Zone 7 with Sheryl McCollum

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!

  1. -2 J

    Crime Roundup | Charlie Kirk Shooting, Free Speech, and Reflections from CrimeCon

    In the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer use this week’s Crime Roundup to reflect on political violence, the First Amendment, and what it means to live in a divided country. The explore the power and limits of the First Amendment, the risks faced by judges and public figures, and how moments of unity like those following 9/11 have become harder to find. Sheryl also shares behind-the-scenes highlights from CrimeCon 2025, including a drink with Ice-T and a packed Zone 7 session where Joshua’s glasses stole the show.   Highlights: (0:00) Welcome to Crime Roundup with Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer (0:45) Charlie Kirk's assassination and what it says about political violence (2:45) Common ground, debate, and how to talk across divides (5:00) What makes the First Amendment uniquely American (9:00 Political threats, judicial safety, and national trauma (17:45) Remembering 9/11 and a moment of unity (20:00) CrimeCon recap: Ice-T, Marcia Clark, and unforgettable moments (22:30) Joshua’s surprise gift for Zone 7 fans (26:30) Final thoughts on free speech, differences, and dignity   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 a fearless advocate for accountability. Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, a 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.   🎧 Want more from Sheryl? Catch her every week on the Zone 7 podcast, where she hosts the main series on Wednesdays, Pathology with Dr. Priya on Mondays, and Crime Roundup each Friday alongside Joshua Schiffer.   📢 Stay Connected Subscribe using your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to support the show. Have a case or topic you’d like Sheryl and Joshua to cover?  Email coldcase2004@gmail.com   Follow the Hosts: Sheryl on X: @ColdCaseTips Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum Joshua on X and Instagram: @lawyerschiff See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    29 min
  2. -4 J

    The Olympic Park Bombing Part 3 | Dana Jewell on Richard Jewell’s Life and Legacy

    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.

    35 min
  3. 5 SEPT.

    Crime Roundup | Donna Adelson Trial, Cardi B’s Testimony, and Kentucky Newborn Death Case

    Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer dig into three high-profile legal cases making headlines this week on Crime Roundup. They break down the Donna Adelson murder-for-hire trial, where Sheryl calls out the “mob movie nonsense” as the defense scrambles to explain taped jail calls and handwritten notes. They revisit Cardi B’s courtroom appearance, where her unfiltered language and direct delivery spark a sharp take on how juries respond when a witness owns exactly who they are. They also examine a case in Kentucky involving the death of a newborn and the legal questions still surrounding the investigation. Plus, Sheryl previews what she’s looking forward to at CrimeCon, including a live panel she’ll lead with Ed Newcomer, a special agent with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and a recent Zone 7 guest.   Highlights: (00:00) Welcome to Crime Roundup with Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer (00:30) Cardi B returns to court, and Sheryl breaks down why her delivery works (03:00) How attorney’s fees shape strategy in civil lawsuits (08:00) Donna Adelson’s trial gets messy: recorded jail calls, handwritten notes, and family fallout (16:45) Trial strategy: witness issues and what’s next for the Adelson case (21:45) CrimeCon preview: Sheryl shares what she’s looking forward to most (25:15) In Kentucky, the death of a newborn prompts legal questions and cautious speculation about what comes next (27:15) Wrapping up with CrimeCon: live panels and forensic favorites   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 a fearless advocate for accountability. Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, a 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.   🎧 Want more from Sheryl? Catch her every Wednesday on Zone 7, where she doesn’t just talk cold cases, she works them. She is 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 Zone 7: Crime Roundup on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to help others find the show. Have a case or topic you want discussed? Email coldcase2004@gmail.com or connect with the hosts on social: Sheryl on X: @ColdCaseTips Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum Joshua on X and Instagram: @lawyerschiff See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    32 min
  4. 3 SEPT.

    The Olympic Park Bombing Part 2 | Kent Alexander on Justice and Richard Jewell

    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.

    39 min
  5. 2 SEPT.

    Pathology with Dr. Priya | A Zone 7 Series: Aftermath — The Forensics of a School Shooting

    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.

    20 min
  6. 29 AOÛT

    Crime Roundup | Cardi B Lawsuit Testimony, Karen Read Case Update & A.J. Scott Verdict

    This week on Crime Roundup, Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer tackle a courtroom moment that has everyone talking: Cardi B’s bold, unscripted testimony in a civil trial that underscores the power of authenticity on the stand. They revisit the Karen Read case, where Trooper Proctor is fighting to regain his badge despite a misconduct scandal that may have ended his creditability as a witness. In Georgia, Trooper A.J. Scott faces the consequences of a high-speed crash that killed two teenagers, but a puzzling verdict leaves one family still searching for accountability. The episode wraps with a brief but important warning for parents, as Joshua shares a recent case involving online blackmail targeting a student.   Highlights: (0:00) Welcome to Crime Roundup with Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer (2:45) Cardi B takes the stand and delivers unforgettable courtroom testimony (4:30) Hair relevance, and how not to question a celebrity witness (6:00) Behind the curtain of civil law: contingency fees and when lawsuits go too far (8:15) Trooper Proctor and the fallout from the Karen Read investigation (9:30) How private texts and off-duty behavior can derail a law enforcement career (16:15) Trooper A.J. Scott’s case: high speed crash left two dead, but only one homicide conviction follows (20:00) Cardi B owns the stand: embracing her voice, her language, and why authenticity resonates with juries (24:30) How attorney’s fees, not injuries, can drive strategy in civil trials (29:00) A quick warning for parents: how a student was targeted by online blackmail   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 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.   🎧 Want more from Sheryl? Catch her every Wednesday on Zone 7, where she doesn’t just talk cold cases, she works them. She is 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 Zone 7: Crime Roundup on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to help others find the show. Have a case or topic you want discussed? Email coldcase2004@gmail.com or connect with the hosts on social: Sheryl on X: @ColdCaseTips Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum Joshua on X and Instagram: @lawyerschiff See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    31 min
  7. 27 AOÛT

    The Olympic Park Bombing Part 1 | Eyewitness Account with Irv Brandt

    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.

    42 min
  8. 25 AOÛT

    Pathology with Dr. Priya | A Zone 7 Series: Anatomy of an Autopsy

    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 Series See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    27 min

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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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