Criminally Obsessed

A 16-year-old girl is accused of murdering her mother, father, and grandmother in the North Carolina home they shared. The girl's 28-year-old boyfriend has also been charged. The family had been trying to keep this older man away from their daughter and was about to get the police involved. Travis Grant, Kimberly Grant, and Sharon Grant were found shot to death inside their Fairview, North Carolina home on May 7th. The murders have shattered the family who is now trying to comprehend this confusing and complex loss. And get this, police say after the Grants were killed, Star and Devan Oneal Loving were delivering meals for DoorDash! We go beyond the headlines to hear how Brittany and her family are dealing with it all - what family dynamics led up to this horrific outcome? Brittany lays out the timeline and tells us about the people at the center of this triple homicide - both victims, and alleged perpetrator and why they weren't found sooner? Star Grant and Devan Oneal Loving have been charged with three counts of first-degree murder and felony conspiracy to commit murder. And even though she's 16-years-old, Star is being charged as an adult, according to the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office.

What would you do if your ex-husband, the father of your child, confessed to being a serial killer? That’s the reality Asa Ellerup faces after Rex Heuermann, the Gilgo Beach serial killer, admitted to murdering and dismembering multiple women in the home they shared. In this episode of Criminally Obsessed, we take a closer look at Asa’s account revealed in the Peacock documentary The Gilgo Beach Killer: House of Secrets. Some of the actions she’s taken after hearing Rex’s confession are… unusual. We wanted to learn more, from an expert with the perfect background to take us into the dark corners of the human psyche. We’re joined by forensic psychologist Dr. John Delatorre to unpack Asa’s mindset, including how coercion and long-term influence can shape someone’s perception of reality. Asa says she initially did not believe he was guilty, and even now, her actions are raising questions - including her decision to sleep in the ‘kill room’ where the murders took place. She claims it’s a way to spiritually apologize to the victims - what does that say about trauma, control, and psychological manipulation? As new details emerge in the Long Island Serial Killer case, we explore the psychological toll, the lingering questions, and what this reveals about the people closest to the perpetrator. Watch The Gilgo Beach Killer: House of Secrets now streaming on Peacock.

His brother was murdered, and he thinks he knows why. 27-year-old Zamil Limon and his girlfriend, 27-year-old Nahida Bristy - both University of South Florida doctoral students from Bangladesh - were brutally murdered and left in garbage bags. Zamil's roommate, Hisham Abugharbieh, has been arrested and charged with two counts of premeditated first-degree murder. The question on the minds of their families, communities, and all of us is… why? Investigative reporter Anne Emerson spoke with Zamil’s brother, Zubaer Ahmed, and he shared what he believes is the motive behind this vicious attack. We hear firsthand about these victims, how these families are dealing with heartbreaking loss and what they’re asking for in order to move forward Hear Zubear detail a recent situation when he says Abugharbieh lost his temper over soap! Police are asking for the public’s help in gathering relevant information. If you have tips, contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office at 813-247-8200. Visit this GoFundMe to support the families

A couple vanishes and a week later, they’re found dead in the most disturbing way. In Tampa, 27-year-old Zamil Limon and his girlfriend, 27-year-old Nahida Bristy - both University of South Florida doctoral students - were discovered in black garbage bags, one on a bridge and the other in the water. Their families are left devastated and begging to know why this happened. Police say a trail of evidence led to Zamil's roommate, Hisham Abugharbieh, who has now been arrested and charged with two counts of premeditated first-degree murder. Investigative reporter Anne Emerson is joined by Dr. Michelle DuPre, a former medical examiner and retired forensic pathologist, as we break down the physical and digital evidence in this case - from blood pools, to garbage bags, to ChatGPT. We detail the criminal complaint, take a closer look at the victims, the suspect, and the unanswered question: why? Police are asking for the public’s help to move the investigation forward. If you were on the Howard Frankland Bridge in Tampa, Florida in the early morning hours of April 17th and have dashcam footage, police are urging you to come forward and share it: contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office at 813-247-8200. GoFundMe: Support for Zamil & Nahida's Families

What kind of person kills a 14-year-old girl, dismembers her, and hides her remains inside a Tesla? That’s the disturbing question at the center of the case against singer David Anthony Burke, known as D4vd, who is accused of murdering Celeste Rivas Hernandez after she was last seen outside his Los Angeles home. In this episode of Criminally Obsessed, we explore the disturbing psychology of the accused, and of this crime. Investigative reporter Anne Emerson is joined by forensic psychologist Dr. John Delatorre to discuss the psychological profile of someone capable of such violence, and the unsettling overlap between Burke’s music and videos - including a song titled Romantic Homicide - and the allegations against him. Is this a case of art imitating life, where the poet became the predator? We dig into the mind of an accused killer, and the disturbing way that violent fantasy may have played a role in Celeste’s horrific murder.

Nearly three weeks after Lynette Hooker went missing, the questions are only growing. She fell off a dinghy in the Bahamas on the evening of April 4, 2026 according to her husband, Brian Hooker. We’ve been following this case closely - speaking with people who know and love Lynette like her daughter, Karli, learning from a forensic diver about the complications of water investigations, hearing from a criminologist who studies intimate partner violence, and more to cover the case from all angles. Now, we’re bringing you into the conversation. We share 10 of your comments on this case with forensic investigator Joseph Scott Morgan. You’ll hear his real reactions, concerns, and theories about what may have happened to Lynette, to help us sift through the details and push for answers for her and her loved ones. Listen to Joseph Scott Morgan’s podcast, Body Bags

The case of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez is unraveling before our eyes like a real-life horror movie. The teenager was last seen in April 2025, and then found dismembered in the trunk of a Tesla in Los Angeles in September 2025. That Tesla belonged to rising music artist, David Anthony Burke, known as D4vd. Now, he faces first-degree murder charges with shocking special circumstances. In this episode, we go beyond the headlines to unpack the disturbing evidence tied to Burke’s abandoned Tesla, and the questions that still don’t have answers. From eerie overlaps between his music lyrics and the case, to the forensic challenges of determining exactly how she died, we’re joined by veteran forensic death investigator Joseph Scott Morgan to examine the breaking updates in this case. Dr. Morgan reveals new details from the charging documents, including Celeste’s cause of death by ‘a sharp instrument’. The brutality in this case deepens with every new update we learn. As the investigation continues and Burke maintains his innocence ahead of a preliminary hearing April 23rd 2026, we take a closer look at the timeline, the evidence, and the haunting question at the center of it all: what really happened to Celeste Rivas Hernandez? Listen to the Body Bags podcast with Joseph Scott Morgan

What really happened to Lynette Hooker? The woman who reportedly went overboard near Elbow Cay in the Bahamas has still not been found, and questions and suspicions are only growing. Her husband, Brian Hooker, says strong winds and rough water separated them on April 4th, but his version of events isn’t sitting right with Lynette’s daughter, his friends, or experts looking at the case. In this episode, Investigative reporter Anne Emerson is joined by forensic criminologist Dr. Laura Pettler, who specializes in staged crime scenes. We break down the conflicting accounts, including messages Brian sent in real time that don’t match what was later reported. We learn why incidents - and crimes - that happen on the water can be especially difficult to piece together, and why certain details in Lynette’s case raise major red flags. With no charges filed against Brian Hooker, but suspicion building, we take a closer look at the timeline, the inconsistencies, and the mystery surrounding Lynette’s disappearance.

Where is Lynette Hooker… and what REALLY happened? Ten days after she allegedly went overboard a dinghy in the Bahamas, there’s still no sign of her - no body, no witnesses, no clear answers. Rumors, suspicions, and accusations continue to spiral against Lynette’s husband who was with her, Brian Hooker. He’s now been released by police without charges, but his story has raised serious questions. Investigative reporter Anne Emerson interviews Daniel Danforth, a close friend of the Hookers, who spoke with Brian as the news of Lynette’s disappearance unfolded. Daniel says the timeline doesn’t add up, and is now sharing the messages that first raised red flags. So, what really happened? Is this a tragic accident, or something else entirely? Listen to what Daniel has to say, and decide for yourself.

Yesterday, on April 8th 2026, the world watched as Rex Heuermann pleaded guilty to the killings of eight women on Long Island, New York. Investigative reporter Kristin Thorne watched in real time, in court with the man we can now call the Gilgo Beach Serial Killer. She takes us into that room and explains what it was like - Rex Heuermann’s “overly confident” demeanor as he confirms his killings, his body language, and reactions from his own ex-wife and daughter along with victims’ family members. As a reporter who followed this case from the beginning, Kristin reacts to the day’s events with our host Anne Emerson. We also speak with Dr. David Mittelman of Othram forensic genetic genealogy labs, instrumental in identifying Heuermann’s eighth victim, Karen Vergata. He gives us a glimpse into the years of work it took to give Karen back her name. Watch our coverage of the Gilgo Beach Murders Learn more about Othram Follow Kristin Thorne

Newly released jailhouse bodycam video is raising questions - and eyebrows - about the mental state and belief system of “doomsday mom” Lori Vallow Daybell. The footage from July 2025 shows her being cited for contraband in prison, including M&Ms, gum, and self-proclaimed “miracle” toothpaste that appeared after she prayed for it. Vallow Daybell is serving time for murdering her two children, Tylee Ryan & JJ Vallow, whom she believed were “zombies,” as well the murder of her first husband Charles Vallow, her current husband’s first wife Tammy Daybell, and the attempter murder of her niece’s ex-husband, Brandon Boudreaux. Investigative reporter Anne Emerson is joined by Lauren and Dr. John Matthias from the Hidden True Crime podcast to analyze this bizarre video. Dr. Matthias lends his forensic psychology expertise to unravel what we’ve all been wondering since the beginning: does Lori Vallow Daybell actually believe the things that come out of her mouth? How did her psychological profile play a role in her horrific crimes… and how does her mental state affect her attorney’s ongoing fight to overturn her murder conviction? Hear more from Lauren and Dr. John Matthias on Hidden True Crime podcast

On the night of April 1, 2006, the 27-year-old Ohio State medical student Brian Shaffer went out with friends to the Ugly Tuna Saloona. Surveillance cameras captured him inside, laughing and socializing. But when the night ended, something chilling became clear—Brian was never seen leaving. His friends searched for him that night but eventually went home without answers. From that moment on, Brian Shaffer was never seen or heard from again. An intense investigation followed, with massive searches, national attention, and a reward that eventually reached $100,000. But in the years since, no confirmed sightings, no financial activity, and no answers have ever surfaced. Criminally Obsessed’s Anne Emerson talked to former detective John Hurst about Brian’s disappearance, what we know 20 years later, and why people who have information on Brian's disappearance might hesitate to come forward. If you have tips in the disappearance of Brian Shaffer, call the Columbus Police Department at 614-645-4545. Share Brian’s missing person poster from the FBI.

Rex Heuermann was arrested in 2023 in connection to the Gilgo Beach murders. The case dates back more than a decade, when the disappearance of a woman in Long Island, New York led to the discovery of multiple bodies along the South Shore, bringing the known victim count to seven. He is now expected to plead guilty on April 8, 2026. Investigative reporter Kristin Thorne joins Criminally Obsessed’s Anne Emerson to share what struck her the first time she saw Heuermann — a towering presence compared to the petite victims he’s accused of targeting — and to break down the chilling details that helped investigators close in. From the evidence that tied him to the case to the disturbing “notes to self” that allegedly outlined careful planning, we also explore the question that still lingers: could there be more victims? Watch Part 1 of our conversation with Kristin Thorne to hear how it all started and what led investigators to Rex Heuermann “Lock The Doors” — Reporter’s Firsthand Account Of The Gilgo Beach Serial Killer Case