Zone 7 with Sheryl McCollum

From the 1960s through the early 1990s, a violent predator known as the “Handcuff Man” targeted gay men and male sex workers in Atlanta. He lured them into his car with promises of money and alcohol before drugging, beating, and burning them. People in the community knew he was dangerous, but fear of being publicly identified and distrust of police kept many from coming forward. The attacks continued for decades before attorney Robert Lee Bennett Jr. was finally arrested in 1991.
In this episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum looks back at the Handcuff Man case and how Bennett managed to target vulnerable men for so many years. Through the stories of survivors, she highlights what investigators missed and why building relationships within a community, earning people’s trust, and listening to those closest to a case can be critical to stopping a violent predator.

Highlights:
(0:00) Why criminals target vulnerable populations and the challenges investigators face
(3:30) The Handcuff Man’s attacks on gay men and male sex workers in Atlanta
(6:00) Why victims and witnesses were reluctant to report the attacks to police
(7:00) Survivors recount their encounters with the Handcuff Man and the severe injuries they suffered
(9:45) How Atlanta police officer J.D. Kirkland identified Robert Lee Bennett Jr. years before his arrest
(11:45) Bennett’s arrest, guilty plea, and the importance of building relationships and trust within a community to help solve crimes

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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 has included high-profile investigations involving the Boston Strangler, Natalee Holloway, Tupac Shakur, and the Moore's Ford Bridge lynching. She is an Emmy Award-winning crime scene investigator and was inducted into the National Law Enforcement Officer Hall of Fame in 2023.

Social Links:
Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com
X: @ColdCaseTips
Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
Instagram: @officialzone7podcast

Sheryl’s new book, Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Solving the Cold Case of the Flint River Killer's Daughter, is available now wherever books are sold.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On September 30, 2026, Tennessee attempted to execute death row inmate Christa Pike by lethal injection for the 1995 murder of 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer. Despite receiving two doses of pentobarbital, Pike survived. She lost consciousness but continued breathing, and her heart was still beating more than an hour after the procedure began. She was eventually transported to a hospital, where she regained consciousness and recovered enough to return to prison.
In this episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum welcomes back board-certified forensic pathologist Dr. Priya Banerjee to discuss what may have gone wrong during Pike’s failed execution. She explains how pentobarbital affects the brain and breathing, why improper IV placement may have prevented the full dose from entering Pike’s bloodstream, and why her recovery was so unexpected. Sheryl and Dr. Priya also discuss previous execution failures, the ethical questions surrounding physician involvement, and the emotional toll these failures can have on victims’ families and everyone involved.

Highlights:
(0:00) Sheryl introduces Christa Pike’s failed execution and welcomes back Dr. Priya Banerjee
(1:30) Dr. Priya explains Tennessee’s single-drug lethal injection protocol and how pentobarbital works
(3:15) How improper IV placement may have contributed to the failed execution
(5:15) The medical response after Pike survived the lethal injection attempt
(7:00) Why Pike’s recovery was so unexpected
(9:15) Previous execution failures involving John Wayne Gacy and problems with lethal injection
(11:15) Questions about who administers lethal injections and the ethical restrictions on physician involvement
(15:15) How lethal injection protocols vary from state to state
(16:30) Pike’s attorneys requested an alternative execution method before the procedure
(17:30) Statistics on failed executions and the need to prevent medical errors
(19:15) The emotional impact of failed executions on victims' families and everyone involved

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.
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Dr. Priya Banerjee is a board-certified forensic pathologist and former Rhode Island state medical examiner. She previously co-hosted Pathology with Dr. Priya, a Zone 7 series, and uses her forensic expertise to help audiences better understand complex medical evidence and death investigations.

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.
Sheryl’s work has included high-profile investigations involving the Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, Tupac Shakur, and the Moore’s Ford Bridge lynching. She is an Emmy Award-winning crime scene investigator and was inducted into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023.

Social Links:
Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com
X: @ColdCaseTips
Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
Instagram: @officialzone7pod

Sheryl’s new book, Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Solving the Cold Case of the Flint River Killer’s Daughter, is available now wherever books are sold.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Presley Gerber, the 27-year-old son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber, died at a sober living facility in September 2026. His death is being investigated as a suspected overdose. Despite his family’s resources and access to treatment, Presley had publicly expressed frustration with his psychiatric care and the number of medications he had been prescribed. His death raises questions about addiction, overprescribing, and how families can find effective help for someone they love.
In this episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum welcomes her sister, board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner Shelley Halligan, to discuss the challenges of treating addiction and the risks associated with certain prescription medications. They talk about counterfeit pills, the dangers of mixing substances, and the questions patients should ask before taking new medications. For families trying to help a loved one, Shelley offers advice on researching treatment centers, explains why facilities that claim to treat everything deserve a closer look, and stresses the importance of researching treatment options.

Highlights:
(0:00) Sheryl reflects on Cindy Crawford and the suspected overdose death of her son, Presley Gerber
(5:00) Shelley explains addiction and the emotional pain that can contribute to substance use
(7:30) Presley’s public frustration with psychiatric care and the number of medications he was prescribed
(9:15) Fentanyl, kratom, and the risks associated with high-potency THC
(12:45) Sheryl recalls a childhood prescription medication dosing error involving Shelley
(15:45) Questions patients should ask about prescribed medications and how to dispose of unused pills safely
(18:00) What families should look for when choosing an addiction treatment facility
(20:45) Shelley’s approach to evaluating multiple prescriptions and reducing unnecessary medications
(23:15) Counterfeit pills, fentanyl, and the dangers of taking medication from someone else
(26:45) Shelley shares stories of addiction-related loss and why she remains hopeful about recovery
(30:45) The importance of asking questions, advocating for loved ones, and removing the shame surrounding addiction

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.
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Dr. Shelley Halligan is a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with certifications in mental health first aid and advanced practice addiction nursing. She specializes in addiction treatment and recovery with a focus on individualized, patient-centered care.

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, including The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, Tupac Shakur and 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: @ColdCaseTips
Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
Instagram: @officialzone7podcast
TikTok: @Sheryl.McCollum

Sheryl’s new book, Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Solving the Cold Case of the Flint
River Killer’s Daughter, is available now wherever books are sold.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Lindsay Clancy trial ended in a mistrial in September 2026 after jurors were unable to reach a unanimous verdict in the case involving the deaths of her three young children. The case has sparked strong opinions and heated debate, and with another trial potentially ahead, attention is turning to what prosecutors might do differently the second time around.
In this episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum welcomes former law enforcement officer, domestic violence expert, and on-air crime analyst Claudia King to discuss the prosecution’s strategy during the first trial and what may need to change if the case returns to court. They talk about how witness sequencing impacts the jury, mental health arguments, accountability, and the evidence surrounding the children’s deaths. Sheryl and Claudia also address the public identification of the lone holdout juror, concerns about jury intimidation, and whether sequestering the jury during a second trial could help protect the integrity of the proceedings.

Highlights:
(0:00) Sheryl introduces Claudia King, former police officer, domestic violence expert, and crime analyst
(4:00) Claudia discusses the possibility of a retrial, pending defense motions, and jury selection challenges
(8:45) Where prosecutors succeeded in closing arguments and why their focus on Lindsay’s suicide attempt may have hurt the case
(11:00) How witness order and testimony can influence a jury●
(14:00) Claudia questions the defense’s claims about Lindsay’s efforts to seek mental health treatment
(17:00) Mental illness, criminal responsibility, and questions about accountability
(20:45) The children’s positions and locations and what they may suggest about the killings
(22:00) The holdout juror faces public backlash after his identity becomes known
(27:15) Jury selection, outside influence, and the case for sequestration
(29:00) Concerns about a defense psychiatric expert’s relationship with Lindsay’s family and potential bias
(31:00) Remembering Cora, Dawson, and Callan Clancy, the victims at the heart of the case

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.
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Claudia King is a former police officer, domestic violence expert, survivor advocate, and crime
analyst. A domestic violence survivor herself, she uses both her personal and professional
experiences to advocate for victims and offer insight into high-profile criminal cases. She also
hosts the Strong Enough podcast.

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, including The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, Tupac Shakur and 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: @ColdCaseTips
Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
Instagram: @officialzone7podcast
TikTok: @Sheryl.McCollum

Sheryl’s new book, Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Solving the Cold Case of the Flint River Killer’s Daughter, is available now wherever books are sold.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

High-profile cases don’t stay behind the scenes anymore. Lawyers are hired before investigations are complete, advocates and private experts release their own findings, witnesses speak on podcasts, and online accusations spread long before anyone is charged with a crime.
In this episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum welcomes back criminal defense attorney Joshua Schiffer to discuss how that shift is changing the criminal justice system and putting new pressure on prosecutors, investigations, witnesses, families, and potential jurors. Using the Nolan Wells investigation as an example, Sheryl and Joshua talk about outside experts, secondary autopsies, media coverage, death threats, doxing, and what can happen when people outside an investigation become involved before law enforcement has finished its work. They also explain how public statements, podcasts, and social media posts can complicate a case and potentially create reasonable doubt if it eventually reaches court.

Highlights:
(0:00) “Crazy town”: the troubling trend in high-profile cases that brings Joshua Schiffer back to Zone7
(1:00) How lawyers, GoFundMe campaigns, protests, and public pressure can begin before an investigation is complete
(6:00) The personal toll of high-profile cases on prosecutors, public defenders, investigators, and their families
(8:30) From theories accusing Lindsay Clancy’s husband to lawsuits against influencers: where true crime interest crosses into harassment and civil liability
(12:15) The Nolan Wells investigation and the outside force already influencing the case before any criminal charges are filed
(14:30) Private reports, outside experts, nonprofits, and public advocacy: when well-meaning help complicates an active investigation
(18:15) Why following police procedures matters when a defense attorney begins challenging an investigation
(20:00) Hiring a lawyer or remaining silent is a constitutional right, not an admission of guilt
(22:15) No blunt force trauma or signs of a fight: what the secondary autopsy does and does not show
(27:30) Death threats, doxing, disputed audio, and why Sheryl and Joshua question the theory of a violent death
(34:30) How podcasts, books, interviews, and social media posts can introduce reasonable doubt before a case ever reaches trial

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.
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Joshua Schiffer is an Atlanta-based criminal defense attorney and longtime Zone 7 contributor. He represents clients in criminal matters and frequently provides legal analysis on high-profile cases, courtroom strategy, constitutional rights, and the realities of the criminal justice system.

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, including The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, Tupac Shakur and 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: @ColdCaseTips
Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
Instagram: @officialzone7podcast
TikTok: @Sheryl.McCollum

Sheryl’s new book, Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Solving the Cold Case of the Flint River Killer’s Daughter, is available now wherever books are sold.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.