Criminally Obsessed

What evidence could convict Alex Murdaugh the second time around? Murdaugh's 2023 convictions for the murders of his wife Maggie and son Paul have been overturned, and forensic criminologist Dr. Laura Pettler lays out exactly what we need to pay attention to in the next chapter of the Murdaugh saga. In this episode of Criminally Obsessed, Anne Emerson speaks with our friend Dr. Laura Pettler to examine the murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh using her "Murder Room Method," an investigative process she developed to systematically analyze homicide cases. Dr. Laura Pettler discusses the three pi

Have Coast Guard searches uncovered bombshell evidence in the Lynette Hooker case?  New search images released by the Coast Guard are raising questions about the disappearance of 55-year-old Lynette Hooker, who vanished in the Bahamas nearly three months ago. Her husband, Brian Hooker, says she accidentally fell overboard on April 4th and could not be saved - but Lynette’s loved ones have serious questions about what really happened out on the water, and what the Coast Guard may have found in their investigation. In this episode of Criminally Obsessed, Anne Emerson sits down with underwater

WHAT IS WRONG WITH TAYLOR PARKER? We’re examining the mind behind the shocking crimes unraveled in Netflix’s ‘Maternal Instinct’ and asking the question: what led Taylor Parker to commit these horrific acts of violence?  What were the warning signs in her behavior and mental state… and could she have been stopped? Taylor Parker was convicted of murdering her friend, Reagan Simmons-Hancock. She cut her unborn baby from her womb, and attempted to pass the child off as her own after faking a pregnancy for months. Her web of lies and deception led to two tragic deaths - Reagan, and her baby, Bra

Does the Long Island serial killer have more unidentified victims? Rex Heuermann’s sentencing - life in prison for the horrific murders of eight women - marks a significant milestone in the Gilgo Beach murders investigation. Heuermann’s DNA can now be officially entered into CODIS, the national law enforcement DNA database.  It has us asking - Are there other unidentified victims still waiting for justice? In this episode of Criminally Obsessed, Anne Emerson digs into what comes next now that the Gilgo Beach murder case has entered a new chapter. Anne is joined by Ruth Bashinsky, Daily Mail

“YOU’RE A COWARD!” Rex Heuermann has been sentenced to life in prison without parole. Suffolk County Court Judge Timothy Mazzei didn’t hold back during his sentencing on Wednesday, June 17th.  But the day wasn’t about Rex. It was about justice for his victims. And their families got to face him in an emotional moment that’s been a long time coming.  In this episode of Criminally Obsessed, Anne Emerson speaks with Law&Crime correspondent Angenette Levy, who was inside the packed Suffolk County, New York courtroom and witnessed the emotion of the day - From the judge calling Heuermann a coward

We’re bringing our biggest Nancy Guthrie questions to an expert in digital investigations. Four months after Today show host Savannah Guthrie’s mother vanished from her Tucson, Arizona home, new theories and online speculation continue to swirl around the case. Can the masked suspect seen in the doorbell camera footage actually be identified? What is a "wrench attack," and could it explain what happened to Nancy Guthrie? And what should law enforcement do next?  In this episode of Criminally Obsessed, Anne Emerson sits down with Morgan Wright, a nationally recognized cybercrime and intelligen

An anonymous tip spurred a ground search for Nancy Guthrie in Mexico. But this private investigator thinks they're looking in the wrong place… and says that authorities have their eyes on a subject in the kidnapping. Four months after Today show host Savannah Guthrie’s 84-year-old mother was abducted from her Tucson, Arizona home, investigators and volunteers are still searching for answers. A recent tip out of Mexico sent searchers chasing a new lead, but one veteran private investigator believes Nancy was taken to Northern Arizona. Why? In this episode of Criminally Obsessed, Anne Emerson

Real-life couple in "Gone Girl" kidnapping case speaking out:  Denise Huskins and Aaron Quinn became the faces of a twisted true crime story in 2015 after Denise was kidnapped from their Vallejo, California home. Instead of being treated like victims, they were accused by police of faking the whole thing, drawing comparisons to the plot of the movie “Gone Girl.”  But over a decade later, Denise and Aaron can confirm: It was all horrifyingly real. In this episode of Criminally Obsessed, Anne Emerson speaks with Denise and Aaron to talk about where they are now after a home invasion, kidnappi

Alex Murdaugh has a new judge for his double murder retrial. And we want to know everything. Who is Judge Debra McCaslin? The South Carolina Circuit Court Judge has been assigned to oversee Alex Murdaugh’s upcoming murder retrial in the deaths of his wife, Maggie Murdaugh, and son, Paul Murdaugh in 2021. What should we know about the woman now tasked with presiding over the next chapter of the Murdaugh saga? In this episode of Criminally Obsessed, Anne Emerson digs into Judge McCaslin’s path to the bench, a journey that started later in life and led her to the highest levels of South Carolin

INSIDE THE MOMENT KARMELO ANTHONY WAS FOUND GUILTY IN TRACK MEET MURDER: There were no cameras in the courtroom. The public never got to hear the witnesses testify, watch the families react, or see the moment Anthony broke down as the verdict was read. He was indicted on first-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf after an altercation turned deadly at a track meet in Frisco, Texas, in April 2025. So we had to speak to someone who was there. Sitting just rows behind the victim’s family. Court TV anchor Cody Thomas attended the trial every day, and now he’s taking u

SHOULD MACKENZIE SHIRILLA HAVE WALKED FREE? And is her personality the reason she didn’t? The Ohio teen was convicted of intentionally crashing her car at 100 miles per hour and killing her boyfriend, Dominic Russo, and friend, Davion Flanagan in 2022. As the world reexamines the case in Netflix’s newly released documentary “The Crash,” Mackenzie’s intentions, mindset, and personality are major discussion points.  She was convicted of murder. End of story, right? But what if the evidence is not as straightforward as it seems? In this episode of Criminally Obsessed, Anne Emerson sits down wi

HAWAII’S MISSING PERSON MYSTERY: WHY ARE PEOPLE VANISHING ON THE BIG ISLAND? And is a new arrest taking us one step closer to uncovering the secrets hiding in paradise?  Nearly 100 people have disappeared from Hawaii’s Big Island in just the last five years, many seemingly without a trace. Now, a recent arrest is drawing even more attention to the island’s darker side. Jacob Daniel Baker is facing murder charges in three separate deaths.  In this episode of Criminally Obsessed, Anne Emerson sits down with investigative reporter Kristin Thorne, whose Law & Crime documentary Vanished in Parad

The Netflix documentary The Crash has reignited debate around one of the most shocking true crime cases in recent memory: the conviction of Mackenzie Shirilla. In this episode of Criminally Obsessed, Anne Emerson talks with forensic psychologist Dr. John Delatorre to unpacks not only what may have been going on in Mackenzie's mind, but also her parents, Steve and Natalie Shirilla. Drawing from the documentary, courtroom evidence, and Mackenzie's behavior before and after the crash, Dr. John explores whether this was an impulsive act fueled by rage, entitlement, and immaturity—or something far

“HE BUILT THIS STATION AND HE WAS MURDERED” This observation led CBS Austin news anchor Walt Maciborski down a rabbit hole. He was fascinated by the murder of his station’s founder, multimillionaire Texas media mogul Steven Beard. Beard was shot by Tracey Tarlton in 1999 while in his bed – but Tracey’s motive has long been in dispute. Beard’s wife, Celeste, is in prison for orchestrating his murder. Some call her a “Trophy Wife,” while others say she was framed by a jilted lover – none other than the trigger person, Tracey. Walt is featured in the latest Criminally Obsessed original true

Did this mom poison her family at Thanksgiving dinner? And even worse, could she be a serial killer? North Carolina investigators are asking if Gudrun Casper-Leinenkugel could be the rare female serial killer. Authorities say Gudrun poisoned wine served at a Thanksgiving gathering, killing her daughter Leela Livis and sickening two others. But as investigators dug into her past, they uncovered another death from 2007 involving the same chemical and began examining additional suspicious deaths of people connected to her. In this episode of Criminally Obsessed, investigative journalist Anne E

A Thanksgiving dinner. A bottle of wine. One daughter dead. And a question investigators are now asking: could this be the work of a female serial killer? Authorities say North Carolina mother Gudrun Casper-Leinenkugel poisoned members of her own family during Thanksgiving dinner by allegedly lacing wine with acetonitrile, a chemical that converts to cyanide in the body. Her 32-year-old daughter, Leela Livis, died. Two others survived. But investigators say the story doesn't stop there. As they dug into Gudrun's past, authorities uncovered another death from 2007 involving the same chemical

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson calls Alex Murdaugh’s murder trial ‘more than a trial. It's  a saga.” The South Carolina Supreme Court overturned Alex Murdaugh's double murder convictions of ihis wife Maggie Murdaugh and son Paul Murdaugh.  They were shot to death June 7, 2021 at the family’s Moselle property in Colleton County, South Carolina. Alan Wilson won’t be back to personally prosecute what some might call part two of South Carolina’s trial of the century.  In this episode of Criminally Obsessed, investigative reporter Anne Emerson sits down with Wilson for an unfiltered c

When the Roxanne Sharp murder case went cold, Louisiana State Police tried something unusual to help solve the 1982 killing: they partnered with a trusted local radio host in a small Louisiana town to launch a true crime podcast. In this episode of Criminally Obsessed, Anne Emerson speaks with Louisiana State Police PIO Marc Gremillion about how podcaster Charles Dowdy and the "Who Killed Roxanne?" podcast helped generate new leads in the decades-old cold case murder investigation. After Roxanne Sharp’s case was featured on the true crime podcast and shared across social media, tips started

A murdered teenage girl. A cold case that went unsolved for more than four decades. After years without answers, Louisiana State Police tried something different: they helped launch a true crime podcast to generate new leads. Now, four men have been charged in connection with the 1982 killing of Roxanne Sharp. Roxanne was 16 when her body was found in a wooded area near the St. Tammany Parish Fairgrounds in Covington, Louisiana. According to Louisiana State Police, the initial investigation determined she had been raped and murdered, but due to limited physical evidence and a lack of public

More than 100 days into the search for Nancy Guthrie, could a breakthrough be sitting in an FBI lab as we speak? WHAT is taking so long? The disappearance of Today show host Savannah Guthrie’s mother from her Tucson, Arizona home has gripped us since day one. Authorities say DNA evidence is now being analyzed at the FBI lab in Quantico, a move that suggests investigators believe it could be critical to finally bringing answers in Nancy’s disappearance. Forensic DNA expert Tiffany Roy has processed thousands of DNA samples and worked on thousands of cases - it’s her job to review cases that ha

WHO IS 'COUSIN' EDDIE? As Alex Murdaugh prepares for a murder retrial, why hasn't this alleged Murdaugh co-conspirator gone to trial in the first place?  Anne spoke with Curtis “Eddie” Smith, the man prosecutors say helped Alex stage a roadside shooting in Hampton County, South Carolina back in 2021. This is an exclusive interview Anne did in 'secret' that we unearthed from our archives that was conducted just weeks after the incident. Nearly five years later, the alleged co-conspirator in the failed $10 million life insurance plot remains on house arrest, with police claiming he was also pu

ATTORNEY VS. ATTORNEY: It hasn't even been a week since the news came down that Alex Murdaugh is getting a murder retrial in South Carolina, and so much news around this case has already broke — from a six-figure lawsuit to, now, the fact that the death penalty is on the table for Alex in this trial sequel! A day after our sit-down interview with Murdaugh defense attorney Dick Harpootlian, we caught up with the other side of this case. Creighton Waters helped convict Alex Murdaugh in the murders of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul in 2023. He’s now faced with trying the same case — but does t

ALEX MURDAUGH'S DEFENSE ATTORNEY OPENS UP: Anne Emerson sits down with Murdaugh defense attorney Dick Harpootlian, who says he’s never stopped believing Alex Murdaugh is innocent of the murders of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul. Harpootlian shares what he claims former Clerk of Court Becky Hill told jurors during the original 2023 trial, and reveals the defense already has what he calls “great stuff” for the retrial — including new evidence! We learned last week that Alex is getting a new trial after the South Carolina Supreme Court overturned his murder convictions from 2021. The fallout fr

When Blanca Turrubiate-Simpson learned that Alex Murdaugh's convictions for the murder of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul, were overturned, she immediately went to Maggie’s gravesite.  She needed to sit in silence at the resting place for one of her closest friends.  Our Criminally Obsessed host, investigative reporter Anne Emerson, spent six weeks reporting on the original murder trial back in 2023. She brings her extensive depth of knowledge on this case to our exclusive interview with Blanca for an honest look at the emotional impact of a new trial.  Blanca was a witness in the original t

Alex Murdaugh is getting a new murder trial. On May 13, the South Carolina Supreme Court unanimously overturned Alex's double murder convictions in the June 2021 killings of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul. How did this happen? How did we wind up at this stunning update? The justices ruled that former Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill improperly influenced jurors during the 2023 trial, calling her conduct shocking, egregious, and unprecedented. According to the ruling, Hill’s comments and actions denied Murdaugh his constitutional right to a fair trial. South Carolina Attorney Gene

A 16-year-old girl is accused of murdering her mother, father, and grandmother in the North Carolina home they shared. The girl's 28-year-old boyfriend has also been charged. The family had been trying to keep this older man away from their daughter and was about to get the police involved.  Travis Grant, Kimberly Grant, and Sharon Grant were found shot to death inside their Fairview, North Carolina home on May 7th. The murders have shattered the family who is now trying to comprehend this confusing and complex loss. And get this, police say after the Grants were killed, Star and Devan Oneal

Serial killer Rex Heuermann will be sentenced in June for killing and dismembering eight women on Long Island, New York. Now, we’re venturing into the dark psyche of a human being capable of such brutality, to ask the question… Why? In this episode of Criminally Obsessed, we sit down with forensic psychologist Dr. John Delatorre to break down the mindset of a serial killer, from what drives their choices to why their actions can feel compulsive and calculated at the same time. Heuermann admitted his crimes to his own daughter, Victoria Heuermann, and ex-wife, Asa Ellerup, as captured in the P

What would you do if your ex-husband, the father of your child, confessed to being a serial killer? That’s the reality Asa Ellerup faces after Rex Heuermann, the Gilgo Beach serial killer, admitted to murdering and dismembering multiple women in the home they shared. In this episode of Criminally Obsessed, we take a closer look at Asa’s account revealed in the Peacock documentary The Gilgo Beach Killer: House of Secrets. Some of the actions she’s taken after hearing Rex’s confession are… unusual. We wanted to learn more, from an expert with the perfect background to take us into the dark corne

The details of Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s murder just keep getting darker. We’re now confronted with disturbing facts uncovered in the preliminary hearing evidence brief for the accused killer, David Anthony Burke, known as D4vd. They’re things you can’t unhear… the court document reveals he purchased an inflatable kiddie pool to contain her blood, stood by while she bled to death, and returned to the location where he dumped her belongings - twice. We had to talk to someone with experience analyzing the most gruesome of crime scenes, so in this episode, we’re joined by crime scene investigato

His brother was murdered, and he thinks he knows why.  27-year-old Zamil Limon and his girlfriend, 27-year-old Nahida Bristy - both University of South Florida doctoral students from Bangladesh - were brutally murdered and left in garbage bags. Zamil's roommate, Hisham Abugharbieh, has been arrested and charged with two counts of premeditated first-degree murder. The question on the minds of their families, communities, and all of us is… why?  Investigative reporter Anne Emerson spoke with Zamil’s brother, Zubaer Ahmed, and he shared what he believes is the motive behind this vicious attack.

One month later, where is Lynette Hooker? She disappeared in the Bahamas on April 4th after her husband, Brian Hooker, said she fell from their dinghy near Elbow Cay, but let's face it, does anyone REALLY believe him? In this episode of Criminally Obsessed, we explore new theories about where her body could have been hidden and how evidence may have been destroyed, but what could still be left behind. Investigative reporter Anne Emerson and forensic diver Alex Beer break down what he says divers should be looking for now - one month later. From reaction time on the water to the challenges of

A couple vanishes and a week later, they’re found dead in the most disturbing way. In Tampa, 27-year-old Zamil Limon and his girlfriend, 27-year-old Nahida Bristy - both University of South Florida doctoral students - were discovered in black garbage bags, one on a bridge and the other in the water. Their families are left devastated and begging to know why this happened. Police say a trail of evidence led to Zamil's roommate, Hisham Abugharbieh, who has now been arrested and charged with two counts of premeditated first-degree murder. Investigative reporter Anne Emerson is joined by Dr. Mich

Nick Reiner is accused of stabbing his parents to death… but did he know what he was doing? In this episode, investigative reporter Anne Emerson is joined by Dr. Joni Johnston, a forensic psychologist and expert witness on insanity pleas, to discuss the psychological side of the shocking killings of Rob and Michele Reiner in Los Angeles in December 2025.  As Nick appeared in court today - quiet, expressionless, and reportedly glaring at prosecutors - we learned that the case is stalled until September, with autopsy reports still not completed four months later without explanation. These upd

What kind of person kills a 14-year-old girl, dismembers her, and hides her remains inside a Tesla? That’s the disturbing question at the center of the case against singer David Anthony Burke, known as D4vd, who is accused of murdering Celeste Rivas Hernandez after she was last seen outside his Los Angeles home.  In this episode of Criminally Obsessed, we explore the disturbing psychology of the accused, and of this crime. Investigative reporter Anne Emerson is joined by forensic psychologist Dr. John Delatorre to discuss the psychological profile of someone capable of such violence, and the

What happened to 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez? As new details emerge, this case only gets more disturbing. Months after her body was discovered in Los Angeles inside a Tesla linked to singer David Anthony Burke (known as D4vd), the newly-released medical examiner’s report reveals the horrific way this child was murdered. What we’re learning is hard to process, adding to the outrage as we await updates on D4vd’s murder charge.  In this episode, investigative reporter Anne Emerson is joined by forensic scientist and death investigator Barbara Butcher. We break down new information shared

Nearly three weeks after Lynette Hooker went missing, the questions are only growing. She fell off a dinghy in the Bahamas on the evening of April 4, 2026 according to her husband, Brian Hooker. We’ve been following this case closely - speaking with people who know and love Lynette like her daughter, Karli, learning from a forensic diver about the complications of water investigations, hearing from a criminologist who studies intimate partner violence, and more to cover the case from all angles.  Now, we’re bringing you into the conversation. We share 10 of your comments on this case with for

It’s a case that’s been occupying so many of our minds, and a situation that’s nearly unimaginable. When Lynette Hooker vanished after allegedly going overboard while sailing in the Bahamas with her husband Brian Hooker on April 4, 2026, her daughter was left without answers.  When we cover these stories, we want to speak to the real people involved, to learn what’s really happening beyond the headlines, and what we can do to push for answers. That’s why we spoke to one of the people who knows Lynette best - Karli Aylesworth, Lynette’s daughter. Investigative reporter Anne Emerson speaks wit

The case of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez is unraveling before our eyes like a real-life horror movie. The teenager was last seen in April 2025, and then found dismembered in the trunk of a Tesla in Los Angeles in September 2025. That Tesla belonged to rising music artist, David Anthony Burke, known as D4vd. Now, he faces first-degree murder charges with shocking special circumstances. In this episode, we go beyond the headlines to unpack the disturbing evidence tied to Burke’s abandoned Tesla, and the questions that still don’t have answers. From eerie overlaps between his music lyri

How do you investigate a disappearance when it happens in the open water? Lynette Hooker has now been missing for more than two weeks after reportedly going overboard from a dinghy. She was sailing with her husband, Brian Hooker, near Elbow Cay in the Bahamas - despite media attention and investigation efforts, there are still no answers. With no body recovered and few clues, law enforcement is facing one of the toughest challenges in any case: searching the open water.In this episode of Criminally Obsessed, we break down what that really means - from shifting currents to the harsh reality of

What really happened to Lynette Hooker? The woman who reportedly went overboard near Elbow Cay in the Bahamas has still not been found, and questions and suspicions are only growing. Her husband, Brian Hooker, says strong winds and rough water separated them on April 4th, but his version of events isn’t sitting right with Lynette’s daughter, his friends, or experts looking at the case.  In this episode, Investigative reporter Anne Emerson is joined by forensic criminologist Dr. Laura Pettler, who specializes in staged crime scenes. We break down the conflicting accounts, including messages Br

“There’s not a lot of room for escape.” Anna Kepner was asphyxiated in her cruise ship cabin back on November 7, 2025—a cabin she was sharing with her 16-year-old step-brother while on a family vacation. The 18-year-old cheerleader's body was found under the mattress. The step-brother, who is yet to be officially identified, has now been indicted as an adult by a federal grand jury for murder and aggravated sexual abuse and will be tried as an adult. Criminally Obsessed’s Anne Emerson investigates the cruise ship crime scene forensics with DrLaura Pettler as well as the family dynamics that

Where is Lynette Hooker… and what REALLY happened? Ten days after she allegedly went overboard a dinghy in the Bahamas, there’s still no sign of her - no body, no witnesses, no clear answers. Rumors, suspicions, and accusations continue to spiral against Lynette’s husband who was with her, Brian Hooker. He’s now been released by police without charges, but his story has raised serious questions. Investigative reporter Anne Emerson interviews Daniel Danforth, a close friend of the Hookers, who spoke with Brian as the news of Lynette’s disappearance unfolded. Daniel says the timeline doesn’t ad

Serial Killer Ted Bundy is back in the headlines - but this time, it’s bringing long-awaited answers in a 51-year-old cold case. 17-year-old Laura Ann Aime was found beaten, bound, and left on the side of a highway after disappearing in Utah in 1974. DNA has now confirmed what investigators and her family long suspected: Bundy was responsible for killing this beloved daughter, sister, and friend.   Investigative reporter Anne Emerson speaks with Laura’s younger sister, Michelle Impala, who opens up about finally getting confirmation that Laura was a victim of Ted Bundy. Now, as police say t

Yesterday, on April 8th 2026, the world watched as Rex Heuermann pleaded guilty to the killings of eight women on Long Island, New York. Investigative reporter Kristin Thorne watched in real time, in court with the man we can now call the Gilgo Beach Serial Killer.  She takes us into that room and explains what it was like - Rex Heuermann’s “overly confident” demeanor as he confirms his killings, his body language, and reactions from his own ex-wife and daughter along with victims’ family members. As a reporter who followed this case from the beginning, Kristin reacts to the day’s events with

We now know what many of us have long suspected - Rex Heuermann IS the Gilgo Beach Serial Killer.  Today, Wednesday April 8th, 2026, Heuermann pleaded guilty to strangling eight women on Long Island, New York. We anticipated a guilty plea to the murders of seven women, but he also pleaded guilty to intentionally causing the death of an eighth victim, Karen Vergata. He will be sentenced on June 17th, 2026. As the true crime world watches these breaking updates unfold in real time, investigative reporter Anne Emerson speaks with a woman who could have been one of these victims; who came face

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

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

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

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 solve

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 hel