Zone 7 with Sheryl McCollum

In 1967, an ambush on a quiet Tennessee road left Sheriff Buford Pusser wounded and his wife, Pauline, killed.

Decades later, new investigative forces have taken a fresh look at the case. In part one of a three-part investigative series, Sheryl McCollum brings back author and researcher Mike Elam, veteran homicide detective Jason White, eyewitness Dennis Hathcock, and former death investigator Danny Cupples to revisit what actually happened that August evening.

They recount evidence that challenges the official narrative: guns being transferred between vehicles, a frantic officer making threats at a woman’s home, and a teenage witness discovering part of Pauline’s remains near the roadway.

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

Highlights:

• (0:00) Sheryl welcomes listeners to Zone 7 and introduces a special panel of experts returning to the Pusser investigation
• (3:00) Jason explains what a homicide detective hopes to find when a 1967 murder case is reopened
• (4:45) Witness introduction: Dennis Hatcock and his firsthand account of Buford Pusser’s actions that evening
• (6:45) Secret meetings and guns transferred between vehicles
• (12:00) A late-night dispute out a woman’s home and Buford Pusser’s ominous warning: “Tomorrow you’ll be putting flowers on my grave.”
• (15:00) A stop at the local Phillips 66 station and a mysterious phone call
• (18:30) The call that changed everything: Pauline is dead and Buford may not survive
• (22:00) Location dispute: Dennis describes finding evidence miles away from where responders were searching
• (26:00) First responders focus on the wring site while vegetation is disturbed and potential evidence goes overlooked
• (31:45) Danny Cupples share forensic insight into Pauline’s head wound and the bullet path
• (34:30) The story behind the carbine rifle traced back to the Pusser case, which is now in the custody of the Tennessee Bureau of Instigation
• (40:30) A preview of where this reopened investigation may lead next

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, later discovering 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.

---

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.

This week on Pathology with Dr. Priya, a Zone 7 series, Sheryl McCollum and Dr. Priya Banerjee continue their forensic review of the 2011 death of Ellen Greenberg, a young woman found with more than twenty stab wounds in her Philadelphia apartment. Picking up where part one left off, Dr. Priya discusses the two critical stab wounds that penetrated Ellen's brain stem and spinal cord; injuries she believes would have rendered her incapable of any further self-harm. From the anatomy of the cervical spine to the forensic interpretation of bruising, Dr. Priya explains why the medical evidence in this case still challenges the official ruling of suicide, and why the Greenberg family continues to fight for justice.

Highlights

• (0:00) Welcome to Pathology with Dr. Priya: A Zone 7 series—Sheryl McCollum and Dr. Priya introduce part two of the Ellen Greenberg case
• (1:45) Dr. Priya describes how she documents injuries and explains why numbering stab wounds can mislead investigators
• (2:45) The base-of-skull wounds, and how it penetrated the dura, disrupting vital brainstem functions
• (4:45) The cervical-spine injury between C2 and C3 and how Ellen’s neurological injuries could explain the absence of defensive wounds
• (10:45) Distinguishing the possible order of injuries, and why positioning and directionality are critical in understanding the sequence of events
• (13:15) "History of mental illness does not make you suicidal.” Dr. Priya explains why psychiatric history must be interpreted cautiously in death investigations
• (14:15) Brusing: what it can and cannot tell investigators about struggle, timing and prior assaults
• (20:00) Dr. Priya reflects on the Greenberg family’s courage, and the power of their love to keep fighting for the truth

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 new insight into the forensic complexities of Ellen Greenberg’s case, 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.

It starts with a single message: “I’ve been taken.” Within minutes, panic spreads, officers mobilize, and fear grips an entire community. But what if the whole thing is a lie? In this week's episode of Crime Roundup, Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer explore the rise of modern hoaxes, from a Florida teen’s fake abduction to the mysterious disappearance of a Cobb County dentist. They expose how a single false story can spiral into chaos and change the lives of everyone it touches.

Highlights:

• (0:00) Welcome to Crime Roundup with Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer
• (2:00) A 17-year-old's fake kidnapping text, Susan Smith’s lies, and other infamous hoaxes
• (6:00) False reports and how they create first responder fatigue
• (7:30) Scene vs. Story: vague details, missing specifics, and suspicious Walmart purchases
• (11:15) The cost of hoaxes: mobilizing resources and fueling fear
• (14:15) Philadelphia's missing person case and signs of authentic urgency
• (15:15) Cobb County's missing dentist: social media’s role, cascading lies, and loved one’s involvement
• (23:00) Sheryl McCollum: “A lie is as good as a confession.”
• (23:45) Parental instincts vs. Truth: the Landry family’s heartbreak
• (25:30) Joshua Schiffer: “All lies are burdens. They are rocks in your pockets.”
• (29:00) Instincts during real emergencies: how victims respond under threat
• (32:15) Closing reflections

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 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 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.

🎧 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: @ColdCaseTips
• Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
• Joshua on X and Instagram: @lawyerschiff

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Behind every major shift in American law enforcement is someone willing to risk it all. In this episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum speaks with retired FBI Special Agent Joe Pistone, better known as Donnie Brasco. His six-year infiltration of the Mafia redefined undercover work and exposed key figures within the Bonanno and Colombo families. Pistone reflects on the danger, isolation, and moral weight of living inside the mob, as well as the lasting personal cost of pursuing justice from within.

Guest Bio and Links:

Joe Pistone is a retired FBI Special Agent best known for his six-year undercover assignment infiltrating the Bonanno and Colombo Mafia families under the alias of Donnie Brasco. His work led to more than 200 convictions and remains one of the FBI’s most significant undercover operations. Pistone is the author of Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia and continues to lecture worldwide on organized crime, covert operations, and law-enforcement ethics.

Highlights:

• (0:00) Sheryl welcomes retired FBI Special Agent Joe Pistone to Zone 7
• (2:15) The reality of deep undercover work: seven days a week and six months before any real mob conversations
• (7:15) Building a believable cover as a jewel thief through gem school, lock-picking, and street “swag” pricing
• (13:15) The line between survival and protecting citizen inside a violent criminal world
• (15:15) Sonny Black knowingly walks into his own execution after leaving his money, keys, and ring at the Motion Lounge
• (22:15) Mapping the mob, the Commission, family hierarchy, and how crews coordinated territory
• (31:45) Undercover is 24/7, with trust built over coffee, hard rolls with butter, and cartoons in a Brooklyn apartment
• (35:15) On the verge of becoming a made man before the FBI shut down the operation
• (37:30) The aftermath: more than 200 convictions, 17 trials, and a $500,000 contract placed on Pistone’s life
• (45:15) The sit-downs with Tony Mirra: Pistone describes how Sonny Black defended his life three times and reflects on the reality of undercover work
• (50:45) Hollywood vs. reality: the true story behind the movie Donnie Brasco

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.

This week on Pathology with Dr. Priya, a Zone 7 series, Sheryl McCollum and Dr. Priya Banerjee begin a two-part forensic review of the 2011 death of Ellen Greenberg, a young woman found with more than twenty stab wounds in her Philadelphia apartment. Despite the severity and location of her injuries, Ellen’s death was ruled a suicide not once but twice. In part one, Dr. Priya walks listeners through the science of sharp-force injuries, defines key forensic terminology, and explains why certain wound patterns, especially those to the back of the head and neck, raise significant questions about how this case was ever closed.    

Highlights

• (0:00) Welcome to Pathology with Dr. Priya: A Zone 7 series—Sheryl McCollum and Dr. Priya introduce the Ellen Greenberg case and outline the official findings
• (2:00) Dr. Priya defines sharp-force injuries and explains the difference between stab and cutting wounds
• (6:45) Identifying single-edged versus double-edged blades and how wound shape reveals the type of weapon
• (8:00) Understanding defensive wounds and what their presence means
• (10:30) The classification of cause and manner of death and why Ellen Greenberg’s case remains controversial
• (13:45) How and why medical examiners revisit cases when new information or legal action arises
• (16:30) Reviewing Ellen’s autopsy and toxicology results
• (18:45) Why stab wounds to the back of the head and neck are nearly impossible to self-inflict and what that reveals about this case

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 new insight into the forensic complexities of Ellen Greenberg’s case, 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.

Sometimes the most powerful lessons in justice come from the most unexpected places.

 In this episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum joins retired FBI agent Scott Duffey and retired NYPD Sergeant Joseph Giacalone for the first-ever Wildlife CSI Academy at Pennsylvania's Lake Tobias Wildlife Park.

Surrounded by giraffes, kangaroos, and a sloth named Chewy, they reflect on how working beside endangered animals reshaped their understanding of empathy, preparation, and teamwork. This heartfelt conversation reminds us that sometimes the best lessons in justice come from the wild.

Guest Bio and Links:

Joseph Giacalone is a retired NYPD Sergeant (SDS) 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.

Scott Duffey is a retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent who served more than two decades in the Bureau's Baltimore Division, including the Wilmington Resident Agency and the Delaware Violent Crimes Task Force. He now directs the Criminal Justice Institute at Wilmington University and continues to teach interview and interrogation techniques to law-enforcement professionals. Duffey also provides on-air crime analysis for FOX, CNN, and NewsNation

Highlights:

• (0:00) Sheryl welcomes Scott Duffey and Joseph Giacalone to Zone 7
• (1:00) A zoo like no other: first impressions of Lake Tobias Wildlife Park and the unique setting for CSI training
• (5:00) Television fact vs. Fiction: Joseph explains how collaboration really happens
• (5:45) Honoring Jane Goodall: fighting poaching through education, enforcement, and compassion
• (8:45) From cocktails to classrooms: The Hamptons Whodunit conversation that sparked the Wildlife CSI Academy
• (11:45) Animal cameos that stole the spotlight: Chester the kangaroo and Chewy the sloth
• (12:45) Finding common ground: why humor, empathy, and humanity are essential in every interview
• (16:00) "Hope is not a plan.” Joseph’s reminder that preparation beats wishful thinking every time
• (23:15) Wild encounters on safari: from bison to black panthers
• (25:15) Scott’s new friend: the monkey that steals cell phones
• (26:00) Joseph’s “Wine and Crime” talk on cold cases and community advocacy
• (31:30) Closing thoughts, Jane Goodall, and justice for all creatures

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: @149one7
• Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
• Instagram: @officialzone7podcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before a body is ever opened, a medical examiner must consider what dangers might be waiting inside: fentanyl, tuberculosis or even a hidden needle. This week on Pathology with Dr. Priya, a Zone 7 series, Sheryl McCollum and Dr. Priya Banerjee share stories from their recent visit to Lake Tobias Wildlife Park. There, they took part in Wildlife CSI training, a hands-on blend of forensic education and animal encounters, including time with Chester, a baby kangaroo who quickly won everyone over. From there, the conversation shifts to the serious risks medical examiners face every day. From bloodborne pathogens and drug exposure to unstable death scenes and unpredictable infections, Dr. Priya offers a closer look at the hidden hazards behind every autopsy.    

Highlights

• (0:00) Welcome to Pathology with Dr. Priya: A Zone 7 series—Sheryl and Dr. Priya open the episode with highlights from the Wildlife CSI training at Lake Tobias Wildlife Park
• (3:15) Embracing lifelong learning, from seasoned investigators to students in the field
• (4:45 Honoring Dr. Jane Goodall and recognizing how wildlife crime intersects with forensic science
• (6:30) The hidden dangers of autopsy work: COVID, drug exposure, and unknown infections
• (8:30) Safety in the morgue: scalpel slips, needle sticks, and the rise of pandemic-era protocols
• (12:30) Fentanyl, MRSA, TB, and the health risks involved in cases with limited medical histories or unidentified individuals
• (17:00) Environmental hazards at the death scene, from fire damage and rough terrain to unpredictable animals
• (22:15) Morgue myths, pet protection, and why even the smallest details can carry big dangers

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 perspective on the behind-the-scenes risks of forensic work, 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.

In this week's Crime Roundup, Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer discuss one of the most urgent and misunderstood frontiers in criminal law: who owns your identity in the age of AI? From celebrities digitally resurrected without consent to student-athletes blocked from profiting off their own names, Sheryl and Joshua expose the legal chaos surrounding name, image, and likeness (NIL). They share real cases involving image theft, fraud, and stalking to show just how deep this rabbit hole goes, including how NIL rights intersect with immigration law, gambling, and even organized crime. Whether it’s a deepfake of Robin Williams or a repurposed viral video, the message is clear: your face, your voice, and your story... they’re assets. And they’re up for grabs.

Highlights:

• (0:00) Welcome to Crime Roundup with Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer
• (1:00) The power of presence: from Michael Jackson to Jennifer Aniston
• (3:30) Robin Williams’ image and the dangers of AI-generated deepfakes
• (5:30) What is NIL, and why it matters in crime, sports, and identity
• (9:00) Real-world image theft: fraud, fake agents, and misused images in advertising
• (10:45) When student visas block NIL deals
• (12:00) Who owns the school logos in NIL endorsements?
• (14:30) Why you cannot always use your own sports photos
• (17:00) Free speech vs. image rights: parody, politics, and the First Amendment
• (18:30) Public figures and stalking: where the law draws the line
• (24:45) Illegal gambling, NIL, and the risk of game-fixing
• (29:30) Protecting yourself in the digital age
• (34:45) This week’s message: “The capacity for love knows no bounds.”

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 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 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.

🎧 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: @ColdCaseTips
• Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
• Joshua on X and Instagram: @lawyerschiff

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum welcomes back Georgia Durante, whose remarkable life story took another unbelievable turn. While watching a true crime documentary, Georgia did not expect to see her photograph among evidence connected to convicted serial killer Joseph Naso. Sheryl and Georgia discuss how that moment unfolded, how it ties to the unsolved “Alphabet Killer” cases in Rochester, New York, and the shocking realization that Georgia once worked with a man who would later be convicted of multiple murders. Georgia also reflects on her plan to confront him in prison, and why she believes she might have been “the one who got away.”

Guest Bio and Links:

Georgia Durante is a former model, getaway driver for the mob, and author of The Company She Keeps. Her modeling career began at the age of 12, and by 17 she was one of America’s most recognizable faces as the "Kodak Girl.” After escaping an abusive marriage and a life tied to organized crime, Georgia rebuilt herself as one of Hollywood’s most sought-after stunt drivers. Listeners can learn more about Georgia at her website https://www.georgiadurante.com/ or on Facebook @GeorgiaDurante. 

 The Company She Keeps by Georgia Durante

Watch the 2025 docuseries Death Row Confidential: Secrets of a Serial Killer on Prime Video or Oxygen.

Missed Georgia Durante’s first Zone 7 episode? The Company She Keeps | Georgia Durante

Highlights:

• (0:00) Sheryl welcomes back Georgia Durante to Zone 7
• (2:30) "They pulled this picture out of the ground that the serial killer had buried, and it was my picture.” Watching a documentary and realizing she is part of the case
• (3:15) Modeling for a photographer who turned out to be serial killer Joseph Naso
• (7:00) Potential links between Naso and the unsolved “Alphabet Killer” murders in Rochester, New York
• (13:00) "I think it was chicken soup that saved my life.”
• (18:45) The stunned detective’s reaction: “I’m so thankful you’re still living.”
• (20:30) Planning a prison interview with Joseph Naso, and Sheryl shares that retired FBI agent and profiler Julia Cowley has agreed to help Georgia find answers
• (26:15) Sheryl closes with a quote from Joseph Naso’s 2013 trial

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

---

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.

In February 2017, teenagers Liberty German and Abigail Williams were murdered while walking in the woods near Delphi, Indiana.

The next day, their bodies were discovered, and investigators revealed that Liberty had recorded a brief video of the suspect ordering the girls to “go down the hill.”

After years of speculation, dead ends, and online conspiracy theories, the 2022 arrest of local resident Richard Allen threw the case into an even deeper firestorm of controversy.

Guest Bio and Links:

Áine Cain and Kevin Greenlee

Journalist Áine Cain and attorney Kevin Greenlee are the husband-and-wife team behind The Murder Sheet, an investigative true-crime podcast that made national news with its reporting on the Delphi case.

They recently co-authored "Shadow of the Bridge," the first book to chronicle the murders of Liberty German and Abigail Williams and the investigation that followed.

The Murder Sheet Podcast

Shadow of the Bridge: The Delphi Murders and the Dark Side of the American Heartland

Missed their first Zone 7 episode? Behind the Scenes of the Delphi Trial: Haunting Truths, Unbreakable Community, and Justice in Focus

In this episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum is joined once again by journalist Áine Cain and attorney Kevin Greenlee, the duo behind The Murder Sheet podcast, to talk about their book, "Shadow of the Bridge," and what it took to cover the Delphi case.

They describe the cramped courtroom and strict no reentry policy, the grind of working 17- to 18-hour days under a gag order, and how they decided what information to include in their book.

They also explain why they approach the “Odinism” claims with a critical, evidence-based lens, and what it was like to finally reveal information the jury, and the public never saw.

Highlights:

• (0:00) Sheryl welcomes guests Áine Cain and Kevin Greenlee to Zone 7 to talk about Shadow of the Bridge
• (1:45) Áine describes the courtroom reality: small room, high tensions, the scramble for seats, and the no reentry rule
• (8:30) Moving for the trial, 17- to 18-hours days, and typing notes late into the night
• (11:00) Writing Shadow of the Bridge: swapping drafts, finding the balance, and the significance of the cover photo and title
• (18:15) "The way we viewed Odinism is you can’t tell the story without getting into it on some level” — balancing coverage of Richard Allen’s defense strategy
• (24:00 Gentle outreach and centering Abby and Libby
• (25:45) Vetting information and sorting the relevant from the noise
• (32:30) Favorite parts, hardest chapters, and Sheryl’s closing words

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

---

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.