Criminally Obsessed

What evidence could convict Alex Murdaugh the second time around? Murdaugh's 2023 convictions for the murders of his wife Maggie and son Paul have been overturned, and forensic criminologist Dr. Laura Pettler lays out exactly what we need to pay attention to in the next chapter of the Murdaugh saga. In this episode of Criminally Obsessed, Anne Emerson speaks with our friend Dr. Laura Pettler to examine the murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh using her "Murder Room Method," an investigative process she developed to systematically analyze homicide cases. Dr. Laura Pettler discusses the three pieces of evidence she believes remain most damaging to Alex Murdaugh’s case, and how her method could point to a conviction. The next major step in Alex Murdaugh’s case comes Monday, June 29, when attorneys return to court for a status hearing in Lexington County. His defense is expected to push for independent DNA testing, a change of venue, and expanded access to case materials as the retrial begins to take shape. It’s being reported that Alex will be present on Monday… We'll be livestreaming it with Anne to keep you updated every step of the way. Subscribe to Criminally Obsessed and make sure you turn on notifications for our continuing Alex Murdaugh coverage, true crime analysis, murder trial updates, and exclusive interviews that go beyond the headlines.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH TAYLOR PARKER? We’re examining the mind behind the shocking crimes unraveled in Netflix’s ‘Maternal Instinct’ and asking the question: what led Taylor Parker to commit these horrific acts of violence? What were the warning signs in her behavior and mental state… and could she have been stopped? Taylor Parker was convicted of murdering her friend, Reagan Simmons-Hancock. She cut her unborn baby from her womb, and attempted to pass the child off as her own after faking a pregnancy for months. Her web of lies and deception led to two tragic deaths - Reagan, and her baby, Braxlynn Sage Hancock. In this episode of Criminally Obsessed, Anne Emerson sits down with psychotherapist and author Shavaun Scott to explore the psychology behind this disturbing true crime case. We break down Taylor Parker’s psyche, how years of deception escalated into murder, and how she managed to manipulate those closest to her until it was too late. Scott says Parker’s behavior points to a personality disorder, not a mental illness, and explains why that distinction matters. If you’re still reeling over the Netflix documentary, you’re going to want to hear this. Subscribe to Criminally Obsessed for more true crime analysis, psychological deep dives, and exclusive conversations that go beyond the headlines. Learn more about Shavaun Scott: https://www.shavaunscott.com/

“YOU’RE A COWARD!” Rex Heuermann has been sentenced to life in prison without parole. Suffolk County Court Judge Timothy Mazzei didn’t hold back during his sentencing on Wednesday, June 17th. But the day wasn’t about Rex. It was about justice for his victims. And their families got to face him in an emotional moment that’s been a long time coming. In this episode of Criminally Obsessed, Anne Emerson speaks with Law&Crime correspondent Angenette Levy, who was inside the packed Suffolk County, New York courtroom and witnessed the emotion of the day - From the judge calling Heuermann a coward, to heartbreaking victim impact statements. The sentencing serves as a marker of justice for the victims: Megan Waterman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Melissa Barthelemy, Amber Lynn Costello, Sandra Costilla, Valerie Mack, Jessica Taylor, and Karen Vergata. Subscribe to Criminally Obsessed for continuing coverage of the Gilgo Beach Serial Killer case, true crime investigations, and exclusive interviews from the stories everyone is talking about. Watch Law&Crime Crime Fix with Angenette Levy

An anonymous tip spurred a ground search for Nancy Guthrie in Mexico. But this private investigator thinks they're looking in the wrong place… and says that authorities have their eyes on a subject in the kidnapping. Four months after Today show host Savannah Guthrie’s 84-year-old mother was abducted from her Tucson, Arizona home, investigators and volunteers are still searching for answers. A recent tip out of Mexico sent searchers chasing a new lead, but one veteran private investigator believes Nancy was taken to Northern Arizona. Why? In this episode of Criminally Obsessed, Anne Emerson sits down with licensed private investigator Bill Garcia, who recently spent a week on the ground in Arizona working the case pro bono. He has searched for missing adults and children across the country for decades, and after examining the scene for himself, he believes Nancy’s disappearance was a targeted kidnapping, not a random crime. As the FBI continues its search and Savannah publicly pleads for her mother’s return, one question remains at the center of this heartbreaking mystery: what will it take to bring Nancy home? Subscribe to Criminally Obsessed for the latest Nancy Guthrie case updates, true crime investigations, missing persons coverage, and exclusive interviews as this search continues. If you’re Criminally Obsessed like us… Prove it! Shop our merch

Alex Murdaugh has a new judge for his double murder retrial. And we want to know everything. Who is Judge Debra McCaslin? The South Carolina Circuit Court Judge has been assigned to oversee Alex Murdaugh’s upcoming murder retrial in the deaths of his wife, Maggie Murdaugh, and son, Paul Murdaugh in 2021. What should we know about the woman now tasked with presiding over the next chapter of the Murdaugh saga? In this episode of Criminally Obsessed, Anne Emerson digs into Judge McCaslin’s path to the bench, a journey that started later in life and led her to the highest levels of South Carolina's judicial system. Joined by former South Carolina Attorney General Charlie Condon, we explore McCaslin’s legal background, her connections to key players in the Murdaugh case including Murdaugh’s Defense Attorney Dick Harpootlian, and how her courtroom style may differ from the judge everyone remembers from the first trial, Clifton Newman. This time, the stakes are even higher. Prosecutors have indicated the death penalty remains a possibility if Alex Murdaugh is retried for the murders at Moselle, making Judge McCaslin’s decisions critical from day one. Where will the retrial be held? When could it begin? When we know, you'll know. Subscribe to Criminally Obsessed for continuing coverage, trial updates, and exclusive interviews as the next chapter of the Murdaugh story unfolds.

SHOULD MACKENZIE SHIRILLA HAVE WALKED FREE? And is her personality the reason she didn’t? The Ohio teen was convicted of intentionally crashing her car at 100 miles per hour and killing her boyfriend, Dominic Russo, and friend, Davion Flanagan in 2022. As the world reexamines the case in Netflix’s newly released documentary “The Crash,” Mackenzie’s intentions, mindset, and personality are major discussion points. She was convicted of murder. End of story, right? But what if the evidence is not as straightforward as it seems? In this episode of Criminally Obsessed, Anne Emerson sits down with criminal defense attorney and true crime creator Stephanie Giancristofaro, who says there is reasonable doubt in the Mackenzie Shirilla murder case… and that she can prove it. She believes public opinion may be influenced as much by Shirilla's personality and behavior, as by the actual evidence presented in court. And if this case had been decided by a jury instead of a judge, would the outcome have been different? We break down the key issues at the center of the Ohio case, including newly released public records that raise fresh questions about what happened that day. This is not a case about whether Mackenzie Shirilla is likable. It is a conversation about the criminal justice system, and whether the evidence truly proves murder beyond a reasonable doubt. Subscribe to Criminally Obsessed for more true crime analysis, case breakdowns, and exclusive interviews. And after you watch “The Crash” on Netflix, let us know what YOU think.

The Netflix documentary The Crash has reignited debate around one of the most shocking true crime cases in recent memory: the conviction of Mackenzie Shirilla. In this episode of Criminally Obsessed, Anne Emerson talks with forensic psychologist Dr. John Delatorre to unpacks not only what may have been going on in Mackenzie's mind, but also her parents, Steve and Natalie Shirilla. Drawing from the documentary, courtroom evidence, and Mackenzie's behavior before and after the crash, Dr. John explores whether this was an impulsive act fueled by rage, entitlement, and immaturity—or something far more calculated. We dive deep into the toxic relationship dynamics between Mackenzie and her boyfriend Dom, the role her family may have played in shaping her worldview, and the warning signs that many believe were overlooked long before the deadly crash. Dr. John breaks down concepts like entitlement, impulsivity, narcissistic traits, and the impact of parenting styles, while explaining why he believes Mackenzie's actions don't necessarily fit a traditional self-destruction profile. The discussion also tackles her controversial social media activity, prison behavior, and the ongoing public fascination with the case. Is Mackenzie “hell on wheels” as the judge described her? Dr. John offers his unfiltered analysis of one of the most polarizing true crime stories in recent years, examining how personality, privilege, relationships, and decision-making collided with devastating consequences. Do you believe the crash was premeditated, an impulsive act gone horribly wrong, or something else entirely? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Related links: Petition, "Dom and Davion's Law" - Victims Before Influencers: Modernize Son of Sam Laws Davion Flanagan’s Memorial Scholarship Fund Change The Game for Dom Foundation

Did this mom poison her family at Thanksgiving dinner? And even worse, could she be a serial killer? North Carolina investigators are asking if Gudrun Casper-Leinenkugel could be the rare female serial killer. Authorities say Gudrun poisoned wine served at a Thanksgiving gathering, killing her daughter Leela Livis and sickening two others. But as investigators dug into her past, they uncovered another death from 2007 involving the same chemical and began examining additional suspicious deaths of people connected to her. In this episode of Criminally Obsessed, investigative journalist Anne Emerson sits down with forensic psychologist Dr. Joni Johnston to do a deep dive into the psychology behind the allegations and explain why female serial killers often look very different from the serial killers most people imagine. Why do female serial killers often target people closest to them? Why is poison such a common weapon? And does Gudrun fit the profile investigators are now considering? Subscribe to Criminally Obsessed for exclusive true crime interviews, expert analysis on the true crime stories you're following, and the latest developments in the shocking Thanksgiving poisoning case.

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson calls Alex Murdaugh’s murder trial ‘more than a trial. It's a saga.” The South Carolina Supreme Court overturned Alex Murdaugh's double murder convictions of ihis wife Maggie Murdaugh and son Paul Murdaugh. They were shot to death June 7, 2021 at the family’s Moselle property in Colleton County, South Carolina. Alan Wilson won’t be back to personally prosecute what some might call part two of South Carolina’s trial of the century. In this episode of Criminally Obsessed, investigative reporter Anne Emerson sits down with Wilson for an unfiltered conversation about the Alex Murdaugh murder case, the shocking decision by the South Carolina Supreme Court to overturn the original convictions, and whether prosecutors believe they can secure another guilty verdict in one of the biggest true crime cases in America. We ask Wilson our burning questions about disgraced Clerk of Court Becky Hill, Alex’s alleged co-conspirator and cousin Curtis “Eddie” Smith, and the still unsolved Stephen Smith investigation, and hear about his real-time reactions to seeing key evidence in the case for the first time, like the infamous kennel video. Subscribe to Criminally Obsessed for our ongoing coverage of all things Murdaugh, and go beyond the true crime headlines with exclusive interviews, expert analysis, and authentic conversations with the people closest to these true crime headlines.

A murdered teenage girl. A cold case that went unsolved for more than four decades. After years without answers, Louisiana State Police tried something different: they helped launch a true crime podcast to generate new leads. Now, four men have been charged in connection with the 1982 killing of Roxanne Sharp. Roxanne was 16 when her body was found in a wooded area near the St. Tammany Parish Fairgrounds in Covington, Louisiana. According to Louisiana State Police, the initial investigation determined she had been raped and murdered, but due to limited physical evidence and a lack of public and witness cooperation, the case remained unsolved for more than four decades. That changed after Louisiana State Police took over the investigation and teamed with local radio host Charles Dowdy of the Lake 94.7 to produce the podcast "Who Killed Roxanne?" Authorities say the podcast generated new information, leads, and witness cooperation that had previously been unknown to investigators. In April 2026, arrest warrants were obtained for four men: Perry Wayne Taylor, Darrell Dean Spell, Carlos Cooper, and Billy Williams Jr., all of Covington, Louisiana. They were charged with aggravated rape and second-degree murder. In this episode of Criminally Obsessed, Anne Emerson speaks with the podcast's host, Dowdy, about the case, the podcast, and how storytelling helped move forward a murder investigation that haunted Louisiana for more than four decades.

WHO IS 'COUSIN' EDDIE? As Alex Murdaugh prepares for a murder retrial, why hasn't this alleged Murdaugh co-conspirator gone to trial in the first place? Anne spoke with Curtis “Eddie” Smith, the man prosecutors say helped Alex stage a roadside shooting in Hampton County, South Carolina back in 2021. This is an exclusive interview Anne did in 'secret' that we unearthed from our archives that was conducted just weeks after the incident. Nearly five years later, the alleged co-conspirator in the failed $10 million life insurance plot remains on house arrest, with police claiming he was also pushing drugs, forging checks, and laundering money for Alex. As the Murdaugh case heads back to court, this interview raises an even bigger question: why is one of the key figures in the saga still sitting in legal limbo? Murdaugh defense attorney Dick Harpootlian says a trial for Eddie is taking way too long. Subscribe to Criminally Obsessed so you never miss our continuing Murdaugh coverage.

ALEX MURDAUGH'S DEFENSE ATTORNEY OPENS UP: Anne Emerson sits down with Murdaugh defense attorney Dick Harpootlian, who says he’s never stopped believing Alex Murdaugh is innocent of the murders of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul. Harpootlian shares what he claims former Clerk of Court Becky Hill told jurors during the original 2023 trial, and reveals the defense already has what he calls “great stuff” for the retrial — including new evidence! We learned last week that Alex is getting a new trial after the South Carolina Supreme Court overturned his murder convictions from 2021. The fallout from the case keeps getting messier — we learned today that Alex is suing Becky Hill for $600,000, accusing her of jury tampering and violating his constitutional right to a fair trial. While many people still believe the jury got it right at the first trial regardless of Hill’s actions, the defense insists Alex did not kill his wife and son. We want to know… what makes Harpootlian and his team so sure? Make sure to subscribe to Criminally Obsessed so you never miss an episode of our extensive Murdaugh coverage.

Alex Murdaugh is getting a new murder trial. On May 13, the South Carolina Supreme Court unanimously overturned Alex's double murder convictions in the June 2021 killings of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul. How did this happen? How did we wind up at this stunning update? The justices ruled that former Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill improperly influenced jurors during the 2023 trial, calling her conduct shocking, egregious, and unprecedented. According to the ruling, Hill’s comments and actions denied Murdaugh his constitutional right to a fair trial. South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson released a statement saying his office “will aggressively seek to retry Alex Murdaugh for the murders of Maggie and Paul as soon as possible,” adding that Murdaugh will remain in prison for his financial crimes. We’ve covered the Murdaugh saga extensively here at Criminally Obsessed (our Anne Emerson reported from the courtroom of his previous trials). No journalist knows this case better than Anne. As the breaking news came down today, Anne spoke with our legal analyst, former South Carolina Attorney General Charlie Condon, to understand the ‘how’ and the ‘why’ behind today's decision. With a new trial now officially ordered, we’re once again asking in the Murdaugh family saga… what comes next? Follow along to find out. Catch up on our coverage of all things Murdaugh: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3z8FHBSffeLYqoVMQZFyCA5PT7l97VnL&si=DhEiqw7h1ogYFpba Listen to our podcast, ‘The Murdaugh Murders, Money & Mystery’: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3z8FHBSffeL22J-ZhwTf8oD8E_pKdxkd&si=RsjFutRm9Q0tD0qV Catch Anne with former Murdaugh housekeeper Blanca Simpson at CrimeCon in Las Vegas later this month: https://crimecon2026.sched.com/event/2LpXz/the-housekeeper-knows-all-what-blanca-turrubiate-simpson-witnessed-working-for-the-murdaughs Enter promo code “criminallyobsessed” at checkout to receive 10% off!