Criminally Obsessed

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, his body language, and reactions from his own ex-wife and daughter along with victims’ family members. As a reporter who followed this case from the beginning, Kristin reacts to the day’s events with our host Anne Emerson. We also speak with Dr. David Mittelman of Othram forensic genetic genealogy labs, instrumental in identifying Heuermann’s eighth victim, Karen Vergata. He gives us a glimpse into the years of work it took to give Karen back her name. Watch our coverage of the Gilgo Beach Murders Learn more about Othram Follow Kristin Thorne

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 17th, 2026. As the true crime world watches these breaking updates unfold in real time, investigative reporter Anne Emerson speaks with a woman who could have been one of these victims; who came face to face with Heuermann years before his arrest, and survived. Nikkie Brass shares her chilling experience from a 2015 ‘sugar baby’ date with Heuermann - his staggering appearance and demeanor, his disturbing comments about serial killers and the Gilgo beach killings, and the instincts that she believes kept her safe that night. Listen for a shocking firsthand account tied to a man we can now call the Long Island Serial Killer.

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, Tylee Ryan & JJ Vallow, whom she believed were “zombies,” as well the murder of her first husband Charles Vallow, her current husband’s first wife Tammy Daybell, and the attempter murder of her niece’s ex-husband, Brandon Boudreaux.  Investigative reporter Anne Emerson is joined by Lauren and Dr. John Matthias from the Hidden True Crime podcast to analyze this bizarre video. Dr. Matthias lends his forensic psychology expertise to unravel what we’ve all been wondering since the beginning: does Lori Vallow Daybell actually believe the things that come out of her mouth? How did her psychological profile play a role in her horrific crimes… and how does her mental state affect her attorney’s ongoing fight to overturn her murder conviction? Hear more from Lauren and Dr. John Matthias on Hidden True Crime podcast

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 attorney Eric Bland, who represented several of Murdaugh’s financial victims. He says the possibility of Murdaugh ever walking free is more complicated than many think. And the decision could eventually be up to the state's next Attorney General because the one who tried Murdaugh, Alan Wilson, is running for Governor. Following this interview, Anne reached out to each South Carolina attorney general candidate for comment - that’s David Stumbo (R), David Pascoe (R), Steven Goldfinch Jr. (R), and Richard Hricik (D). At the time of publishing, Monday April 6th 2026, here’s the response we received from Stephen Goldfinch Jr.: Thank you for reaching out. Based on what I know so far and what I saw from the trial, I would retry the case. Without a living victim, I believe there is a strong, almost immutable presumption to seek justice for the deceased victims. Yes, it's true that Alex will likely spend the rest of his life in prison for financial crimes. But that's not justice for the deceased victims. Yes, It's true it will cost to retry him; but what is the societal cost of not retrying him? Based on what I know from the trial, a case like this should be retried. We’ll keep you updated as we hear from the others, and when we get these highly anticipated updates on the appeal. Catch up on our ongoing coverage of all things Murdaugh

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, Brian Shaffer was never seen or heard from again.  An intense investigation followed, with massive searches, national attention, and a reward that eventually reached $100,000. But in the years since, no confirmed sightings, no financial activity, and no answers have ever surfaced.  Criminally Obsessed’s Anne Emerson talked to former detective John Hurst about Brian’s disappearance, what we know 20 years later, and why people who have information on Brian's disappearance might hesitate to come forward.  If you have tips in the disappearance of Brian Shaffer, call the Columbus Police Department at 614-645-4545.  Share Brian’s missing person poster from the FBI.

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 about investigating murders.  And she saw the words, BE PERSISTENT.  She became relentless and admits she was obsessed, but that drive paid off.  Her mom’s case was reopened after 50 years and solved in 2026.  Thomas Generazio, a sanitation worker who lived 3.7 miles away, bound and shot Barbara Waldman.  So how did Marla solve her mom’s case?  What was that connection she made that became the aha moment in the investigation? Senior Investigative Reporter Anne Emerson delves into the case and relives that moment with Marla where she knew it was Thomas and there was no denying it. We also hear what's next for Marla, because her search for justice goes beyond her mother's murder. We'll keep you updated on her efforts to find other victims, because as she told us about Generazio, "He's been many places and done many things. I know there are others." Learn more about the case and how Marla found answers after 50 years.

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 Anne Emerson to share what struck her the first time she saw Heuermann — a towering presence compared to the petite victims he’s accused of targeting — and to break down the chilling details that helped investigators close in. From the evidence that tied him to the case to the disturbing “notes to self” that allegedly outlined careful planning, we also explore the question that still lingers: could there be more victims? Watch Part 1 of our conversation with Kristin Thorne to hear how it all started and what led investigators to Rex Heuermann “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 women, many of them sex workers, in what would become one of the most disturbing serial killer cases in recent true crime history.  For years, the suspect known as LISK remained unidentified - until 2023, when police arrested an architect, husband, and father accused of nearly unthinkable acts of violence. Now, with a potential guilty plea looming, Senior Investigative Reporter Anne Emerson revisits how the Gilgo Beach killings were first uncovered. Joined by Investigative Reporter Kristin Thorne who has covered the case since the initial discoveries, part one of this interview breaks down the origins of the Long Island Serial Killer investigation and what could come next in this shocking case.

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 book on the Murdaugh saga - here's what Valerie had to say:  “There's something endlessly fascinating about the Murdaugh case. And it's not Alex Murdaugh. It's not the human being Alex Murdaugh. It is this sprawling dynasty, and the way that power worked for them and for Alex in particular, and how he used it, and what he was willing to sacrifice to keep it.”  In our last interview, we talked with Valerie about Stephen Smith’s unsolved murder – a thread in this knotted saga that we’ll never stop pulling on. But as it always goes with the Murdaughs... there’s more to discuss and unending twists. Anne and Valerie weave theories, analysis, and predictions for a deep dive into where the Murdaugh saga stands today. Listen for Valerie’s thoughts on Alex Murdaugh’s appeal, and when she thinks we’ll hear about his potential new trial...    Catch up on all things Murdaugh with our previous coverage:  Criminally Obsessed Murdaugh YouTube episode playlist  Listen to our previous episode with Valerie: Murdaugh Country Mystery: What The Hell Happened To Stephen Smith?  The Murdaugh Murders, Money & Mystery | A Criminally Obsessed Podcast Check out our exclusive interview with Tommy Moore  Watch our interview with Stephen’s mom, Sandy, and his twin sister, Stephanie  Get Valerie’s book, "The Devil at His Elbow: Alex Murdaugh and the Fall of a Southern Dynasty” Get Blanca Turrubiate-Simpson's book, “Within the House of Murdaugh: Amid a Unique Friendship, Blanca and Maggie” Learn more about Mal’z Palz, the animal rescue charity for Mallory Beach

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 of hope during a long investigation – an exhumation of Stephen’s body, an independent autopsy, and a ruling of Stephen’s death as a homicide – we still need answers.   Senior Investigative Reporter Anne Emerson catches up with reporter Valerie Bauerlein - Anne and Valerie reported Alex Murdaugh’s murder trial together in 2023. Since then, Valerie wrote a book on all things Murdaugh, "The Devil at His Elbow: Alex Murdaugh and the Fall of a Southern Dynasty.” In this interview, we try to untangle the questions on all our minds: What happened to Stephen Smith? Are we closer to answers? Will we ever know?  Catch up on all things Murdaugh with our previous coverage: Criminally Obsessed's YouTube Channel The Murdaugh Murders, Money & Mystery | Criminally Obsessed  Our exclusive interview with Tommy Moore  Our interview with Stephen’s mom, Sandy, and his twin sister, Stephanie

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 drew national attention. In part 2 of Anne Emerson's exclusive archival interview, the prosecution team breaks down: • The most credible witnesses in the Murdaugh murder trial • How Murdaugh’s financial crimes factored into motive • What they believe ultimately convinced the jury This interview was recorded just after the 2023 conviction. Currently, these prosecutors cannot speak publicly about the case, as the South Carolina Supreme Court is considering Murdaugh’s appeal to overturn his double murder convictions. Oral arguments were heard February 11, 2026. No timeline has been set for a decision, but the outcome could determine whether Alex Murdaugh is granted a new trial. As the legal battle continues, this rare insider perspective is essential for anyone following the Alex Murdaugh case. How soon do you think a decision will come? Let us know in the comments. Learn more about the AG's investigation into former Colleton County Sheriff Andy Strickland: AG charges Andy Strickland with public corruption amid sex, drugs & abuse of power probe Former Colleton Co. sheriff given probation, public service through plea deal

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 trial, key testimony, and the timeline that led to Murdaugh’s conviction to our senior investigative reporter, Anne Emerson, who was in the courtroom for the duration of the trial. This interview was recorded just days after the verdict — and these prosecutors cannot speak publicly now, due to the ongoing appeal. Their insights remain one of the only in-depth looks into the state’s case. With hindsight, some of their comments — especially about Murdaugh’s financial crimes — take on new meaning today, as those issues are now central to his appeal.

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 in the grass - when a drunk driver tore through their yard in Allegan, Michigan going 50 miles per hour.   “We're sitting in our front yard and just enjoying the sunset,” Matthew, Lucia’s father, tells investigative reporter Anne Emerson in this emotional interview. “And we hear a big pickup truck's engine revving, and we look up and it's coming straight for us. And it ended up hitting Lucia head on and running her over.”  In a moment, their lives changed forever. But what comes next is something few people may be able to comprehend. Instead of anger or revenge, Lucia’s parents chose grace. They asked prosecutors to seek the minimum sentence against Terry Lee Boss and in a plea deal; he was given just 13.5 years in prison. They spoke directly to him in court - and forgave him.    Matthew and Rebecca share what helped them get there: the signs they've received, the faith that carries them, and the perspective that may challenge how you think about grief, justice, and mercy. It raises a difficult question: if this happened to YOUR family member, YOUR child, to someone YOU love… could you forgive?  Learn more about the incredible work being done in Lucia’s memory: https://luciairis.org/

“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 spotlight with the release of a new Hulu documentary, Friends Like These: The Murder of Skylar Neese.   In this interview, Ronnie gives our host, Senior Investigative Reporter Anne Emerson, his chilling inside perspective on a case that still unsettles the investigators who unraveled it. He reacts to previously unshared details from Skylar’s father, Dave, including a moment Dave nearly took matters – literally -- into his own hands. The conversation also brings disturbing evidence to light that raises alarming questions, like why was Skylar’s necklace, discovered by one of the suspect’s mothers, mailed to Dave Neese -- was this a token stolen from Skylar at the murder scene? What are her killers truly capable of? And what will happen if - and possibly when - they are released from prison?

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.  They couldn’t eat or sleep.  They had to find their daughter.  She was their whole WORLD. They were devastated. Why did she leave? Where was she? Would she ever come home?  Eventually, Rachel couldn’t carry the guilt anymore, broke down and confessed to the murder.  She told police she and Shelia killed Skylar because she threatened to expose their physical relationship and took police to her body.   Dave and Mary were in disbelief.  How could her best friends do this to their daughter?  Then Dave became enraged.  He told Senior Investigative reporter Anne Emerson something he hasn’t told anyone else—he had a plan for revenge.  Find out why he didn’t go through with it and what happened after.  For more from Skylar's family, read Dave Neese's poem “Forever 16” published in this article from The Dominion Post in 2022.

“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 believing Alex killed his wife and son and that he had help cleaning the scene.    In this episode, she goes even further as to why she believes someone was there when Alex returned to the kennels at Moselle the night of June 7, 2021.  She says people need to pay attention to the kennel video and asks what are the dogs telling us.  Blanca has fiercely defended her friend Maggie and Paul Murdaugh when people have questioned her about their character and only wants justice for Alex’s victims. Senior Investigative Reporter Anne Emerson asks Blanca if there was a new trial—would she testify.  And what, if anything, might she do differently if called to the stand.    Listen to part one of this conversation with Blanca: "I Refuse To Be Intimidated" — Murdaugh Housekeeper Responds to Criticism    Watch our previous interviews with Blanca on our YouTube Channel   Read Blanca’s New York Times Bestselling book: Within the House of Murdaugh: Amid a Unique Friendship, Blanca and Maggie   Follow on Facebook: House of Murdaugh

“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 Bestseller list where she questions the investigation into the double murder involving a southern legal dynasty.   In this follow-up interview, Blanca says she "will not be intimidated or bullied" amid a disturbing encounter/incident at a local grocery store. She speaks candidly about Maggie’s hardships after Paul’s boat crash, highlights the power and privilege that can influence law enforcement, and reveals the complex/complicated feelings she still has about members of the Murdaugh family today. She also answers the question—has anyone from law enforcement reached out to you about what you told us in your last interview, or what you wrote in your book?  Watch our previous interviews with Blanca on YouTube Learn more about House of Murdaugh on Facebook

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 of perseverance that has inspired us all here at Criminally Obsessed. From 50 weeks of desert searches for his son, to creating new laws for reform in missing persons investigations, David’s work on Daniel's case - and to help other families - is alive and well.   Senior Investigative Reporter Anne Emerson speaks with David Robinson as he pushes for the passing of the "Please Help Find Missing Americans Act" or the Daniel Robinson Law, the latest updates in Daniel’s case, and his work with other families like Gabby Petito’s father, Joseph. As we continue the search for Nancy Guthrie out of Tucson, Arizona, David explains the unique difficulties of searching extreme desert terrain, and how the community can combat disparity in media coverage of missing person cases. While he hasn't found his own son yet, he has even helped solve other missing person cases by finding others’ remains during his searches for Daniel.    Please support the search for Daniel by sharing his story, and if you have information, submit tips to the family's dedicated tipline at 844-602-0660.   You can also contact the Buckeye Police tipline at 623-349-6411.  Subscribe, like, and follow Criminally Obsessed for ongoing coverage and expert insight into the cases everyone is talking about.  Get true crime stories delivered to your inbox every Friday! Subscribe to our Newsletter here. Learn more about Daniel’s case, and print or share his missing person flyer here. Learn more about the National Missing and Unidentified Person System (NAMUS)

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 autopsy, police interviews and walked the very road where Stephen’s body was found on that hot summer night. Senior Investigative Reporter Anne Emerson spoke with Kinsey about his investigation, what he learned about law enforcement’s investigation and how he believes Stephen died. Stephen Smith’s death investigation was reopened in 2021 just two weeks after Maggie and Paul Murdaugh were murdered. The State of South Carolina’s Law Enforcement Division (SLED) cited information collected during the Murdaugh murder investigation but would not elaborate. In 2023, SLED announced Stephen’s death was a homicide. His body was exhumed and a second autopsy done, but that information has been sealed.  When will justice come? July 8, 2026 will mark 11 years since Stephen was killed. Someone knows something. There is a $50,000 reward in this case.

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 Kyle Lawrence has been arrested in Buffalo, New York in connection with the investigation. He’s charged with Transportation with Intent to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity, Travel with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct and Transportation of Child pornography.  Criminally Obsessed got a hold of the 7-page federal criminal complaint against Lawrence, and we found a disturbing history - context that could hold clues to understanding what happened to Madison.  Investigative reporter Anne Emerson speaks with Madison’s parents, Carrie and Tyler, in an emotional interview about their daughter’s case and what we can do to support them. We then hear from Chief of Ohio Land Search and Rescue, John Adams, about his boots-on-the-ground role in the search for Madison. He offers chilling insight from his experience working hundreds of missing persons cases, and the common thread that should raise alarm bells that every parent or guardian.  Please support the search for Madison by sharing her story, and if you have information, submit tips to Colerain Township PD by calling (513) 321-2677.  Subscribe, like, and follow Criminally Obsessed for ongoing coverage and expert insight into the cases everyone is talking about.  Share Madison’s NCMEC poster Learn more about Ohio Land Search and Rescue