down the week’s most talked-about legal and criminal cases. They begin with new developments in the Celeste Revis investigation, where digital footprints, fake ID's, and silence from those who should have spoken up paint a grim picture of what may have happened. Sheryl and Joshua examine the forensic limitations, explore possible motives, and discuss the mounting pressure surrounding a key figure in the case.

They then turned their attention to Sean “Diddy” Combs, as Joshua discusses Combs’ latest court appearance, the credibility of character letters, and the legal strategy behind his reported prison rehab efforts ahead of sentencing. Finally, Sheryl and Joshua revisit the Mann Act and its historical and modern application, including how it shaped the case of boxing legend Jack Johnson and the significance of the posthumous pardon Johnson received from President Trump.

Highlights:

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 Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, a forensic and crime scene expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. She is the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a national collaboration that advances techniques for solving cold cases and assists families and law enforcement with unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnappings.

🎧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.

📢 Stay Connected

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:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Zone 7,Sheryl McCollum is joined by attorney Joshua Schiffer to examine the case of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Celeste, a runaway, was found decomposing in the trunk of an abandoned Tesla registered to a rising star named David. They review what is currently known about the investigation and discuss the disturbing connections between Celeste and David, including their matching “shhh” tattoos and a song released on her birthday that now carries chilling significance. They also question how a 13-year-old could vanish for nearly two years, raising concerns about communal responsibility and the protection of vulnerable youth.

Joshua Schiffer is a veteran attorney and one of the Southeast’s most respected legal voices. He is a founder 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 contributor to Zone 7 and a fearless advocate for accountability.

Highlights:

Enjoying Zone 7? Leave a rating and review. Your feedback helps others find the show and supports our mission to educate and investigate.

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Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, forensic and crime scene expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and co-author of the textbook, "Cold Case: Pathways to Justice."

She is the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a national collaboration that advances techniques for solving cold cases and assists families and law enforcement with unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnappings.

Social Links:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Start your day with the news only the New York Post can deliver, with their brand-new daily podcast, NYPOSTcast. From the iconic newspaper that pulls no punches, you’ll get the headlines you need and the stories you want. Every episode includes a deep dive into a headline impacting your world plus, the Post’s signature mix of politics, business, pop culture, true crime, and everything in between. In today's episode, host Caitlyn Becker looks at the Charlie Kirk memorial service, a shooting at a wedding in New Hampshire, and an Oregon Senator who's children are being blamed for the suicide of a family assistant.

Subscribe and find the NY POSTcast in your feeds every morning!

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ny-postcast/id1820479072

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1tpSTdOoWDvDfnjX0YsQSF

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Pathology with Dr. Priya, a Zone7series, Dr. Priya Banerjee and Sheryl McCollum walk through a case that’s captured national attention—the discovery of a missing teenager’s body in the trunk of a car linked to a rising music star.

From decomposition and dismemberment, to teeth, tattoos, and tech, Dr. Priya breaks down how identification works when the body is severely compromised. Together, she and Sheryl discuss the forensic challenges, legal red flags, and the many unanswered questions that still surround the case.

Highlights

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, NSA cases, and high-profile investigations. Dr. Priya has also been featured as a forensic expert on platforms such as CrimeOnlineand Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. She is a dedicated educator, animal lover, and proud mom.

Website: anchorforensicpathology.com
Twitter/X: @Autopsy_MD

Sheryl McCollum is an Emmy Award–winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, and the Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. She works as a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department and is the co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute (CCIRI), a nationally recognized nonprofit that brings together universities, law enforcement, and experts to help solve unsolved homicides, missing persons cases, and kidnappings.

Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com
Twitter/X: @149zone7
Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
Instagram: @officialzone7podcast

📣If this episode opened your eyes to the reality behind the headlines, share it. Follow the show, tell 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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Crime Roundup, former Secret Service agent Jim Rathmann joins Sheryl McCollum to examine the assassination of Charlie Kirk and what it reveals about growing security threats in the United States. Using his protection and weapons expertise, Rathmann walks through the timeline of the attack, analyzes the shooter’s behavior, and highlights security failures that left both the speaker and crowd exposed. Sheryl and Jim also discuss the rise of copycat violence, the role of online misinformation, and the ethical consequences of political extremism.

Highlights:

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 Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, a forensic and crime scene expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. She is the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a national collaboration that advances techniques for solving cold cases and assists families and law enforcement with unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnappings.

🎧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.

📢 Stay Connected

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:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Part 4 of the Olympic Park bombing series, Sheryl McCollum talks with Fallon Stubbs about her mother, Alice Hawthorne. Fallon recalls Alice’s influence as a devoted mother and businessperson, and the way she uplifted those around her. She shares memories of leaders who visited her in the hospital after the bombing and reflects on carrying Alice’s words, spirit, and legacy into her own life.

At just 14 years old, Fallon Stubbs was standing beside her mother, Alice Hawthorne, in Centennial Olympic Park when a bomb exploded during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. She was injured by shrapnel and required surgery, while Alice lost her life in the blast. Today, Fallon honors her mother’s memory with deep respect and love, sharing her story of resilience, family, and purpose.

Missed the previous episodes?

Highlights:

Enjoying Zone 7? Leave a rating and review. Your feedback helps others find the show and supports our mission to educate and investigate.

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Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, forensic and crime scene expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. She is the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a national collaboration that advances techniques for solving cold cases and assists families and law enforcement with unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnappings.

Social Links:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Content Warning: This episode contains graphic discussion of sexual behavior, bodily insertions, foreign objects, and autoerotic asphyxiation. Listener discretion is advised.

Returning from CrimeCon 2025, Dr. Priya Banerjee and Sheryl McCollum open this episode with reflections on the people who moved them, the cold cases that stopped them in their tracks, and the power of connection in the world of true crime. Then, they pivot to a vastly different kind of casework: foreign objects found inside the human body. From surgical tools accidentally left behind to items inserted for sexual pleasure or criminal intent, Dr. Priya shares unforgettable autopsy findings and the often-overlooked forensic clues they offer. As always, it’s a blend of personal and professional, science and heart, in a conversation only these two could have.

Highlights

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, NSA cases, and high-profile investigations. Dr. Priya has also been featured as a forensic expert on platforms such as CrimeOnlineand Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. She is a dedicated educator, animal lover, and proud mom.

Website: anchorforensicpathology.com
Twitter/X: @Autopsy_MD

Sheryl McCollum is an Emmy Award–winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, and the Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. She works as a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department and is the co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute (CCIRI), a nationally recognized nonprofit that brings together universities, law enforcement, and experts to help solve unsolved homicides, missing persons cases, and kidnappings.

Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com
Twitter/X: @ColdCaseTips
Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
Instagram: @officialzone7podcast

📣If this episode surprised you, share it. Follow the show, tell 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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer use this week’s Crime Roundup to reflect on political violence, the First Amendment, and what it means to live in a divided country. The explore the power and limits of the First Amendment, the risks faced by judges and public figures, and how moments of unity like those following 9/11 have become harder to find. Sheryl also shares behind-the-scenes highlights from CrimeCon 2025, including a drink with Ice-T and a packed Zone 7 session where Joshua’s glasses stole the show.

Highlights:

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 Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, a forensic and crime scene expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. She is the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a national collaboration that advances techniques for solving cold cases and assists families and law enforcement with unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnappings.

🎧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.

📢 Stay Connected

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:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Part 3 of the Olympic Park bombing series, Sheryl McCollum talks with Dana Jewell about her husband’s life before, during, and after the bombing. Dana shares what Richard endured during “88 days of hell,” the paranoia and betrayal that followed, and how lawsuits, illness, and media attacks shaped his final years. She remembers his love of law enforcement, the toll of nightmares, and the injustice that haunted him. Dana also reflects on Clint Eastwood’s film Richard Jewell and the lasting impact of her husband’s story.

Dana Jewell is the widow of Richard Jewell, the security guard who found the bomb at Centennial Olympic Park in 1996. Over 88 days, Richard lived under FBI suspicion and intense media scrutiny before being cleared. Dana continues to share Richard’s legacy, reminding the world of the cost of rushing to judgment.

Missed the first two episodes?

Highlights:

Enjoying Zone 7? Leave a rating and review. Your feedback helps others find the show and supports our mission to educate and investigate.

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Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, forensic and crime scene expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. She is the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a national collaboration that advances techniques for solving cold cases and assists families and law enforcement with unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnappings.

Social Links:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer dig into three high-profile legal cases making headlines this week on Crime Roundup. They break down the Donna Adelson murder-for-hire trial, where Sheryl calls out the “mob movie nonsense” as the defense scrambles to explain taped jail calls and handwritten notes.

They revisit Cardi B’s courtroom appearance, where her unfiltered language and direct delivery spark a sharp take on how juries respond when a witness owns exactly who they are. They also examine a case in Kentucky involving the death of a newborn and the legal questions still surrounding the investigation. Plus, Sheryl previews what she’s looking forward to at CrimeCon, including a live panel she’ll lead with Ed Newcomer, a special agent with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and a recent Zone 7 guest.

Highlights:

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 Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, a forensic and crime scene expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. She is the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a national collaboration that advances techniques for solving cold cases and assists families and law enforcement with unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnappings.

🎧Want more from Sheryl?

Catch her every Wednesday on Zone 7, where she doesn’t just talk cold cases, she works them. She is joined by fellow forensic pros and criminal justice insiders for conversations straight from active investigations. Then on Mondays, tune in to Pathology with Dr. Priya, where the physical evidence takes center stage.

📢 If you enjoyed this episode, follow Zone 7: Crime Roundup on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to help others find the show. Have a case or topic you want discussed? Email coldcase2004@gmail.com or connect with the hosts on social:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Part 2 of the Olympic Park bombing series, Sheryl McCollum talks with Kent Alexander, who served as U.S. Attorney during the investigation. Alexander recalls the tense hours after the blast, the FBI and media’s rush to label Richard Jewell a suspect, and the non-target letter that cleared him. He also explains how Eric Rudolph became the focus, what investigators learned from the case, and how his book The Suspect grew into Clint Eastwood’s film Richard Jewell.

Kent Alexander served as U.S. Attorney for Northern District of Georgia during the Olympic Park bombing investigation. He is the co-author of The Suspect, the book that became the basis for Clint Eastwood’s film Richard Jewell.

To learn more about Kent Alexander, visit The Suspect

Highlights:

Enjoying Zone 7? Leave a rating and review. Your feedback helps others find the show and supports our mission to educate and investigate.

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Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, forensic and crime scene expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. She is the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a national collaboration that advances techniques for solving cold cases and assists families and law enforcement with unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnappings.

Social Links:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of a recent school shooting involving children, including descriptions of trauma, autopsy procedures, and emotional reactions. Listener discretion is advised.

In this episode, Dr. Priya Banerjee and Sheryl McCollum respond to the devastating school shooting in Minneapolis that claimed the lives of two young students and injured many others. Speaking as both a forensic pathologist and a mother, Dr. Priya walks through the real-time impact of mass shootings, from the chaos at the scene to the procedures carried out in the morgue. She explains how that space becomes a place of both science and sorrow, and why every wound, detail, and decision plays a role in honoring the victims and supporting their families.

Highlights

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, NSA cases, and high-profile investigations. Dr. Priya has also been featured as a forensic expert on platforms such as CrimeOnlineand Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. She is a dedicated educator, animal lover, and proud mom.

Website: anchorforensicpathology.com
Twitter/X: @Autopsy_MD

Sheryl McCollum is an Emmy Award–winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, and the Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. She works as a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department and is the co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute (CCIRI), a nationally recognized nonprofit that brings together universities, law enforcement, and experts to help solve unsolved homicides, missing persons cases, and kidnappings.

Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com
Twitter/X: @ColdCaseTips
Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
Instagram: @officialzone7podcast

📣If this episode resonated with you, please follow the show, share it with someone, and consider leaving us a review. Your support helps others discover the science, stories, and heart behind Pathology with Dr. Priya | A Zone 7 Series.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Crime Roundup, Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer tackle a courtroom moment that has everyone talking: Cardi B’s bold, unscripted testimony in a civil trial that underscores the power of authenticity on the stand. They revisit the Karen Read case, where Trooper Proctor is fighting to regain his badge despite a misconduct scandal that may have ended his creditability as a witness.

In Georgia, Trooper A.J. Scott faces the consequences of a high-speed crash that killed two teenagers, but a puzzling verdict leaves one family still searching for accountability. The episode wraps with a brief but important warning for parents, as Joshua shares a recent case involving online blackmail targeting a student.

Highlights:

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 fearless advocate for accountability.

Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, forensic and crime scene expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. She is the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a national collaboration that advances techniques for solving cold cases and assists families and law enforcement with unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnappings.

🎧Want more from Sheryl?

Catch her every Wednesday on Zone 7, where she doesn’t just talk cold cases, she works them. She is joined by fellow forensic pros and criminal justice insiders for conversations straight from active investigations. Then on Mondays, tune in to Pathology with Dr. Priya, where the physical evidence takes center stage.

📢 If you enjoyed this episode, follow Zone 7: Crime Roundup on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to help others find the show. Have a case or topic you want discussed? Email coldcase2004@gmail.com or connect with the hosts on social:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this first episode of a multi-part Zone 7 series on the 1996 Olympic Park bombing, CSI Sheryl McCollum talks with her longtime colleague Irv Brandt, a former Atlanta police officer and U.S. marshal.

Brandt was on duty when the bomb exploded in Centennial Park. He recalls pulling the injured to safety, protecting bomb evidence, and witnessing the moment security guard Richard Jewell went from hero to suspect. The investigation later led to Eric Rudolph, a domestic terrorist tied to multiple bombings.

Listeners will learn how frontline officers responded in the first minutes and what lessons still guide law enforcement today. Irv Brandt is a retired U.S. Marshal, a former Atlanta police officer, and aU.S. Navy veteran. He served as attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Jamaica and worked with Interpol and the Department of Justice, investigating cases in more than 50 countries.

He is the author of the Jack Solo crime fiction series and has appeared on America’s Most Wanted, Escape to Vegas, and Crime Stories with Nancy Grace.

To learn more about Irv Brandt, find him on X @JackSoloAuthor

Highlights:

Enjoying Zone 7? Leave a rating and review. Your feedback helps others find the show and supports our mission to educate and investigate.

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Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, forensic and crime scene expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. She is the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a national collaboration that advances techniques for solving cold cases and assists families and law enforcement with unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnappings.

Social Links:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Content Warning: This episode contains graphic descriptions of internal autopsy procedures, causes of death, and discussions of trauma, drug use, and infectious diseases. Listener discretion is advised.

In this episode, Dr. Priya and Sheryl McCollum go beneath the skin to examine what internal findings reveal about how someone lived and what ultimately caused their death. From the first incision to the final look at the neck, Dr. Priya walks through each step of the internal autopsy, showing how the lungs, liver, stomach contents and brain tissue all contribute to a complete forensic picture. It's an unfiltered look at the science behind suspicious deaths and the small but critical findings that can change the course of a case. Whether it's an undiagnosed disease or unexpected toxins, nothing gets past a thorough autopsy.

Highlights

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, NSA cases, and high-profile investigations. Dr. Priya has also been featured as a forensic expert on platforms such as CrimeOnlineand Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. She is a dedicated educator, animal lover, and proud mom.

Website: anchorforensicpathology.com
Twitter/X: @Autopsy_MD

Sheryl McCollum is an Emmy Award–winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, and the Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. She works as a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department and is the co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute (CCIRI), a nationally recognized nonprofit that brings together universities, law enforcement, and experts to help solve unsolved homicides, missing persons cases, and kidnappings.

Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com
Twitter/X: @ColdCaseTips
Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
Instagram: @officialzone7podcast

📣If you liked this episode, don’t keep it to yourself! Follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave us a review. Your feedback helps others discover the science, the stories, and the search for truth that define Pathology with Dr. Priya | A Zone 7 Series

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Crime Roundup, Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer dive into an explosive scandal out of rural Kentucky, where the murder of Judge Kevin Mullins has exposed a hidden world of courthouse corruption, sex-for-favors, and alleged misconduct at nearly every level of the local justice system. With reports of mirrored ceilings, sex parties, and jailhouse encounters involving law enforcement and officials, the hosts examine how deep the cover-up may run and what accountability looks like. They then turn to Bryan Kohberger, who has filed harassment complaints from inside a maximum-security prison. Sheryl and Joshua break down what those complaints reveal about prison power dynamics, the threat of extortion, and the likelihood of long-term solitary confinement.

Highlights:

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 fearless advocate for accountability.

Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, forensic and crime scene expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. She is the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a national collaboration that advances techniques for solving cold cases and assists families and law enforcement with unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnappings.

🎧Want more from Sheryl?

Catch her every Wednesday on Zone 7, where she doesn’t just talk cold cases, she works them. She’s joined by fellow forensic pros and criminal justice insiders for conversations straight from active investigations. Then on Mondays, tune in to Pathology with Dr. Priya, where the physical evidence takes center stage.

📢 If you enjoyed this episode, follow Crime Roundup on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to help others find the show. Have a case suggestion? Email coldcase2004@gmail.com or connect with the hosts on social:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Zone 7, CSI Sheryl McCollum welcomes back Dr. Katherine Ramsland and Tracy Ullman to discuss the release of their documentary The Serial Killer’s Apprentice. This two-hour film revisits the chilling case of Elmer Wayne Henley Jr. and Dean Corll, blending archival footage, exclusive interviews, and rare audio recordings.

Dr. Ramsland and Ullman share behind-the-scenes insights on producing the documentary. They reveal what has surfaced since the book’s release, and why this case, rooted in grooming, complicity, and trafficking, continues to offer powerful lessons today.

Resources:

Highlights:

Thanks for tuning in to Zone 7. If you are enjoying the podcast, please leave a rating and review. Your support helps us continue to educate, investigate, and advocate.

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Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, forensic and crime scene expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. She is the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a national collaboration that advances techniques for solving cold cases and assists families and law enforcement with unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnappings.

Dr. Katherine Ramsland is a professor of forensic psychology at DeSales University and the author of numerous books and articles. Her works include How to Catch a Killer, The Mind of a Murderer,and The Serial Killer’s Apprentice. She is also a frequent contributor to crime documentaries and television shows, where she shares her expertise on serial killers, criminal behavior, and the psychology of predators.

Tracy Ullman is a writer, producer, and investigative journalist who specializes in true crime storytelling and victim advocacy. She co-authored The Serial Killer’s Apprentice with Dr. Katherine Ramsland and has conducted research into John Wayne Gacy and sex trafficking networks. She also served as an executive producer on The Serial Killer’s Apprentice documentary, helping bring new perspective to the story of Elmer Wayne Henley Jr. And Dean Corll.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A skeleton in the woods. A decade-old missing persons case. No clothing, no wallet—just scattered bones, a handgun, and one unusual clue: a custom brass belt buckle engraved with an eagle. It was the one thing friends and family could describe without hesitation, and it was all Dr. Priya Banerjee needed to confirm an identity and bring long-awaited closure.

In this episode, Dr. Priya Banerjee joins Sheryl McCollum to explore how jewelry, tattoos, piercings, and other personal effects can crack a case wide open. From thin gold chains to infrared-revealed tattoos, shotgun-damaged accessories to telling purse contents, Dr. Priya recounts cases proving that meticulous documentation isn’t just procedure—it’s often the key to solving cases.

Highlights

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, NSA cases, and high-profile investigations. Dr. Priya has also been featured as a forensic expert on platforms such as CrimeOnlineand Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. She is a dedicated educator, animal lover, and proud mom.

Website: anchorforensicpathology.com
Twitter/X: @Autopsy_MD

Sheryl McCollum is an Emmy Award–winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, and the Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. She works as a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department and is the co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute (CCIRI), a nationally recognized nonprofit that brings together universities, law enforcement, and experts to help solve unsolved homicides, missing persons cases, and kidnappings.

Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com
Twitter/X: @ColdCaseTips
Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
Instagram: @officialzone7podcast

📣If you liked this episode, don’t keep it to yourself! Follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave us a review. Your feedback helps others discover the science, the stories, and the search for truth that define Pathology with Dr. Priya | A Zone 7 Series

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Crime Roundup, Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer celebrate the life of courtroom legend Gerry Spence, the man who never lost a civil case and built a law school on a Wyoming mountaintop.

They also examine the downfall of a prosecutor whose time in the spotlight proved swagger is not a winning strategy.

Finally, Sheryl shares an update on the Melissa Wolfenbarger case she has worked on for seven years, a mystery that began with human remains in a trash bag and one of the first cases featured on her Zone 7 podcast. Follow the full story in Melissa Wolfenbarger: Norma and Tina Patton | Part 1, the first in a multipart Zone 7 series.

Highlights:

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 fearless advocate for accountability.

Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department. She is the co-author of the textbook, Cold Case: Pathways to Justice and the founder of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a national nonprofit that unites universities, law enforcement, and students to work on unsolved homicides and missing persons cases.

🎧Want more from Sheryl?

Catch her every Wednesday on Zone 7, where she doesn’t just talk cold cases, she works them. She’s joined by fellow forensic pros and criminal justice insiders for conversations straight from active investigations. Then on Mondays, tune in to Pathology with Dr. Priya, where the physical evidence takes center stage.

📢 If you enjoyed this episode, follow Crime Roundup on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to help others find the show. Have a case suggestion? Email coldcase2004@gmail.com or connect with the hosts on social:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Special Agent with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for over 20 years, Ed Newcomer worked in Los Angeles in a variety of international posts before retiring in 2022. During his career, he conducted numerous high-profile international wildlife trafficking investigations involving every continent, including Antarctica, and is known for bringing down some of our planet's most notorious wildlife criminals. He is a recipient of the Humane Law Enforcement Award from the Humane Society of the United States and holds a record six Law Enforcement Awards from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles.

Listeners can learn more about Ed Newcomer on his podcast -Nature’s Secret Service, and on LinkedIn @EdNewcomer

In February 2004, an Idaho hiking trail became a deadly crime scene when 58 elk-meat “meatballs” laced with a lethal pesticide were scattered in a known wolf habitat. The suspect’s goal? Kill endangered gray wolves. What followed was an extraordinary, boots-in-the-snow investigation involving forensics, environmental science, and sheer tenacity.

In this episode of Zone 7, Crime Scene Investigator, Sheryl McCollum, and Ed Newcomer, a retired special agent with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, walk us through the forensic lab breakthroughs that tied the poison, the elk meat, and even a suspect’s boots directly to the scene. Along the way, you'll hear how a rookie game warden’s decision to bag “yellow snow” ended up sealing the case.

If you’re heading to CrimeCon, don't miss Sheryl and Ed on the main stage for Creator’s Row. They’ll be covering another unbelievable wildlife crime case live and in person. Y’all are gonna want a front-row seat!

Highlights:

If you’re enjoying Zone 7, please consider leaving a rating and review —it helps others discover the show and supports our mission to share these stories.

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Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department. She is the co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a collaboration between universities and colleges that brings researchers, practitioners, students, and the criminal justice community together to advance techniques in solving cold cases and assist families and law enforcement with solvability factors for unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnapping cases.  

Social Links:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes the story is in the fabric, not the flesh—and in the right hands, clothing can speak volumes about a death investigation.

In this episode, Dr. Priya Banerjee joins Sheryl McCollum to explore how clothing can hold vital clues in a death investigation. From the first look at a scene to the autopsy table, they reveal how stains, textures, odors, and damage can tell a story the body alone might not. Dr. Priya shares real-world cases — from waterlogged jeans covered in barnacles to garments hiding trace evidence — and explains why context, culture, and condition matter.

Highlights:

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, NSA cases, 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 McCollum is an Emmy Award–winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, and the Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. She works as a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department and is the co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute (CCIRI), a nationally recognized nonprofit that brings together universities, law enforcement, and experts to help solve unsolved homicides, missing persons cases, and kidnappings.

Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com
Twitter/X: @ColdCaseTips
Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
Instagram: @officialzone7podcast

📣If this episode gave you a new understanding of the human side of forensic science, follow the show, share it with someone who needs to hear it, and leave us a review.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Crime Roundup, Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer unpack the devastating double homicide at Devil’s Den State Park in Arkansas. They examine how predators gain access to children, the red flags that went unheeded, and why state parks can serve as both sanctuaries and stages for violence. With a mix of legal insight and forensic perspective, Sheryl and Joshua explore the psychological, systemic and legal failures behind a crime that stunned the country.

Highlights:

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 fearless advocate for accountability.

Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department. She is the co-author of the textbook, Cold Case: Pathways to Justice and the founder of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a national nonprofit that unites universities, law enforcement, and students to work on unsolved homicides and missing persons cases.

🎧Want more from Sheryl?

Catch her every Wednesday on Zone 7, where she doesn’t just talk cold cases—she works them. She’s joined by fellow forensic pros and criminal justice insiders for conversations straight from active investigations. Then on Mondays, tune in to Pathology with Dr. Priya, where the physical evidence takes center stage—because every body tells a story.

📢 If you enjoyed this episode, follow Crime Roundup on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to help others find the show. Have a case suggestion? Email coldcase2004@gmail.com or connect with the hosts on social:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jared Bradley is the president of M-Vac Systems, a cutting-edge forensic DNA collection company helping law enforcement solve cold cases once thought unsolvable. A military veteran and host of the podcast All Things Crime, Jared is a global leader in touch DNA recovery. He has worked with investigators around the world to identify suspects, exonerate the innocent, and bring long-awaited closure to victim families.

Learn more:  M-Vac Systems

Podcast: All Things Crime

In this episode of Zone 7, Crime Scene Investigator Sheryl McCollum is joined by forensic innovator Jared Bradley to explore the newly solved cold case of Kathy Halle, a 19-year-old murdered in 1979. Her case remained unsolved for 45 years—until DNA recovered using the M-Vac system identified suspected serial offender Bruce Lindahl as the killer. Sheryl and Jared unpack the investigation, the science behind M-Vac, and how support from the nonprofit Season of Justice helped bring long-overdue answers.

Highlights:

If you’re enjoying Zone 7, please consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts—it helps others discover the show and supports our mission to share these stories.

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Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department. She is the co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a collaboration between universities and colleges that brings researchers, practitioners, students and the criminal justice community together to advance techniques in solving cold cases and assist families and law enforcement with solvability factors for unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnapping cases.  

Social Links:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Dr. Priya, the autopsy is just the beginning. What happens next can change everything for the families left behind.

In this episode, Dr. Priya Banerjee joins Sheryl McCollum, to examine a side of autopsies that rarely makes headlines: the profound responsibility of communicating with families. Dr. Priya reflects on the power of empathy in the autopsy suite, the deep importance of walking families through trauma with care, and the surprising ways postmortem findings can protect the living.

She shares raw personal experiences—from the loss of her own parents to advocating for grieving families left behind during COVID—and the critical role of cultural awareness, front-line staff, and honest conversations. Listeners will also learn how autopsies sometimes uncover hereditary conditions that can lead to lifesaving interventions for surviving loved ones.

This is forensic pathology not just as a science, but as a service.

Highlights:

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, NSA cases, 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 McCollum is an Emmy Award–winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, and the Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. She works as a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department and is the co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute (CCIRI), a nationally recognized nonprofit that brings together universities, law enforcement, and experts to help solve unsolved homicides, missing persons cases, and kidnappings.

Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com
Twitter/X: @ColdCaseTips
Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
Instagram: @officialzone7podcast

📣If this episode gave you a new understanding of the human side of forensic science, follow the show, share it with someone who needs to hear it, and leave us a review.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Crime Roundup, Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer connect the dots between courtroom outcomes and the quiet ways the system keeps punishing people anyway. From post-verdict property battles to pretrial detention games and overlooked red-flags, they expose the slow grind of justice—and the real lives caught in its gears.

Highlights:

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 fearless advocate for accountability.

Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nany Grace, and a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department, She is the co-author of the textbook, Cold Case: Pathways to Justice and the founder of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a national nonprofit that unites universities, law enforcement, and students to work on unsolved homicides and missing persons cases.

🎧Want more from Sheryl?

Catch her every Wednesday on Zone 7, where she doesn’t just talk cold cases—she works them. Sheryl brings firsthand insight from active investigations, joined by fellow forensic pros and criminal justice insiders who are in the trenches with her. Then on Mondays, tune in to Pathology with Dr. Pryia, where the physical evidence takes center stage—because every body tells a story.

📢 If you enjoyed this episode, follow Crime Roundup on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to help others find the show. Have a case you’d like Sheryl and Joshua to cover? Email coldcase2004@gmail.com, or connect with the hosts on social media:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sharay “Punisher” Hayes is a former professional dancer and author who found himself at the center of one of the year’s most high-profile cases — testifying in the civil trial against music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. His story goes beyond the headlines, revealing how fantasy, silence, and shame can trap men just as deeply as violence and power can trap women.

Follow Sharay on Instagram:@getpunished
Check out his new book: In Search of FREEZER MEAT — a raw and personal story about male mental health, erectile dysfunction, and the unexpected solution that changed his life.

Episode Description:

In Part 2, CSI Sheryl McCollum continues her raw and revealing conversation with Sharay Hayes — a dancer turned courtroom witness in one of the biggest trials of the year.

This time, the focus turns inward. Sharay opens up about the emotional and psychological toll of being pulled into someone else’s fantasy, how he rationalized what he saw, and why the truth didn’t hit until the headlines did.

They also dive into erectile dysfunction, male performance pressure, and the silence around mental health that keeps so many men trapped. Sharay’s story may have started in the club — but it ends in court, with real consequences and a long road toward healing.

Show Notes: 

Thanks for listening to another episode! If Zone 7 is part of your weekly routine, show us some love with a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more folks find the show—and helps us keep telling these stories.

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Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department. She is the co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice and the founder/director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute — a collaboration between universities and the criminal justice community that advances techniques for solving unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnapping cases.

Social Links: 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sharay “Punisher” Hayes is a former professional dancer and author who found himself at the center of one of the year’s most high-profile cases — testifying in the civil trial against music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. His journey from party performer to key witness pulls back the curtain on power, sex work, and what it means to get caught in a trap you didn’t even know was being set.

Follow Sharay on Instagram:@getpunished
Check out his new book: In Search of FREEZER MEAT — a raw and personal story about male mental health, erectile dysfunction, and the unexpected solution that changed his life.

Episode Description:

You saw the headlines. You might’ve followed the trial. But what really happened inside that Trump Tower suite?

In this episode, CSI Sheryl McCollum sits down with Sharay “Punisher” Hayes — a dancer turned key witness in the case against Sean “Diddy” Combs — to talk about the night he walked into a supposed birthday party... and stepped into something much darker. Baby oil. Covered furniture. Bathrobes. And a husband watching from the shadows.

This isn’t just about one night in a luxury suite. It’s about power, manipulation, and the moment you realize you might’ve broken the law — without even knowing it.

Show Notes: 

Thanks for listening to another episode! If Zone 7 is part of your weekly routine, show us some love with a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more folks find the show—and helps us keep telling these stories.

--- 

Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department. She is the co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice and the founder/director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute — a collaboration between universities and the criminal justice community that advances techniques for solving unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnapping cases.

Social Links: 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Pathology with Dr. Priya | A Zone 7 Series, a forensic deep-dive led by board-certified pathologist Dr. Priya Banerjee. Each Monday, Dr. Priya teams up with Emmy Award–winning CSI Sheryl “Mac” McCollum to explore the silent testimony of the dead and the science behind suspicious deaths. From the autopsy suite to the courtroom, they uncover the truth in tissues, expose investigative missteps, and give voice to those who can no longer speak for themselves. Whether you're a seasoned detective, true crime obsessive, or just curious about what the body can really reveal—this is your front-row seat to forensic pathology in action.

In this debut episode, Dr. Priya reflects on her approach to autopsies, what the body can reveal that others can’t, and why collaboration between law enforcement and medical examiners is essential to justice. With more than 3,000 autopsies to her name—including the high-profile Breonna Taylor case and work with the NSA—Dr. Priya brings both precision and heart to this science. She and Sheryl McCollum break down the John O’Keefe case and walk listeners through what a well-executed forensic process should look like.

You’ll also meet Slice—the puppy with a badge and a calming presence in even the most intense training rooms—and get a glimpse into Dr. Priya’s personal world, where compassion, curiosity, and hard-earned experience converge.

Highlights:

About the Show

Pathology with Dr. Priya | A Zone 7 Series explores the powerful role forensic pathology plays in uncovering the truth. Each week, Dr. Priya joins Sheryl McCollum to discuss real cases, surprising conclusions, and the science behind suspicious deaths. From overlooked trauma to undiagnosed conditions, the goal is always the same: justice through evidence, and closure through clarity.

If you’ve ever wondered what a body can tell you—this is the show.

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, NSA cases, 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 McCollum is an Emmy Award–winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, and the Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. She works as a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department and is the co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute (CCIRI), a nationally recognized nonprofit that brings together universities, law enforcement, and experts to help solve unsolved homicides, missing persons cases, and kidnappings.

Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com
Twitter/X:@149zone7
Facebook:@sheryl.mccollum
Instagram:@officialzone7podcast

📣If you liked this episode, don’t keep it to yourself—follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave us a review.Your feedback helps others discover the science, the stories, and the search for truth that define Pathology with Dr. Priya.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week marks a powerful shift on Crime Roundup as Emmy-winning CSI Sheryl “Mac” McCollum welcomes her new cohost: legal heavyweight and courtroom force Joshua Schiffer. In this episode, Sheryl and Joshua unpack the sentencing of Bryan Kohberger, the man behind one of the most gut-wrenching mass murders in recent memory.

Through the lens of law, justice, and most of all, parenthood, they reflect on the strength of the victims' families, the purpose of the court system, and the brutal reality of maximum-security prison. They also examine the legal mechanics behind the plea deal that spared Kohberger the death penalty, the boldness of the Chapin family’s absence, and the lasting impact of survivor statements.

With heart, grit, and powerful legal insight, Sheryl and Joshua hold nothing back in honoring the victims—Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin—and challenging listeners to choose light in the darkest of stories.

Show Notes:

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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 fearless advocate for accountability.

Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnLine, Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department. She is the co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. 

If you enjoyed this episode, follow Crime Roundup on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to help others find the show. Have a case you’d like Sheryl and Joshua to cover? Email coldcase2004@gmail.com, or connect with the hosts on social media:

Sheryl on X at  @ColdCaseTips or Facebook at@sheryl.mccollum

Joshua on X at and Instagram at@lawyerschiff

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scott Payne is a retired FBI agent and career undercover operative. Known for infiltrating some of the most dangerous domestic terror groups in the U.S., he now writes, trains, and advocates for smarter law enforcement strategies—and a second chance for those who truly want out. He’s a believer in justice, redemption, and calling hate by its name.

Follow Scott on Instagram:@scottpaynebigcountry and check out his brand-new book: Code Name: Pale Horse — a raw, real look inside the FBI’s most dangerous undercover ops.

Episode Description:

In Part 2 of CSI Sheryl McCollum’s conversation with retired FBI agent Scott Payne, we dive into one of his most dangerous assignments: two years undercover with the Outlaws Motorcycle Club in Massachusetts. From fake drug deals and cartel cover stories to a basement wire check that nearly cost him everything, Scott explains what it really takes to survive deep undercover.

If you thought infiltrating The Base deep in the woods of the Pacific Northwest was intense, wait until you hear what happened when members of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club ordered him to strip at gunpoint.

Show Notes: 

Thanks for listening to another episode! If Zone 7 is part of your weekly routine, show us some love with a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more folks find the show—and helps us keep telling these stories.

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Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department. She is the co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice and the founder/director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute — a collaboration between universities and the criminal justice community that advances techniques for solving unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnapping cases.

Social Links: 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CSI Sheryl McCollum sits down with retired FBI agent Scott Payne, who went deep undercover inside a violent white supremacist group known as The Base.

From satanic rituals to grooming kids on Roblox, Scott reveals how he earned their trust—and helped bring their network down from the inside.

This is Part 1 of a raw, unfiltered look at radicalization, recruitment, and the real-world tactics used to spread hate.

Scott Payne is a retired FBI agent and career undercover operative. Known for infiltrating some of the most dangerous domestic terror groups in the U.S., he now writes, trains, and advocates for smarter law enforcement strategies—and a second chance for those who truly want out. He’s a believer in justice, redemption, and calling hate by its name.

Follow Scott on Instagram:@scottpaynebigcountry and check out his brand-new book: Code Name: Pale Horse — A raw, real look inside the FBI’s most dangerous undercover ops.

⚠️ Listener Advisory:

This episode contains graphic descriptions of violence, animal cruelty, hate group ideology, and child exploitation. Listener discretion is strongly advised.

Show Notes: 

Thanks for listening to another episode! If Zone 7 is part of your weekly routine, show us some love with a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more folks find the show—and helps us keep telling these stories.

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Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnLine, Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department. She is the co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a collaboration between universities and colleges that brings researchers, practitioners, students and the criminal justice community together to advance techniques in solving cold cases and assist families and law enforcement with solvability factors for unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnapping cases.   

Social Links: 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Crime Roundup, Sheryl McCollum takes the mic solo as Nancy Grace officially steps back from her regular Friday seat. Sheryl looks back on the past year with gratitude, sharing what made their time together unforgettable—Nancy’s sharp wit, loyalty, and the kind of friendship that runs deep. Then, it’s on to two cases that are anything but ordinary: a 17-year-old girl accused of murdering her parents, and a smuggler in Germany caught with 1,500 tarantulas… packed in cake boxes. And don’t miss the big announcement—Crime Roundup is welcoming a brand-new co-host starting next week.

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Show Notes:

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Nancy Grace is an outspoken, tireless advocate for victims’ rights and one of television's most respected legal analysts. She had a perfect conviction record during her decade as a prosecutor and is the founder and publisher of CrimeOnline.com, a crime-fighting digital platform covering breaking news, missing persons, and cold cases. 

Her daily show, Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, airs on SIRIUS XM’s Triumph Channel 111 and is available on all major podcast platforms.

https://www.crimeonline.com/

X:@nancygrace

Instagram:@thenancygrace

Facebook:@nancygrace

Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award–winning CSI, crime scene expert, and writer for CrimeOnline. She’s also co-author of Cold Case: Pathways to Justice and serves as a CSI for a metro Atlanta police department.

Email:coldcase2004@gmail.com

X:@ColdCaseTips

Facebook:@sheryl.mccollum

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Detective Vince Velazquez is a retired Atlanta Police Department homicide investigator with more than 20 years of service. He spent 16 of those years in APD’s elite Homicide Unit, where he helped bring closure to hundreds of families. He’s also the real-life inspiration behind the hit true crime series ATL Homicide. Today, Vince is a speaker, mentor, and advocate for justice who continues to teach, investigate, and fight for victims.

Follow Vince Velazquez on Instagram: @vincevelazquez and don’t miss The Murder Mind Show—Vince’s newest true crime series—premiering July 21st at 6:00 PM ET on YouTube.  

👉 Subscribe now: The Murder Mind Show

In this episode of Zone 7, CSI Sheryl McCollum welcomes one of her favorite people on the planet—retired APD Homicide Detective Vince Velazquez. Known for his signature blend of grit, empathy, and straight talk, Vince opens up about what it takes to earn trust on the streets, the lessons from his early jobs (butcher shop included), and the real-life experiences behind ATL Homicide. He and Sheryl dig into long-term cases like the murder of Nacole Smith, the emotional weight of bearing witness to other people’s worst days, and why his new YouTube series The Murder Mind Show is more than just storytelling—it’s a mission. Full of real-life case stories, hard-won wisdom, and no-nonsense truth, this episode is a masterclass in perseverance, purpose, and showing up with heart.

Show Notes: 

Thanks for listening to another episode! If Zone 7 is part of your weekly routine, show us some love with a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more folks find the show—and helps us keep telling these stories.

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Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnLine, Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department. She is the co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a collaboration between universities and colleges that brings researchers, practitioners, students and the criminal justice community together to advance techniques in solving cold cases and assist families and law enforcement with solvability factors for unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnapping cases.   

Social Links: 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sean Houle is a former police officer and K9 handler who served in North Carolina for nearly a decade. In 2021, he was critically wounded in the line of duty—shot twice at point-blank range with his own service weapon. Since medically retiring, Sean has become a sought-after speaker on faith, resilience, and the lifelong commitment to service..

In this unforgettable episode of Zone 7, Crime Scene Investigator Sheryl McCollum welcomes retired Officer Sean Houle for a powerful firsthand account of survival and purpose. Sean recounts the harrowing night he was ambushed by a suspect from an earlier call—an encounter that would change his life forever. He shares the moments of chaos, the struggle to stay conscious, and the clarity that surfaced as his life hung in the balance. Together, he and Sheryl discuss the split-second decisions officers face, how department policy shapes those choices, and the unbreakable bond between handler and K9 partner. But Sean’s story doesn’t end on the pavement. During recovery, a surprising moment on a family beach trip reminds him that his calling to serve wasn’t finished—it was just taking a new shape. This episode is a profound look at duty, faith, and the quiet strength behind the badge.

Show Notes: 

Update on the Case:

In 2024, Quinton Donnell Blocker—the man who shot Officer Sean Houle—was sentenced to 55 to 72 years in prison after being convicted on multiple charges, including attempted murder. The sentencing marked a long-awaited moment of justice for Sean, his family, and his department.

Thanks for listening to another episode! If you're enjoying Zone 7, head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a quick rating and review—it’s one of the best ways to support the show and help others find it.

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Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnLine, Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department. She is the co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a collaboration between universities and colleges that brings researchers, practitioners, students and the criminal justice community together to advance techniques in solving cold cases and assist families and law enforcement with solvability factors for unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnapping cases.   

Social Links: 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.