Zone 7 with Sheryl McCollum

The LAPD’s most famous cold case, the Black Dahlia, has haunted headlines for generations, and a renewed wave of speculation now argues she was killed by the same person who later called himself the Zodiac.
In this episode of "Zone 7," Sheryl McCollum is joined by forensic pathologist Dr. Priya Banerjee and forensic psychologist Dr. Joni Johnston to put that theory to the test.
They argue Elizabeth Short’s murder reads as intimate and rage-driven, marked by postmortem mutilation and staging, while the Zodiac attacks appear cold and more mission-oriented, closer to an execution than a personal assault.
They also clarify the difference between modus operandi and psychological signature, explain why signatures do not just “cool off” over decades, and urge civilians and investigators alike to test assumptions, scrutinize claims, and bring in smarter minds when the facts demand it.

Guest Bios:
Dr. Priya Banerjee is a board-certified forensic pathologist with extensive experience in death investigation, clinical forensics, and courtroom testimony. A John’s Hopkins graduate, she served for over a decade as Rhode Island’s state medical examiner and now leads a private forensic pathology practice.
Dr. Joni Johnston is a forensic psychologist, private investigator, and crime writer. Her work includes prison and parole settings, court-related forensic services, workplace misconduct investigations, parole evaluations for mentally disordered offenders, and expert testimony in criminal and civil cases.
About the Host
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 4 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:
X: @149Zone7
Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
Instagram: @officialzone7podcast
Email: [email protected]
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.
Preorder Sheryl’s upcoming book, "Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Lessons in Life, Justice, and Joy from a Forensic Scientist," releasing May 2026 from Simon and Schuster.
Highlights:
• (0:00) Sheryl McCollum frames the Black Dahlia and Zodiac question, and why “same killer” theories require disciplined testing
• (1:15) The Zodiac’s moniker, symbols, and ciphers as behavioral evidence through public messaging
• (2:45) Dr. Joni Johnston on why the Black Dahlia reads as personal, targeted violence rather than opportunistic killing
• (4:15) Modus operandi versus signature behavior, and where true crime narratives often blur the line
• (5:45) Antemortem versus postmortem behavior, and how that distinction changes scene interpretation
• (7:00) Why signature tends to remain stable over time, even when method or opportunity shifts
• (8:00) What autopsy findings and scene details can suggest about intent
• (15:00) Facial carving as humiliation, defacement, and control, and what that suggests about motive
• (18:15) Tattoo removal and insertion framed as symbolic degradation
• (20:15) Escalation narratives and control needs, testing patterns against a “same offender” theory
• (27:00) BTK comparison, and why taunting and offender messaging are not unique identifiers
• (31:45) Timeline gaps and intent differences as evidence against a single-offender theory
• (33:00) Closing quote and final takeaway on evidence, teamwork, and disciplined disagreement


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Human trafficking investigations rarely look like abduction stories, and the biggest failures often start with a single mistake: mislabeling the victim. In this Hall of Fame Series installment of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum is joined by Maurice Edwards, a 2023 National Law Enforcement Officer Hall of Fame inductee. Together, they clarify what trafficking looks like in the United States, explain why prosecutors and victim advocates belong in the earliest stages of an investigation, and challenge the language and assumptions that can derail a case. Sheryl and Maurice emphasize a victim-first standard: when a child is being bought and sold, the work begins with protection and recovery.

Highlights:
• (0:00) Sheryl McCollum introduces Maurice Edwards and his career in missing-child and child sex trafficking investigations
• (2:15) Maurice’s current role supporting child sex trafficking investigations at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
• (3:45) What drew Maurice to trafficking work through missing-child cases and pattern recognition
• (6:45) The first trafficking case, first convictions, and the task force model that followed
• (9:00) Why prosecutors must be embedded early to build cases that survive court
• (11:00) Legal precision at the scene, and why Sheryl insists a teamwork mindset makes cases stronger
• (13:45) Misconceptions that derail trafficking cases and why language shapes how victims are treated
• (18:45) The cases that stay with Maurice: child deaths, coercion, and forced substance abuse tied to exploitation
• (21:25) Carrying the work home: Maurice on emotional boundaries and staying steady in child sex-crime investigations
• (28:30) Technology’s role in trafficking and the investigative reality of criminals adapting to new tools
• (32:15) Practical ways the public can support prevention and a victim-first response
• (33:15) The comparison that exposes the double standard in how minors are treated in commercial sex settings
• (38:00) Closing reflections on service, humility, and credit not being the goal

Guest Bio:
Maurice Edwards is a law enforcement leader specializing in child sex-trafficking investigations and missing and endangered child recoveries. He is currently a supervisor with the Child Sex Trafficking Team at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, supporting agencies with analytical support, operational planning, training, and investigative awareness. He has received multiple professional honors, including the Polaris Star Award, Florida Intelligence Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, the Frederick Douglass Human Trafficking Award, and 2023 induction into the National Law Enforcement Officer Hall of Fame.

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.

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 4 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: [email protected]
• Twitter: @ColdCaseTips
• Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
• Instagram: @officialzone7podcast

Preorder Sheryl’s upcoming book, Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Lessons in Life, Justice, and Joy from a Forensic Scientist, releasing May 2026 from Simon and Schuster.
https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Swans-Dont-Swim-in-a-Sewer/Sheryl-Mac-McCollum/9798895652824

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Nearly four decades after the Colonial Parkway murders first shocked Virginia, new DNA links have expanded the known scope of the case while raising questions about investigative accountability.
In this episode of "Zone 7," Sheryl McCollum is joined by Bill Thomas, whose sister Cathy Thomas was one of the original victims, and Kristin Dilley, his long-time investigative partner and co-host of the podcast, "Mind Over Murder."
They walk through the latest DNA identifications tied to Alan Wade Wilmer Sr., the procedural barriers that keep his profile out of CODIS, and the growing divide between state-level momentum and federal inaction.
Their discussion centers on what happens when evidence advances while communication and action stall.
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.
Guest Bios:
Bill Thomas is a victim advocate and the brother of Cathy Thomas, one of the original victims of the Colonial Parkway murders. For nearly four decades, he has worked with law enforcement, forensic experts, and journalists to seek answers in his sister’s case and accountability for all affected families. Bill is co-host of the podcast, "Mind Over Murder," where he focuses on cold cases, investigative transparency, and the systemic challenges families face in long-term homicide investigations.
Kristin Dilley is a true crime podcaster, researcher, writer, and teacher based in Williamsburg, Virginia. Kristin has worked alongside Bill Thomas for more than seven years and is the co-host of "Mind Over Murder," where she examines cold cases with an emphasis on evidence, patterns, and victim-centered accountability.
About the Host
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 4 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: [email protected]
• Twitter: @149zone7
• Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
• Instagram: @officialzone7podcast

Preorder Sheryl’s upcoming book, "Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Lessons in Life, Justice, and Joy from a Forensic Scientist," releasing May 2026 from Simon and Schuster.

Highlights:
• (0:00) Sheryl McCollum opens Zone 7by addressing stalled accountability in long- running cold cases
• (0:45) Bill Thomas and Kristin Dilley return to Zone 7 and reflect on their investigative partnership
• (2:00) Bill remembers his sister Cathy Thomas, her Naval Academy legacy, her character, and her friend Rebecca Ann Dowski
• (5:15) How advocacy and podcasting have helped families move forward on the Colonial Parkway murders
• (9:15) The January 2024 public announcement linking Allen Wade Wilmer Sr. to multiple victims
• (10:15) The confirmed DNA connection to Laurie Ann Powell
• (13:15) Why Wilmer’s DNA is not in CODIS despite evidence of sexual assault
• (17:00) Federal communication failures and the limits of victim services updates
• (19:15) The contrast between FBI silence and Virginia State Police persistence
• (22:45) Whether Cathy Thomas’s case is closer to resolution and what emerging patterns suggest
• (25:15) Evidence handling failures and the long-term consequences for families
• (33:15) Closing reflections on persistence, accountability, and the cost of waiting decades for answers


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In January 1981, during a severe winter storm, Lonene “Lonnie” Rogers disappeared from her home in rural Pennsylvania, leaving behind her children, her car, and no clear explanation for how she could have survived the conditions.
In this episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum speaks with Lonnie’s daughter, Alison Duiker, about the final hours before the disappearance, the instability that followed, and the long search for answers that began when Alison was just five years old.
Joined by clinical hypnotherapist Monica Miller, their conversation revisits the timeline of that night and the challenges of examining long-dormant cases when physical evidence is scarce.
Highlights:
• (0:00) Sheryl McCollum shares Zone 7’s 2026 plans and the upcoming 10-8 Tour
• (1:15) January 7,1981: the blizzard night Lonnie Rogers vanished
• (2:45) Alison Duiker remembers her mother before the disappearance
• (5:15) Writing A Daughter’s Journey and preserving her mother’s story
• (10:00) The home environment leading up to Lonnie’s disappearance
• (13:00) Neighbors report arguing during the storm and unusual sounds in the duplex
• (14:45) The middle-of-the-night trip to the babysitter and unanswered time gaps
• (16:45) Growing up in instability after her mother vanished
• (19:15) The night Alison was abandoned at a police station
• (21:45) A teacher’s phone number and the moment that everything changed
• (26:15) Finding safety, stability, and resilience through guardianship
• (28:00) Revisiting the case decades later and considering hypnosis as an investigative tool
• (31:30) Monica Miller explains memory, trauma, and timeline-based hypnosis
• (41:45) Creating a controlled, quiet setting to organize memory without suggestion
• (43:45) A key detail: snow wiped from Lonnie’s car
• (50:15) Recovered memory and its investigative implications
• (54:15) The call Alison never expected: a reported confession and arrest after forty-four years
• (58:15) Thanksgiving reflections and plans for a future case update

Guest Bios:
Alison Duiker is a special education teacher with more than twenty years of experience working with young children.
She is the author of "A Daughter’s Journey: A Story of Resilience," a memoir documenting her childhood, her mother Lonnie Rogers’ disappearance, and the lasting impact of unresolved loss. Alison has spent decades advocating for answers in her mother’s case and raising awareness about cold cases.
Monica Miller is a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist based in Atlanta, Georgia, with more than ten years in private practice.
She holds a B.A. from the University of Florida and is also a Licensed Massage Therapist and registered yoga teacher, integrating a mind-body approach in her work. Monica works with a wide range of clients, including professional athletes and individuals in high-stress careers, using a collaborative and client-centered method.
About the Host
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: [email protected]
• Twitter: @149zone7
• Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
• Instagram: @officialzone7podcast


See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just blocks from the White House, a quiet act of service ended in tragedy.
Two young National Guard members were ambushed; one was killed instantly, and another was left in critical condition.
This week on Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum welcomes Dr. Sunny Slaughter to reflect on what happened that day and what it reveals about leadership, language, and the power of restraint.
Together, they explore how hate takes root, why communication can be a matter of life and death, and what it truly means to serve with empathy when the world feels like it’s falling apart.
Highlights:
• (0:00) Sheryl McCollum reveals Zone 7’s 2026 return to weekly episodes and the kickoff. of the 10-8 Tour
• (1:00) Welcome to Zone 7 with Sheryl McCollum and guest Dr. Sunny Slaughter
• (4:15) The ambush that killed Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and critically injured Andrew Wolfe, 24
• (7:00) How compassion, not politics, defines law enforcement and military duty
• (10:00) “Take the temperature down to zero”: Dr. Slaughter’s warning against political violence
• (12:30) Dr. Slaughter’s experience teaching “lens, language, and law” and why empathy is operational readiness
• (17:00) Service as calling, not career: advice for the next generation of guardsmen and officers
• (20:45) Sheryl and Dr. Slaughter on gratitude, resilience, and learning through hardship
• (27:00) Finding meaning after loss and the power of service on purpose• (30:00) Preparing for crisis: why every law enforcement professional must plan for the unexpected
• (35:00) The Florida eviction tragedy and how quickly crisis can turn fatal
• (36:15) Final reflections: honoring the National Guard members through unity, compassion, and continued service

Guest Bio
Dr. Sunny Slaughter is a law enforcement instructor, expert witness and crisis communication strategist who specializes in counterterrorism, extremism, and emerging threats.
As CEO of Sunny Slaughter Consulting and founder of the Sunny Slaughter Group, she helps agencies nationwide build crisis-ready leadership. A former military spouse and longtime advocate for justice and public safety, Dr. Slaughter has served as a U.S. Department of Homeland Security instructor and continues to guide federal, state, and local agencies in strengthening community resilience.
About the Host
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 4 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: [email protected]
• Twitter: @149zone7
• Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
• Instagram: @officialzone7podcast
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.
Preorder Sheryl’s upcoming book, "Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Lessons in Life, Justice, and Joy from a Forensic Scientist," releasing May 2026 from Simon and Schuster.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.