Ray Dawson is a former law enforcement officer and the founder of the Invictus Project, a nonprofit organization supporting task forces investigating online crimes against children by providing funding, training, and technology.

Zachary Neefe is a Special Agent with Homeland Security Investigations and a key member of a multiagency child exploitation task force in North Carolina focused on identifying and arresting child predators.

Learn more at The Invictus Project

Episode Description:

In this episode of Zone 7, CSI Sheryl McCollum speaks with Zachary Neefe and Ray Dawson—two frontline defenders in the fight against child exploitation. They take us inside the creation of the Invictus Task Force, a groundbreaking multiagency collaboration in North Carolina that brings together Homeland Security Investigations, local law enforcement, and nonprofit partners under one roof. Zach and Ray share chilling stories from undercover chat ops, explain why today’s predators are more brazen than ever, and break down how the digital world is a breeding ground for grooming and abuse. They also discuss how victim identification, school outreach, and good old-fashioned police work are changing lives—and why parental awareness isn’t optional anymore.

Show Notes:

• (0:00) Welcome to Zone 7 with guests Ray Dawson and Zachary Neefe
• (2:00) Building the Invictus Task Force: Collaboration over silos
• (4:00) The “new white van”: Predators in the digital space
• (9:00) COVID’s impact on child exploitation and online abuse
• (11:00) 89.4 million images—what that number really means
• (12:30) Culture shifts and the normalization of exploitation
• (14:30) Identifying victims through school visits and student disclosures
• (17:45) Defining a rescue: Physical extraction vs. intervention
• (23:30) Victim-centered interviews with offenders
• (25:30) Tips for parents navigating kids’ online behavior
• (27:30) “There is no such thing as a part-time predator”
• (30:00) No collateral duties: Proactive vs. reactive law enforcement
• (32:00) Inside the chat rooms: How quickly predators strike
• (34:30) “Let’s stop calling them sex offenders.” — Mike Lew

Thanks for listening to another episode!

If you’re liking what you hear, go on and leave us a quick rating and review over on Apple Podcasts. It helps more folks find the show—and keeps us bringing you more stories that matter.

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Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnLine, Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department. She is the co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice and the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute—a collaboration between universities, students, and professionals working to advance the study and resolution of unsolved cases.

Social Links:

• Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com

• Twitter: @ColdCaseTips

• Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum

Instagram: @officialzone7podcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Enss is a New York Times bestselling author, historian, and private investigator known for her extensive work chronicling the lives of women in the American West. With more than 20 books to her name, she specializes in uncovering the truth behind legends—whether lawmen, gunslingers, or the women often written out of the narrative.

Her latest book, Meet the Kellys: The True Story of Machine Gun Kelly and His Moll Kathryn Thorne, is available now at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, KensingtonBooks.com, and bookstores everywhere.

In this episode of Zone 7, Crime Scene Investigator Sheryl McCollum sits down with bestselling author and private investigator Chris Enss to dig into the real story of Kathryn Thorne—the woman who didn’t just stand beside Machine Gun Kelly but helped build his legend. They discuss Kathryn’s sharp mind, bold choices, how she planned a headline-making kidnapping, and even called J. Edgar Hoover herself. Sheryl and Chris also explore the early days of the FBI, the origin of the term “G-Man,” and how the courtroom became Kathryn’s stage.

Learn more about Chris Enss at chrisenss.com or follow her on Instagram @chrisenssauthor.

Show Notes:

• (0:00) Welcome to Zone 7 with guest Chris Enss
• (1:30) The Kellys vs. Bonnie and Clyde
• (3:00) Ground-level research and historical truth
• (6:05) According to Kate and the untold story of Doc Holliday
• (10:50) Kathryn Thorne was all about what she wanted
• (14:30) Turning Machine Gun Kelly into a myth
• (16:45) Charm, privilege, and the making of an outlaw
• (22:00) The kidnapping of Charles Urschel
• (25:30) Lindbergh Law and the FBI’s rise to power
• (29:30) The double kidnapping and the G-Man legend
• (33:00) Kathryn Thorne plays the victim
• (36:00) Silk in the courtroom and a spotlight on the stand
• (38:30) Getting what she wanted, even as questions remain
• (40:30) “I wish he had left the dog” – Little Steve Stevens

Thanks for listening to another episode! If you're enjoying Zone 7, head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a quick rating and review—it’s one of the best ways to support the show and help others find it.

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

Social Links:

• Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com

• Twitter: @ColdCaseTips

• Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum

Instagram: @officialzone7podcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Zone 7, Crime Scene Investigator, Sheryl McCollum, brings together a powerhouse panel including Susan Hendricks, Joshua Schiffer, Dani after Dark, and Kirk Nurmi to break down the second trial of Karen Read, and it’s more than just a courtroom drama. They unpack how the defense pivoted from conspiracy to collision, why the prosecution’s own reenactment may have backfired, and how key testimony created more questions than answers. The group doesn’t shy away from the messy truth, pointing to public mistrust, missing evidence, and a system that feels off balance. From social media outrage to jury psychology, they explore why this case has gripped the nation and how it might end.

Guest Bio and Links:

Susan Hendricks is an investigative journalist and host of Headline Crime. Known for her thoughtful and fearless reporting, she brings national attention to overlooked cases and failures in the justice system. Connect with Susan on Instagram @susan_hendricks, on X @susanhendricks, and on Headline Crime.

Joshua Schiffer is a nationally recognized criminal defense attorney and regular Court TV contributor, known for his sharp legal analysis and strategic insight into high-profile cases. Connect with Joshua on Instagram @lawyerschiff and on X @lawyerschiff.

Dani is a legal content creator and host of Dani After Dark, known for her insightful, accessible analysis of high-profile criminal trials and her growing presence in the true crime community. Connect with Dani on Instagram @dani_after_dark or follow her on YouTube at @DaniAfterDark.

Kirk Nurmi is a former criminal defense attorney, author, and speaker who now shares his expertise on justice, ethics, and personal transformation. Learn more about Kirk on Instagram @nurmiunchained_ and at kirknurmi.com.

Show Notes:

• (0:00) Welcome back to Zone 7 with crime scene investigator, Sheryl McCollum
• (0:30) Sheryl introduces the panel: Susan Hendricks, Joshua Schiffer, Dani after Dark, and Kirk Nurmi
• (1:00) First impressions on closing arguments
• (4:30) How attorney demeanor influences the jury’s mindset
• (6:30) The hoodie, X-rays, and the Commonwealth’s missteps
• (9:30) “I can’t unsee what I saw”
• (11:30) What it’s like at ground zero: the buffer zone and beyond
• (13:00) The power of a clean, simple defense when the state fumbles the case
• (18:00) From guilty at first glance to not so sure
• (20:00) Can you convict without blood, tissue, or a chain of custody?
• (24:00) When justice feels unfinished and no one gets the truth
• (30:00) Finding grace in a divided conversation
• (33:00) Verdict watch: the panel’s predictions
• (34:30) How many times can you try the same person and still call it justice?

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

Social Links:

• Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com
• Twitter: @ColdCaseTips
• Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum

Instagram: @officialzone7podcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today Nancy Grace and Sheryl McCollum get personal, powerful, and just a little bit poetic. From a town mourning its unlikely mascot to Nancy’s candid reflections on personal tragedy, the conversation explores how loss, both individual and shared, shapes the pursuit of justice. They examine the impact of victim-centered storytelling, particularly in the upcoming One Night in Idaho docuseries, and how it reframes our understanding of crime and accountability. Plus, they break down the Dateline leak that’s stirring controversy ahead of the Bryan Kohberger trial. Who leaked it, and why does it matter? The answers may be more complicated than you think.

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Show Notes:

• (0:00) Welcome! Nancy and Sheryl introduce this week’s crime roundup
• (0:30) Morning mayhem and family updates
• (2:00) Flat Creek Floyd: Mourning a town mascot
• (4:30) Keith’s story and the ripple effect of grief
• (6:00) One Night in Idaho: Why victim voices matter
• (10:30) Centering the story on those who lived it
• (11:30) Trial logistics, disruptions, and the emotional cost for families
• (14:40) What Happened to Ellen?: An American Miscarriage of Justice
• (15:30) Dateline leak causes a stir | Who leaked it, and what’s at stake
• (20:30) Connecting the victims: Sorority photos and Google searches
• (24:00) Was Maddie the real target?
• (26:30) Jury bias, leaks, and legal fallout
• (27:00) Kanye, titanium teeth, and courtroom chaos
• (28:00) Farewell to Flat Creek Floyd

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Nancy Grace is an outspoken, tireless advocate for victims’ rights and one of television's most respected legal analysts. Nancy Grace had a perfect conviction record during her decade as a prosecutor. She is the founder and publisher of CrimeOnline.com, a crime- fighting digital platform that investigates breaking crime news, spreads awareness of missing people and shines a light on cold cases.

In addition, Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, a daily show hosted by Grace, airs on SIRIUS XM’s Triumph Channel 111 and is downloadable as a podcast on all audio platforms - https://www.crimeonline.com/

Connect with Nancy:

X: @nancygrace

Instagram: @thenancygrace

Facebook: @nancygrace

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.

Connect with Sheryl:

Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com

X: @ColdCaseTips

Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Zone 7, crime scene investigator Sheryl McCollum sits down with Danny Cupples, a decorated death investigator and Southern crime-fighting legend, to examine one of Tennessee’s most haunting cases.

They retrace the exact path Sheriff Buford Pusser took that night, analyzing every detail with fresh eyes and modern forensics. They explore high-velocity blood spatter, missing pools of blood, and unusual wound trajectories. Sheryl and Danny delve into long-whispered secrets of the Dixie Mafia, question the motives behind Pauline’s exhumation after 50 years, and reveal how far the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has gone to uncover the truth.

Danny Cupples is a certified forensic death investigator and Tennessee’s first Chief Death Investigator. He has trained New York City’s elite forensic teams, teaches infant death investigations at MTSU, and serves on a newly formed cold case unit. He also co-created the life-saving Locator Bulb.

Listeners can learn more about Danny Cupples at The Locator 911, and on Linkedin @DannyCupples

Show Notes:

• (0:00) Welcome back to Zone 7 with Crime Scene Investigator, Sheryl McCollum
• (0:10) The ambush of Buford Pusser
• (2:00) Sheryl welcomes guest, Danny Cupples to Zone 7
• (4:00) Chance meetings and cold case connections
• (6:30) Tour bus incident and tenstions in the town
• (10:00) “Let the evidence produce the truth. An autopsy will do that.”
• (10:30) The forensic importance of delayed autopsy
• (13:30) Blood spatter, voids, and contradictions
• (19:00) Rear door blood and alternative theories
• (22:00) The narrow road and tunnel effect
• (22:30) Forensic truth vs. local legend
• (24:30) The Dixie Mafia
• (27:00) Two ambushes, one victim - does this add up?
• (30:00) The critical need for an autopsy
• (32:00) Questions of motive
• (34:30) Car forensics, and witness testimonies
• (37:00) Two things that don’t make sense in the case
• (40:00) The Locator 911 bulb
• (41:00)  ”I will answer all calls.” -Sherrif Buford Pusser
• Thanks for listening to another episode! If you’re loving the show and want to help grow the show, please head over to Itunes and leave a rating and review!

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

Social Links:

• Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com
• Twitter: @ColdCaseTips
• Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum

Instagram: @officialzone7podcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Nancy Grace and Sheryl McCollum break down the jaw-dropping courtroom antics in Diddy’s case—think nodding at jurors and asking sketch artists to “soften” his look.

Is he playing the jury or just playing himself? They dive deep into RICO charges, witness intimidation, and public perception, all while pulling back the curtain on what really happens behind the scenes.

Plus, get the latest scoop on the Bryan Kohberger trial and what his defense might be planning. Sharp, smart, and just the right amount of savage.

Show Notes:

• (0:00) Welcome! Nancy and Sheryl introduce this week’s crime roundup
• (0:30) Nancy Grace opens with the potential NON conviction of Diddy
• (1:00) Subliminal messaging in court rooms
• (2:30) Court room tactics and jury manipulation
• (7:00) RICO patterns - evidence piles up
• (12:00) Public relations vs. legal reality
• (14:30) “His whole life is like a movie he’s filming in his head”
• (16:30) What Happened to Ellen?: An American Miscarriage of Justice
• (18:00) The stretch artist controversy
• (20:00) The Kohberger case - a new wave of witnesses
• (30:00) DNA strategies and doubts
• (31:30) Framing theories
• (33:00) The need for concrete arguments in trial
• (37:00) Wrap up

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Nancy Grace is an outspoken, tireless advocate for victims’ rights and one of television's most respected legal analysts. Nancy Grace had a perfect conviction record during her decade as a prosecutor. She is the founder and publisher of CrimeOnline.com, a crime- fighting digital platform that investigates breaking crime news, spreads awareness of missing people and shines a light on cold cases.

In addition, Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, a daily show hosted by Grace, airs on SIRIUS XM’s Triumph Channel 111 and is downloadable as a podcast on all audio platforms - https://www.crimeonline.com/

Connect with Nancy:

X: @nancygrace

Instagram: @thenancygrace

Facebook: @nancygrace

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.

Connect with Sheryl:

Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com

X: @ColdCaseTips

Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Zone 7, Crime Scene Investigator, Sheryl McCollum, is joined by pop culture journalist Lauren Conlin, who has been reporting live from the courtroom in the federal investigation into Sean “Diddy” Combs. Lauren brings the latest from the court room as of May 30th, 2025. Sheryl and Lauren unpack incredible testimonies from Cassie Ventura, Kid Cudi, and other key witnesses, painting a disturbing picture of alleged abuse, control, and intimidation. They cover how star power and fear create a fortress of silence around high-profile abusers, and how that wall is slowly being dismantled in court. She walks listeners through the RICO foundation the prosecution is building, the alleged car bombing of Kid Cudi, the grooming and abuse of Cassie, and what’s to come the week of June 1st-5th.

Lauren Conlin is a New York City-based reporter, podcaster, and host specializing in pop culture and true crime. She is a writer-reporter for Pop Style TV, Nicki Swift Celebrity, and Grunge.com, and the host of two popular podcasts: Lauren Interviews, featuring celebrity and reality TV personalities, and Corruption: What Happened to Grant Solomon, an investigative deep dive into a suspicious teen death. Lauren’s true crime reporting has gained national attention, including viral interviews tied to the Madeleine McCann case, exclusive coverage of Brittany Murphy’s death, and appearances on VICE TV, Fox News, and Law & Crime. Her work has been featured by outlets like People, EW, Page Six, Elle, and The Today Show.

Listeners can connect with Lauren on Prime Time Crime Live Wednesdays at 8pm EST, on X @lauren_conlin and on IG @laurenemilyconlin

Show Notes:

• (0:00) Welcome back to Zone 7 with Crime Scene Investigator, Sheryl McCollum
• (0:10) Sheryl welcomes guest, and reporter, Lauren Conlin to Zone 7
• (0:30) Lauren is bringing all the latest updates of the P Diddy trial
• (2:00) Lauren dissects the testimony of Cassie Ventura
• (5:00) The infamous hotel video
• (6:30) The testimony of Kid Cudi
• (10:30) Cassie's documented threats and emails
• (18:00) The violence of Diddy in public
• (18:30) “Sean Combs wasn’t hiding his violence… he punched her in the stomach at a restaurant - in front of Usher.”
• (20:00) Carrie Morgan's friendship ends and the NDA pattern
• (22:00) The rivalry between Suge Knight
• (25:00) The home security raid - weapon evidence and defaced serial codes
• (27:00) Latest updates as of May, 30th, 2025
• (27:30) Updates from Mia’s testimony and the RICO foundation
• (31:00) Who is next to testify?
• (37:00) What’s to come next
• (41:30)  ”Mix me with violence, blend me with peace, combine me with hate. I can't face to defeat.” Sean Combs
• Thanks for listening to another episode! If you’re loving the show and want to help grow the show, please head over to iTunes and leave a rating and review!

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

Social Links:

• Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com
• Twitter: @ColdCaseTips
• Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum

Instagram: @officialzone7podcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.