Zone 7 with Sheryl McCollum

Content Warning: This episode discusses eating disorders, starvation, and medical neglect. Listener discretion is advised.

This week on Pathology with Dr. Priya, a Zone 7 series, Sheryl McCollum and Dr. Priya Banerjee look at some of the most painful and complex ways a body can fail, from starvation and radiation exposure to delayed deaths that can take years to claim a life. Dr. Priya Breaks down the science of how the body deteriorates during starvation, explains why children in famine zones appear bloated, and discusses both abuse and eating disorder cases that show the psychological and biological devastation of prolonged deprivation. They also explore radiation-linked illnesses, the hidden risks of environmental exposure, and what happens when a wound or poisoning leads to death years later. Through every case, Dr. Priya explains the forensic details behind a “slow death” and why, for the body, nothing about it is slow.

Highlights

• (0:00) Sheryl welcome listeners and introduces the topic: slow deaths

• (3:00) Why Thanksgiving reminds Sheryl of slow deaths and what starvation really is

• (4:00) Dr. Priya explains how starvation breaks the body down from within, and how it can stem from both illness and abuse

• (12:45) Dr. Priya describes why starving children often appear bloated and the biology behind kwashiorkor• (16:15) Radiation exposure: how time, dose, and distance determine long-term damage

• (20:45) Delayed deaths, paralysis, and the challenge of proving causation

• (26:15) "Death by a thousand cuts": how blood loss from minor wounds can still be lethal, and how even old wounds can become deadly decades later

• (29:00) Closing thoughts: Sheryl and Dr. Priya reflect on the cruelty of slow deaths

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: [email protected]

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

If this episode gave you a new understanding of the science behind slow deaths, share it with a friend and leave a review. Your support helps others discover the science, the stories, and the heart behind Pathology with Dr. Priya | A Zone 7 Series.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just when you think it’s safe to step back into the courtroom, another week proves otherwise. On this episode of Crime Roundup, Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer dig into the newly released Karen Read transcripts that reveal what really happened behind the bench, the face-tattooed suspect raising eyebrows in the Celeste Rivas investigation, and a cruise ship death now under federal review. Together, they take on the week’s most unsettling cases the only way they know how: with sharp insight, hard facts, and a measured dose of humor.

Highlights:

• (0:00) Welcome to Crime Roundup with Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer

• (1:15) Karen Read updates: prosecution releases sidebar transcripts and what they reveal

• (4:45) The reality of “bench conferences” and how they shape public perception of justice

• (6:00) When prosecutors overcharge: discretion, burden of proof, and why it matters

• (9:15) “Creep Factor” cases and the week’s most unsettling stories, featuring an update

in the Celeste Rivas investigation

• (17:15) Cultural assumptions and the hidden bias in courtroom decision-making

• (21:30) Death penalty leverage, coerced confessions, and systemic pressure

• (22:45) Cruise ship tragedy: an 18-year-old cheerleader found dead under a bed, and what investigators know so far

• (27:45) Ripple effects: trauma across families, classmates, and communities

• (28:15) Finding gratitude in chaos: Joshua’s ATV story and the beauty in everyday moments

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 a fearless advocate for accountability.

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, earned her an Emmy Award for CSI: Atlanta and induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023.

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

Want more from Sheryl?

Catch her every week on the Zone 7 podcast, where she hosts the main series on Wednesdays,Pathology with Dr. Priya on Mondays, and Crime Roundup each Friday alongside Joshua Schiffer.

Subscribe using your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to support the show. Have a case or topic you’d like Sheryl and Joshua to cover? Email [email protected]

Follow the Hosts:

• Sheryl on X: @ColdCaseTips

• Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum

• Joshua on X and Instagram: @lawyerschiff

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Mother’s Day 2020, Susan Morphew vanished from her Colorado home, leaving behind a community full of questions and loved ones searching for answers. In this episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum sits down with retired NYPD Sergeant and cold case expert Joe Giacalone to revisit the investigation, the early red flags, and the clues that continue to raise quesions, from the discovery of Susan’s bicycle to the inconsistencies that complicated the case.

Highlights:

• (0:00) Sheryl opens with the timeline of Susan Morphew’s disappearance and introduces guest Joe Giacalone

• (1:30) The early facts of the case and first warning signs: missing bicycle, disabled surveillance cameras, and a Mother’s Day that went unnoticed

• (2:00) The 911 call from a neighbor and Barry Morphew's arrival at the scene

• (5:45) Inconsistencies in Barry's statements and the odor of chlorine in his hotel room

• (9:30) Digital breadcrumbs: truck data, phone records, and deleted text messages

• (10:30) The tranquilizer dart, the “chipmunk” story, and the forensic evidence found in the Morphew’s dryer

• (16:45) The recovery of Susan's remains and what investigators believe it reveals• (19:00) Barry's behavior raises more questions: his calm demeanor, the sale of Susan's truck, and the discovery of the spy pen that exposed her affair

• (26:00) How public pressure, social media, and speculation can influence a case

• (28:00) Joe closes with a Mark Twain quote that captures what Barry Morphew failed to grasp: “It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.”

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. 

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.

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

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, earned her an Emmy Award for CSI: Atlanta and induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023.

Social Links:

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @ColdCaseTips•

Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum

Instagram: @officialzone7podcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A photograph can provide documentation but can’t tell the whole story. This week on Pathology with Dr. Priya, a Zone 7 series, Dr. Priya Banerjee joins Sheryl McCollum to share why revisiting a cold-case scene, sometimes decades later, can completely shift an investigation. When she traveled for hours to inspect an identical car tied to a cold case, she discovered details impossible to see on paper. They talk about how vehicles can become part of the forensic story, why the setting itself matters, and how today’s technology can clarify what investigators once assumed. From seat position to power locks, their conversation highlights what’s lost when professionals rely only on reports and what’s gained when they return to the scene.

Highlights

• (0:00) Sheryl welcome listeners and introduces the topic: why visiting a scene is essential in cold-case investigations

• (1:00) Dr. Priya describers visiting a cold-case scene and inspecting an identical car for accuracy

• (2:15) The car as a crime scene: how transport vehicles create multiple evidence locations

• (3:30) How changing car technology, from manual locks to sensors, alters forensic interpretation

• (5:00) What revisitng a scene reveals that photos and reports cannot

• (10:00) Revisiting old neighborhoods and the effects of time, urban change, and memory on case context

• (12:00) Dr. Priya’s methodical process for documenting and photographing scene and how that strengthens her courtroom testimony

• (13:15) Returning submerged and long-missing vehicles and bringing families long-awaited closure

• (14:30) Dr. Priya on method, teamwork, and why working cold cases feels like giving back

• (20:45) Revisiting old files with fresh eyes: how old photos, modern technology, and tools like Othram and NamUs can finally move cold cases forward

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 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 cold case investigations, share it with a friend and leave a review. Your support helps others discover the science, the stories, and the heart behind Pathology with Dr. Priya | A Zone 7 Series.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some moments divide life into a before and after. For Terry Strada, that moment came on the morning of September 11, 2001, when her husband, Tom, called her from the North Tower after the first plane struck. In this episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum speaks with Terry about the phone calls, the hours of not knowing, and the reality of raising their three children in the wake of unimaginable loss. Terry shares how she moved from grief to action by becoming the National Chair of 9/11 Families United and pushing for accountability from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their role in supporting terrorism.

Highlights:

• (0:00) Sheryl welcomes listeners to Zone 7 and introduces guest Terry Strada

• (1:00) Tom leaves for work; three children at home, one just four days old

• (2:45) The phone call from the North Tower: “A plane has hit the building... it’s horrible...”

• (4:45) Realizing the attacks were deliberate

• (6:00) Calls among Cantor Fitzgerald families in the hours of uncertainty

• (7:00) Who Tom was as a husband, father, and leader

• (9:00) How Terry became part of the lawsuit against Saudi Arabia

• (11:30) Evidence trail: funding networks and support teams inside the U.S.

• (15:30) Scotland Yard evidence and what was withheld in the U.S.

• (18:00) The federal ruling that the case may move forward

• (20:00) Saudi influence, LIV Golf, and how it affected 9/11 families• (29:00) Final reflections and closing quote, “Never Forget”

Guest Bio:

Terry Strada became a national voice for 9/11 families after losing her husband, Tom, in the North Tower on September 11, 2001. As National Chair of 9/11 Families United, she has spent more than twenty years advocating for transparency and accountability, working with lawmakers and federal agencies to expose how terrorism is financed and supported.

Enjoying Zone 7? Leave a rating and review. Your feedback helps others find the show and supports our mission to educate, engage, and inspire.

---

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 co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. She is the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a national collaboration that advances techniques for solving cold cases and assists families and law enforcement with unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnappings.

Social Links:

• Email: [email protected]

• Twitter: @ColdCaseTips

• Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum

• Instagram: @officialzone7podcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Electrocution can be silent and sudden, leaving few external signs and limited clues without careful investigation.

This week on Pathology with Dr. Priya, a Zone 7 series, Sheryl McCollum and Dr. Priya Banerjee explain how electrical current travels through the body, why the heart can stop in an instant, and what pathologists look for at the entry and exit points of a shock.

They discuss real-world risks, from downed power lines to home repairs, and the safety measures that can prevent fatal accidents.

Highlights

• (0:00) Sheryl welcome listeners and introduces the topic of electrocution deaths

• (2:00) Entry and exit points: irregular burn and blister patterns on hands, feet, or other points of contact

• (3:30) How electrical current disrupts the heart’s rhythm and can lead to sudden death

• (6:00) Who is more vulnerable: pre-existing heart conditions and age can increase susceptibility to fatalarrhythmia

• (8:15) Storm damage, downed lines, and why no one should move live wires

• (10:45) “Weekend warrior” risks and everyday household hazards

• (15:15) What electrocution looks like internally: tissue damage, muscle breakdown, and organ findings

• (17:30) Seasonal reminders: holiday lights, wet environments, and the importance of hiring professionals forelectrical work

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 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 this episode provided clarity on electrocution deaths and scene safety, share it with a friend and leave areview. Your support helps others discover the science, the stories, and the heart behind Pathology with Dr. Priya | A Zone 7 Series.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are living in a time when crime does not stop at the courtroom. It continues in the headline, on social media, and in the public’s imagination.

This week on Crime Roundup, Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer discuss the laws that prevent offenders from profiting off their crimes and why cases like Bryan Kohberger’s continue to test those boundaries.

They talk about the world of murderabilia and the broader culture that turns high-profile cases into collectibles and conversation.

They also examine an ongoing beheading case involving a former adult film actress that has drawn national attention, plus several other stories of interest this week.

Highlights:

• (0:00) Welcome to Crime Roundup with Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer

• (2:45) The Slayer Statute and whether Bryan Kohberger could profit from notoriety

• (7:45) Murderabilia and prison fan culture

• (10:30) The beheading case involving a former adult film actress and her withdrawn plea

• (13:45) Diddy’s prison hooch and how inmates make alcohol behind bars

• (18:00) Sports betting and game-fixing concerns across leagues

• (19:30) Kim Kardashian’s justice reform work and bar exam attempts

• (23:30) Sheryl’s 2023 National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame recognition and final

reflections

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 a fearless advocate for accountability.

Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, a forensic and crime scene expert for "Crime Stories with Nancy Grace," and co-author of the textbook, "ColdCase: Pathways to Justice."

She is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a national collaboration that advances techniques for solving cold cases and assists families and law enforcement with unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnappings.

Want more from Sheryl?

Catch her every week on the "Zone 7" podcast, where she hosts the main series on Wednesdays, "Pathology with Dr. Priya" on Mondays, and "Crime Roundup" each Friday alongside Joshua Schiffer.

Stay Connected

Subscribe using your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to support the show. Have a

case or topic you’d like Sheryl and Joshua to cover?

Email [email protected]

Follow the Hosts:

• Sheryl on X: @149zone7

• Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum

• Joshua on X and Instagram: @lawyerschiff

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Day after day, case after case, Tom Smith returned to the job with a clear sense of purpose: protect, respond, and stand with the people beside him. On this episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum talks with the retired NYPD detective about the path that led him from patrol work to the Joint Terrorism Task Force and ultimately, to a lifetime of service recognized at the national level. Tom shares how his father shaped his calling, how partnership becomes its own lifeline, and how a series of events during one 12-hour shift in the Bronx has stayed with him ever since.

Highlights:

• (0:00) Sheryl welcomes listeners to Zone 7 and introduces guest Tom Smith
• (1:15) Tom shares how his father's NYPD career inspired his own path
• (5:00) Reconnecting with Detective Ralph, the most decorated detective in NYPD history
• (7:00) A single shift: rooftop rescue, shooting scene, infant CPR, and a fallen officer
• (12:15) Deployment to Afghanistan on a kidnapping case
• (14:45) The emotional burden carried by spouses and families
• (18:30) Choosing the right partner and building trust that saves lives
• (30:15) Tom reflects on being inducted to the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame
• (33:45) Table 15: friendship, laughter, and shared history
• (40:00) Continuing tradition and community beyond the job
• (41:15) Closing reflections on service, loyalty, and legacy

Guest Bio:

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.

---

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 co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. She is the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a national collaboration that advances techniques for solving cold cases and assists families and law enforcement with unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnappings.

Social Links:

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For more than fifty years, the official story stood unchallenged. Modern forensic science is now putting it to the test.

In 1967, Sheriff Buford Pusser and his wife, Pauline, were ambushed on a rural Tennessee road, an attack that inspired the basis for the "Walking Tall" films.

In part two, Sheryl McCollum continues her conversation with Mike Elam, Jason White, Dennis Hathcock, and Danny Cupples, as they revisit the physical evidence and confront the inconsistencies that have haunted this case for decades.

For more background on the Pusser case, listen to Sheryl’s previous "Zone 7" episodes:

• Sheriff Buford Pusser: The Other Story Featuring Guest Mike Elam
• Tennessee Ambush: The Death of Pauline Pusser
• New Eyewitness Testimony Laid Bare: The Ambush That Killed Pauline Pusser (Part 1 of 2)

Highlights:

• (0:00) Sheryl welcomes listeners to Zone 7 and recaps recent developments in the Pauline Pusser case
• (1:15) Jason notes that Pauline was never formally examined despite an established coroner system being in place at the time
• (2:45) Jason explains that the lack of urgency following Pauline’s death defied every norm for an officer-involved homicide
• (5:15) Mike describes contradictions between Buford Pusser’s official statements and the public storytelling that fueled the “ambush legend”
• (10:00) The panel discusses unanswered question about ballistic evidence and TBI’s new transparency in the reopened case
• (13:30) Danny reviews limited medical records describing Pauline’s injuries and challenges the accuracy of the recorded wound descriptions
• (16:45) Blood-pattern evidence on the car hood contradicts claims that all shots were fired inside the vehicle
• (19:00) The team examines blood spatter on the car’s hood and notes the lack of motion, raising questions about whether Buford’s wound could have been self-inflicted
• (24:45) Domestic context: Pauline was preparing to leave; daughter Diane hears a “pop”; Pauline’s shows appear oddly placed inside the car
• (33:30) The discussion turns to whether TBI will review the Louise Hathcock homicide to better understand the broader case context
• (44:30) Sheryl and guests conclude part 2 with gratitude and perspective, reflecting on how modern forensic analysis and friendship have carried this case forward

Guest Bios:

Mike Elam is a former Benton County Sheriff’s Deputy and author. His book, "Buford Pusser: The Other Story," traces his own cold case investigation into the 1967 ambush that killed Pauline Pusser.

Jason White is a veteran homicide detective with the Tulsa Police Department, a featured investigator on A&E’s "The First 48," and the podcast host of KGRA’s "Into the Fire."

Danny Cupples is Tennessee’s first Chief Death Investigator and a certified forensic death investigator who has trained elite forensic teams in New York. Danny teaches infant death investigations at MTSU and continues to serve on a cold case unit.

Dennis Hathcock was a teenager when he saw Sheriff Buford Pusser on the night of the ambush and later discovered critical evidence along New Hope Road.

Enjoying Zone 7? Leave a rating and review. Your feedback helps others find the show and supports our mission to educate, engage, and inspire.

About the Host 

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 co-author of the textbook, "Cold Case: Pathways to Justice." She is the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a national collaboration that advances techniques for solving cold cases and assists families and law enforcement with unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnappings. 

Social Links:

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No one suspected that the woman he had trusted for decades was quietly planning his death.

This week on Pathology with Dr. Priya, a "Zone 7" series, Sheryl McCollum and Dr. Priya Banerjee discuss the case of Marcy Oglesby, who, over several months, secretly mixed over-the-counter eye drops into Young's food and drinks.

When his body was later discovered inside a storage unit, toxicology revealed lethal levels of tetrahydrozoline, the active ingredient in common eye drops.

Dr. Priya explains how this drug attacks the cardiovascular system, why it is almost undetectable without targeted testing, and what makes poisonings like this so difficult to identify until it's far too late.

Highlights

• (0:00) Welcome to Pathology with Dr. Priya: A Zone 7 series—Sheryl McCollum introduces the Marcy Oglesby case and the death of retired Police Chief Richard “Rick” Young
• (0:45) How Oglesby slowly poisoned her partner with tetrahydrozoline-laced food and drinks
• (2:15) Dr. Priya explains why eye-drop poisonings are rare and absent from most toxicology panels
• (6:00) Early symptoms: numbness, confusion, fluctuating blood pressure, and blue lips
• (8:00) Why doctors might miss the signs of tetrahydrozoline poisoning and attribute symptoms to age or heart disease
• (10:00) The estimated lethal dose and how even a small mouthful can cause heart-block death
• (13:45) Trust, dependency, and opportunity: the dynamics that let the poisoning continue undetected
• (20:30) What Rick Young likely endured in his final days: chest pain, dizziness, and slow suffocation
• (25:45) Closing reflections and Dr. Priya’s reminder that every case is a lesson

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.