Criminally Obsessed
Criminally Obsessed delves into the investigations, courtroom drama, and human stories behind America's biggest true crime cases. Host Anne Emerson, an award-winning investigative reporter with over 30 years of experience, tracks breaking developments and uncovers overlooked details. The podcast brings clarity to complex cases with compassion for victims and those affected. Emerson has covered high-profile trials and interviewed notable figures like Amanda Knox and Elizabeth Smart.
Episodes
FBI Expert Breaks Down Ransom Investigation
Nancy Guthrie ransom notes: How does the FBI determine whether they're real or fake?
Five months after Today show host Savannah Guthrie's mother disappeared from her Tucson, Arizona home, the mysterious letters claiming to be from her kidnappers remain one of the most controversial pieces of evidence in the investigation. Despite reports suggesting the ransom notes were fake, the FBI and Pima Cou
DNA Expert Analysis: Is Murdaugh Evidence Red Herring or Red Flag?
Could male DNA under Maggie Murdaugh's fingernails change the Alex Murdaugh murder case? Three years after Alex Murdaugh was convicted of murdering his wife, Maggie Murdaugh, and son, Paul Murdaugh, a sample of unidentified male DNA is at the center of the investigation as we anticipate an April 2027 retrial.
At Alex Murdaugh’s hearing on Monday, June 29th, defense attorney Jim Griffin renewed hi
Retrial Predictions: Behind the Scenes With Murdaugh Insider
The countdown is on for Alex Murdaugh’s murder retrial, and we’re asking insiders… What happens next?
Alex Murdaugh's retrial is scheduled for April 5th 2027, and many expect it to become one of the biggest true crime trials in America all over again. With a new judge, new legal battles, and renewed public attention, the next chapter of the Murdaugh saga is already taking shape.
In this episode
Murdaugh Murder Retrial: DNA Under Fingernails & ‘Cleaned’ Crime Scene?
New developments from Alex Murdaugh’s pretrial hearing: Could DNA under Maggie Murdaugh's fingernails identify someone other than Alex Murdaugh? Could the Moselle crime scene have been "cleaned?"
And could either question change the outcome of one of America's biggest murder trials?
Alex Murdaugh was back in court on Monday, June 29th, and his second murder trial is officially scheduled. Judge
Criminologist: 3 Reasons Murdaugh Could be Convicted in Murder Retrial
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 e
New Evidence in Lynette Hooker Case: What Does Coast Guard Know?
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
‘Maternal Instinct’: Psychotherapist Analyzes Taylor Parker’s Dark Mind
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 c
Will DNA Reveal More Gilgo Beach Serial Killer Victims?
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 fo
Inside “COWARD” Rex Heuermann’s Sentencing: Victims Face Serial Killer
“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 E
Guthrie Investigation: FBI Tech Expert Answers Our Burning Questions
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 ha
Nancy Guthrie Latest: Why Private Investigator Thinks She's Still In Arizona
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 re
Kidnapped. Accused of Lying. Denise Huskins & Aaron Quinn Tell True Story of Netflix's 'American Nightmare'
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
Major Murdaugh Update: What We Know About New Trial Judge Debra McCaslin
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 Mu
Inside the Karmelo Anthony Courtroom: No Cameras Allowed
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 Fr
Reasonable Doubt in 'The Crash' Case? New Public Records Raise Red Flags
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 d
100 Missing Hawaiians. 3 Murders. One Arrest. Are These All Connected?
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 faci
Mackenzie Shirilla “Loves Being Hated” - A Psychological Deep Dive
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
New True Crime Documentary Asks: Did Celeste Beard Actually Orchestrate Her Texas Media Mogul Husband’s Murder?
“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 mu
5 Reasons This Mom Could Be A Serial Killer: Forensic Psychologist
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 a
Thanksgiving Poisoning Mom Chose The “Perfect Cover,” Says Victim's Father
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,
Alex Murdaugh Retrial Latest - Attorney General Says 'Everything Is On the Table'
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 p
“A Monster Of A Case” — Police Share Inside Information On Roxanne Sharp’s Murder
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
Why It Took 44 Years (and a True Crime Podcast) to Bring Charges in Roxanne Sharp’s Killing
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 Fa
Nancy Guthrie Latest: Forensic DNA Expert on FBI Lab Testing
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 criti
Exclusive 'Secret' Interview: Alex Murdaugh's Alleged Co-Conspirator Still Awaiting Trial — Why?
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
Murdaugh Prosecutor's Strategy and Death Penalty for Alex?
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 cau
Murdaugh Latest: Defense Bombshells and a Lawsuit?
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 st
Why Former Murdaugh Housekeeper Rushed to Maggie's Grave After Overturned Murder Conviction
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 2
“Disgraceful": How Becky Hill Got Alex Murdaugh A New Trial
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,
She's 16, He's 28. Now This "Couple" Is Accused Of Murdering Her Entire Family (And Pets)
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 Carol
Gilgo Beach Killer's Most Bizarre Habits: Dark Psychology Explained
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
Gilgo Beach Killer’s Ex-wife Said WHAT?! Forensic Psychologist's Analysis
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 K
New Celeste Murder Details: Crime Scene Investigator's Unfiltered Analysis
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
"We Have One Question: Why?" - Murdered USF Student's Brother Shares New Theory
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 thei
New Lynette Hooker Theories: Mangroves, Black Tankini & Grand Jury?
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 beh
"A Blood Pool The Size Of A Human Body": Forensics Expert Examines USF Couple's Murder
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 evi
Did Nick Reiner Know "What He Was Doing?" Forensic Psychologist Reacts To Latest Updates
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,
Who REALLY Is D4vd? Inside The Mind Of The Celebrity Murder Suspect
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
Celeste's Missing Fingers & Blue Bits: Death Investigator Dissects Autopsy Report
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 aw
We Answer 10 Burning Questions About Lynette Hooker's Disappearance
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 fro
Lynette Hooker's Daughter Reveals New Bombshell Details In Bahamas Disappearance
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 he
D4vd's Burn Cage & Body Bags - Death Investigator Reveals How Celeste Died
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
Lynette Hooker Latest: Forensic Diver Reveals Water Search Challenges
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 fa
What Happened To Lynette Hooker? Forensics Expert Raises Concerns In Bahamas Mystery
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 e
Will Anna Kepner's Case Divide Their Family?
“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
Bahamas Missing Wife Mystery: Friend Says Husband’s Story “Can’t Be the Truth”
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.
She Believed Ted Bundy Murdered Her Sister - How DNA Confirmed It 51 Years Later
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
Rex Heuermann's Plea, Fire Island Jane Doe and a DNA Breakthrough
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,
“Oh, You Like Serial Killers?” Chilling Questions Rex Heuermann Asked Date
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 17
Lori Vallow Daybell Psych Profile: Inside her "Supernatural Encounters"
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, Ty
"I Don't Want a Murderer to Go Free" Attorney Believes Alex Murdaugh Conviction Will Be Overturned
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 at
Former Detective Believes “People of Interest” in Brian Shaffer Disappearance Knew Him
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, Bri
“I'm Not Accepting No For An Answer” — A Daughter's Fight to Solve Her Mom's Cold-Case Murder
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
What Will the Suspected Long Island Serial Killer Admit To? Inside Rex Heuermann's Guilty Plea
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
“Lock The Doors” — Reporter’s Firsthand Account Of The Gilgo Beach Serial Killer Case
The Long Island Serial Killer case - also known as the Gilgo Beach murders - is back in the spotlight. We’ve learned that Rex Heuermann, accused of seven murders, is expected to plead guilty to these grisly crimes on April 8th, 2026. What began 16 years ago with a missing woman in Long Island, New York led investigators to a chilling discovery along Ocean Parkway: the skeletal remains of multiple
Investigating Murdaugh Unanswered Questions As Appeal Decision Looms
What comes to mind when you hear the name ‘Murdaugh’? A legal dynasty spanning generations? A boat crash? An unsolved homicide? A double murder on a South Carolina property twice the size of Central Park? Stolen money? A dead housekeeper?
How about all of the above?
Senior Investigative Reporter Anne Emerson spoke with Wall Street Journal reporter Valerie Bauerlein, who wrote a bestselling boo
Murdaugh Country Mystery: What The Hell Happened To Stephen Smith?
If the crimes of the Murdaugh family are a knot, there’s one thread we’ll never let go of here at Criminally Obsessed – the unsolved homicide of Stephen Smith. He was found dead on a rural South Carolina road in 2015, and we’ve followed the case through all its twists and turns.
We’ve spoken with the people closest to Stephen, including his mom, Sandy, and twin sister, Stephanie. Despite moments
These 5 Murdaugh Prosecutors Can't Speak Now — But They Spoke With Us (Part 2)
Who is the real Alex Murdaugh?
Before the guilty verdict… before the appeal… there were secrets no one saw coming.
Even the prosecutors who helped convict him for the murders of his wife Maggie and son Paul say the full picture is more complicated than many realized. Behind the influence and legacy: financial crimes, alleged schemes, and a hidden opioid addiction that stunned South Carolina and
These 5 Murdaugh Prosecutors Can't Speak Now — But They Spoke With Us (Part 1)
Three years after Alex Murdaugh was found guilty of murdering his wife Maggie and son Paul, his case is once again at a critical turning point. The South Carolina Supreme Court is now weighing whether his conviction could be overturned — and a possible retrial could be on the horizon.
In this rare and exclusive 2023 interview from the archives, five members of the prosecution team break down the
"Everybody Is Redeemable" — Why Baby Lucia's Parents Forgave Drunk Driver
This episode is hard to watch, but impossible to forget. We mean it when we say you’ll need tissues for this conversation. Lucia Iris Seifried was a giggly 9-month-old with bright blue eyes and a big personality. Her parents, Matthew and Rebecca Seifried, remember her ‘sweet giggle that could light up a room’. On April 26, 2025, the family was enjoying an evening outside together - Lucia playing i
"Cold" 16-Year-Old Killers — Skylar Neese Lead Detective Reveals Dark Case Details
“Methodical.” “Cold.” “Premeditated.” These are words West Virginia State Police Sergeant Ronnie Gaskins uses to describe 16-year-old Skylar Neese’s killers, fellow 16 year olds Shelia Eddy and Rachel Shoaf. But these girls weren’t just teens; they were also Skylar's so-called ‘best friends.’
Sergeant Gaskins was the lead investigator in the shocking 2012 murder case, and is now back in the spo
Skylar Neese's Dad Tells All About The "Friends" Who Killed His Daughter
Dave Neese’s daughter, Skylar Neese, was stabbed in the back by her two best friends in 2012. They attacked her with kitchen knives and left her in the middle of the woods. For six months, no one knew what happened to Skylar Neese. Meanwhile, Rachel Shoaf and Shelia Eddy went back to life as normal teenagers acting as if nothing ever happened.
Dave and his wife, Mary, were beside themselves.
“Where’s The Justice?” — Murdaugh Housekeeper Blanca Turrubiate-Simpson Fears Overturned Murder Conviction
“I would be devastated!” Blanca Turrubiate-Simpson has a lot of opinions about Alex Murdaugh’s appeal to overturn his double murder conviction. She was one of the family’s housekeepers for years. The South Carolina State Supreme Court heard oral arguments from both the defense and prosecution on February 11th, 2026. While the Justices mull over their decisions, Blanca isn’t backing down from be
"I Refuse to Be Intimidated" — Murdaugh Housekeeper Responds to Criticism
“I spoke the truth.” Murdaugh housekeeper and confidant of Maggie, Blanca Turrubiate-Simpson says she’s faced some backlash for using her voice. In previous interviews with Investigative Reporter Anne Emerson, Blanca opened up about the kind of person Maggie Murdaugh was. She was more than a boss; she was a dear friend. Blanca’s book Within the House of Murdaugh hit #6 on the New York Times Be
"It's Not A Cold Case" — Father's 2,000-Mile Journey To Find Missing Son
David Robinson wants everyone to know his son's case is anything but cold.
Daniel Robinson went missing in the desert of Buckeye, Arizona in June 2021. The 23-year-old geologist’s jeep was found overturned in a ravine, but he remains missing. What started with a devoted father jumping in his car and driving 2,000 miles from South Carolina to Arizona to search for Daniel, has turned into years o
"A Good Idea Who Committed This" — Murdaugh Witness Investigates Stephen Smith Cold Case
The star witness in the Alex Murdaugh murder trial is independently investigating the Stephen Smith cold case — and he says they “got a good idea who committed this.”
Stephen was a blonde haired, blue-eyed 19-year-old left dead on a rural South Carolina road in 2015. Kenny Kinsey, who’s a forensic investigator brought in by attorneys for Stephen’s mother, has reviewed the evidence, the second a
The Terrifying Disappearance of Madison Fields — Her Parents' Plea for Help
It's been more than 3 weeks since 16-year-old Madison Fields was last seen by her parents, or by anyone. What started as a search for a missing teen in Colerain Township, Ohio has shifted to an FBI investigation into the dark corners of the internet - encrypted apps, private messaging platforms - and the people who hide there, preying on kids and teens.
We now know that a 43-year-old man named
Accident or Murder — What Really Happened to Casey Pitzer?
Watch the Criminally Obsessed original documentary "Dead Silence: The Casey Pitzer Investigation" out now on our YouTube channel.
“She's got her hand on my shoulder guiding me slowly. But she's there. She's there with me all the time."
Nearly thirteen years ago, a day meant to celebrate luck and joy took a dark turn for 32-year-old mother Casey Pitzer. She was last seen leaving a bar in Wil
"My Life WAS Normal" — Daughter Reveals Debra Newton's Lies
Michelle Newton was found 42 years after police say her mom kidnapped her and she’s now revealing more of her mother’s lies.
When Anne Emerson first spoke with her back in December after the viral video of her mother’s arrest in Marion County, Florida, Michelle had so many emotions about finding out who she really was and catching up with family she’d never met. The federal investigation into
Reunited After 42 Years — Joe Newton Tells All
For many of us, the case of Michelle Newton started with a viral video of a woman being arrested in Florida. But for Joe Newton, this case started decades ago, when his wife and 3-year-old daughter up and vanished from their life in rural Kentucky. We now know the woman in the video was Debra Newton, arrested for kidnapping her own daughter, Michelle. We’ve seen Debra's arrest and interrogation, a
5 Traits of Partners Who Poison — A Psychologist Explains
All eyes are on the trial of Kouri Richins, the Utah mom accused of murdering her husband by poisoning his cocktail with a lethal dose of fentanyl in 2022. Following her husband’s death, Kouri wrote a children’s book about grief and healing for her kids – which prosecutors are trying to prove was just part of her painting a narrative of being a good mother, not a murderer. We learned from forensic
The Dark Reality of Missing Kids — An Urgent Message for Parents
When Savannah Guthrie announced her family’s $1 million for information for the recovery of her missing mother, Nancy, she also acknowledged the many cases that don’t get a spotlight. In a generous act to help other families, Savannah donated $500,000 to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
Senior Investigative Reporter Anne Emerson speaks with Gavin Portnoy, NCMEC’s VP of C
Do Rewards Work? — The Million Dollar Nancy Guthrie Question
What can a reward really do for an investigation? For all of us following the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie from her Tucson, Arizona home, it’s the million dollar question we’re all wondering about after Savannah Guthrie made the announcement. The Guthrie siblings are now offering up to $1 million for information leading to the recovery of their mother, that’s in addition to the FBI’s $100,000 re
Husband KILLED With a Cocktail? — Inside the Kouri Richins Trial with Joseph Scott Morgan
Kouri Richins murder trial began this week in Utah. Her husband’s sudden death led her to write a children’s book about grief and healing for her three young sons at least. Now, Kouri is on trial, accused of poisoning her husband in 2022. Eric Richins had five times the lethal limit of fentanyl in his system. Prosecutors say she laced his drink because she wanted money and a new life with her lov
Tracing DNA At Nancy Guthrie Scene — What Aren't Investigators Saying?
We're now into the fourth week of the search for Nancy Guthrie. The question on everyone’s mind is: what happens next? ‘Today’ show anchor Savannah Guthrie’s 84-year-old mother was last seen on the night of January 31st, before being taken against her will from her home in Tucson, Arizona. Where does the investigation turn now, and what will finally spark the breakthrough that brings her home?
"PLEASE HELP ME!!" — Clerk Protects Kidnapping Victim
When a barefoot and bloody woman rushed into a Butler, PA convenience store - the clerk, Tori, didn’t hesitate to help. Viral surveillance footage shows Tori springing into action to protect the woman, and it’s nothing short of incredible. Police say the victim was assaulted and kidnapped by her ex-boyfriend after she said she didn’t want to spend Valentine’s Day with him. When police caught her a
"A Club No One Wants In" — Brittanee Drexel's Mom Prays for Guthrie Family
Three weeks in and everyone is tired of waiting for the next big break in the Guthrie case. But just imagine what the family is feeling, with no sleep and nonstop stress and worry. Dawn Conley says finding a missing person is like finding a needle in a haystack and she would know. Her 17-year-old daughter, Brittanee Drexel disappeared during Spring Break 2009 and wasn't found until 2022. Meaning,
"Where's The Rest of The Blood?" Forensic Expert Talks DNA at Nancy Guthrie Crime Scene
Now that we know the black glove did not come back with a DNA hit, what's next in the Guthrie Investigation? Investigators are working on leads from the Nest doorbell cam, finding out who purchased the intruder's clothes and backpack from Walmart, and any information from Nancy Guthrie's pacemaker.
When Investigative Reporter Anne Emerson spoke to a forensic expert about the possibility a blue
Amanda Knox on Why She Returned to Italy
In 2007, British student Meredith Kercher was brutally murdered in Perugia, Italy—a crime that sparked an international media circus, a sensationalized trial, and the wrongful conviction of her American roommate, Amanda Knox. So why did Amanda choose to return to Italy to confront the place, and specifically the person, who convinced the world she was a monster? What happened when she sat down fac
"I Was Married To Debra Newton" — 2nd Husband Tells All
Wayne’s world has been turned upside down. He just learned that his 10 year marriage to Sharon Brookover was a scam. She wasn’t who she said she was — a single mom just trying to raise her daughter and lead a private life.
She was wanted for taking her daughter from their Kentucky home in 1983 and vanishing. Her name was actually Debra Newton. Wayne Brookover says he always suspected she was h
