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Zone 7 with Sheryl McCollum

Zone 7 with Sheryl McCollum

By: iHeartPodcasts and CrimeOnline
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Work a cold case alongside investigator Sheryl “Mac” McCollum, Director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute. Every week, Sheryl dives into her cold case files alongside accomplished guests to look for clues into unsolved murders, missing people, and more. This ain’t just a podcast but a war room. Sheryl opens her cold case files, her heart and her little black book! You will quickly realize Zone 7 is not a place but a lifestyle!

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Episodes
  • Revisiting the Wayne Henley Jr. Case: Dean Corll and The Serial Killer’s Apprentice | The Documentary

    Revisiting the Wayne Henley Jr. Case: Dean Corll and The Serial Killer’s Apprentice | The Documentary
    Aug 20 2025
    In this episode of Zone 7, CSI Sheryl McCollum welcomes back Dr. Katherine Ramsland and Tracy Ullman to discuss the release of their documentary The Serial Killer’s Apprentice. This two-hour film revisits the chilling case of Elmer Wayne Henley Jr. and Dean Corll, blending archival footage, exclusive interviews, and rare audio recordings. Dr. Ramsland and Ullman share behind-the-scenes insights on producing the documentary. They reveal what has surfaced since the book’s release, and why this case, rooted in grooming, complicity, and trafficking, continues to offer powerful lessons today. Resources: Zone 7 Part I The Serial Killer's Apprentice | The Story of Elmer Wayne Henley Jr.Zone 7 Part II How to Prevent Young People From Falling Victim to Predatory CriminalsThe Serial Killer's ApprenticeHow to Catch a KillerThe Mind of a Murderer: A Glimpse into the Darkest Corners of the Human Psyche, from a Leading Forensic PsychiatristJohn Wayne Gacy: Devil in DisguiseThe Serial Killer’s Apprentice documentary is now streaming on HBO Max(Originally aired on Investigation Discovery (ID) on August 17, 2025) Highlights: (0:00) Sheryl kicks off Zone 7 with Dr. Katherine Ramsland and Tracy Ullman, introducing The Serial Killer’s Apprentice documentary(2:00) How the documentary expands on the book with new interviews, archival footage, and Henley’s own voice(4:00) Condensing the sprawling Dean Corll case into a two-hour film without losing depth(8:45) “Corll picked two adolescent boys to do his dirty work for him.” – Dr. Ramsland on how predators groom children into crimes(11:00) The purpose of the documentary: helping parents, teachers, and kids recognize signs of grooming and recruitment(12:45) The Devil’s Den murders and how predators hide in plain sight(17:15) Henley’s cries for help that were ignored, and how the film reframes him as both victim and accomplice(22:15) Tracy Ullman urges viewers to move beyond the old “fixed villain” narrative, while Henley confronts the reality of being part of a trafficking network and how it reshaped his view of guilt and remorse(32:00) Henley’s evolving understanding of his role, his remorse, and why the full truth behind these crimes may still be unfolding(36:45) Sheryl closes with a quote from A Darker Shade of Magic: “Some people steal to stay alive. Some people steal to feel alive.” Thanks for tuning in to Zone 7. If you are enjoying the podcast, please leave a rating and review. Your support helps us continue to educate, investigate, and advocate. --- 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. Dr. Katherine Ramsland is a professor of forensic psychology at DeSales University and the author of numerous books and articles. Her works include How to Catch a Killer, The Mind of a Murderer, and The Serial Killer’s Apprentice. She is also a frequent contributor to crime documentaries and television shows, where she shares her expertise on serial killers, criminal behavior, and the psychology of predators. Tracy Ullman is a writer, producer, and investigative journalist who specializes in true crime storytelling and victim advocacy. She co-authored The Serial Killer’s Apprentice with Dr. Katherine Ramsland and has conducted research into John Wayne Gacy and sex trafficking networks. She also served as an executive producer on The Serial Killer’s Apprentice documentary, helping bring new perspective to the story of Elmer Wayne Henley Jr. And Dean Corll.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    38 mins
  • Pathology with Dr. Priya | A Zone 7 Series: Jewelry, Tattoos, and the Stories They Tell

    Pathology with Dr. Priya | A Zone 7 Series: Jewelry, Tattoos, and the Stories They Tell
    Aug 18 2025

    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.com
    Twitter/X: @Autopsy_MD

    Sheryl McCollum is an Emmy Award–winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, and the Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. She works as a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department and is the co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute (CCIRI), a nationally recognized nonprofit that brings together universities, law enforcement, and experts to help solve unsolved homicides, missing persons cases, and kidnappings.

    Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com
    Twitter/X: @ColdCaseTips
    Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
    Instagram: @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 Series

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    20 mins
  • Crime Roundup with Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer | Gerry Spence’s Legacy, A Prosecutor on the Stand, and the Melissa Wolfenbarger Case

    Crime Roundup with Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer | Gerry Spence’s Legacy, A Prosecutor on the Stand, and the Melissa Wolfenbarger Case
    Aug 15 2025

    This week on Crime Roundup, Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer celebrate the life of courtroom legend Gerry Spence, the man who never lost a civil case and built a law school on a Wyoming mountaintop. They also examine the downfall of a prosecutor whose time in the spotlight proved swagger is not a winning strategy. Finally, Sheryl shares an update on the Melissa Wolfenbarger case she has worked on for seven years, a mystery that began with human remains in a trash bag and one of the first cases featured on her Zone 7 podcast. Follow the full story in Melissa Wolfenbarger: Norma and Tina Patton | Part 1, the first in a multi-part Zone 7 series.

    Highlights:

    • (0:00) Welcome to Crime Roundup with Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer
    • (1:00) Gerry Spence remembered as the lawyer who never lost a civil case with stories that made him a legend
    • (4:00) Behind the scenes of the Trial Lawyers College and why no classroom can match it
    • (12:15) “He’s so proud of his story that it’s clear, it’s false”: A prosecutor takes the defense table, his strategy collapses, and the jury wastes no time
    • (17:15) Melissa Wolfenbarger update and why Sheryl is staying quiet for now. Follow the full story in Melissa Wolfenbarger: Norma and Tina Patton | Part 1

    About the Hosts

    Joshua Schiffer is a veteran trial attorney and one of the Southeast’s most respected legal voices. He is a founding partner at ChancoSchiffer P.C., where he has litigated high-stakes criminal, civil rights, and personal injury cases for over two decades. Known for his bold courtroom presence and ability to clearly explain complex legal issues, Schiffer is a frequent media contributor and fearless advocate for accountability.

    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 of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a national nonprofit that unites universities, law enforcement, and students to work on unsolved homicides and missing persons cases.

    🎧 Want more from Sheryl?

    Catch her every Wednesday on Zone 7, where she doesn’t just talk cold cases, she works them. She’s joined by fellow forensic pros and criminal justice insiders for conversations straight from active investigations. Then on Mondays, tune in to Pathology with Dr. Priya, where the physical evidence takes center stage.

    📢 If you enjoyed this episode, follow Crime Roundup on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to help others find the show. Have a case suggestion? Email coldcase2004@gmail.com or connect with the hosts on social:

    • Sheryl on X: @ColdCaseTips
    • Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
    • Joshua on X & Instagram: @lawyerschiff

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    20 mins
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