
The Nancy Guthrie Investigation: Joe Giacalone on Early Errors and What Should Happen Next
From Zone 7 with Sheryl McCollum by iHeartPodcasts and CrimeOnline
March 11, 2026 · 39 min · Season 116 · Episode 3
About this episode
Joe Giacalone discusses the early errors in the Nancy Guthrie investigation and the necessary steps moving forward.
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…
People in this episode
Host: Sheryl McCollum
Guest: Joe Giacalone
Topics covered
- investigation
- cold cases
- criminal justice
- forensic testing
- missing persons
Keywords
- Nancy Guthrie
- investigative failures
- ransom note
- cold case
- crime scene investigation
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: NYPD
Books & works: The Criminal Investigative Function: A Guide for New Investigators, The Cold Case Handbook
More episodes of Zone 7 with Sheryl McCollum
- Law Enforcement in the Wilds | Ed Newcomer & Tony Latham · June 10, 2026 · 27 min
- Stevie Bates Made It Back to New York. Then She Vanished · June 3, 2026 · 31 min
- Diane Whipple Case: The Fatal Dog Mauling That Changed California Law · May 27, 2026 · 34 min
- The Heart Behind the Badge: Eric McCants on Leadership and Service · May 20, 2026 · 27 min
- Ashley Willcott on Child Advocacy, Courtroom Transparency, and Honoring Captain Dr. Duanne Thompson · May 13, 2026 · 39 min
- Nancy Guthrie Case: We Need to Start Fresh · May 6, 2026 · 16 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Zone 7 with Sheryl McCollum podcast page.