Zone 7 with Sheryl McCollum

In 2012, 19-year-old Stevie Bates vanished after calling her mother from a Greyhound bus during a layover in Pittsburgh; she made it back to New York but never made it home. Eight years later, her skeletal remains were discovered wrapped in a blanket at an abandoned house in Queens, the same property where her boyfriend had reportedly been squatting. In this episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum welcomes Stevie’s cousin, Isis Jannierre, to discuss who Stevie was, what her family believed from the beginning, and why the case still raises questions about the timeline, suspect behavior, lost investigative time, lost evidence, and the people who may still know what happened.

Highlights:
(0:00) Sheryl McCollum opens Zone 7 with Stevie Bates’ 2012 disappearance, her final call home, and the Port Authority sighting that confirmed she made it back to New York
(1:15) Isis Jannierre joins Zone 7 to establish Stevie’s victimology through the eyes of her family
(2:30) Who Stevie was: a gifted student, creative thinker, devoted daughter, and young woman with aspirations
(5:15) Hunter College, Occupy Wall Street, and the independent life Stevie was building before she vanished
(6:45) Eight years later, Stevie’s skeletal remains are found wrapped in a blanket at an abandoned property in Glendale, Queens
(7:30) Why Stevie’s family never believed she intentionally disappeared
(11:45) Decomposition, lost evidence, and the unresolved questions of how Stevie died
(12:30) Isis pushes back on the drug-use theory and explains Stevie’s role in Brandon Klosterman’s life
(15:30) Stevie’s plan to collect her belongings, the end of the relationship, and the family’s working theory
(16:45) Deleted messages, squatting, and behavior that raised questions around Brandon Klosterman
(25:00) The location of Stevie’s remains raises new questions about missing crime scenes, lost witnesses, and who may still know the truth
(28:30) Sheryl presses for the answers Stevie’s family deserves: a clearer timeline, a confirmed alibi, and an explanation for the deleted messages

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.

Isis Jannierre is the cousin of Stevie Bates and joins Zone 7 to help bring renewed attention to Stevie’s unresolved case and encourage anyone with information to come forward.

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]●
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.

Bestselling true crime author and investigative journalist Aphrodite Jones returns to Zone 7 with Sheryl McCollum to discuss her book Dog O’ War and the fatal 2001 dog mauling of Diane Whipple in San Francisco. Drawing on her extensive reporting on the case, Aphrodite details the connections to the Aryan Brotherhood, the Presa Canario dogs Bane and Hera, and the attorneys whose relationship with an incarcerated gang member helped bring the dangerous animals into a Pacific Heights apartment building. Sheryl and Aphrodite also discuss the prior warning signs, the legal fight over owner responsibility, and the concept of implied malice murder that became central to Marjorie Knoller’s conviction.

Highlights:
(0:00) Sheryl McCollum welcomes Aphrodite Jones back to Zone 7
(1:45) Dog O’ War and the unusual connections behind the Diane Whipple case
(2:30) Aphrodite introduces Diane Whipple, a 33-year-old woman killed outside her San Francisco apartment
(4:15) Sharon Smith’s wrongful death fight and the legal impact of Diane’s death
(6:45) Presa Canario dogs, Paul Schneider, and the Aryan Brotherhood dog-breeding scheme
(10:00) Janet’s farm, escalating warning signs, and dogs that could not be controlled
(13:30) Marjorie Knoller and Robert Noel bring Bane and Hera into their Pacific Heights apartment building
(15:45) Prior attacks, ignored warning signs, and the record of dangerous behavior before Diane’s death
(21:15) Marjorie Knoller’s response after the attack and the neighbor who called 911
(25:00) 40 reported incidents become key evidence in the dangerous dog hearing
(26:00) What prosecutors had to prove to argue implied malice murder
(32:45) Sheryl closes with a passage from Aphrodite Jones’ Dog O’ War

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.

Aphrodite Jones is a bestselling true crime author, television personality, and victims’ rights advocate whose work has inspired films and television projects. She created the Investigation Discovery series True Crime with Aphrodite Jones, which ran for six seasons, and has covered major trials, including O.J. Simpson, Casey Anthony, Scott Peterson, Michael Jackson, and El Chapo Guzman.
Aphrodite Jones’ book Dog O’ War, about the dog mauling of Diane Whipple, is available now wherever books are sold.

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]
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.

In this week’s episode of Zone 7, Sergeant Eric McCants joins Sheryl McCollum to talk about leadership, community policing, and the mindset required to serve well in high-pressure environments. He discusses the importance of communication, building community trust, getting out of the patrol car, and knowing the people you serve before a crisis ever happens. Eric also addresses first responder mental health, the trauma that can linger after difficult calls, and why asking for help is not weakness but part of staying healthy enough to keep showing up for others.

Highlights:
(0:00) Sheryl McCollum welcomes Eric McCants to Zone 7
(1:45) Leadership as impact, not title, and learning that not everyone leads the same way
(4:15) “You versus you,” Extreme Ownership, and focusing on what you can control
(7:15) Policing the Masters in Augusta and managing the large crowds, traffic, and public safety
(8:45) Crime suppression, crisis intervention, and the realities of proactive policing
(10:15) Why some people need accountability, while others need help, direction, or a second chance
(13:30) Communication, rapport, and why the best officers know how to talk to people
(14:45) Why getting out of the patrol car can build trust and help solve cases
(18:15) Eric’s 12 Day Mindset Program and the power of writing goals down
(22:45) First responder trauma, therapy, and knowing when to ask for help
(25:45) Final reflections on leadership, service, and Sheryl’s closing quote from John Quincy Adams

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.

Sergeant Eric McCants serves with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, where his leadership is rooted in accountability, communication, and community trust. His career has included work in campus safety, school resource policing, crime suppression, special operations, and federal task force operations with the U.S. Marshals Service. Eric is a certified instructor, speaker, mentor, and creator of the 12 Day Mindset Program, which focuses on resilience, personal ownership, and service with purpose.

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]
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.

In this week’s episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum is joined by former judge, legal analyst, and former Court TV anchor Ashley Willcott to discuss her decades-long career advocating for children in the legal system, her transition from the bench to television, and her new microformat focusing on fast, fact-based case analysis. Sheryl and Ashley also reflect on cases they have carried with them over the years including Abby and Libby in Delphi and Melissa Wolfenbarger in Atlanta. They emphasize the importance of showing up, returning to the facts, and continuing the work on behalf of victims and families. The episode closes with a tribute to the late Captain Dr. Duanne Thompson, honoring his legacy of quiet loyalty, humility, and lifelong commitment to service.

Highlights:
(0:00) Sheryl McCollum welcomes Ashley Willcott to Zone 7
(1:45) Court TV’s transition, Law & Crime, and the importance of cameras in the courtroom
(3:30) The emotional toll of child cases on professionals
(4:30) Ashley explains why child welfare became the focus of her legal career
(7:15) Sheryl reflects on Ashley’s hands-on work with the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute
(9:15) Why showing up, knowing your strengths, and doing the legwork can change case outcomes
(11:15) Facts vs. opinions: Ashley explains how judges must separate evidence from assumptions
(13:45) Ashley’s new 60-second legal updates and the need for fast, fact-based case analysis
(19:30) From the bench to television Ashley’s path through child advocacy, Law & Crime, and Court TV
(23:00) “Surround yourself with good”: Ashley and Sheryl discuss learning from people who make you better
(25:15) The Delphi case, Abby and Libby, and why going to the scene can change how a case is understood
(27:45) Melissa Wolfenbarger, returning to square one, and the importance of boots-on-the-ground cold case work
(29:15) Remembering Dr. Henry Lee and the unexpected lesson that took over a crime convention classroom
(31:00) Sheryl and Ashley honor Captain Dr. Duanne Thompson and his lifelong commitment to service
(35:30) Sheryl shares the story of Duanne sitting in her mother-in-law’s driveway night after night
(38:00) Final reflections and Sheryl’s closing quote from Captain Dr. Duanne Thompson: “You know where to find me.”

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.

Ashley Willcott is a former judge, trial attorney, mediator, and Certified Child Welfare Law Specialist with more than 20 years of experience advocating for children in the legal system. She previously served as the Governor-appointed Child Advocate for the state of Georgia before transitioning to television, becoming a trusted legal analyst and anchor known for her work with Court TV and Law & Crime. She also serves as an expert with the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute.

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]
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.

In this week’s episode of Zone 7, more than three months after Nancy Guthrie vanished, Sheryl McCollum returns to the case with one central question: what does the evidence actually prove? From the masked suspect’s behavior on camera to the blood patterns at the front door and the complete absence of credible ransom activity, she argues that the scene shows signs of staging, not a financial motive, and makes the case that investigators may need to reset and start again from the ground up.

Highlights:
(0:00) Welcome to Zone 7 with Sheryl McCollum
(0:15) The Hampton’s Whodunit event and early release of Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer
(2:00) Nancy Guthrie case: “You don’t tell the evidence what happened; you let the evidence tell you.”
(3:45) The critical overnight timeline: Nancy’s drop-off, camera activity, and pacemaker disconnect
(5:15) Immediate red flags that point to an abduction rather than a disappearance
(6:00) The masked suspect’s gear, behavior on camera, and evidence that points to one suspect, not a team
(9:00) What the blood patterns at the front door reveal about the attack
(11:30) Camera tampering, staging, and contradictions in the jammer theory
(13:30) Key takeaways that reshape the case and call for an investigative reset

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 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]
X: @ColdCaseTips
Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
Instagram: @officialzone7podcast
TikTok: @Sheryl.McCollum

Preorder Sheryl’s upcoming book, Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Solving the Cold Case of the Flint River Killer’s Daughter, releasing May 12, 2026.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.