Zone 7 with Sheryl McCollum

A Special Agent with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for over 20 years, Ed Newcomer worked in Los Angeles in a variety of international posts before retiring in 2022. During his career, he conducted numerous high-profile international wildlife trafficking investigations involving every continent, including Antarctica, and is known for bringing down some of our planet's most notorious wildlife criminals. He is a recipient of the Humane Law Enforcement Award from the Humane Society of the United States and holds a record six Law Enforcement Awards from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles.

Listeners can learn more about Ed Newcomer on his podcast - Nature’s Secret Service, and on LinkedIn @EdNewcomer

In February 2004, an Idaho hiking trail became a deadly crime scene when 58 elk-meat “meatballs” laced with a lethal pesticide were scattered in a known wolf habitat. The suspect’s goal? Kill endangered gray wolves. What followed was an extraordinary, boots-in-the-snow investigation involving forensics, environmental science, and sheer tenacity.

In this episode of Zone 7, Crime Scene Investigator, Sheryl McCollum, and Ed Newcomer, a retired special agent with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, walk us through the forensic lab breakthroughs that tied the poison, the elk meat, and even a suspect’s boots directly to the scene. Along the way, you'll hear how a rookie game warden’s decision to bag “yellow snow” ended up sealing the case.

If you’re heading to CrimeCon, don't miss Sheryl and Ed on the main stage for Creator’s Row. They’ll be covering another unbelievable wildlife crime case live and in person. Y’all are gonna want a front-row seat!

Highlights:

• (0:00) Crime Scene Investigator, Sheryl McCollum welcomes Ed back to Zone 7
• (1:30) Poison: sneaky deadly, and a nightmare to investigate
• (3:00) Yellowstone wolves: hunted down, written off, and finally restored and protected
• (6:45) A dog finds a meatball... and the day goes downhill from there
• (12:00) 58 meatballs, one drainage area, a hiking trail, and a whole lot of collateral damage
• (18:00) A hunting boot with a missing nub becomes a critical lead
• (21:15) Rookie collects “yellow snow” (and yes, it matters later)
• (24:00) Forensics lab confirms the type of meat and poison
• (25:45) “If I see a wolf, I’m gonna kill it.” A memorable encounter from years prior helps hone in on a suspect
• (32:45) Search warrant yields boots, poison, elk blood, and hostile bumper stickers
• (40:00) DNA results confirm the elk in the poisoned meatballs came from the suspect’s home
• (43:00) Why being a wildlife officer is one of the most dangerous law enforcement jobs
• (45:45) Influenza, frozen urine, and a guilty plea
• (53:45) “It all starts with the wolves.” —Peter Wohlleben

If you’re enjoying Zone 7, please consider leaving a rating and review —it helps others discover the show and supports our mission to share these stories.

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Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department. She is the co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a collaboration between universities and colleges that brings researchers, practitioners, students, and the criminal justice community together to advance techniques in solving cold cases and assist families and law enforcement with solvability factors for unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnapping cases.  

Social Links:

• Email: [email protected]
• Twitter: @ColdCaseTips
• Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
• Instagram: @officialzone7podcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes the story is in the fabric, not the flesh—and in the right hands, clothing can speak volumes about a death investigation.

In this episode, Dr. Priya Banerjee joins Sheryl McCollum to explore how clothing can hold vital clues in a death investigation. From the first look at a scene to the autopsy table, they reveal how stains, textures, odors, and damage can tell a story the body alone might not. Dr. Priya shares real-world cases — from waterlogged jeans covered in barnacles to garments hiding trace evidence — and explains why context, culture, and condition matter.

Highlights:

• (0:00) Welcome to Pathology with Dr. Priya, a Zone 7 series
• (1:00) "The clothes tell me something before I even start the exam.”
• (3:15) Stains, fibers, and fabric that preserve hidden evidence
• (5:15) When clothing speaks louder than the wounds
• (9:00) Smelling out the truth: detecting accelerants in fire cases
• (10:45) Finding the unseen with alternate light sources
• (12:30) What traditional dress can reveal in an investigation
• (14:30) Paradoxical undressing and mismatched environments
• (16:15) Rips, tears, and the unmistakable signs of struggle

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, NSA cases, 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 McCollum is an Emmy Award–winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, and the Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. She works as a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department and is the co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute (CCIRI), a nationally recognized nonprofit that brings together universities, law enforcement, and experts to help solve unsolved homicides, missing persons cases, and kidnappings.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter/X: @ColdCaseTips
Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
Instagram: @officialzone7podcast

📣 If this episode gave you a new understanding of the human side of forensic science, follow the show, share it with someone who needs to hear it, and leave us a review.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Crime Roundup, Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer unpack the devastating double homicide at Devil’s Den State Park in Arkansas. They examine how predators gain access to children, the red flags that went unheeded, and why state parks can serve as both sanctuaries and stages for violence. With a mix of legal insight and forensic perspective, Sheryl and Joshua explore the psychological, systemic and legal failures behind a crime that stunned the country.

Highlights:

• (0:00) Welcome to Crime Roundup with Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer
• (2:00) “This was planned.” Devil’s Den and predators in isolated spaces
• (5:15) A killer with access to children and a long list of ignored warnings
• (6:45) Hidden plates, premeditation, and chilling prep
• (8:00) Death penalty or mental illness? The defense dilemma
• (10:30) "There’s no such thing as a part-time child predator”
• (12:15) How predators pass as mentors and slip through school systems
• (14:45) Red flags don’t matter—until they do
• (16:30) Wrapping up: outrage, action, and what comes next

About the Hosts

Joshua Schiffer is a veteran trial attorney and one of the Southeast’s most respected legal voices. He is a founding partner at ChancoSchiffer P.C., where he has litigated high-stakes criminal, civil rights, and personal injury cases for over two decades. Known for his bold courtroom presence and ability to clearly explain complex legal issues, Schiffer is a frequent media contributor and fearless advocate for accountability.

Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department. She is the co-author of the textbook, Cold Case: Pathways to Justice and the founder of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a national nonprofit that unites universities, law enforcement, and students to work on unsolved homicides and missing persons cases.

🎧 Want more from Sheryl?

Catch her every Wednesday on Zone 7, where she doesn’t just talk cold cases—she works them. She’s joined by fellow forensic pros and criminal justice insiders for conversations straight from active investigations. Then on Mondays, tune in to Pathology with Dr. Priya, where the physical evidence takes center stage—because every body tells a story.

📢 If you enjoyed this episode, follow Crime Roundup on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to help others find the show. Have a case suggestion? Email [email protected] or connect with the hosts on social:

• Sheryl on X: @ColdCaseTips
• Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
• Joshua on X & Instagram: @lawyerschiff

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jared Bradley is the president of M-Vac Systems, a cutting-edge forensic DNA collection company helping law enforcement solve cold cases once thought unsolvable. A military veteran and host of the podcast All Things Crime, Jared is a global leader in touch DNA recovery. He has worked with investigators around the world to identify suspects, exonerate the innocent, and bring long-awaited closure to victim families.

Learn more:  M-Vac Systems

Podcast: All Things Crime

In this episode of Zone 7, Crime Scene Investigator Sheryl McCollum is joined by forensic innovator Jared Bradley to explore the newly solved cold case of Kathy Halle, a 19-year-old murdered in 1979. Her case remained unsolved for 45 years—until DNA recovered using the M-Vac system identified suspected serial offender Bruce Lindahl as the killer. Sheryl and Jared unpack the investigation, the science behind M-Vac, and how support from the nonprofit Season of Justice helped bring long-overdue answers.

Highlights:

• (0:00) Sheryl opens the episode with Kathy Halle’s story and introduces Jared Bradley
• (3:00) Kathy Halle disappears: a misplaced car, a rooftop purse, and early red flags
• (9:00) Quiet persistence: decades of case reviews, missed connections, and evolving DNA science
• (10:30) Cutting-edge DNA recovery leads to a 1-in-9.4-trillion match
• (12:45) Bruce Lindahl: a suspected serial predator whose violent end left unanswered questions
• (16:15) The psychology of predators: what makes serial offenders so hard to catch
• (18:45) M-Vac on the map: solving Krystal Beslanowitch’s murder with DNA from river rocks
• (23:00) “Every case. Every tool. Every time.”
• (25:30) Gang violence, shared clothing, and how M-Vac cut through the DNA mix
• (28:15) Clearing Chris Tapp: how M-Vac helped free a wrongfully convicted man
• (31:00) From burgers to crime scenes: M-Vac’s surprising origin story
• (33:15) Final reflections on persistence, partnership, and solving the unsolvable
• (33:30) “The M-Vac can vacuum 186 times more than a swab can.” – Jared Bradley

If you’re enjoying Zone 7, please consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts—it helps others discover the show and supports our mission to share these stories.

---

Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department. She is the co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a collaboration between universities and colleges that brings researchers, practitioners, students and the criminal justice community together to advance techniques in solving cold cases and assist families and law enforcement with solvability factors for unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnapping cases.  

Social Links:

• Email: [email protected]
• Twitter: @ColdCaseTips
• Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
• Instagram: @officialzone7podcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Dr. Priya, the autopsy is just the beginning. What happens next can change everything for the families left behind.

In this episode, Dr. Priya Banerjee joins Sheryl McCollum, to examine a side of autopsies that rarely makes headlines: the profound responsibility of communicating with families. Dr. Priya reflects on the power of empathy in the autopsy suite, the deep importance of walking families through trauma with care, and the surprising ways postmortem findings can protect the living.

She shares raw personal experiences—from the loss of her own parents to advocating for grieving families left behind during COVID—and the critical role of cultural awareness, front-line staff, and honest conversations. Listeners will also learn how autopsies sometimes uncover hereditary conditions that can lead to lifesaving interventions for surviving loved ones.

This is forensic pathology not just as a science, but as a service.

Highlights:

• (0:00) The emotional weight of entering the medical examiner’s office
• (1:30) Debunking the ‘grim reaper’ myth of pathology
• (3:00) Personal loss and professional insight: How Dr. Priya’s grief reshaped her work
• (5:45) The unsung heroes of the ME office—investigators and admin staff
• (6:45) Why Dr. Priya insists on calling families directly
• (9:00) Launching a private autopsy service in response to COVID-era needs
• (13:00) Managing expectations: What autopsies reveal and what they can’t
• (15:00) Working with families and finding closure
• (16:30) Cultural and religious barriers to autopsy
• (24:00) Why refusing an autopsy can hurt future legal or health outcomes
• (27:00) The hidden legacy of genetic disease
• (30:00) Dr. Priya’s pet and power of early intervention

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, NSA cases, 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 McCollum is an Emmy Award–winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, and the Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. She works as a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department and is the co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute (CCIRI), a nationally recognized nonprofit that brings together universities, law enforcement, and experts to help solve unsolved homicides, missing persons cases, and kidnappings.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter/X: @ColdCaseTips
Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
Instagram: @officialzone7podcast

📣 If this episode gave you a new understanding of the human side of forensic science, follow the show, share it with someone who needs to hear it, and leave us a review.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Crime Roundup, Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer connect the dots between courtroom outcomes and the quiet ways the system keeps punishing people anyway. From post-verdict property battles to pretrial detention games and overlooked red-flags, they expose the slow grind of justice—and the real lives caught in its gears.

Highlights:

• (0:00) Sheryl checks in from the field—and the Georgia heat
• (1:35) Why hasn’t Karen Read gotten her SUV back?
• (4:50) Joshua explains bond procedures—and what’s broken
• (6:00) Diddy’s $50 million bond request: bold move or fair ask?
• (10:00) Overcharging and government missteps in Diddy’s case
• (13:30) Brian Kohberger’s seatbelt stop and what it might suggest
• (17:00) Planning, pride, and mistakes
• (21:15) What life inside prison looks like—and what Kohberger isn’t ready for
• (23:00) Cell doors, holding tanks, and the moment your body knows it’s locked in
• (24:20) Epstein resurfaces, verdict watch in an honor killing, and a birthday send-off

About the Hosts:

Joshua Schiffer is a veteran trial attorney and one of the Southeast’s most respected legal voices. He is a founding partner at ChancoSchiffer P.C., where he has litigated high-stakes criminal, civil rights, and personal injury cases for over two decades. Known for his bold courtroom presence and ability to clearly explain complex legal issues, Schiffer is a frequent media contributor and fearless advocate for accountability.

Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nany Grace, and a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department, She is the co-author of the textbook, Cold Case: Pathways to Justice and the founder of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a national nonprofit that unites universities, law enforcement, and students to work on unsolved homicides and missing persons cases.

🎧 Want more from Sheryl?

Catch her every Wednesday on Zone 7, where she doesn’t just talk cold cases—she works them. Sheryl brings firsthand insight from active investigations, joined by fellow forensic pros and criminal justice insiders who are in the trenches with her. Then on Mondays, tune in to Pathology with Dr. Pryia, where the physical evidence takes center stage—because every body tells a story.

📢 If you enjoyed this episode, follow Crime Roundup on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to help others find the show. Have a case you’d like Sheryl and Joshua to cover? Email [email protected], or connect with the hosts on social media:

• Sheryl on X: @ColdCaseTips
• Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
• Joshua on X & Instagram: @lawyerschiff

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sharay “Punisher” Hayes is a former professional dancer and author who found himself at the center of one of the year’s most high-profile cases — testifying in the civil trial against music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. His story goes beyond the headlines, revealing how fantasy, silence, and shame can trap men just as deeply as violence and power can trap women.

Follow Sharay on Instagram: @getpunished
Check out his new book: In Search of FREEZER MEAT — a raw and personal story about male mental health, erectile dysfunction, and the unexpected solution that changed his life.

Episode Description:

In Part 2, CSI Sheryl McCollum continues her raw and revealing conversation with Sharay Hayes — a dancer turned courtroom witness in one of the biggest trials of the year.

This time, the focus turns inward. Sharay opens up about the emotional and psychological toll of being pulled into someone else’s fantasy, how he rationalized what he saw, and why the truth didn’t hit until the headlines did.

They also dive into erectile dysfunction, male performance pressure, and the silence around mental health that keeps so many men trapped. Sharay’s story may have started in the club — but it ends in court, with real consequences and a long road toward healing.

Show Notes: 

• (0:00) The money, the setup, and a moment that still raises questions — a man in a hijab enters the room
• (2:00) Sheryl asks the big question: Did Sharay ever suspect Combs was abusive?
• (4:00) “ I always thought it was something for her ” — Sharay explains how he rationalized it all in real time
• (5:00) Domestic violence, denial, and realizing that what you see isn’t always what’s happening
• (6:30) What Sharay would say to Cassie — and how hindsight shapes what he sees now
• (9:00) Sheryl shifts focus to his book — and why In Search of FREEZER MEAT made her nervous to Google
• (10:00) What ED taught Sharay about pressure, shame, and being a man in a fantasy job
• (12:30) A 14-year-old, a school rumor, and the first wave of anxiety
• (14:00) How performance anxiety quietly wrecks confidence, connection, and self-worth
• (16:00) Sheryl shares a Vegas story — and why pressure hits differently face-to-face
• (17:00) Testifying in court — the nerves, the backlash, and how Sharay stayed honest with no horse in the race
• (21:00) Why his book’s helping more than readers — and what men are telling him
• (22:30) Sheryl closes the episode with a quote from Sean Combs himself: “You have to be somewhat crazy if you wanna be successful.”

Thanks for listening to another episode! If Zone 7 is part of your weekly routine, show us some love with a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more folks find the show—and helps us keep telling these stories.

--- 

Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department. She is the co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice and the founder/director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute — a collaboration between universities and the criminal justice community that advances techniques for solving unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnapping cases.

Social Links: 

• Email: [email protected] 

• Twitter: @ColdCaseTips 

• Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum 

• Instagram: @officialzone7podcast 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sharay “Punisher” Hayes is a former professional dancer and author who found himself at the center of one of the year’s most high-profile cases — testifying in the civil trial against music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. His journey from party performer to key witness pulls back the curtain on power, sex work, and what it means to get caught in a trap you didn’t even know was being set.

Follow Sharay on Instagram: @getpunished
Check out his new book: In Search of FREEZER MEAT — a raw and personal story about male mental health, erectile dysfunction, and the unexpected solution that changed his life.

Episode Description:

You saw the headlines. You might’ve followed the trial. But what really happened inside that Trump Tower suite?

In this episode, CSI Sheryl McCollum sits down with Sharay “Punisher” Hayes — a dancer turned key witness in the case against Sean “Diddy” Combs — to talk about the night he walked into a supposed birthday party... and stepped into something much darker. Baby oil. Covered furniture. Bathrobes. And a husband watching from the shadows.

This isn’t just about one night in a luxury suite. It’s about power, manipulation, and the moment you realize you might’ve broken the law — without even knowing it.

Show Notes: 

• (0:00) From male dancer to courtroom witness — Sharay Hayes opens up about the call that changed everything
• (1:10) An online ad, a flashy nickname, and a Trump Tower “birthday party” that seemed too good to pass up
• (5:00) The door opens — and standing there is one of the most beautiful women he’s ever seen
• (7:00) No crowd, no music, no party. Just candlelight, silence, and furniture covered in sheets
• (10:00) American Psycho” vibes and a quiet request involving baby oil and a towel
• (12:00) The awkward moment when a husband enters the room — and the cash hits Sharay’s hand
• (13:45) Was it prostitution? Sharay didn’t think so — until investigators showed up at his door
• (16:00) No direct talk of sex — just loopholes and “Would you like to finish?”
• (18:00) Code words in the industry: one-on-ones, massages, and the rise of wives hired out by their husbands
• (20:00) A hijab, a naked man, and the moment Sharay realizes who’s really behind the whole thing
• (21:30) Balancing self-protection with staying professional — and trying to get out safely
• (22:00) Sheryl reflects on what it means to “go to the source” — and why her phone contacts would terrify a rookie cop

Thanks for listening to another episode! If Zone 7 is part of your weekly routine, show us some love with a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more folks find the show—and helps us keep telling these stories.

--- 

Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department. She is the co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice and the founder/director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute — a collaboration between universities and the criminal justice community that advances techniques for solving unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnapping cases.

Social Links: 

• Email: [email protected] 

• Twitter: @ColdCaseTips 

• Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum 

• Instagram: @officialzone7podcast 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Pathology with Dr. Priya | A Zone 7 Series, a forensic deep-dive led by board-certified pathologist Dr. Priya Banerjee. Each Monday, Dr. Priya teams up with Emmy Award–winning CSI Sheryl “Mac” McCollum to explore the silent testimony of the dead and the science behind suspicious deaths. From the autopsy suite to the courtroom, they uncover the truth in tissues, expose investigative missteps, and give voice to those who can no longer speak for themselves. Whether you're a seasoned detective, true crime obsessive, or just curious about what the body can really reveal—this is your front-row seat to forensic pathology in action.

In this debut episode, Dr. Priya reflects on her approach to autopsies, what the body can reveal that others can’t, and why collaboration between law enforcement and medical examiners is essential to justice. With more than 3,000 autopsies to her name—including the high-profile Breonna Taylor case and work with the NSA—Dr. Priya brings both precision and heart to this science. She and Sheryl McCollum break down the John O’Keefe case and walk listeners through what a well-executed forensic process should look like.

You’ll also meet Slice—the puppy with a badge and a calming presence in even the most intense training rooms—and get a glimpse into Dr. Priya’s personal world, where compassion, curiosity, and hard-earned experience converge.

Highlights:

• (0:00) Welcome to Pathology with Dr. Priya | A Zone 7 Series
• (1:00) Who is Dr. Priya? Johns Hopkins, 3,000 autopsies, and an adopted puppy
• (3:30) Inside the case: crime scenes, teamwork, and the John O’Keefe breakdown
• (11:00) What the autopsy can (and can’t) say
• (15:00) Working with families and finding closure
• (22:15) Training detectives—with help from Slice, the puppy with a badge

About the Show

Pathology with Dr. Priya | A Zone 7 Series explores the powerful role forensic pathology plays in uncovering the truth. Each week, Dr. Priya joins Sheryl McCollum to discuss real cases, surprising conclusions, and the science behind suspicious deaths. From overlooked trauma to undiagnosed conditions, the goal is always the same: justice through evidence, and closure through clarity.

If you’ve ever wondered what a body can tell you—this is the show.

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, NSA cases, 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 McCollum is an Emmy Award–winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, and the Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. She works as a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department and is the co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute (CCIRI), a nationally recognized nonprofit that brings together universities, law enforcement, and experts to help solve unsolved homicides, missing persons cases, and kidnappings.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter/X: @149zone7
Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
Instagram: @officialzone7podcast

📣 If you liked this episode, don’t keep it to yourself—follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave us a review. Your feedback helps others discover the science, the stories, and the search for truth that define Pathology with Dr. Priya.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week marks a powerful shift on Crime Roundup as Emmy-winning CSI Sheryl “Mac” McCollum welcomes her new cohost: legal heavyweight and courtroom force Joshua Schiffer. In this episode, Sheryl and Joshua unpack the sentencing of Bryan Kohberger, the man behind one of the most gut-wrenching mass murders in recent memory.

Through the lens of law, justice, and most of all, parenthood, they reflect on the strength of the victims' families, the purpose of the court system, and the brutal reality of maximum-security prison. They also examine the legal mechanics behind the plea deal that spared Kohberger the death penalty, the boldness of the Chapin family’s absence, and the lasting impact of survivor statements.

With heart, grit, and powerful legal insight, Sheryl and Joshua hold nothing back in honoring the victims—Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin—and challenging listeners to choose light in the darkest of stories.

Show Notes:

• (0:00) Welcome to the “Schiffa Zone” – Sheryl introduces new cohost Joshua Schiffer
• (1:00) Kohberger’s sentencing through the eyes of parents and legal pros
• (2:30) “Our system hasn’t worked better... We received justice that was fulsome and appropriate.” —Joshua on justice done right
• (4:00) Grief, guilt, and impact: survivor and family statements that shook the courtroom
• (12:30) A look inside maximum-security prison: no peace, no control
• (15:00) “The warden don’t run that place”—violence, silence, and punishment
• (18:00) Justice over vengeance: why the plea deal was the right call
• (23:45) Why the Chapin family’s absence may have been the most powerful message
• (24:15) Final reflections: the power of memory, and the choice to look up

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About the Hosts

Joshua Schiffer is a veteran trial attorney and one of the Southeast’s most respected legal voices. He is a founding partner at ChancoSchiffer P.C., where he has litigated high-stakes criminal, civil rights, and personal injury cases for over two decades. Known for his bold courtroom presence and ability to clearly explain complex legal issues, Schiffer is a frequent media contributor and fearless advocate for accountability.

Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnLine, Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department. She is the co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. 

If you enjoyed this episode, follow Crime Roundup on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to help others find the show. Have a case you’d like Sheryl and Joshua to cover? Email [email protected], or connect with the hosts on social media:

Sheryl on X at  @ColdCaseTips or Facebook at @sheryl.mccollum

Joshua on X at and Instagram at @lawyerschiff

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.