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Work a cold case alongside investigator Sheryl “Mac” McCollum, Director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute. Every week, Sheryl dives into her cold case files alongside accomplished guests to look for clues into unsolved murders, missing people, and more. This ain’t just a podcast but a war room. Sheryl opens her cold case files, her heart and her little black book! You will quickly realize Zone 7 is not a place but a lifestyle!


Zone 7 with Sheryl McCollum

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: coldcase2004@gmail.com
 
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.

The Nancy Guthrie Investigation: Joe Giacalone on Early Errors and What Should Happen Next

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: coldcase2004@gmail.com
 
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 family
 
 
 
 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Derwin Brown Assassination: Dale Cardwell on Corruption, Retaliation, and Murder in DeKalb County

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: coldcase2004@gmail.com
 
• 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.

Crime Roundup: Inside the Zone 7 Live 10-8 Event at Manuel’s Tavern, and the 10-8 Tour Roadmap

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: coldcase2004@gmail.com
 
• 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.
 
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 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

 
 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nancy Guthrie Disappearance: Blood Evidence, Surveillance Video, and Why a Ransom Claim is Not Tracking

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.

Long Island Serial Killer | Trial Clock Starts Now: Rex Heuermann Headed to Court

When 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie disappeared from her home, investigators were quickly faced with blood evidence and ransom claims that did not align with standard abduction patterns.
 
In this episode of "Zone 7," Sheryl McCollum, retired NYPD homicide detectives Dan Murphy and Tom Smith, and forensic pathologist Dr. Priya Banerjee assess why blood at the scene, a prolonged presence inside the home, and Nancy’s medical vulnerabilities undermine the ransom narrative.
 
The panel also examines investigative decisions and evidence handling that may shape accountability.
 
For those looking to stay informed as the situation develops, additional coverage and updates can be found on "Crime Stories with Nancy Grace."
 
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
 
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.
 
Dan Murphy is a retired NYPD Detective-Sergeant with extensive experience in homicide, major case investigations, and counterterrorism. During his career, he served in units including the Major Case Squad and the FBI/NYPD Joint Terrorism Task Force. Since retiring from law enforcement, Dan has served as Chief Security officer for U.S. Bancorp, co-authored, "Workplace Safety: Establishing an Effective Violence Prevention Program," and co-hosts the podcast, "Gold Shields."
 
Tom Smith is a retired NYPD detective and 2024 National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame inductee. 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," lectures on criminal justice and terrorism, 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, 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 welcomes listeners, introduces the Nancy Guthrie case, and brings in Dan Murphy, Tom Smith, and Dr. Priya Banerjee
 
• (1:30) Savannah Guthrie’s early silence and why not using her platform immediately raised concern
 
• (2:15) Blood at the scene, smashed cameras, and why this should have been treated as an abduction from the start
 
• (4:15) Interior crime scenes, early release, and how evidence integrity can be compromised
 
• (4:45) Dr. Priya Banerjee on age, blood thinners, cardiac disease, and stress-related death
 
• (7:15) The 41-minute timeline inside the home and why it defies kidnapping patterns
 
• (8:30) Delayed ransom demands, media involvement, and why the timing doesn’t track
 
• (12:15) Lights left on inside the house and behavior inconsistent with covert abduction
 
• (13:30) Bitcoin ransom logic and why mixed-payment demands raise red flags
 
• (14:15) A robbery-gone-wrong scenario and what happens if the victim recognizes the offenders
 
• (16:15) Chronic pain, medication dependency, and why prolonged captivity is medically unlikely
 
• (19:00) Family video statements, proof-of-life questions, and linguistics shifts investigators notice
 
• (21:00) Reactionary law enforcement activity and repeated returns to the scene
 
• (24:30) Pacemakers, Apple Watch connectivity, and what technology may still reveal
 
• (28:30) Leadership optics, media interference, and the impact of active investigations
 
• (36:45) Reward amounts, chain of custody concerns, and courtroom implications
 
• (41:30) Final thoughts from the panel on recovery efforts, investigative outlook, accountability, and why Sheryl believes it was never about the money

 
 
 
https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Swans-Dont-Swim-in-a-Sewer/Sheryl-Mac-McCollum/9798895652824
 
 
 
 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nancy Guthrie Missing: Blood, Bitcoin, and a Story That Doesn’t Add Up

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 judgment

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Missing Teen and a High-Profile Arrest: The Evidence, Silence, and Selective Claims with Guest Lauren Conlin

In broad daylight on October 19, 2025, thieves dressed as construction workers targeted the Louvre and vanished with $100 million in royal jewels in about eight minutes.
 
In this episode of "Zone 7," Sheryl McCollum is joined by former jewel thief Bryan Sobolewski to lay out exactly how a heist like this gets pulled off, what mistakes crews make when the clock is ticking, and why modern forensics can turn a “perfect” job into an evidence trail.
 
Sobolewski then shares his own history, the losses, and long-term consequences, and why he now speaks publicly to warn others away from choosing a life of crime.
 
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 Bio:
 
Bryan Sobolewski is a former jewel thief who speaks publicly about robbery methods, prevention, and the real-world consequences of criminal conviction. He has appeared on Fox's reality series "The Snake," and on "America's Most Wanted."
 
Sobolewski is also a comedian and personal trainer, and previously hosted the "Family Jewels" podcast and authored the book "Family Jewels."
 
About the Host
 
Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an active crime scene investigator for the 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.
 
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
 
• X: @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 recounts the Louvre entry point, the freight truck with extended ladder, missing jewels, and why “construction work” is the perfect disguise in a crowded tourist environment
 
• (2:45) Sheryl brings in former jewel thief Bryan Sobolewski to talk about the heist
 
• (4:45) The ladder truck problem: sourcing it, driving it, and the traceability thieves cannot erase
 
• (7:15) The moped getaway and why Paris geography favors two wheels
 
• (8:15) Uninsured jewels and what security should have anticipated
 
• (10:00) How fast cases move when the thieves leave obvious evidence behind
 
• (12:15) Flight attempts, the hired-crew theory, and how the organizer can remain invisible
 
• (16:15) DNA, fingerprints, and trace evidence
 
• (19:15) The gear left behind and why serial numbers and rentals make a heist crew traceable
 
• (24:00) Bryan’s New England backdrop, mob proximity, and “street rules”
 
• (27:45) Bryan recounts his father and brother dying on the same night and the questions he is left to live with
 
• (30:15) Why display cases are harder to break than people think, and how reinforced glass slows thieves down
 
• (40:30) Bryan reflects on the long-term cost of crime, what accountability looks like after prison, 

 
 
 
 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Louvre Royal Jewels Heist: How Thieves Pulled Off an Eight-Minute Museum Hit

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

 
 

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New Claims Suggest the Black Dahlia and Zodiac Murders Are Connected

Human trafficking investigations rarely look like abduction stories, and the biggest failures often start with a single mistake: mislabeling the victim. In this Hall of Fame Series installment of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum is joined by Maurice Edwards, a 2023 National Law Enforcement Officer Hall of Fame inductee. Together, they clarify what trafficking looks like in the United States, explain why prosecutors and victim advocates belong in the earliest stages of an investigation, and challenge the language and assumptions that can derail a case. Sheryl and Maurice emphasize a victim-first standard: when a child is being bought and sold, the work begins with protection and recovery.

 
Highlights:
 
• (0:00) Sheryl McCollum introduces Maurice Edwards and his career in missing-child and child sex trafficking investigations
 
• (2:15) Maurice’s current role supporting child sex trafficking investigations at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
 
• (3:45) What drew Maurice to trafficking work through missing-child cases and pattern recognition
 
• (6:45) The first trafficking case, first convictions, and the task force model that followed
 
• (9:00) Why prosecutors must be embedded early to build cases that survive court
 
• (11:00) Legal precision at the scene, and why Sheryl insists a teamwork mindset makes cases stronger
 
• (13:45) Misconceptions that derail trafficking cases and why language shapes how victims are treated
 
• (18:45) The cases that stay with Maurice: child deaths, coercion, and forced substance abuse tied to exploitation
 
• (21:25) Carrying the work home: Maurice on emotional boundaries and staying steady in child sex-crime investigations
 
• (28:30) Technology’s role in trafficking and the investigative reality of criminals adapting to new tools
 
• (32:15) Practical ways the public can support prevention and a victim-first response
 
• (33:15) The comparison that exposes the double standard in how minors are treated in commercial sex settings
 
• (38:00) Closing reflections on service, humility, and credit not being the goal

 
Guest Bio:
 
Maurice Edwards is a law enforcement leader specializing in child sex-trafficking investigations and missing and endangered child recoveries. He is currently a supervisor with the Child Sex Trafficking Team at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, supporting agencies with analytical support, operational planning, training, and investigative awareness. He has received multiple professional honors, including the Polaris Star Award, Florida Intelligence Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, the Frederick Douglass Human Trafficking Award, and 2023 induction into the National Law Enforcement Officer Hall of Fame.

 
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.

The Zone 7 Hall of Fame! Maurice Edwards on Fighting Human Trafficking: The Victim-First Approach

Sheryl briefs us on Zone 7 news for the New Year!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coming 2026 on Zone 7...

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