Two Teachers of the Year Behind Bars for Heinous Crimes Against Children | Crime Alert 12.05.25

A judge has granted an extension for closing arguments in Mark Sievers' latest appeal.    State prosecutors and Mark Sievers' defense had 45 days to file written closing arguments. It was due a week from Monday,  Dec. 15.  November 19th, Sievers post conviction attorneys, Megan Montagno, Julissa Fontan and John LoBianco, filed a motion seeking the time extension. They cited the impending execution of another death row inmate they represent. Lee Circuit Judge Bruce Kyle granted the extension.  A beautiful and brilliant medical doctor, Dr. Teresa Sievers, takes her family on a vacation trip to visit extended relatives with her husband and her two little girls.  Teresa comes home early, leaving family behind in Connecticut so she can go to work the next morning. Mark Sievers calls a co-worker of his wife to go to the home and check on her when she doesn't show up.  Dr. Teresa Sievers was found brutally bludgeoned, still wearing the outfit, complete with high-heeled shoes, she wore home from the airport Sunday night. The kitchen is covered in blood, a hammer by her side.  Husband Mark Sievers is ultimately charged with murder, accused of arranging for his childhood friend, Curtis Wayne Wright, to murder his wife. Wright pleaded guilty to 2nd-degree murder, cooperating with prosecutors in Mark Sievers's trial.  Sievers is convicted and now is appealing his death sentence.   Joining Nancy Grace to discuss the case: Ashley Willcott: Judge and trial attorney, Anchor on Court TV, www.ashleywillcott.com  James Shelnutt: Attorney, served 27 years as Atlanta Metro Major Case Detective, SWAT Officer Bethany Marshall: Psychologist  Dr. Tim Gallagher: Medical Examiner   Amanda Hall: Reporter, WINK TV, Ft Myers, Florida   Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week’s Crime Roundup, Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer Break down the federal hearing surrounding Luigi Mangione, the suspect accused of assassinating UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December of 2024.  What began as a five-day manhunt has become a master class in what not to do, with missed warrants, coached testimony, and evidence on the verge of being thrown out. Sheryl and Joshua examine how procedural missteps could weaken a potential death penalty case and why “get a warrant” isn't just good advice; it's the foundation of justice. They then turned their attention to Massachusetts, where the trial of Brian Walshe, who is accused of killing and dismembering his wife, reveals how arrogance, lies, and a trail of Google searches can expose a killer's truth. Highlights: • (0:00) Welcome to Crime Roundup with Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer • (0:15) "99 percent of the time, you need a warrant... it won’t hurt your case if you get one and don’t need it.” • (4:00) Coached testimony and the danger of tailoring officer statements for admissibility • (7:30) What happens when training, procedure, and pressure collide in the courtroom • (9:00) How early media leaks and “pre-trial publicity” can poison a case before it begins • (10:30) The potential collapse of key evidence and its impact on death penalty eligibility • (12:15) The rules of criminal procedure and what it means when they don’t apply equally • (17:15) The defense’s dream scenario: getting the weapon suppressed because of a“bad stop” • (17:45) The Brian Walshe trail and the anatomy of a cover-up • (19:30) Walshe’s “woke up and she was dead” defense and why it’s collapsing in court • (21:45) The digital trail: how Google searches reveal motive, method, and mindset • (23:00) Closing thoughts: why “get a warrant” isn’t optional, it’s the rule of lawAbout 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 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, earned her an Emmy Award for CSI: Atlanta and induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023. 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 Stay Connected Subscribe using your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to support the show. Have acase or topic you’d like Sheryl and Joshua to cover? Email [email protected] the Hosts: • Sheryl on X: @ColdCaseTips • Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum • Joshua on X and Instagram: @lawyerschiffSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Breaking crime news as it happens throughout the day! Follow "Crime Alert Hourly Update" now on your favorite podcast app: https://link.chtbl.com/Crime_Alert The Utah parents of an 18-month-old found dead in March have now been arrested in connection with the death of their daughter, Ruby. In the crib where Ruby is found dead, investigators find several sippy cups and waffles. The infant’s mother, Carrie, makes a chilling comment to authorities. Here's some of our top stories this week: A mother & stepfather are accused of stabbing their pregnant daughter to death & then ripping the unborn baby from her womb. The DA called the chilling, premeditated act "Evil personified."  A woman is pulled from a burning row house in Massachusetts by a good Samaritan utility worker with a bucket truck moments before flames would overtake the very spot she evacuated. When Sheriff Stines allegedly shoots and kills Judge Kevin Mullins in his chambers, the event is recorded and caught on video, which is presented during Stines’ preliminary hearing and shown to the grand jury. Stay informed, stay safe, and stay ahead with "Crime Alert Hourly Update.”  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

6-year-old Darius MacDougal is on a family camping trip with his dad, grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, cousins, as well as his dad's girlfriend, Buffy, and her daughter, Kya. The family gathers to celebrate multiple family birthdays at the same time while camping in the Crowsnest Pass, an area of great natural beauty with rivers, creeks, hiking areas, and small islands close to shore where the children love to play.  As the family's are packing up the camping gear to head home, Darius, Kya, and a cousin are on a small island directly across from the camping area, in clear view of all the adults. In the blink of an eye, Darius is gone. The children tell the adults they were all together, turned their back for a second and Darius is gone. Darius' father and grandfather immediately begin searching, each going different directions on the small island to cover the entire area, planning to find Darius before they meet in the middle.  Searching the island and screaming his name, Darius seems to have vanished into thin air. 911 is called and within 20 minutes a command post is set-up and organized searches by the RCMP Search and Rescue begins. Joining Nancy Grace today: Anne Bremner - Trial lawyer, Legal Analyst, and Author: “Justice in the Age of Judgment;" X: @annembremner, Instagram: @Anne_Bremner Caryn Stark - Forensic Psychologist, Renowned TV and Radio Trauma expert and Consultant; Instagram: carynpsych, FB: Caryn Stark Private Practice Dr. Trace Sargent - Search, Rescue & Recovery Expert, PhD in Psychology (with a focus on victimology - criminal profiling - predator behaviors - crime scene analysis); Director of Forensic Investigations and Analysis Brian Fitzgibbons - Former Marine and Iraq War Veteran, Director of Operations for USPA Nationwide Security (leads a team of investigators specializing in locating missing persons); Instagram: @uspa_nationwide_security Stephen Tipper - Southern Alberta Reporter for Postmedia Dave Mack - Crime Stories Investigative Reporter See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rex Heuermann has been cleared in the strangulation death of Colleen McNamee. The 20 year old was beaten strangled and dumped near the William Floyd Parkway in 1994. DNA testing confirmed Heuermann was not connected with the murder.     The DNA test was conducted following a request by convicted killer John Bittrolff. He was convicted in 2017 of killing McNamee and Rita Tangredi. Her battered body was found in  in 1993. Bittrolff tried to pin McNamee’s murder on Heuermann. DNA proved the claim incorrect. Police arrest prominent New York architect Rex Heuerman in connection with the Gilgo Beach serial killings. Rex Heuerman,59, is charged in multiple deaths of women whose bodies were found buried. These include Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello.    The women's remains were found along Gilgo Beach in Long Island within 500 feet of each other. However, investigators have found a total of  eleven bodies but Heuerman is not charged in all. Seven so far.    Heuermann claims he is innocent.  Now a judge rules that evidence collected through cutting-edge DNA technology will be admissible at his trial. Prosecutors say the DNA points directly at Rex Heuermann. The technology specializes in extracting nuclear DNA from damaged or hard-to-get samples, such as rootless hair, like those found on six of the victims.     Joining Nancy Grace Today: John Ray - Attorney for family of Shannan Gilbert Dr. Bethany Marshall - Psychoanalyst (Beverly Hills): Twitter: @DrBethanyLive    Deputy Police Commissioner Anthony M. Carter - Suffolk County Police Department Joe Scott Morgan - Professor of Forensics: Jacksonville State University; Author, "Blood Beneath My Feet" and Host: "Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan;" Twitter: @JoScottForensic Todd G. Shipley, CFE, CFCE - Cyber crime expert, Author: “Investigating Internet Crimes: An Introduction to Solving Crimes in Cyberspace;" Twitter: @webcase Toby Wolson - Forensic Consultant Specializing in DNA, Serology and Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Kristin Thorne- Investigative Reporter for WABC Channel 7 Eyewitness News in New York, and Host of Hulu’s true-crime show, “Missing;" @KristinThorne on Facebook, Twitter, Insta, Threads, & LinkedIn  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luigi Mangione's defense team describes his "beautiful, promising life" as "derailed" by the murder charges against him. This phrasing is not highlighted as a saying from Mangione's groupies, but as a phrase coming from Mangione's attorney as part of a legal motion filed to dismiss the federal case or get the death penalty tossed. As part of an evidence suppression hearing in the upcoming trial of Luigi Mangione, prosecutors play a 911 call placed by the manager of a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania. The McDonald's manager is not identified, and the hearing is the first time the 911 call is played in public.  The manager is apologetic as she tells the 911 operator she tried the non-emergency line first and continues taking orders as she tells the operator, "I have a customer here some other customers were suspicious of because he looks like the CEO shooter in New York. And they're just really upset and come to me, and I'm like, I can't approach him." The 911 operator, Emily States, testifies and is heard asking for a description of the individual, with the manager replying, "The only thing you can see is the eyebrows." Mangione's defense attorney, Marc Agnifilo, objects to the 911 call being played, but the judge says he is allowing the call for this hearing.  Mangione enters the courtroom in shackles, but the judge allows Mangione to sit unshackled and take notes at the defense table.  Long lines outside the courthouse filled with women and men supporters trying to enter the hearing, hoping to get a glimpse of the alleged CEO murderer. Mangione's defense team is trying to prevent several key pieces of evidence from being allowed at trial, like the comment about the 3-D printed pistol. Angifilo claims conversations with correction officers were illegally coerced and should not be allowed. The defense claims Mangione is questioned for 20 minutes by Altoona Police Officer Joseph Detwiler without being read his Miranda rights.  Therefore, prosecutors should not be allowed to introduce any testimony about statements made by Mangione to police. Joining Nancy Grace: Skye Lazaro - Criminal Defense Attorney - with experience in both federal and state cases, Law Firm: Ray, Quinney & Nebeker; Facebook: SkyeBeth, Instagram: SkyeBeth1 Dr. Judy Ho - Clinical and Forensic Neuropsychologist, Author of 'The New Rules of Attachment'; and 'Stop Self-Sabatoge;' IG & X: @drjudyho; FB: doctorjudyho Dr. Angela Arnold - Psychiatrist, Atlanta GA. Expert in the Treatment of Pregnant/Postpartum Women, Former Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Obstetrics and Gynecology: Emory University, Former Medical Director of The Psychiatric Ob-Gyn Clinic at Grady Memorial Hospital Sheryl McCollum - Forensics Expert & Cold Case Investigative Research Institute Founder, Host of "Zone 7;" X: @149zone7 Tom Smith - Former NYPD Detective for 30 years - Narcotics, Robbery Squad, Gang Investigations - was also assigned to the FBI/NYPD Joint Terrorism Task Force. Co-Host of the GOLD SHIELDS Podcast; FB & Instagram: @thegoldshieldshow Joseph Scott Morgan - Professor of Forensics: Jacksonville State University, Author of "Blood Beneath My Feet," and Host: "Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan;" X @JoScottForensic Kayla Brantley -  Reporter-At-Large for DailyMail.com; X: @_KaylaBrantley, Instagram: @KaylaBrantley Dave Mack - Crime Online Investigative Reporter  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two 'Teachers of the Year' arrested for crimes against children.  A Florida man is behind bars for murdering a woman who allegedly flew from the United Kingdom to be killed. Sydney Sumner reports. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brian Walshe pleads guilty to misleading police and improperly disposing of a body, leaving only themurder charge for the trial. Prosecutors believe Walshe is motivated to murder by an affair and a $2.7 million life insurance policy with Brian Walshe as the beneficiary. The state says unhappy marriage, sick internet searches, and DNA evidence all point to Brian Walshe as his wife Ana’s killer. Three days before Ana Walshe is last seen alive, a PornHub video is viewed on Brian Walshe’s laptop about a “cheating wife,” tying in to prosecutors’ theory Walshe knew Ana was having an affair. On cross-examination, an investigator admits the viewer did not specifically search for ‘cheating’ or ‘cuckold’ materials and may have stumbled on the video from an unrelated search for a particular actress. Prosecutors paint the picture of the Walshe marriage as a crumbling house, and Ana befriends and becomes romantically involved with another man, William Fastow, and Brian is looking for a way out. Ana is with Fastow on Christmas Eve and misses her flight back to Cohasset, ending up driving back home and missing most of Christmas with her family. Less than 48 hours later, Brian Walshe is online looking for favorable states for men to get a divorce. On December 27, Brian Walshe makes several divorce-related searches, including “best strategies to divorce for a man” and “What’s the best state to divorce for a man?” Walshe claims he discussed divorce with Ana several times due to his ongoing Andy Warhol fraud case, concerned about protecting their assets and children. Walshe tells police Ana left home between 6 and 7 a.m. on January first for a "work emergency," and tells officers he did not question her because he didn't want to have another argument about missing a holiday. Investigators begin looking at Walshe's internet activity and find out he searches for the name of his wife's lover, William Fastow, on Christmas Day. On January 1, at 4:54 a.m., Walshe searches, "Best Way to Dispose of a Body." Joining Nancy Grace: Matthew Morrise - Attorney and Digital Forensic Investigator at Morrise Thompson Foresta Dr. Cheryl Arutt - Licensed Clinical and Forensic Psychologist specializing in Trauma Recovery, PTSD and EMDR,  website: CreativeEMDR.com; IG: @askdrcheryl Brian Fitzgibbons - VP of Operations for USPA Nationwide Security; Instagram: @uspa_nationwide_security, Kingsman Philanthropic's 2022 rescue missions of women and children in Ukraine, Iraq War Veteranide_security Dr. Thomas Coyne - Chief Medical Examiner, District 2 Medical Examiner's Office, State of Florida; Forensic Pathologist, Neuropathologist, Toxicologist; X: @DrTMCoyne Anne Emerson - Senior Investigative Reporter, WCIV ABC News 4 (Charleston, SC); Host of Award-Winning Podcast: "Unsolved South Carolina: The Murdaugh Murders, Money and Mystery; X: @AnneTEmerson David Mack - Crime Stories Investigative Reporter See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dancer Gunned Down by Ex in Botched Murder-Suicide After Breakup| Crime Alert 6AM 12.04.2025Puppy love ends in lead -when an angry ex opens fire on his high school sweetheart. He then turns the gun on himself but survives. A Florida man who frantically reported his GF missing is now facing a murder charge, after her body is found floating in a canal. Plus, don't "Walk this, Way!" Jennifer Gould reports. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brianna Aguilera is a huge Texas football fan. Growing up in Laredo, ‘Brie’ cheers for the United High School Longhorns. As she heads to college, Brie trades burnt orange for maroon and white at Texas A&M. Brianna spends most of her time at the Bush School in pursuit of a political science degree. She’s looking forward to ordering her Aggie ring and prepping for the LSAT next year. Brie’s planning to head straight to law school after graduation and is well on her way with a 4.0 GPA. At 12:47 a.m., Austin Police respond to a good Samaritan’s report of an unconscious woman outside the 21 Rio high-rise. The woman is pronounced dead at 12:57 a.m., with officers believing she fell from the building. Meanwhile, a mother's intuition leads Stephanie to be suspicious as soon as her daughter's phone goes to "do not disturb," especially after she communicates with her daughter that she made it ok to the tailgate party and to keep her phone and location on for safety. Repeated calls to her daughter's phone, the police, and surrounding hospitals continue to turn up no word on her daughter's whereabouts. This is unlike the behavior the honor student has always shown her family; that is why the family starts to panic. It’s not until 4 p.m. that afternoon that Stephanie Rodriguez is told her 19-year-old daughter, Brianna Aguilera, is dead. Officers first tell her Brie jumped, then say her friends don’t know how Brie ended up 17 stories below them. Austin PD recovers Brianna’s phone, though they haven’t said where, returning the device to her grieving mother. Stephanie says her daughter’s texts indicate she got in a fight with one of the other girls staying at the Rio 21 apartment Friday night. When she highlights the texts to an officer, he tells her they are not investigating Brianna’s death as a homicide, and the texts does not change the course of the investigation. Stephanie Rodriguez does not accept Austin PD’s assumption. Brianna committed suicide. Stephanie, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, insists Brianna was excited to attend the tailgate and had a long list of future plans. Her daughter was also so afraid of heights, she wouldn’t ride roller coasters on her cheer team’s senior trip to Disney World. Stephanie believes one of the 14 “friends” Brianna was with that night knows what happened to her daughter. Joining Nancy Grace today: Stephanie Rodriguez - Brianna Aguilera's Mother Josephine Nava - Grandmother of Brianna Aguilera Kenneth “Tray” Gober - Managing Partner of Lee, Gober & Reyna, Instagram & Facebook: LeeGoberReynaLawFirm Dr. Bethany Marshall -  Psychoanalyst, Author: "Deal Breaker," and featured in hit show "Paris in Love" on Peacock; Instagram & TikTok: drbethanymarshall, X: @DrBethanyLive Fil Waters - Former Homicide Detective for the Houston Police Department, President & CEO of Kindred Spirits Investigations & Security, Inc. Joseph Scott Morgan - Professor of Forensics: Jacksonville State University, Author of "Blood Beneath My Feet," and Host: "Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan;" X @JoScottForensicc Alex Cano - Assistant News Director at KGNS-TV in Laredo, Texas; Facebook: Alex Cano News Sydney Sumner - Investigative Reporter, "Crime Stories" See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.