Zone 7 with Sheryl McCollum

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: coldcase2004@gmail.com Twitter: @ColdCaseTips Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum Instagram: @officialzone7podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum is joined by attorney Joshua Schiffer to examine the case of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Celeste, a runaway, was found decomposing in the trunk of an abandoned Tesla registered to a rising star named David. They review what is currently known about the investigation and discuss the disturbing connections between Celeste and David, including their matching “shhh” tattoos and a song released on her birthday that now carries chilling significance. They also question how a 13-year-old could vanish for nearly two years, raising concerns about communal responsibility and the protection of vulnerable youth. Joshua Schiffer is a veteran attorney and one of the Southeast’s most respected legal voices. He is a founder 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 contributor to Zone 7 and a fearless advocate for accountability. Highlights: (0:00) Sheryl welcomes Joshua Schiffer and introduces the case of Celeste Rivas Hernandez (1:45) The discovery of the body in the abandoned Tesla and the first red flags (3:00) Tesla technology, surveillance footage, and how modern cars track everything (7:15) Celeste's background: How does a 13-year-old vanish without support or detection? (9:30) Fan culture and the personal connection between Celeste and the singer (11:30) The silence of family, neighbors, schools, and systems that failed her (19:30) "You’ve got a head and a torso of a 15-year-old in a Tesla.” Examining decomposition, concealment, and the physical evidence left behind (21:30) Third-party defense strategies and future courtroom challenges (28:15) A tribute to Celeste, a plea for societal change, and a closing quote from “Romantic Homicide”   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: coldcase2004@gmail.com Twitter: @ColdCaseTips Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum Instagram: @officialzone7podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week’s episode of Pathology with Dr. Priya, a Zone 7 series, is all about your questions on the science behind death investigation. Together, Sheryl McCollum and Dr. Priya Banerjee take on the topics that listeners are most curious about, from family rights and religious objections to what autopsies can and cannot reveal. They also dispel misconceptions about embalming, toxicology, and even what really happens at the funeral home. With clarity and respect, Dr. Priya and Sheryl break down the science, the law, and the realities behind the most-asked questions in forensic pathology.   Highlights (0:00) Welcome to Pathology with Dr. Priya: A Zone 7 series—Sheryl and Dr. Priya open with a discussion of the Celeste Rivas case (6:45) The "CSI-effect": how media shapes public perception of forensic science, the risks of misinformation, and why caution is critical in cold case investigations (8:45) Can a forensic pathologist always determine the cause and time of death? (11:15) Can family members refuse an autopsy, and how do religious objections work? (17:00) Can any family member request a private autopsy, or must it be the legal next of kin? (19:00) Does an autopsy prevent an open-casket funeral? (21:15) Do funeral homes use newspapers or sawdust to fill body cavities? (23:15) Can an autopsy be performed after embalming, and how does that affect toxicology? (25:30) The role of funeral directors and double-checks before cremation, catching missed injuries and ensuring nothing is overlooked     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.comTwitter/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: coldcase2004@gmail.comTwitter/X: @ColdCaseTipsFacebook: @sheryl.mccollumInstagram: @officialzone7podcast   📣 If this episode answered one of your questions, share it. Follow the show, tell 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.

This week on Pathology with Dr. Priya, a Zone 7 series, Dr. Priya Banerjee and Sheryl McCollum walk through a case that’s captured national attention—the discovery of a missing teenager’s body in the trunk of a car linked to a rising music star. From decomposition and dismemberment, to teeth, tattoos, and tech, Dr. Priya breaks down how identification works when the body is severely compromised. Together, she and Sheryl discuss the forensic challenges, legal red flags, and the many unanswered questions that still surround the case. Highlights (0:00) Sheryl McCollum and Dr. Priya focus the week’s episode on the discovery of a young girl's body in the trunk of a famous musician’s car (4:45) How decomposition and dismemberment alter a body, and the tools pathologists use to uncover the truth (11:00) Tattoos, teeth, and tech come into play as investigators work to identify the victim and interpret the meaning behind the song “Romantic Homicide” (15:30) Dating a minor: red flags, blurred boundaries, and the legal realities behind grooming and consent (16:45) “I got a beater car, and if it ain’t in my driveway, I’m going to call somebody.” Why the car wasn't reported stolen and what that might suggest about ownership and intent (17:45) How anthropology and toxicology provide answers when traditional autopsy results fall short (24:30) Looking at the bigger picture: survival, exploitation, and the forensic clues left behind in both bones and behaviors 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.comTwitter/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: coldcase2004@gmail.comTwitter/X: @149zone7Facebook: @sheryl.mccollumInstagram: @officialzone7podcast   📣 If this episode opened your eyes to the reality behind the headlines, share it. Follow the show, tell 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.

Content Warning: This episode contains graphic discussion of sexual behavior, bodily insertions, foreign objects, and autoerotic asphyxiation. Listener discretion is advised.   Returning from CrimeCon 2025, Dr. Priya Banerjee and Sheryl McCollum open this episode with reflections on the people who moved them, the cold cases that stopped them in their tracks, and the power of connection in the world of true crime. Then, they pivot to a vastly different kind of casework: foreign objects found inside the human body. From surgical tools accidentally left behind to items inserted for sexual pleasure or criminal intent, Dr. Priya shares unforgettable autopsy findings and the often-overlooked forensic clues they offer. As always, it’s a blend of personal and professional, science and heart, in a conversation only these two could have.   Highlights (0:00) Sheryl McCollum and Dr. Priya open the week’s episode with reflections from CrimeCon 2025 (9:30) The saying that starts it all: “If there’s an opening, you can put something in it” (11:15) A grocery store, a steak, and a choking death no one expected (15:00) What pathologists can infer from surgical tools left inside the body (17:00) Autoerotic asphyxiation, sex toys, and accidental death that look like something else (21:00) From lightbulbs to screwdrivers, bottles to vegetables: unexpected insertions and the injuries they cause (24:30) Forensic red flags: how Dr. Priya distinguishes between consent and crime (27:45) Final reflections on connection, continuing education, and the parents who turn tragedy into change   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.comTwitter/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: coldcase2004@gmail.comTwitter/X: @ColdCaseTipsFacebook: @sheryl.mccollumInstagram: @officialzone7podcast   📣 If this episode surprised you, share it. Follow the show, tell 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.

Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of a recent school shooting involving children, including descriptions of trauma, autopsy procedures, and emotional reactions. Listener discretion is advised.   In this episode, Dr. Priya Banerjee and Sheryl McCollum respond to the devastating school shooting in Minneapolis that claimed the lives of two young students and injured many others. Speaking as both a forensic pathologist and a mother, Dr. Priya walks through the real-time impact of mass shootings, from the chaos at the scene to the procedures carried out in the morgue. She explains how that space becomes a place of both science and sorrow, and why every wound, detail, and decision plays a role in honoring the victims and supporting their families.   Highlights (0:00) Sheryl McCollum and Dr. Priya open the episode with initial reactions to the Minneapolis school shooting (1:30) Dr. Priya reflects on the events of that day through the eyes of both a mother and a doctor (4:00) Chaos, triage, and the painful task of confirming a child's identity (7:00) Why autopsies matter, even when there's no case to prosecute (8:00) Supporting survivors while documenting a chaotic, still-active crime scene (9:30) How emergency contact forms and school records aid in identifying victims (10:45) The external exam: wounds, measurements, and heartbreaking details (12:45) Photographing and documenting every wound in detail (14:15) Motherhood and the job: how parenting reshaped their work, their lens, and their limits (18:45) Sheryl and Dr. Priya close the episode with final thoughts on responsibility and resilience   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.comTwitter/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: coldcase2004@gmail.comTwitter/X: @ColdCaseTipsFacebook: @sheryl.mccollumInstagram: @officialzone7podcast   📣 If this episode resonated with you, please follow the show, share it with someone, and consider leaving us a review. Your support helps others discover the science, stories, and heart behind Pathology with Dr. Priya | A Zone 7 Series.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Content Warning: This episode contains graphic descriptions of internal autopsy procedures, causes of death, and discussions of trauma, drug use, and infectious diseases. Listener discretion is advised. In this episode, Dr. Priya and Sheryl McCollum go beneath the skin to examine what internal findings reveal about how someone lived and what ultimately caused their death. From the first incision to the final look at the neck, Dr. Priya walks through each step of the internal autopsy, showing how the lungs, liver, stomach contents and brain tissue all contribute to a complete forensic picture. It's an unfiltered look at the science behind suspicious deaths and the small but critical findings that can change the course of a case. Whether it's an undiagnosed disease or unexpected toxins, nothing gets past a thorough autopsy.   Highlights (0:00) Welcome to Pathology with Dr. Priya | A Zone 7 Series (0:30) Honoring the legacy of Judge Frank Caprio (3:00) Making the first cut: the Y-incision and what it reveals (6:30) The process of removing weighing and inspecting organs (8:30) Clues in the lungs: smoking damage, silent infections, and signs of COVID (10:30) Why every case includes drug testing, no matter the age (11:30) What stomach contents can us about timing and intent (12:45) Reading the liver and spleen for signs of alcohol hepatitis in cancer (16:00) STDs beneath the surface: infections that quietly destroy (18:00) Detecting undiagnosed disease and hidden internal trauma (23:00) Inside the brain: swelling, strokes, and oxygen-starved tissue (25:15) The final step of the autopsy: what the neck can reveal   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.comTwitter/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: coldcase2004@gmail.comTwitter/X: @ColdCaseTipsFacebook: @sheryl.mccollumInstagram: @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 | A Zone 7 SeriesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A skeleton in the woods. A decade-old missing persons case. No clothing, no wallet—just scattered bones, a handgun, and one unusual clue: a custom brass belt buckle engraved with an eagle. It was the one thing friends and family could describe without hesitation, and it was all Dr. Priya Banerjee needed to confirm an identity and bring long-awaited closure. In this episode, Dr. Priya Banerjee joins Sheryl McCollum to explore how jewelry, tattoos, piercings, and other personal effects can crack a case wide open. From thin gold chains to infrared-revealed tattoos, shotgun-damaged accessories to telling purse contents, Dr. Priya recounts cases proving that meticulous documentation isn’t just procedure—it’s often the key to solving cases. Highlights (0:00) "Dead men do tell tales.” —the investigative value of jewelry, piercings, and tattoos (1:45) Purse contents: receipts, bus passes, and the kind of intel you can’t Google (4:00) The thin gold chain that confirmed an identity (5:30) Belt buckles don’t lie: solving a decade-old missing persons case (9:00) A John Doe’s everyday markers: custom belt buckle, company ring, 70s tattoos (10:30) Tattoos and piercings that shout “this is who I am”—from faith and hometown pride to game-day loyalties (17:30) Medical examiners and law enforcement: the investigative dream team   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.comTwitter/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: coldcase2004@gmail.comTwitter/X: @ColdCaseTipsFacebook: @sheryl.mccollumInstagram: @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 | A Zone 7 SeriesSee 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.comTwitter/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: coldcase2004@gmail.comTwitter/X: @ColdCaseTipsFacebook: @sheryl.mccollumInstagram: @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.

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.comTwitter/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: coldcase2004@gmail.comTwitter/X: @ColdCaseTipsFacebook: @sheryl.mccollumInstagram: @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.

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.comTwitter/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: coldcase2004@gmail.comTwitter/X: @149zone7Facebook: @sheryl.mccollumInstagram: @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.

In Part 4 of the Olympic Park bombing series, Sheryl McCollum talks with Fallon Stubbs about her mother, Alice Hawthorne. Fallon recalls Alice’s influence as a devoted mother and businessperson, and the way she uplifted those around her. She shares memories of leaders who visited her in the hospital after the bombing and reflects on carrying Alice’s words, spirit, and legacy into her own life. At just 14 years old, Fallon Stubbs was standing beside her mother, Alice Hawthorne, in Centennial Olympic Park when a bomb exploded during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. She was injured by shrapnel and required surgery, while Alice lost her life in the blast. Today, Fallon honors her mother’s memory with deep respect and love, sharing her story of resilience, family, and purpose. Missed the previous episodes? Listen to Part 1 with Irv Brandt Listen to Part 2 with Kent Alexander Listen to Part 3 with Dana Jewell Highlights: (0:00) Sheryl welcomes Fallon Stubbs and remembers Alice Hawthorne (5:00) Memories of Alice as a devoted mother and businessperson (9:45) Alice's influence in Albany and the community she uplifted (12:30) Ambassador Andrew Young, Reverend Jesse Jackson, and Reverend Joseph E. Lowery visit Fallon in the hospital (22:00) Fallon recounts the bombing and her last moments with her mother (28:30) "Take the damn picture” — how Sheryl reframed Fallon’s last words into a message of love (30:15) Fallon reflects on carrying Alice’s memory and living with purpose (34:30) Sheryl closes with words from Andrew Young and Fallon Stubbs   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: coldcase2004@gmail.com Twitter: @ColdCaseTips Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum Instagram: @officialzone7podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Part 3 of the Olympic Park bombing series, Sheryl McCollum talks with Dana Jewell about her husband’s life before, during, and after the bombing. Dana shares what Richard endured during “88 days of hell,” the paranoia and betrayal that followed, and how lawsuits, illness, and media attacks shaped his final years. She remembers his love of law enforcement, the toll of nightmares, and the injustice that haunted him. Dana also reflects on Clint Eastwood’s film Richard Jewell and the lasting impact of her husband’s story. Dana Jewell is the widow of Richard Jewell, the security guard who found the bomb at Centennial Olympic Park in 1996. Over 88 days, Richard lived under FBI suspicion and intense media scrutiny before being cleared. Dana continues to share Richard’s legacy, reminding the world of the cost of rushing to judgment.   Missed the first two episodes? Listen to Part 1 with Irv Brandt Listen to Part 2 with Kent Alexander Highlights: (0:00) Sheryl welcomes Dana Jewell and describes Richard spotting the suspicious backpack at Centennial Park (1:45) Dana shares Richard’s “88 days of hell” under FBI suspicion and media pressure, and how it damaged his health (5:15) “We met on a drug bust.” Dana remembers meeting Richard in Meriweather County (14:30) The lawsuit against the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the lasting damage of headlines (19:00) Kent Alexander approaches Dana about writing The Suspect (24:00) Richard Jewell's illness and final days (31:15) Dana reflects on Clint Eastwood’s film Richard Jewell (34:45) Sheryl closes by quoting Richard Jewell: “The media can destroy lives faster than the criminal justice system can save them.”   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: coldcase2004@gmail.com Twitter: @ColdCaseTips Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum Instagram: @officialzone7podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Part 2 of the Olympic Park bombing series, Sheryl McCollum talks with Kent Alexander, who served as U.S. Attorney during the investigation. Alexander recalls the tense hours after the blast, the FBI and media’s rush to label Richard Jewell a suspect, and the non-target letter that cleared him. He also explains how Eric Rudolph became the focus, what investigators learned from the case, and how his book The Suspect grew into Clint Eastwood’s film Richard Jewell. Kent Alexander served as U.S. Attorney for Northern District of Georgia during the Olympic Park bombing investigation. He is the co-author of The Suspect, the book that became the basis for Clint Eastwood’s film Richard Jewell. To learn more about Kent Alexander, visit The Suspect Highlights: (0:00) Sheryl introduces guest Kent Alexander, former U.S. Attorney during the Olympic Park bombing (2:45) The 911 call and Alexander’s first moments of the investigation (5:30) Securing evidence and rebuilding the bomb (8:15) Remembering victims Alice Hawthorne and Melih Uzunyol (9:15) Media and FBI rush to judgment against Richard Jewell (12:30) The non-target letter that cleared Richard Jewell (17:30) Eric Rudolph emerges as the true bomber (22:00) Alexander start writing The Suspect, documenting the case (25:15) Understanding Eric Rudolph’s motives and methods (30:00) Sheryl recall firsthand stories of victims and media exposure (33:15) How The Suspect became the film Richard Jewell (37:00) “He was a hero. What he did saved a lot of lives.” - Kent Alexander on Richard Jewell   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: coldcase2004@gmail.com Twitter: @ColdCaseTips Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum Instagram: @officialzone7podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this first episode of a multi-part Zone 7 series on the 1996 Olympic Park bombing, CSI Sheryl McCollum talks with her longtime colleague Irv Brandt, a former Atlanta police officer and U.S. marshal. Brandt was on duty when the bomb exploded in Centennial Park. He recalls pulling the injured to safety, protecting bomb evidence, and witnessing the moment security guard Richard Jewell went from hero to suspect. The investigation later led to Eric Rudolph, a domestic terrorist tied to multiple bombings. Listeners will learn how frontline officers responded in the first minutes and what lessons still guide law enforcement today. Irv Brandt is a retired U.S. Marshal, a former Atlanta police officer, and a U.S. Navy veteran. He served as attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Jamaica and worked with Interpol and the Department of Justice, investigating cases in more than 50 countries. He is the author of the Jack Solo crime fiction series and has appeared on America’s Most Wanted, Escape to Vegas, and Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. To learn more about Irv Brandt, find him on X @JackSoloAuthor Highlights: (0:00) Sheryl opens the Olympic Park Bombing series with guest Irv Brandt (2:45) A 911 caller warns: “There's a bomb in Centennial Park. You have 30 minutes.” (3:00) The bomb explodes, injuring 111 and killing two in the Olympic crowd (7:15) Policing Atlanta's violent Zone 3 and building frontline experience (12:15) Securing VIP gates and athletes inside Centennial Park (14:45) “I thought the building exploded.” Irv describes the blast (16:30) Pulling injured agents to safety and guarding bomb evidence (21:45) Watching Richard Jewell shift from hero to suspect (27:30) Reconstructing the pipe bomb from nails, a battery, and an alarm clock (31:15) Launching the search for Eric Rudolph, later tied to more bombings (32:00) Appearing on global news as the bombing coverage unfolds (38:30) Applying lessons on teamwork in mass-casualty response (40:15) Closing with a quote from Irv’s book Solo Shot: Curse of the Blue Stone   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: coldcase2004@gmail.com Twitter: @ColdCaseTips Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum Instagram: @officialzone7podcast 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: coldcase2004@gmail.com 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 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: @getpunishedCheck 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: coldcase2004@gmail.com  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: @getpunishedCheck 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: coldcase2004@gmail.com  Twitter: @ColdCaseTips  Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum  Instagram: @officialzone7podcast  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scott Payne is a retired FBI agent and career undercover operative. Known for infiltrating some of the most dangerous domestic terror groups in the U.S., he now writes, trains, and advocates for smarter law enforcement strategies—and a second chance for those who truly want out. He’s a believer in justice, redemption, and calling hate by its name. Follow Scott on Instagram:@scottpaynebigcountry and check out his brand-new book: Code Name: Pale Horse — a raw, real look inside the FBI’s most dangerous undercover ops.   Episode Description: In Part 2 of CSI Sheryl McCollum’s conversation with retired FBI agent Scott Payne, we dive into one of his most dangerous assignments: two years undercover with the Outlaws Motorcycle Club in Massachusetts. From fake drug deals and cartel cover stories to a basement wire check that nearly cost him everything, Scott explains what it really takes to survive deep undercover. If you thought infiltrating The Base deep in the woods of the Pacific Northwest was intense, wait until you hear what happened when members of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club ordered him to strip at gunpoint.   Show Notes:  (0:00) From Georgia to Massachusetts, Scott recounts his time undercover with the Outlaws Motorcycle Club (4:00) Meet “Tex,” the car thief: stolen vehicles, staged deals, and the slow build of credibility (5:00) A fake cartel pipeline opens the door to something much bigger — and far more dangerous (8:00) “I lived to fight another day.” Two armed bikers, a basement, and a wire check that could’ve blown it all (14:00) His team was listening — and almost took out a wall to pull him out (16:00) Nearly 2,000 miles away, Scott’s wife pulls off the road with a sense of dread she can’t explain (17:45) Sheryl shares her own “undercover” mission — cracking down on counterfeit T-shirts at a Grateful Dead concert (18:45) Clothesline won’t say sorry—but he hated being the one to do it (24:00) Sheryl plugs the book and gives props to Scott — not just for the work, but for always lifting up his team (26:00) The last word belongs to Donnie Brasco: “The FBI gave you a cheap medal and 500 bucks. Was it worth it?” “Yes.” 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: coldcase2004@gmail.com  Twitter: @ColdCaseTips  Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum  Instagram: @officialzone7podcast  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CSI Sheryl McCollum sits down with retired FBI agent Scott Payne, who went deep undercover inside a violent white supremacist group known as The Base. From satanic rituals to grooming kids on Roblox, Scott reveals how he earned their trust—and helped bring their network down from the inside. This is Part 1 of a raw, unfiltered look at radicalization, recruitment, and the real-world tactics used to spread hate. Scott Payne is a retired FBI agent and career undercover operative. Known for infiltrating some of the most dangerous domestic terror groups in the U.S., he now writes, trains, and advocates for smarter law enforcement strategies—and a second chance for those who truly want out. He’s a believer in justice, redemption, and calling hate by its name. Follow Scott on Instagram:@scottpaynebigcountry and check out his brand-new book: Code Name: Pale Horse — A raw, real look inside the FBI’s most dangerous undercover ops. ⚠️ Listener Advisory: This episode contains graphic descriptions of violence, animal cruelty, hate group ideology, and child exploitation. Listener discretion is strongly advised.   Show Notes:  (0:00) Sheryl welcomes Scott Payne, retired FBI agent and undercover operator known as Pale Horse (1:00) Inside The Base — a newer kind of white supremacy with global connections (1:45) Accelerationism explained: why these extremists want to speed up society’s collapse (3:15) The man behind the madness: The Base’s leader and his Russian relocation (4:00) A darker turn — 764, satanism, and how extremists groom children through platforms like Roblox and Minecraft (6:15) Halloween 2019: a hate camp, a cold snap, and a stolen goat that didn’t stand a chance (10:00) Operating undercover — “It’s not always cakes and pies.” Into the woods with a machete and a mission (15:00) Blood, acid, and a goat’s head — a ritual unfolds over three days with hallucinogens, photo ops, and propaganda designed to radicalize and recruit (17:30) “What was your red pill moment?” — the art of playing dumb, feeding egos, and staying undercover without getting made (22:00) From felon to future — why Scott wrote a reference letter for the man he once helped put away   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. 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: coldcase2004@gmail.com  Twitter: @ColdCaseTips  Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum  Instagram: @officialzone7podcast  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.