Criminally Obsessed

Criminally Obsessed

Criminally Obsessed goes deeper — inside the investigations, the courtroom drama, and the human stories at the center of the country’s biggest true crime cases. We track breaking developments, uncover overlooked details, and bring clarity to the chaos — always with compassion for victims and the people whose lives are forever changed. Host Anne Emerson brings more than 30 years of award-winning investigative reporting to every episode. She’s covered the nation’s most high-profile trials firsthand, conducted interviews with some of the biggest names in the true crime world — from Amanda Knox to Elizabeth Smart — and has trusted sources connected to the cases dominating the national conversation.

  1. 23 HR AGO

    Lori Vallow Daybell Psych Profile: Inside her "Supernatural Encounters"

    Newly released jailhouse bodycam video is raising questions - and eyebrows - about the mental state and belief system of “doomsday mom” Lori Vallow Daybell. The footage from July 2025 shows her being cited for contraband in prison, including M&Ms, gum, and self-proclaimed “miracle” toothpaste that appeared after she prayed for it. Vallow Daybell is serving time for murdering her two children, Tylee Ryan & JJ Vallow, whom she believed were “zombies,” as well the murder of her first husband Charles Vallow, her current husband’s first wife Tammy Daybell, and the attempter murder of her niece’s ex-husband, Brandon Boudreaux.  Investigative reporter Anne Emerson is joined by Lauren and Dr. John Matthias from the Hidden True Crime podcast to analyze this bizarre video. Dr. Matthias lends his forensic psychology expertise to unravel what we’ve all been wondering since the beginning: does Lori Vallow Daybell actually believe the things that come out of her mouth? How did her psychological profile play a role in her horrific crimes… and how does her mental state affect her attorney’s ongoing fight to overturn her murder conviction? Hear more from Lauren and Dr. John Matthias on Hidden True Crime podcast

    34 min

  2. 1 DAY AGO

    "I Don't Want a Murderer to Go Free" Attorney Believes Alex Murdaugh Conviction Will Be Overturned

    If South Carolina's Supreme Court Justices decide to overturn Alex Murdaugh's double murder conviction, what happens next? And who called Alex in the days after those oral arguments? Investigative Reporter, Anne Emerson filed a FOIA request and will tell you who he spoke with in this episode of Criminally Obsessed. But, as we anxiously await the state Supreme Court's decision, Anne spoke with attorney Eric Bland, who represented several of Murdaugh’s financial victims. He says the possibility of Murdaugh ever walking free is more complicated than many think. And the decision could eventually be up to the state's next Attorney General because the one who tried Murdaugh, Alan Wilson, is running for Governor. Following this interview, Anne reached out to each South Carolina attorney general candidate for comment - that’s David Stumbo (R), David Pascoe (R), Steven Goldfinch Jr. (R), and Richard Hricik (D). At the time of publishing, Monday April 6th 2026, here’s the response we received from Stephen Goldfinch Jr.: Thank you for reaching out. Based on what I know so far and what I saw from the trial, I would retry the case. Without a living victim, I believe there is a strong, almost immutable presumption to seek justice for the deceased victims. Yes, it's true that Alex will likely spend the rest of his life in prison for financial crimes. But that's not justice for the deceased victims. Yes, It's true it will cost to retry him; but what is the societal cost of not retrying him? Based on what I know from the trial, a case like this should be retried. We’ll keep you updated as we hear from the others, and when we get these highly anticipated updates on the appeal. Catch up on our ongoing coverage of all things Murdaugh

    37 min

  3. 5 DAYS AGO

    Former Detective Believes “People of Interest” in Brian Shaffer Disappearance Knew Him

    On the night of April 1, 2006, the 27-year-old Ohio State medical student Brian Shaffer went out with friends to the Ugly Tuna Saloona. Surveillance cameras captured him inside, laughing and socializing. But when the night ended, something chilling became clear—Brian was never seen leaving.  His friends searched for him that night but eventually went home without answers. From that moment on, Brian Shaffer was never seen or heard from again.  An intense investigation followed, with massive searches, national attention, and a reward that eventually reached $100,000. But in the years since, no confirmed sightings, no financial activity, and no answers have ever surfaced.  Criminally Obsessed’s Anne Emerson talked to former detective John Hurst about Brian’s disappearance, what we know 20 years later, and why people who have information on Brian's disappearance might hesitate to come forward.  If you have tips in the disappearance of Brian Shaffer, call the Columbus Police Department at 614-645-4545.  Share Brian’s missing person poster from the FBI.

    39 min

  4. 6 DAYS AGO

    “I'm Not Accepting No For An Answer” — A Daughter's Fight to Solve Her Mom's Cold-Case Murder

    Marla Waldman-Conn was 7-years-old when her mom was murdered in their Long Island home.  For years, she wasn’t really allowed to talk about it.  Her dad remarried.  The years went by.  Her mom’s case went cold.  She was told to forget about it.  But she had to find out who killed Barbara Waldman, because she was someone, her mom and her life mattered.  So she set out to learn everything she could about investigating murders.  And she saw the words, BE PERSISTENT.  She became relentless and admits she was obsessed, but that drive paid off.  Her mom’s case was reopened after 50 years and solved in 2026.  Thomas Generazio, a sanitation worker who lived 3.7 miles away, bound and shot Barbara Waldman.  So how did Marla solve her mom’s case?  What was that connection she made that became the aha moment in the investigation? Senior Investigative Reporter Anne Emerson delves into the case and relives that moment with Marla where she knew it was Thomas and there was no denying it. We also hear what's next for Marla, because her search for justice goes beyond her mother's murder. We'll keep you updated on her efforts to find other victims, because as she told us about Generazio, "He's been many places and done many things. I know there are others." Learn more about the case and how Marla found answers after 50 years.

    45 min

  5. 31 MAR

    What Will the Suspected Long Island Serial Killer Admit To? Inside Rex Heuermann's Guilty Plea

    Rex Heuermann was arrested in 2023 in connection to the Gilgo Beach murders. The case dates back more than a decade, when the disappearance of a woman in Long Island, New York led to the discovery of multiple bodies along the South Shore, bringing the known victim count to seven. He is now expected to plead guilty on April 8, 2026. Investigative reporter Kristin Thorne joins Criminally Obsessed’s Anne Emerson to share what struck her the first time she saw Heuermann — a towering presence compared to the petite victims he’s accused of targeting — and to break down the chilling details that helped investigators close in. From the evidence that tied him to the case to the disturbing “notes to self” that allegedly outlined careful planning, we also explore the question that still lingers: could there be more victims? Watch Part 1 of our conversation with Kristin Thorne to hear how it all started and what led investigators to Rex Heuermann “Lock The Doors” — Reporter’s Firsthand Account Of The Gilgo Beach Serial Killer Case

    31 min

  6. 30 MAR

    “Lock The Doors” — Reporter’s Firsthand Account Of The Gilgo Beach Serial Killer Case

    The Long Island Serial Killer case - also known as the Gilgo Beach murders - is back in the spotlight. We’ve learned that Rex Heuermann, accused of seven murders, is expected to plead guilty to these grisly crimes on April 8th, 2026. What began 16 years ago with a missing woman in Long Island, New York led investigators to a chilling discovery along Ocean Parkway: the skeletal remains of multiple women, many of them sex workers, in what would become one of the most disturbing serial killer cases in recent true crime history.  For years, the suspect known as LISK remained unidentified - until 2023, when police arrested an architect, husband, and father accused of nearly unthinkable acts of violence. Now, with a potential guilty plea looming, Senior Investigative Reporter Anne Emerson revisits how the Gilgo Beach killings were first uncovered. Joined by Investigative Reporter Kristin Thorne who has covered the case since the initial discoveries, part one of this interview breaks down the origins of the Long Island Serial Killer investigation and what could come next in this shocking case.

    32 min

  7. 26 MAR

    Investigating Murdaugh Unanswered Questions As Appeal Decision Looms

    What comes to mind when you hear the name ‘Murdaugh’? A legal dynasty spanning generations? A boat crash? An unsolved homicide? A double murder on a South Carolina property twice the size of Central Park? Stolen money? A dead housekeeper?  How about all of the above?  Senior Investigative Reporter Anne Emerson spoke with Wall Street Journal reporter Valerie Bauerlein, who wrote a bestselling book on the Murdaugh saga - here's what Valerie had to say:  “There's something endlessly fascinating about the Murdaugh case. And it's not Alex Murdaugh. It's not the human being Alex Murdaugh. It is this sprawling dynasty, and the way that power worked for them and for Alex in particular, and how he used it, and what he was willing to sacrifice to keep it.”  In our last interview, we talked with Valerie about Stephen Smith’s unsolved murder – a thread in this knotted saga that we’ll never stop pulling on. But as it always goes with the Murdaughs... there’s more to discuss and unending twists. Anne and Valerie weave theories, analysis, and predictions for a deep dive into where the Murdaugh saga stands today. Listen for Valerie’s thoughts on Alex Murdaugh’s appeal, and when she thinks we’ll hear about his potential new trial...    Catch up on all things Murdaugh with our previous coverage:  Criminally Obsessed Murdaugh YouTube episode playlist  Listen to our previous episode with Valerie: Murdaugh Country Mystery: What The Hell Happened To Stephen Smith?  The Murdaugh Murders, Money & Mystery | A Criminally Obsessed Podcast Check out our exclusive interview with Tommy Moore  Watch our interview with Stephen’s mom, Sandy, and his twin sister, Stephanie  Get Valerie’s book, "The Devil at His Elbow: Alex Murdaugh and the Fall of a Southern Dynasty” Get Blanca Turrubiate-Simpson's book, “Within the House of Murdaugh: Amid a Unique Friendship, Blanca and Maggie” Learn more about Mal’z Palz, the animal rescue charity for Mallory Beach

    28 min

  8. 25 MAR

    Murdaugh Country Mystery: What The Hell Happened To Stephen Smith?

    If the crimes of the Murdaugh family are a knot, there’s one thread we’ll never let go of here at Criminally Obsessed – the unsolved homicide of Stephen Smith. He was found dead on a rural South Carolina road in 2015, and we’ve followed the case through all its twists and turns.  We’ve spoken with the people closest to Stephen, including his mom, Sandy, and twin sister, Stephanie. Despite moments of hope during a long investigation – an exhumation of Stephen’s body, an independent autopsy, and a ruling of Stephen’s death as a homicide – we still need answers.   Senior Investigative Reporter Anne Emerson catches up with reporter Valerie Bauerlein - Anne and Valerie reported Alex Murdaugh’s murder trial together in 2023. Since then, Valerie wrote a book on all things Murdaugh, "The Devil at His Elbow: Alex Murdaugh and the Fall of a Southern Dynasty.” In this interview, we try to untangle the questions on all our minds: What happened to Stephen Smith? Are we closer to answers? Will we ever know?  Catch up on all things Murdaugh with our previous coverage: Criminally Obsessed's YouTube Channel The Murdaugh Murders, Money & Mystery | Criminally Obsessed  Our exclusive interview with Tommy Moore  Our interview with Stephen’s mom, Sandy, and his twin sister, Stephanie

    45 min
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About

Criminally Obsessed goes deeper — inside the investigations, the courtroom drama, and the human stories at the center of the country’s biggest true crime cases. We track breaking developments, uncover overlooked details, and bring clarity to the chaos — always with compassion for victims and the people whose lives are forever changed. Host Anne Emerson brings more than 30 years of award-winning investigative reporting to every episode. She’s covered the nation’s most high-profile trials firsthand, conducted interviews with some of the biggest names in the true crime world — from Amanda Knox to Elizabeth Smart — and has trusted sources connected to the cases dominating the national conversation.

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  • Creator
    Criminally Obsessed
  • Years Active
    2k
  • Episodes
    38
  • Copyright
    © Sinclair Inc.
  • Show Website
    Criminally Obsessed

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