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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: [email protected]
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.
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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: [email protected]
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.
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Saknas det avsnitt?
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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: [email protected]
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.
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In this episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum is joined by former U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service special agent Ed Newcomer and retired Idaho Fish and Game conservation officer Tony Latham for a look at the danger, isolation, and critical work of wildlife law enforcement. They discuss the murders of Idaho game warden Bill Pogue and Conley Elms by Claude Dallas, the cold case of Art Teed, an Idaho game warden who disappeared in 1934 while investigating illegal deer kills, and the family memory that helped bring answers to Idaho’s oldest cold murder case nearly 90 years later. Ed also explains how wildlife crimes can connect to broader criminal enterprises, how wildlife officers became part of the Christopher Dorner manhunt, and what listeners can expect from the new wolf-focused season of Nature’s Secret Service, where wolf recovery, poaching investigations, and the politics of conservation collide.
Highlights:
(0:00) Sheryl McCollum opens Zone 7 with the danger and isolation of wildlife law enforcement before welcoming guests Ed Newcomer and Tony Latham
(2:45) Why wildlife crimes are often connected to broader criminal activity
(4:00) Tony recounts the murders of Idaho game wardens Bill Pogue and Conley Elms by Claude Dallas
(7:00) How the Christopher Dorner manhunt unexpectedly intersected with California wildlife officers
(11:45) The 1934 disappearance of Idaho game warden Art Teed
(13:30) Art Teed’s locked vehicle, uneaten lunch, and the massive search that followed his disappearance
(15:15) The false report that shifted the case and left Art Teed’s family without answers for generations
(17:15) Karen Downing reads a local newspaper and connects a family story to Art Teed’s murder
(19:00) George Pentland, two child witnesses, and the family accounts that finally helped close Idaho’s oldest cold murder case
(21:45) Ed previews the wolf-focused season of Nature’s Secret Service and the controversy around wolf recovery
(26:30) Sheryl closes with Theodore Roosevelt’s words on the courage and hardiness of game protectors
Enjoying Zone 7? Leave a rating and review where you listen to podcasts. Your feedback helps others find the show and supports the mission to educate, engage, and inspire.
Ed Newcomer is a former special agent with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, where he spent more than 20 years investigating wildlife trafficking and other wildlife crimes. He is the host of Nature’s Secret Service, a true crime podcast focused on wildlife law enforcement, poaching, trafficking, and the officers who protect wild animals and plants.
Tony Latham is a retired Idaho Fish and Game conservation officer and regional investigator who worked on overt and covert wildlife crime investigations, including cases involving the illegal killing of Idaho’s big game. He is the author of A Case So Cold: The Murder of an Idaho Game Warden, which examines the 1934 murder of Idaho game warden Art Teed.
Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an active crime scene investigator for a metro Atlanta police department and the director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, which partners with colleges and universities nationwide. With more than four decades of experience, she has worked on thousands of cold cases using her investigative system, The Last 24/361, which integrates evidence, media, and advanced forensic testing.
Her work on high-profile cases, including The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, Tupac Shakur and the Moore’s Ford Bridge lynching, led to her Emmy Award for CSI: Atlanta and induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023.
Social Links:
Email: [email protected]
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.
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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: [email protected]●
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.
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Bestselling true crime author and investigative journalist Aphrodite Jones returns to Zone 7 with Sheryl McCollum to discuss her book Dog O’ War and the fatal 2001 dog mauling of Diane Whipple in San Francisco. Drawing on her extensive reporting on the case, Aphrodite details the connections to the Aryan Brotherhood, the Presa Canario dogs Bane and Hera, and the attorneys whose relationship with an incarcerated gang member helped bring the dangerous animals into a Pacific Heights apartment building. Sheryl and Aphrodite also discuss the prior warning signs, the legal fight over owner responsibility, and the concept of implied malice murder that became central to Marjorie Knoller’s conviction.
Highlights:
(0:00) Sheryl McCollum welcomes Aphrodite Jones back to Zone 7
(1:45) Dog O’ War and the unusual connections behind the Diane Whipple case
(2:30) Aphrodite introduces Diane Whipple, a 33-year-old woman killed outside her San Francisco apartment
(4:15) Sharon Smith’s wrongful death fight and the legal impact of Diane’s death
(6:45) Presa Canario dogs, Paul Schneider, and the Aryan Brotherhood dog-breeding scheme
(10:00) Janet’s farm, escalating warning signs, and dogs that could not be controlled
(13:30) Marjorie Knoller and Robert Noel bring Bane and Hera into their Pacific Heights apartment building
(15:45) Prior attacks, ignored warning signs, and the record of dangerous behavior before Diane’s death
(21:15) Marjorie Knoller’s response after the attack and the neighbor who called 911
(25:00) 40 reported incidents become key evidence in the dangerous dog hearing
(26:00) What prosecutors had to prove to argue implied malice murder
(32:45) Sheryl closes with a passage from Aphrodite Jones’ Dog O’ War
Enjoying Zone 7? Leave a rating and review where you listen to podcasts. Your feedback helps others find the show and supports the mission to educate, engage, and inspire.
Aphrodite Jones is a bestselling true crime author, television personality, and victims’ rights advocate whose work has inspired films and television projects. She created the Investigation Discovery series True Crime with Aphrodite Jones, which ran for six seasons, and has covered major trials, including O.J. Simpson, Casey Anthony, Scott Peterson, Michael Jackson, and El Chapo Guzman.
Aphrodite Jones’ book Dog O’ War, about the dog mauling of Diane Whipple, is available now wherever books are sold.
Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an active crime scene investigator for a metro Atlanta police department and the director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, which partners with colleges and universities nationwide. With more than four decades of experience, she has worked on thousands of cold cases using her investigative system, The Last 24/361, which integrates evidence, media, and advanced forensic testing.
Her work on high-profile cases, including The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, Tupac Shakur and the Moore’s Ford Bridge lynching, led to her Emmy Award for CSI: Atlanta and induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023.
Social Links:
Email: [email protected]
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.
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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: [email protected]
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.
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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: [email protected]
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.
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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: [email protected]
X: @ColdCaseTips
Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
Instagram: @officialzone7podcast
TikTok: @Sheryl.McCollum
Preorder Sheryl’s upcoming book, Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Solving the Cold Case of the Flint River Killer’s Daughter, releasing May 12, 2026.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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In this week’s episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum talks to Court TV correspondent Matt Johnson about what it takes to cover high-profile criminal cases and trials, from the Lori Vallow Daybell case and Rex Heuermann to Karen Read and the Delphi murders. Matt explains how deadlines, jury reactions, and the pressure of live television shape the way he turns hours of courtroom testimony into clear, accessible coverage. They discuss the public’s fascination with true crime, investigative missteps, and the emotional weight of sitting near violent offenders, including a moment when Matt says it felt as if “the devil is real, and here he is.
Highlights:
(0:00) Sheryl McCollum welcomes Matt Johnson to Zone 7
(2:45) Matt’s process for turning complex cases into clear, headline-driven reporting
(5:45) The pressure of explaining a full case narrative in seconds on live television
(7:15) Matt describes seeing Bryan Kohberger in court and the feeling of being near what he describes as “pure creep and evil”
(10:00) The psychological impact of observing defendants like Lori Vallow Daybell during trial
(14:30) The Delphi murders, Richard Allen, and how courtroom access, investigative gaps, and missing details shape public trust
(18:15) Rex Heuermann, plea deals, and the answers families may never fully receive
(20:45) Matt describes Rex Heuermann’s courtroom presence and the unsettling behavior he observed
(26:00) The early cases that shaped Matt’s career, including the Turpin family case and Rebecca Zahau
(29:30) Matt shares his new YouTube venture: True Crime and Justice with Matt Johnson
(31:00) Sheryl closes with a Karen Read quote that captures Matt’s next chapter
Guest Bio:
Matt Johnson is an Emmy Award-winning crime and justice correspondent for Court TV Network covering major criminal cases and high-profile trials. He hosts the award-winning true crime podcast True Crime Deadline and recently launched True Crime and Justice with Matt Johnson on YouTube
Enjoying Zone 7? Leave a rating and review where you listen to podcasts. Your feedback helps others find the show and supports the mission to educate, engage, and inspire.
Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an active crime scene investigator for a metro Atlanta police department and the director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, which partners with colleges and universities nationwide. With more than 4 decades of experience, she has worked on thousands of cold cases using her investigative system, The Last 24/361, which integrates evidence, media, and advanced forensic testing.
Her work on high-profile cases, including The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, Tupac Shakur and the Moore’s Ford Bridge lynching, led to her Emmy Award for CSI: Atlanta and induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023.
Social Links:
Email: [email protected]
X: @ColdCaseTips
Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
Instagram: @officialzone7podcast
TikTok: @Sheryl.McCollum
Preorder Sheryl’s upcoming book, Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Solving the Cold Case of the Flint River Killer’s Daughter, releasing May 12, 2026.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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In this week’s episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum talks with retired FBI special agent Jodene Weber about the parallels in their careers and the many times their paths nearly crossed before they officially met. Jodene reflects on the cases that shaped her years in the FBI, from piecing together the timeline of the Olympic Park bombing through crowd photographs to processing debris at the Pentagon after the 9/11 attacks. She shares what investigations of that scale demand from the people working them, and why citizen tips, careful documentation, and keen observation can make all the difference in solving a case.
References & Further Reading:
The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11 by Garrett M. Graff
The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland by Jim DeFede
The Bald-Faced Deception by Jodene Weber
Come From Away
Highlights:
(0:00) Sheryl McCollum welcomes Jodene Weber to Zone 7, and traces the overlaps in their careers
(2:45) How Nancy Drew, Patricia Cornwell, and a love of reading shaped Jodene’s investigative instincts
(4:45) Why strong writing and careful documentation can make or break a case
(8:30) Jodene’s journalism career and FBI recruitment story
(11:45) Jodene recalls joining the Olympic Park bombing investigation
(13:00) How investigators used crowd photos and the Olympic broadcast screen to build a timeline of events
(15:00) NASA image enhancement, suspect details, and the Birmingham bombing tip that helped investigators identify Eric Rudolph
(20:00) Citizen tips, false leads, and the kind of public memory that could help solve the Nancy Guthrie case
(24:00) Sheryl recalls her sister’s diverted flight to Gander, Newfoundland, and the kindness shown to stranded passengers after 9/11
(27:30) Inside the Pentagon response: fire, debris, remains, and aircraft evidence, and the emotional weight at the scene
(33:30) Jodene describes the long shifts and the exhausting rhythm of sorting through the 9/11 aftermath
(35:15) The generosity shown after 9/11 in Gander and by the volunteers who supported recovery teams
(39:30) Ongoing health issues tied to 9/11 exposure and Sheryl’s closing quote
Guest Bio:
Jodene Weber is a retired FBI agent, former journalist, author, and podcast host whose work brings together investigative experience and clear storytelling. She is the author of The Bald-Faced Deception and hosts the true crime podcast Caught In My Web.
Enjoying Zone 7? Leave a rating and review where you listen to podcasts. Your feedback helps others find the show and supports the mission to educate, engage, and inspire.
Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an active crime scene investigator for a Metro Atlanta Police Department and the director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, which partners with colleges and universities nationwide. With more than 4 decades of experience, she has worked on thousands of cold cases using her investigative system, The Last 24/361, which integrates evidence, media, and advanced forensic testing.
Her work on high-profile cases, including The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, Tupac Shakur and the Moore’s Ford Bridge lynching, led to her Emmy Award for CSI: Atlanta and induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023.
Social Links:
Email: [email protected]
X: @ColdCaseTips
Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
Instagram: @officialzone7podcast
TikTok: @Sheryl.McCollum
Preorder Sheryl’s upcoming book, Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Solving the Cold Case of the Flint River Killer’s Daughter, releasing May 12, 2026.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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In this week’s episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum welcomes Julie Grant for a special Legend Series conversation about her path from journalism to the courtroom and the commitment to justice that drives her today. As a former prosecutor and Court TV host, Julie discusses her advocacy for domestic violence survivors, explaining how systemic failures, including those seen in the Gabby Petito case, leave victims vulnerable. She also shares her philosophy on justice-centered prosecution, arguing that being a “minister of justice” requires the discernment to hold dangerous predators accountable while offering grace and second chances to those who have simply lost their way.
Highlights:
(0:00) Sheryl McCollum welcomes Julie Grant to Zone 7 and reflects on her impact in true crime media
(2:15) Julie’s background in prosecution, legal journalism, teaching, and victims’ rights advocacy
(9:45) The balance between journalism and law, and the path that took Julie from the newsroom to law school
(13:15) What public service taught Julie about prosecution, law enforcement, and the pursuit of justice
(15:30) The domestic violence cases that stayed with Julie most, her advocacy work, and the realities survivors face after they leave
(22:15) How safety planning can protect victims at the most dangerous point in an abusive relationship
(23:45) The Gabby Petito case, missed warning signs, and the failures that stand out
(25:45) Julie’s philosophy of prosecution, second chances, and why justice is not the same as winning
(29:45) A tragic Georgia case and what it reveals about intent, accountability, and prosecutorial discretion
(32:00) Why future prosecutors need empathy, perspective, and a case-by-case view of justice
Guest Bio:
Julie Grant is a former prosecutor, Court TV host, legal journalist, and law professor at Emory Law School. She has long been an advocate for victims’ rights, including domestic violence prevention, and also serves on the faculty of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy
Enjoying Zone 7? Leave a rating and review where you listen to podcasts. Your feedback helps others find the show and supports the mission to educate, engage, and inspire.
Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an active crime scene investigator for a Metro Atlanta Police Department and the director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, which partners with colleges and universities nationwide. With more than 4 decades of experience, she has worked on thousands of cold cases using her investigative system, The Last 24/361, which integrates evidence, media, and advanced forensic testing.
Her work on high-profile cases, including The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, Tupac Shakur and the Moore’s Ford Bridge lynching, led to her Emmy Award for CSI: Atlanta and induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023.
Social Links:
Email: [email protected]
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.
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In this week’s episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum talks with forensic DNA expert Suzanna Ryan about how powerful DNA evidence can be and why it is so often misunderstood. They discuss how DNA is analyzed, how touch DNA and mixtures can complicate a case, and how newer tools like genetic genealogy and next-generation sequencing are changing the field. Using the Nancy Guthrie case as an example, Suzanna and Sheryl also explain how private forensic labs can support complex investigations, where their role differs from the FBI, and how CODIS limitations can shape the process.
Highlights:
(0:00) Sheryl McCollum welcomes Suzanna Ryan to Zone 7
(2:30) The four basic steps of DNA analysis and how evidence is processed in the lab
(3:45) The Nancy Guthrie case, private lab testing, and why sending evidence outside the FBI is not a red flag
(7:45) What cell-free DNA is, why the term “touch DNA” can be misleading, and how secondary transfer works
(9:45) DNA mixtures and how multiple contributors can be found on a single piece of evidence
(14:00) Why clothing evidence should always be collected and packaged separately
(15:45) How long seminal fluid can remain detectable and when Y-STR testing becomes useful
(21:00) Why private labs cannot directly access CODIS, how that creates bottlenecks, and legislative changes in the works
(27:30) Genetic genealogy, CODIS, and familial searching
(30:15) The future of DNA analysis, including next-generation sequencing and emerging forensic tools
Guest Bio:
Suzanna Ryan is a forensic serologist and DNA analyst with more than two decades of experience in DNA casework, technical review, and forensic consulting. She is the laboratory director of Pure Gold Forensics and has worked in both private and public forensic laboratories throughout her career. Suzanna has been qualified and testified as an expert in forensic serology and DNA analysis more than 140 times.
Enjoying Zone 7? Leave a rating and review where you listen to podcasts. Your feedback helps others find the show and supports the mission to educate, engage, and inspire.
Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an active crime scene investigator for a Metro Atlanta Police Department and the director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, which partners with colleges and universities nationwide. With more than 4 decades of experience, she has worked on thousands of cold cases using her investigative system, The Last 24/361, which integrates evidence, media, and advanced forensic testing.
Her work on high-profile cases, including The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, Tupac Shakur and the Moore’s Ford Bridge lynching, led to her Emmy Award for CSI: Atlanta and induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023.
Social Links:
Email: [email protected]
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.
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In this week’s episode of "Zone 7," retired NYPD detective Mike Alcazar joins Sheryl McCollum to talk about what hostage negotiation looks like when a scene is tense, the stakes are high, and one wrong move can change everything.
Drawing on decades in law enforcement, Mike discusses the Nancy Guthrie case, explains how negotiators read people in real time, and highlights the importance of patience, trust, and teamwork.
He also shares stories from the field and looks back on the path that took him from undercover work to hostage negotiation and, later, to the recovery efforts after 9/11.
Highlights:
(0:00) Sheryl McCollum welcomes retired NYPD detective Mike Alcazar to Zone 7
(1:00) Mike’s first reaction to the Nancy Guthrie case and why it struck him as unusual from the beginning
(4:15) Information negotiators look for first: behavior, history, and possible mental-state concerns
(9:00) The challenge of deciding when family can help and when they may make a crisis worse
(13:30) Tension between negotiation and tactical response, and how one decision can undo hours of progress
(19:30) How Mike became a negotiator and what the training process was like
(23:00) A Brooklyn barricade, drone technology, and the friend who helped bring the situation to a peaceful end
(29:45) Why voice, personality, and appearance can shape who a subject chooses to trust
(31:15) How a sandwich from the bodega helped resolve a case
(32:45) Mike looks back on becoming a detective and how 9/11 changed the course of his career
(35:15) Ground Zero, recovery efforts, and the emotional toll officers carried after 9/11
Guest Bio
Mike Alcazar is a retired NYPD detective with more than 30 years of service in law enforcement. During his time with the department, he worked undercover in vice, served as a hostage negotiator, and handled organized crime investigations.
Mike took part in recovery efforts following the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and now serves as an adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
About the Host
Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an active crime scene investigator for a Metro Atlanta Police Department and the director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, which partners with colleges and universities nationwide.
With more than 4 decades of experience, she has worked on thousands of cold cases using her investigative system, The Last 24/361, which integrates evidence, media, and advanced forensic testing.
Her work on high-profile cases include, in part, The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, and Tupac Shakur. Her work on the Moore’s Ford Bridge lynching, led to her Emmy Award for CSI: Atlanta and induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023.
Social Links:
Email: [email protected] X: @zone7squad Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum Instagram: @officialzone7podcastPreorder 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.
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In this week’s episode of "Zone 7," Sheryl McCollum talks with author and investigative reporter Casey Sherman about the murder of his aunt, Mary Sullivan, long believed to be the final victim of the Boston Strangler, and the lasting impact her murder had on his family.
Casey explains why his family has long questioned the official story, pointing to evidence that, in his view, complicates what many people think they know about the case.
Their conversation touches on DNA analysis, missing confession tapes, and alternate suspects that Casey believes raise serious questions about Albert DeSalvo’s role in the murders.
Guest Bio
Casey Sherman is a New York Times bestselling-author and investigative reporter known for revisiting major crimes and historic tragedies.
He is the author of "A Rose for Mary," which examines the murder of his aunt, Mary Sullivan, and the lingering questions surrounding the Boston Strangler case.
About the Host
Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an active crime scene investigator for a Metro Atlanta Police Department and the director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, which partners with colleges and universities nationwide. With more than 4 decades of experience, she has worked on thousands of cold cases using her investigative system, The Last 24/361, which integrates evidence, media, and advanced forensic testing.
Her work on high-profile case include, in part, The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, and Tupac Shakur. McCollum’s work on the Moore’s Ford Bridge lynching led to her Emmy Award for “CSI: Atlanta” and induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023.
Social Links:
Email: [email protected]
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.
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After weeks of testimony and a defense case that ended without a single witness, the jury in the Kouri Richins trial returned a guilty verdict in the death of Eric Richins.
In this week’s episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum talks with investigative reporter Nate Eaton, who has been in court following the testimony, key witnesses, and the evidence surrounding Eric's death.
Together, they discuss the prosecution's theory of motive, the evidence tied to money and deception, the Valentine's Day attempted-poisoning allegation, and the courtroom testimony that steadily tightened the case.
Sheryl then provides a final trial update after the verdict, focusing on what the defense did not address and what the guilty verdict implies about the case.
Guest Bio
Nate Eaton is an award-winning journalist, Dateline NBC contributor, and co-founder of EastIdahoNews.com. He is known for his investigative reporting, courtroom coverage, and years of experience covering major criminal cases and breaking news.
About the Host
Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an active crime scene investigator for a Metro Atlanta Police Department and the director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, which partners with colleges and universities nationwide. With more than 4 decades of experience, she has worked on thousands of cold cases using her investigative system, The Last 24/361, which integrates evidence, media, and advanced forensic testing.
Her work on high-profile cases include, in part, The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, and Tupac Shakur. Her work on the Moore’s Ford Bridge lynching led to her Emmy Award for "CSI: Atlanta" and induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023.
Social Links:
Email: [email protected]
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.
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When an 84-year-old woman vanishes from her home in the middle of the night, leaving behind signs of blood and a struggle, every early decision investigators make is critical.
Retired NYPD sergeant Joe Giacalone returns to Zone 7 to talk with Sheryl McCollum about the Nancy Guthrie investigation and the mistakes they believe set the case back from the start.
Together, they walk through the investigative failures, why the ransom note narrative never rang true, and the steps investigators can still take to regain traction.
Guest Bio
Joe Giacalone is a retired NYPD sergeant and former commanding officer of the Bronx Cold Case Squad. He serves as an adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and is the author of, "The Criminal Investigative Function: A Guide for New Investigators and The Cold Case Handbook."
Giacalone also hosts True Crime with the Sarge and is a frequent media commentator on criminal investigations.
About the Host
Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an active crime scene investigator for a Metro Atlanta Police Department and the director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, which partners with colleges and universities nationwide. With more than 4 decades of experience, she has worked on thousands of cold cases using her investigative system, The Last 24/361, which integrates evidence, media, and advanced forensic testing.
Her work on high-profile case include, in part, The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, and Tupac Shakur. McCollum's work on the Moore’s Ford Bridge lynching led to her Emmy Award for "CSI: Atlanta" and induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023.
Social Links:
Email: [email protected]
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.
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A late-night stop at a Dairy Queen led to one of the biggest stories of Dale Cardwell’s career.
In this episode of "Zone 7," Sheryl McCollum talks with Dale about the investigation that uncovered corruption inside the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, exposed deputies working on the clock for Sidney Dorsey, and helped fuel a political shakeup that ended in the murder of Sheriff-elect Derwin Brown.
Dale shares how the story unfolded, the danger it brought to his own family, and the break that finally helped tie the killing back to Sidney Dorsey.
Guest Bio:
Dale Cardwell is a six-time Emmy Award-winning journalist, consumer investigator, and founder of TrustDALE. He is known for helping expose scams, political corruption, and government waste.
He teamed up with Clark Howard and now hosts Inside Investigations, which airs on more than 100 television markets nationwide.
About the Host
Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an active crime scene investigator for a Metro Atlanta Police Department and the director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, which partners with colleges and universities nationwide. With more than four decades of experience, she has worked on thousands of cold cases using her investigative system, The Last 24/361, which integrates evidence, media, and advanced forensic testing.
Her work on high-profile cases include The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, and Tupac Shakur. Her work on the Moore’s Ford Bridge lynching led to her Emmy Award for “CSI: Atlanta” and induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023.
Social Links:
Email: [email protected]
X: @zone7squad
Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
Instagram: @officialzone7podcast
Preorder Sheryl’s upcoming book, "Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Lessons in Life, Justice, and Joy from a Forensic Scientist," releasing May 2026 from Simon and Schuster.
Enjoying Zone 7? Leave a rating and review where you listen to podcasts. Your feedback helps others find the show and supports the mission to educate, engage, and inspire.
Highlights:
(0:00) Sheryl McCollum introduces Dale Cardwell and the Dairy Queen stop that led to one of DeKalb County’s biggest corruption cases (1:15) Dale explains the system he built after years of consumer reporting, focused on helping consumers avoid scams (3:30) Deputies are accused of clocking in at the jail while working private security for Sheriff Sidney Dorsey (6:15) Surveillance, inside sources, and an open-records request lead to the first major break in the story (9:30) The reporting lands just before the election and helps shift attention toward challenger Derwin Brown (12:30) The corruption picture widens with allegations involving sexual harassment and sex-for-favors allegations, fake badges, and inmate labor (15:00) Dale recalls the night police came to his door after Derwin Brown was murdered (19:00) Dale learns he is also believed to be on the hit list, and he and his family are placed under protective custody (23:30) An interview moment raises new questions about Sidney Dorsey’s knowledge of the conspiracy (27:15) A witness’s note on a napkin helps lead investigators back to the murder plot (28:30) Patrick Cuffy describes Dorsey giving the kill order on paper, then tearing it up and swallowing it (33:30) Dale reflects on the cost of the case and his bond with the Brown familySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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This episode of Zone 7’s Crime Roundup captures the energy of the first stop on Sheryl McCollum’s 10-8 Tour: a packed house, a hot mic, and the kind of stories you only get when prosecutors, defense attorneys, detectives, and crime-scene folks are all sitting at the same table.
With Joshua Schiffer and Franz Borghardt alongside her, Sheryl recaps an unforgettable night featuring surprise moments, Trial Lawyers College stories, and Nancy Grace taking a rapid-fire stack of audience questions like only she can. Want to be in the room for the next event?
North Carolina is up next on February 28 at Kefi Vineyards & Winery. Grab your tickets here.
Highlights:
• (0:00) Welcome to Zone 7’s Crime Roundup with Sheryl McCollum, Joshua Schiffer, and Franz Borghardt
• (1:30) Dinner and stories at Manuel’s Tavern: packed full room full of energy
• (5:30) A Baton Rouge serial-killer case that kick-started Franz’s career
• (7:30) The “lean into what you’ve got” defense strategy when a club-shooting video is the evidence
• (9:15) Josh frames trial storytelling as emotional truth, clarity, and human stakes over technical brilliance
• (11:30) Trial Lawyers College in Wyoming and Gerry Spence as the foundation for storytelling that translates to true crime
• (19:30) The difference between networking and real respect, and why outcomes are better when lawyers and investigators talk
• (26:00) Sheryl on the CrimeCon glasses moment and the kind of crowd that looks out for you
• (28:30) Sheryl introduces Detective Jarion Shepherd and the Melissa Wolfenbarger connection
• (32:15) Nancy Grace walks in, takes the mic, and flips the room into live-show mode with nonstop Q&A
• (35:15) The 10-8 Tour roadmap, North Carolina on February 28, and the meaning of 10- 8
• (39:45) Sheryl lays down her friendship standard and closes with a true-friends quote
Guest Bio:
Joshua Schiffer is a Veteran trial attorney and one of Southeast's most respected legal voices. He is the founding partner at ChancoSchiffer P .C., where he has litigated high-stakes criminal, civil rights, and personal injury cases for over 2 decades. Schiffer is a frequent media contributor and an outspoken advocate for accountability.
Franz Borghardt is an attorney with more than a decade of experience. Franz has served as both a felony public defender and prosecutor in east Baton Rouge. He maintains a private practice spanning criminal defense, personal injury, family law, and small business matters.
Enjoying Zone 7? Leave a rating and review where you listen to podcasts. Your feedback helps others find the show and supports the mission to educate, engage, and inspire.
Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an active crime scene investigator for a Metro Atlanta Police Department and the director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, which partners with colleges and universities nationwide. With more than 4 decades of experience, she has worked on thousands of cold cases using her investigative system, The Last 24/361, which integrates evidence, media, and advanced forensic testing. Her work on high-profile cases, including The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, Tupac Shakur and the Moore’s Ford Bridge lynching, led to her Emmy Award for CSI: Atlanta and induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023.
Social Links:
• Email: [email protected]
• 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.
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In this "Zone 7" special on the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, Sheryl McCollum and retired NYPD detective Tom Smith break down what a disciplined first 24 hours should have looked like, and why the public-facing story has created confusion.
They walk through the biggest unanswered questions, including “unknown male DNA, ” the surveillance video, and why a classic ransom scenario is not tracking.
For those looking to catch up further as the situation develops, additional coverage and updates can be found on "Crime Stories with Nancy Grace."
Guest Bio:
Tom Smith is a retired NYPD detective and 2024 National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame inductee. With over 30 years of service, he worked in patrol, narcotics and robbery investigations and spent 17 years working with the FBI/NYPD on the Joint terrorism task Force, including an overseas deployment to Afghanistan.
Tom co-hosts the podcast, "Gold Shields," and provides investigative commentary for national media outlets.
About the Host
Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an active crime scene investigator for a Metro Atlanta Police Department and the director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, which partners with colleges and universities nationwide. With more than 4 decades of experience, she has worked on thousands of cold cases using her investigative system, The Last 24/361, which integrates evidence, media, and advanced forensic testing.
Her work on high-profile cases include The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, and Tupac Shakur. Her work on the Moore’s Ford Bridge lynching led to her Emmy Award for "CSI: Atlanta" and induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023.
Social Links:
• Email: [email protected]
• 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.
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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
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- Visa fler
