Zone 7 with Sheryl McCollum

The Art of Listening: Detective Mike Alcazar on Hostage Negotiation

In this week’s episode of "Zone 7," retired NYPD detective Mike Alcazar joins Sheryl McCollum to talk about what hostage negotiation looks like when a scene is tense, the stakes are high, and one wrong move can change everything. Drawing on decades in law enforcement, Mike discusses the Nancy Guthrie case, explains how negotiators read people in real time, and highlights the importance of patience, trust, and teamwork. He also shares stories from the field and looks back on the path that took him from undercover work to hostage negotiation and, later, to the recovery efforts after 9/11. Highlights: (0:00) Sheryl McCollum welcomes retired NYPD detective Mike Alcazar to Zone 7 (1:00) Mike’s first reaction to the Nancy Guthrie case and why it struck him as unusual from the beginning (4:15) Information negotiators look for first: behavior, history, and possible mental-state concerns (9:00) The challenge of deciding when family can help and when they may make a crisis worse (13:30) Tension between negotiation and tactical response, and how one decision can undo hours of progress (19:30) How Mike became a negotiator and what the training process was like (23:00) A Brooklyn barricade, drone technology, and the friend who helped bring the situation to a peaceful end (29:45) Why voice, personality, and appearance can shape who a subject chooses to trust (31:15) How a sandwich from the bodega helped resolve a case (32:45) Mike looks back on becoming a detective and how 9/11 changed the course of his career (35:15) Ground Zero, recovery efforts, and the emotional toll officers carried after 9/11 Guest Bio Mike Alcazar is a retired NYPD detective with more than 30 years of service in law enforcement. During his time with the department, he worked undercover in vice, served as a hostage negotiator, and handled organized crime investigations. Mike took part in recovery efforts following the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and now serves as an adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. About the Host Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an active crime scene investigator for a Metro Atlanta Police Department and the director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, which partners with colleges and universities nationwide. With more than 4 decades of experience, she has worked on thousands of cold cases using her investigative system, The Last 24/361, which integrates evidence, media, and advanced forensic testing. Her work on high-profile cases include, in part, The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, and Tupac Shakur. Her work on the Moore’s Ford Bridge lynching, led to her Emmy Award for CSI: Atlanta and induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023. Social Links: * Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com * X: @zone7squad * Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum * Instagram: @officialzone7podcast Preorder Sheryl’s upcoming book, [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Swans-Dont-Swim-in-a-Sewer/Sheryl-Mac-McCollum/9798895652824] "Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Lessons in Life, Justice, and Joy from a Forensic Scientist," releasing May 2026 from Simon and Schuster. Enjoying Zone 7? Leave a rating and review where you listen to podcasts. Your feedback helps others find the show and supports the mission to educate, engage, and inspire.   See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Inside the Boston Strangler Case: Casey Sherman on Mary Sullivan, Albert DeSalvo, and What Still Does Not Add Up

In this week’s episode of "Zone 7," Sheryl McCollum talks with author and investigative reporter Casey Sherman about the murder of his aunt, Mary Sullivan, long believed to be the final victim of the Boston Strangler, and the lasting impact her murder had on his family. Casey explains why his family has long questioned the official story, pointing to evidence that, in his view, complicates what many people think they know about the case. Their conversation touches on DNA analysis, missing confession tapes, and alternate suspects that Casey believes raise serious questions about Albert DeSalvo’s role in the murders. Guest Bio Casey Sherman is a New York Times bestselling-author and investigative reporter known for revisiting major crimes and historic tragedies. He is the author of  "A Rose for Mary [https://www.amazon.com/Rose-Mary-Hunt-Boston-Strangler/dp/155553578X]," which examines the murder of his aunt, Mary Sullivan, and the lingering questions surrounding the Boston Strangler case. About the Host  Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an active crime scene investigator for a Metro Atlanta Police Department and the director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, which partners with colleges and universities nationwide. With more than 4 decades of experience, she has worked on thousands of cold cases using her investigative system, The Last 24/361, which integrates evidence, media, and advanced forensic testing. Her work on high-profile case include, in part, The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, and Tupac Shakur. McCollum’s work on the Moore’s Ford Bridge lynching led to her Emmy Award for “CSI: Atlanta” and induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023. Social Links: Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com X: @zone7squad Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum Instagram: @officialzone7podcast Enjoying Zone 7? Leave a rating and review where you listen to podcasts. Your feedback helps others find the show and supports the mission to educate, engage, and inspire. Preorder Sheryl’s upcoming book [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Swans-Dont-Swim-in-a-Sewer/Sheryl-Mac-McCollum/9798895652824], "Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Lessons in Life, Justice, and Joy from a Forensic Scientist," releasing May 2026 from Simon and Schuster.   Highlights: (0:00) Sheryl McCollum opens with the DNA dispute at the center of the Boston Strangler case (1:30) Sheryl welcomes Casey Sherman and explains why his work has changed how she views the case (7:15) Casey explains how Mary Sullivan’s murder shaped his family for generations and why his mother never accepted the official story (9:15) The missing confession tapes and the details that convinced Casey the official story didn’t hold up (11:30) Missing evidence, stolen case materials, and the long-term damage they can do to a major investigation (14:00) The DNA evidence Case says pointed to a prime suspect from 1964 and how that lead eventually took him to a golf course in northern New England (16:30) Why Casey believes the Boston Strangler case was not the work of one man and that similar killings stretched across multiple states (19:30) How sensational crime coverage in the 1960s may have helped shape false confessions (21:15) Casey’s theory that George Nassar may have helped feed DeSalvo information and why DeSalvo was never charged with the murders he confessed to (24:15) Casey on the pressure surrounding the case and why he believes too many important questions are still unanswered (27:45) F. Lee Bailey’s role in the case and the unlikely friendship that followed years later (31:30) The importance of revisiting evidence and challenging the accepted story   See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Inside the Case Against Kouri Richins: Nate Eaton on the Evidence Behind the Guilty Verdict

After weeks of testimony and a defense case that ended without a single witness, the jury in the Kouri Richins trial returned a guilty verdict in the death of Eric Richins. In this week’s episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum talks with investigative reporter Nate Eaton, who has been in court following the testimony, key witnesses, and the evidence surrounding Eric's death. Together, they discuss the prosecution's theory of motive, the evidence tied to money and deception, the Valentine's Day attempted-poisoning allegation, and the courtroom testimony that steadily tightened the case. Sheryl then provides a final trial update after the verdict, focusing on what the defense did not address and what the guilty verdict implies about the case. Guest Bio Nate Eaton is an award-winning journalist, Dateline NBC contributor, and co-founder of EastIdahoNews.com. He is known for his investigative reporting, courtroom coverage, and years of experience covering major criminal cases and breaking news. About the Host  Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an active crime scene investigator for a Metro Atlanta Police Department and the director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, which partners with colleges and universities nationwide. With more than 4 decades of experience, she has worked on thousands of cold cases using her investigative system, The Last 24/361, which integrates evidence, media, and advanced forensic testing. Her work on high-profile cases include, in part, The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, and Tupac Shakur. Her work on the Moore’s Ford Bridge lynching led to her Emmy Award for "CSI: Atlanta" and induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023. Social Links: Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com X: @zone7squad Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum Instagram: @officialzone7podcast Enjoying Zone 7? Leave a rating and review where you listen to podcasts. Your feedback helps others find the show and supports the mission to educate, engage, and inspire. Preorder Sheryl’s upcoming book [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Swans-Dont-Swim-in-a-Sewer/Sheryl-Mac-McCollum/9798895652824], "Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Lessons in Life, Justice, and Joy from a Forensic Scientist," releasing May 2026 from Simon and Schuster. Highlights: (0:00) Sheryl McCollum welcomes Nate Eaton for a courtroom-level look at the Kouri Richins trial (2:30) Why Robert Josh Grossman’s testimony stood out as one of the strangest and most revealing moments in court (4:00) Eric Richins’ death, the 911 call, and autopsy findings pointing toward fentanyl poisoning (5:00) Life insurance questions, trust issues, and millions in debt (7:15) The children’s grief book and why it still leaves people feeling unsettled (9:15) How testimony from the alleged dealer and the house cleaner helped prosecutors build their fentanyl theory (10:45) The Valentine's Day sandwich allegation and why prosecutors pointed to it as an earlier attempted poisoning (13:45) Internet searches about fentanyl, prison, and life insurance payouts add to the prosecution’s theory on intent (15:00) A forged $250,000 HELOC, hidden financial decisions, and contact with a divorce attorney show a marriage in decline (21:00) The scope of Kouri’s financial collapse and apparent lack of remorse (27:45) Money-themed memes found on Kouri’s phone just hours after Eric's death (30:45) Final update: Sheryl reacts to the finals days of the trial and the guilty verdict   See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

The Nancy Guthrie Investigation: Joe Giacalone on Early Errors and What Should Happen Next

When an 84-year-old woman vanishes from her home in the middle of the night, leaving behind signs of blood and a struggle, every early decision investigators make is critical. Retired NYPD sergeant Joe Giacalone returns to Zone 7 to talk with Sheryl McCollum about the Nancy Guthrie investigation and the mistakes they believe set the case back from the start. Together, they walk through the investigative failures, why the ransom note narrative never rang true, and the steps investigators can still take to regain traction. Guest Bio Joe Giacalone is a retired NYPD sergeant and former commanding officer of the Bronx Cold Case Squad. He serves as an adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and is the author of, "The Criminal Investigative Function: A Guide for New Investigators and The Cold Case Handbook." Giacalone also hosts True Crime with the Sarge and is a frequent media commentator on criminal investigations. About the Host  Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an active crime scene investigator for a Metro Atlanta Police Department and the director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, which partners with colleges and universities nationwide. With more than 4 decades of experience, she has worked on thousands of cold cases using her investigative system, The Last 24/361, which integrates evidence, media, and advanced forensic testing. Her work on high-profile case include, in part, The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, and Tupac Shakur. McCollum's work on the Moore’s Ford Bridge lynching led to her Emmy Award for "CSI: Atlanta" and induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023. Social Links: Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com X: @zone7squad Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum Instagram: @officialzone7podcast Preorder Sheryl’s upcoming book [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Swans-Dont-Swim-in-a-Sewer/Sheryl-Mac-McCollum/9798895652824], "Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Lessons in Life, Justice, and Joy from a Forensic Scientist," releasing May 2026 from Simon and Schuster. Enjoying Zone 7? Leave a rating and review where you listen to podcasts. Your feedback helps others find the show and supports the mission to educate, engage, and inspire Highlights: (0:00) Sheryl McCollum introduces Joe Giacalone and frames the Nancy Guthrie investigation as a real-time lesson in investigative breakdowns (3:30) Why Nancy Guthrie’s case should have been treated as a homicide or kidnapping from day one (4:15) Why full scene lock down, a command post, and a strict crime scene log should have been prioritized immediately (5:30) Why uncontrolled foot traffic, outside workers, and a scattered “egg hunt” search approach can create long-term problems for investigators and future prosecution (7:15) Nancy’s age, health, and the blood evidence on scene make a voluntary disappearance difficult to believe (9:45) Joe and Sheryl discuss the decision to release the house and why they believe that hurt the case (12:15) Media management failures, public optics, and the confusion created by inconsistent messaging (17:00) Proactive steps that could still generate leads and how holding Annie Guthrie’s car fueled unnecessary suspicion (20:15) The dangers of publicly naming persons of interest too early in an active investigation (24:00) Morale, leadership, and why command staff should be supplying resources and backing investigators (38:00) Final message to officials in charge: put aside conflict, align with the FBI, and get the investigation back on track   See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

The Derwin Brown Assassination: Dale Cardwell on Corruption, Retaliation, and Murder in DeKalb County

A late-night stop at a Dairy Queen led to one of the biggest stories of Dale Cardwell’s career. In this episode of "Zone 7," Sheryl McCollum talks with Dale about the investigation that uncovered corruption inside the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, exposed deputies working on the clock for Sidney Dorsey, and helped fuel a political shakeup that ended in the murder of Sheriff-elect Derwin Brown. Dale shares how the story unfolded, the danger it brought to his own family, and the break that finally helped tie the killing back to Sidney Dorsey. Guest Bio: Dale Cardwell is a six-time Emmy Award-winning journalist, consumer investigator, and founder of TrustDALE. He is known for helping expose scams, political corruption, and government waste. He teamed up with Clark Howard and now hosts Inside Investigations, which airs on more than 100 television markets nationwide. About the Host Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an active crime scene investigator for a Metro Atlanta Police Department and the director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, which partners with colleges and universities nationwide. With more than four decades of experience, she has worked on thousands of cold cases using her investigative system, The Last 24/361, which integrates evidence, media, and advanced forensic testing. Her work on high-profile cases include The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, and Tupac Shakur. Her work on the Moore’s Ford Bridge lynching led to her Emmy Award for “CSI: Atlanta” and induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023. Social Links: Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com [coldcase2004@gmail.com] X: @zone7squad Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum Instagram: @officialzone7podcast Preorder Sheryl’s upcoming book [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Swans-Dont-Swim-in-a-Sewer/Sheryl-Mac-McCollum/9798895652824], "Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Lessons in Life, Justice, and Joy from a Forensic Scientist," releasing May 2026 from Simon and Schuster. Enjoying Zone 7? Leave a rating and review where you listen to podcasts. Your feedback helps others find the show and supports the mission to educate, engage, and inspire. Highlights: * (0:00) Sheryl McCollum introduces Dale Cardwell and the Dairy Queen stop that led to one of DeKalb County’s biggest corruption cases * (1:15) Dale explains the system he built after years of consumer reporting, focused on helping consumers avoid scams * (3:30) Deputies are accused of clocking in at the jail while working private security for Sheriff Sidney Dorsey * (6:15) Surveillance, inside sources, and an open-records request lead to the first major break in the story * (9:30) The reporting lands just before the election and helps shift attention toward challenger Derwin Brown * (12:30) The corruption picture widens with allegations involving sexual harassment and sex-for-favors allegations, fake badges, and inmate labor * (15:00) Dale recalls the night police came to his door after Derwin Brown was murdered * (19:00) Dale learns he is also believed to be on the hit list, and he and his family are placed under protective custody * (23:30) An interview moment raises new questions about Sidney Dorsey’s knowledge of the conspiracy * (27:15) A witness’s note on a napkin helps lead investigators back to the murder plot * (28:30) Patrick Cuffy describes Dorsey giving the kill order on paper, then tearing it up and swallowing it * (33:30) Dale reflects on the cost of the case and his bond with the Brown family     See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.