Zone 7 with Sheryl McCollum

When a judge declared that Rex Heuermann’s trial would begin after Labor Day “come hell or high water,” the Long Island Serial Killer case entered a decisive new phase. In this episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum is joined by journalist Laura Ingle for a boots-on-the-ground update of the Long Island Serial Killer investigation. They examine the sweeping defense omnibus motion, the ongoing fight over DNA evidence, and what prosecutors are expected to file ahead of the March 3 and March 17 court dates. They also analyze the arrest of Andrew Dykes in the 1997 murder of Tanya Jackson, known as “Peaches,” and discuss whether that development introduces meaningful, reasonable doubt for Heuermann’s defense. From a recovered planning document to burner phones and questions of who knew what, their conversation centers on evidence, legal strategy, and whether this case is headed for trial or moving toward a plea deal. Guest Bio: Laura Ingle is an Emmy Award-winning journalist and the host of "The Ingle Edit," a YouTube series and podcast dedicated to re-examining unsolved cases through on-scene reporting and firsthand interviews. As a longtime network correspondent, she has covered many of America’s most notorious crime stories and continues to champion cold-case investigations. Learn more about the case and view Laura’s on-scene reporting on The Ingle Edit. About the Host Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an active crime scene investigator for a Metro Atlanta Police Department and the director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, which partners with colleges and universities nationwide. With more than four decades of experience, she has worked on thousands of cold cases using her investigative system, The Last 24/361, which integrates evidence, media, and advanced forensic testing. Her work on high-profile cases include The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, and Tupac Shakur. Her work on the Moore’s Ford Bridge lynching led to her Emmy Award for "CSI: Atlanta" and induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023. Social Links: • Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com • Twitter: @149zone7 • Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum • Instagram: @officialzone7podcast Preorder Sheryl’s upcoming book, "Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Lessons in Life, Justice, and Joy from a Forensic Scientist," releasing May 2026 from Simon and Schuster.   Highlights: • (0:00) Sheryl McCollum welcomes Laura Ingle and introduces the latest developments in the Long Island Serial Killer case • (1:00) The Gilgo Beach timeline: from Shannan Gilbert’s 911 call to the initial body discoveries • (3:15) Memorial benches along Ocean Parkway and what the geographic landscape reveals about the case • (5:00) Rex Heuermann’s January 13 court appearance and the 175+ page defense omnibus motion • (8:00) The DNA battle: mitochondrial testing, genetic genealogy, and the hair evidence tied to Sandra Costilla • (10:30) Judge’s declaration: trial will begin after Labor Day “come hell or high water” • (11:15) Andrew Dykes arrested in the 1997 murder of Tanya Denise Jackson (“Peaches”) and what it could mean for the baby • (15:45) Why there are still no charges in Tatiana Marie Dykes’ death and why her remains’ proximity to Valerie Mack matters • (20:30) Why separate mother and child: DNA, dumping-ground logic, and what investigators still cannot place in the timeline • (22:15) Devices, weapons, and the locked vault: what investigators found and what’s still unknown • (24:15) The house and the basement: searches, “workshop” claims, and the importance of the location • (25:00) Planning document and surveillance awareness: traffic cameras, tactics, and intent • (28:15) The “window” theory: family travel timeline and why prosecutors say they line up • (29:15) Asa and the divorce question: blindsided or strategic? • (31:30) How the defense uses the “Peaches” arrest to argue reasonable doubt • (34:00) Outro: The Ingle Edit and Sheryl’s closing quote  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An active investigation into the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez has left the public with a timeline, a Tesla, and an extensive list of unanswered questions. In this episode of "Zone 7," Sheryl McCollum is joined by journalist Lauren Conlin to review what has been said publicly about Celeste’s initial classification as a runaway, her connections to older individuals, and why the continued absence of a named person of interest raises concern. They also turn to the arrest of actor/director Timothy Busfield and discuss what can and cannot be concluded from selective “evidence” releases, how credibility gets weaponized in public, and why child abuse allegations demand careful, methodical evaluation rather than internet verdicts. Guest Bio Lauren Conlin is a New York-based journalist covering true crime and high-profile investigations. She contributes reporting to Los Angeles Magazine, hosts investigative podcasts, and appears as a legal and crime commentator on platforms including Court TV, Fox News, and "Crime Stories with Nancy Grace." About the Host Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an active crime scene investigator for a Metro Atlanta Police Department and the director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, which partners with colleges and universities nationwide. With more than 4 decades of experience, she has worked on thousands of cold cases using her investigative system, The Last 24/361, which integrates evidence, media, and advanced forensic testing. Her work on high-profile cases includes, in part, the Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, Tupac Shakur. Her work on the Moore’s Ford Bridge lynching led to her Emmy Award for "CSI: Atlanta" and induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023. Social Links: • Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com • Twitter: @149zone7 • Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum • Instagram: @officialzone7podcast Preorder Sheryl’s upcoming book, "Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Lessons in Life, Justice, and Joy from a Forensic Scientist," releasing May 2026 from Simon and Schuster. Enjoying "Zone 7"? Leave a rating and review where you listen to podcasts. Your feedback helps others find the show and supports the mission to educate, engage, and inspire. Highlights: • (0:00) Sheryl McCollum opens the episode on the death of Celeste Hernandez and why the case is “driving her crazy” • (1:30) Lauren Conlin’s case status framing: no official person of interest, grand jury activity, and what “imminent indictment” does and does not mean • (3:00) Celeste’s runaway classification, age, and how early labels can shape urgency, resources, and risk • (7:15) Behavior after the discovery: canceled tour, transferred home ownership, legal strategy, and public silence • (10:00) Publicity economics: spikes in streams/downloads and the reality of scandal- driven attention • (15:15) Homicide indicator vs. Evidentiary barriers when decomposition complicates cause-of-death determinations • (17:45) Tesla cameras, event data, and why Sheryl expects a digital trail around movement and access • (21:45) Why runaway youth are at elevated risk and how dependency becomes leverage for exploitation • (27:00) Timothy Busfield: prior allegations and the optics of how he presented himself • (29:15) The alleged history patterns, witness context, and credibility disputes around the parents • (33:00) “Tickling to me does not absolve you from being a pervert.” • (36:00) Predatory access: why being near adults does not guarantee safety and how abuse can occur quickly and covertly • (39:15) Sheryl and Lauren address recantation, selective interview clips, and why child abuse cases require restraint, context, and patience before judgmentSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The LAPD’s most famous cold case, the Black Dahlia, has haunted headlines for generations, and a renewed wave of speculation now argues she was killed by the same person who later called himself the Zodiac. In this episode of "Zone 7," Sheryl McCollum is joined by forensic pathologist Dr. Priya Banerjee and forensic psychologist Dr. Joni Johnston to put that theory to the test. They argue Elizabeth Short’s murder reads as intimate and rage-driven, marked by postmortem mutilation and staging, while the Zodiac attacks appear cold and more mission-oriented, closer to an execution than a personal assault. They also clarify the difference between modus operandi and psychological signature, explain why signatures do not just “cool off” over decades, and urge civilians and investigators alike to test assumptions, scrutinize claims, and bring in smarter minds when the facts demand it. Guest Bios: Dr. Priya Banerjee is a board-certified forensic pathologist with extensive experience in death investigation, clinical forensics, and courtroom testimony. A John’s Hopkins graduate, she served for over a decade as Rhode Island’s state medical examiner and now leads a private forensic pathology practice. Dr. Joni Johnston is a forensic psychologist, private investigator, and crime writer. Her work includes prison and parole settings, court-related forensic services, workplace misconduct investigations, parole evaluations for mentally disordered offenders, and expert testimony in criminal and civil cases. About the Host  Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an active crime scene investigator for a Metro Atlanta Police Department and the director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, which partners with colleges and universities nationwide. With more than 4 decades of experience, she has worked on thousands of cold cases using her investigative system, The Last 24/361, which integrates evidence, media, and advanced forensic testing. Her work on high-profile cases, including the Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, Tupac Shakur and the Moore’s Ford Bridge lynching, led to her Emmy Award for "CSI: Atlanta" and induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023. Social Links: X: @149Zone7 Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum Instagram: @officialzone7podcast Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com Enjoying Zone 7? Leave a rating and review where you listen to podcasts. Your feedback helps others find the show and supports the mission to educate, engage, and inspire. Preorder Sheryl’s upcoming book, "Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Lessons in Life, Justice, and Joy from a Forensic Scientist," releasing May 2026 from Simon and Schuster. Highlights: • (0:00) Sheryl McCollum frames the Black Dahlia and Zodiac question, and why “same killer” theories require disciplined testing • (1:15) The Zodiac’s moniker, symbols, and ciphers as behavioral evidence through public messaging • (2:45) Dr. Joni Johnston on why the Black Dahlia reads as personal, targeted violence rather than opportunistic killing • (4:15) Modus operandi versus signature behavior, and where true crime narratives often blur the line • (5:45) Antemortem versus postmortem behavior, and how that distinction changes scene interpretation • (7:00) Why signature tends to remain stable over time, even when method or opportunity shifts • (8:00) What autopsy findings and scene details can suggest about intent • (15:00) Facial carving as humiliation, defacement, and control, and what that suggests about motive • (18:15) Tattoo removal and insertion framed as symbolic degradation • (20:15) Escalation narratives and control needs, testing patterns against a “same offender” theory • (27:00) BTK comparison, and why taunting and offender messaging are not unique identifiers • (31:45) Timeline gaps and intent differences as evidence against a single-offender theory • (33:00) Closing quote and final takeaway on evidence, teamwork, and disciplined disagreement  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nearly four decades after the Colonial Parkway murders first shocked Virginia, new DNA links have expanded the known scope of the case while raising questions about investigative accountability. In this episode of "Zone 7," Sheryl McCollum is joined by Bill Thomas, whose sister Cathy Thomas was one of the original victims, and Kristin Dilley, his long-time investigative partner and co-host of the podcast, "Mind Over Murder." They walk through the latest DNA identifications tied to Alan Wade Wilmer Sr., the procedural barriers that keep his profile out of CODIS, and the growing divide between state-level momentum and federal inaction. Their discussion centers on what happens when evidence advances while communication and action stall. Enjoying Zone 7? Leave a rating and review where you listen to podcasts. Your feedback helps others find the show and supports the mission to educate, engage, and inspire. Guest Bios: Bill Thomas is a victim advocate and the brother of Cathy Thomas, one of the original victims of the Colonial Parkway murders. For nearly four decades, he has worked with law enforcement, forensic experts, and journalists to seek answers in his sister’s case and accountability for all affected families. Bill is co-host of the podcast, "Mind Over Murder," where he focuses on cold cases, investigative transparency, and the systemic challenges families face in long-term homicide investigations. Kristin Dilley is a true crime podcaster, researcher, writer, and teacher based in Williamsburg, Virginia. Kristin has worked alongside Bill Thomas for more than seven years and is the co-host of "Mind Over Murder," where she examines cold cases with an emphasis on evidence, patterns, and victim-centered accountability. About the Host Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an active crime scene investigator for a Metro Atlanta Police Department and the director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, which partners with colleges and universities nationwide. With more than 4 decades of experience, she has worked on thousands of cold cases using her investigative system, The Last 24/361, which integrates evidence, media, and advanced forensic testing. Her work on high-profile cases, including The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, Tupac Shakur and the Moore’s Ford Bridge lynching, led to her Emmy Award for "CSI: Atlanta" and induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023. Social Links: • Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com • Twitter: @149zone7 • Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum • Instagram: @officialzone7podcast Preorder Sheryl’s upcoming book, "Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Lessons in Life, Justice, and Joy from a Forensic Scientist," releasing May 2026 from Simon and Schuster.   Highlights: • (0:00) Sheryl McCollum opens Zone 7by addressing stalled accountability in long- running cold cases • (0:45) Bill Thomas and Kristin Dilley return to Zone 7 and reflect on their investigative partnership • (2:00) Bill remembers his sister Cathy Thomas, her Naval Academy legacy, her character, and her friend Rebecca Ann Dowski • (5:15) How advocacy and podcasting have helped families move forward on the Colonial Parkway murders • (9:15) The January 2024 public announcement linking Allen Wade Wilmer Sr. to multiple victims • (10:15) The confirmed DNA connection to Laurie Ann Powell • (13:15) Why Wilmer’s DNA is not in CODIS despite evidence of sexual assault • (17:00) Federal communication failures and the limits of victim services updates • (19:15) The contrast between FBI silence and Virginia State Police persistence • (22:45) Whether Cathy Thomas’s case is closer to resolution and what emerging patterns suggest • (25:15) Evidence handling failures and the long-term consequences for families • (33:15) Closing reflections on persistence, accountability, and the cost of waiting decades for answers  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just blocks from the White House, a quiet act of service ended in tragedy. Two young National Guard members were ambushed; one was killed instantly, and another was left in critical condition. This week on Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum welcomes Dr. Sunny Slaughter to reflect on what happened that day and what it reveals about leadership, language, and the power of restraint. Together, they explore how hate takes root, why communication can be a matter of life and death, and what it truly means to serve with empathy when the world feels like it’s falling apart. Highlights: • (0:00) Sheryl McCollum reveals Zone 7’s 2026 return to weekly episodes and the kickoff. of the 10-8 Tour • (1:00) Welcome to Zone 7 with Sheryl McCollum and guest Dr. Sunny Slaughter • (4:15) The ambush that killed Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and critically injured Andrew Wolfe, 24 • (7:00) How compassion, not politics, defines law enforcement and military duty • (10:00) “Take the temperature down to zero”: Dr. Slaughter’s warning against political violence • (12:30) Dr. Slaughter’s experience teaching “lens, language, and law” and why empathy is operational readiness • (17:00) Service as calling, not career: advice for the next generation of guardsmen and officers • (20:45) Sheryl and Dr. Slaughter on gratitude, resilience, and learning through hardship • (27:00) Finding meaning after loss and the power of service on purpose• (30:00) Preparing for crisis: why every law enforcement professional must plan for the unexpected • (35:00) The Florida eviction tragedy and how quickly crisis can turn fatal • (36:15) Final reflections: honoring the National Guard members through unity, compassion, and continued service Guest Bio Dr. Sunny Slaughter is a law enforcement instructor, expert witness and crisis communication strategist who specializes in counterterrorism, extremism, and emerging threats. As CEO of Sunny Slaughter Consulting and founder of the Sunny Slaughter Group, she helps agencies nationwide build crisis-ready leadership. A former military spouse and longtime advocate for justice and public safety, Dr. Slaughter has served as a U.S. Department of Homeland Security instructor and continues to guide federal, state, and local agencies in strengthening community resilience. About the Host Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an active crime scene investigator for a Metro Atlanta Police Department and the director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, which partners with colleges and universities nationwide. With more than 4 decades of experience, she has worked on thousands of cold cases using her investigative system, The Last 24/361, which integrates evidence, media, and advanced forensic testing. Her work on high-profile cases, including The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, Tupac Shakur and the Moore’s Ford Bridge lynching, led to her "Emmy Award for CSI: Atlanta" and induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023. Social Links: • Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com • Twitter: @149zone7 • Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum • Instagram: @officialzone7podcast Enjoying Zone 7? Leave a rating and review where you listen to podcasts. Your feedback helps others find the show and supports the mission to educate, engage, and inspire. Preorder Sheryl’s upcoming book, "Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Lessons in Life, Justice, and Joy from a Forensic Scientist," releasing May 2026 from Simon and Schuster.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At 4:22 p.m. on what should have been an ordinary December afternoon, gunfire erupted inside the engineering building at Brown University. Students preparing for final exams found themselves barricaded in classrooms as text alerts warned, “Hide. Stay where you are. Silence your phone.” This week on Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum and retired FBI Special Agent Scott Duffey revisit the Brown University shooting, where a day of finals spiraled into chaos and tragedy. Together, they discuss the confusion inside the building, the calm suspect caught on camera, and the observant witness whose attention to detail helped identify him. Sheryl and Scott examine what went right, what went wrong, and how information, instinct, and timing shaped the investigation. Highlights: • (0:00) Welcome to Zone 7 with Sheryl McCollum and returning guest Scott Duffey to discuss the Brown University shooting and the law-enforcement response that followed • (5:45) The moment violence reached Brown University: students taking finals as shots rang out • (12:30) “Nobody was prepared to take this person on”: why Brown University was a soft target • (15:30) Behavioral clues and why the suspect didn’t fit the usual active-shooter profile • (18:30) How video surveillance, community vigilance, and digital evidence guided the search • (21:15) Law enforcement press conferences and why clear, real-time communication with the public is critical • (25:00) The second engineer’s murder: coincidence or connection? • (28:30) Theorizing motive and method• (31:00) The suspect’s calm demeanor and cultural clues that caught investigators’ attention • (34:45) Terrorism concerns, global context, and seasonal timing during the holidays • (39:00) Update: the shooter found deceased; press conference missteps and misinformation • (43:15) The breakthrough witness whose attention to detail broke open the case • (48:30) Closing thoughts on the investigation, the likelihood of a manifesto, and why violent offenders rarely act in silence Guest Bio: Scott Duffey is a retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent with more than two decades of service in the Bureau’s Baltimore Division, including assignments with the Wilmington Resident Agency and the Delaware Violent Crimes Task Force. He now directs the Criminal Justice Institute at Wilmington University, where he teaches interview and interrogation techniques to law enforcement professionals. Duffey also provides on-air crime analysis for FOX, CNN, NewsNation, and the Wildlife CSI Academy, continuing to educate, inform, and engage audiences worldwide. Enjoying Zone 7? Leave a rating and review where you listen to podcasts. Your feedback helps others find the show and supports the mission to educate, engage, and inspire. Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an active crime scene investigator for a Metro Atlanta Police Department and the director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, which partners with colleges and universities nationwide. With more than 4 decades of experience, she has worked on thousands of cold cases using her investigative system, The Last 24/361, which integrates evidence, media, and advanced forensic testing. Her work on high-profile cases, including The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, Tupac Shakur and the Moore’s Ford Bridge lynching, led to her Emmy Award for CSI: Atlanta and induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023. Social Links: • Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com • Twitter: @ColdCaseTips • Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum • Instagram: @officialzone7podcast Preorder Sheryl’s upcoming book, Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Lessons in Life, Justice, and Joy from a Forensic Scientist, releasing May 2026 from Simon and Schuster. https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Swans-Dont-Swim-in-a-Sewer/Sheryl-Mac-McCollum/9798895652824      See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From college dorms to quiet suburbs, fentanyl's reach no longer fits a stereotype. This week on Pathology with Dr. Priya, a Zone 7 series, Sheryl McCollum and Dr. Priya Banerjee confront the reality of a Providence College house party that nearly claimed seven young lives. Together they discussed the chemistry, economics, and criminal psychology behind modern synthetic drugs, showing how a single white powder can conceal a fatal mix, and how dealers prioritize profit over safety. These drugs do not discriminate; they affect every community, every family, and every socioeconomic group. For parents, this episode serves as a reminder that prevention begins long before a crisis. Awareness, honest conversation, and early education remain the most powerful safeguards against tragedy. Highlights • (0:00) Welcome to Zone 7’s Pathology with Dr. Priya: “’Tis the season”: why overdoses spike between Thanksgiving and New Year’s • (0:45) Seven Providence College students found unresponsive at a house party • (3:00) Fentanyl's evolution from heroin corridors to every college town in America • (5:00) Cutting agents and chemical roulette: what's really in the “white powder” • (7:00) Xylazine, ketamine, and the rise of “zombie drugs” and clandestine labs • (11:15) Dealers, profit, and the deadly absence of quality control • (12:30) "Drugs don't discriminate": how overdose affects every class and community • (16:30) As holiday parties ramp up, Sheryl and Dr. Priya address alcohol, impaired driving, and false confidence behind the wheel• (18:15) “There ain’t a drug dealer out there that cares about anybody they’ve ever sold to”: how profit drives addiction across every demographic • (22:15) Final reflections: stay aware, stay connected, and keep the season focused on life, not loss About the Hosts Dr. Priya Banerjee is a board-certified forensic pathologist with extensive experience in death investigation, clinical forensics, and courtroom testimony. A graduate of Johns Hopkins, she served for over a decade as Rhode Island’s state medical examiner and now runs a private forensic pathology practice. Her work includes military deaths, and high-profile investigations. Dr. Priya has also been featured as a forensic expert on platforms such as CrimeOnline and Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. She is a dedicated educator, animal lover, and proud mom. Website: anchorforensicpathology.com  Twitter/X: @Autopsy_MD Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an active crime scene investigator for a Metro Atlanta Police Department and the director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, which partners with colleges and universities nationwide. With more than 4 decades of experience, she has worked on thousands of cold cases using her investigative system, The Last 24/361, which integrates evidence, media, and advanced forensic testing. Her work on high-profile cases, including The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, Tupac Shakur and the Moore’s Ford Bridge lynching, led to her Emmy Award for CSI: Atlanta and induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023. Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com Twitter/X: @ColdCaseTips Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum Instagram: @officialzone7podcast 📚 Preorder Sheryl’s upcoming book,  Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Lessons in Life, Justice, and Joy from a Forensic Scientist, releasing May 2026 from Simon and Schuster. https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Swans-Dont-Swim-in-a-Sewer/Sheryl-Mac-McCollum/9798895652824   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.