Crime Beat

If you watch CSI or crime shows on TV, this special edition of the Crime Beat podcast is a must-listen.Global News crime reporter Nancy Hixt takes you on a behind-the-scenes look at forensic investigations.She’s joined by Sgt. Jodi Arns, an expert in bloodstain pattern analysis with the Calgary Police Service.Follow along as she explains the critical role the forensic crime scenes unit plays in solving cases, including the ones we share on this podcast.If you enjoy Crime Beat, please take a minute to rate it on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts, tell us what you think and share the show with your friends.Contact:Twitter: @nancyhixtFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyHixtCrimeBeat/Email: nancy.hixt@globalnews.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In early November 2011, Cherry Ledesma was looking forward to a fresh start.She was living in temporary housing, run by a social agency while waiting to get into a substance abuse treatment program. Ledesma battled addictions most of her life and had been in treatment before but this time she was determined to make it work.The mother of five was very close with her kids. They regularly called and often stopped by to see her.But for a couple days that month, no one could reach her. She wasn’t answering her phone.Her common-law husband told her son she went downtown.That wasn’t uncommon, but it didn’t make sense for her to stay out for more than a few hours at a time.Later that night, police were called.When investigators arrived, they went into the basement where they found an ominous message on the wall.And just a few feet away from that message — a grisly discovery.On the latest episode of the Global News podcast Crime Beat, crime reporter Nancy Hixt shares what happened to Cherry Ledesma, and how it changed the course of her daughter’s life “The girl who became a warrior."Contact:Twitter: @nancyhixtInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nancy.hixt/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyHixtCrimeBeat/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You’ve heard the stories. You’ve felt for the people involved. But what happens after the cameras shut off and the reporters walk away? Just because a story disappears from the news doesn’t mean it’s gone. So whatever happened to the nuclear disaster at Fukushima? or the trapped Chilean Miners? And did anything actually come out of the Ice Bucket Challenge?Join Global News reporter, Erica Vella on this unique history podcast as she takes you inside these stories and talks to the people at the heart of each one to find out exactly what’s happened since.Listen now at https://link.chtbl.com/wht Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Global News podcast Crime Beat, crime reporter Nancy Hixt shares the story of Brooke Clapson and the violence that followed her.As a child, Brooke was a ray of sunshine in her mother’s life.But there was a dark shadow of domestic abuse that loomed over their home that left scars on the young girl that she could never erase.As a teen, the expression “you live what you learn” played out in her life after she started dating Jerime Mallette.Mallette was two years older than Brooke.She fell victim to the same abuse she witnessed as a child.Every time she was close to leaving the relationship, her boyfriend promised he would change. If only she would give him another chance, things would be different.Three years into the on-again-off-again relationship, Brooke finally decided that it was time for a change.She made a plan with one of her girlfriends to go to Europe. It was to be an adventure of a lifetime.Brooke moved away, got a new job and saved up for the trip overseas.That’s when the violence she escaped tragically caught up to her.Hear details of the story that continue to haunt her family, police and the prosecutor on this episode of the Global News podcast.Contact:Twitter: @nancyhixtInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nancy.hixt/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyHixtCrimeBeat/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Global News podcast Crime Beat, crime reporter Nancy Hixt shares the story of the evil and senseless plot against Ray Johnson.Johnson was a kind and generous soul, the kind of man who would give the shirt off of his back to someone in need.He was an antiques and collectibles dealer and had a table at a Calgary flea market.In January of 2009 he celebrated his 77th birthday, and enjoyed daily routines that included coffee every morning to start his day with his youngest daughter.That’s exactly how Friday, Jan. 30, 2009 began.Ray and his daughter Bonnie went out for breakfast and sat and read the paper together. They ended their meeting with a hug and goodbyes and promised to see each other at dinner later that night.In the meantime, he went to a garage sale with one of his close friends -- then planned to meet up with an online seller who had reached out to him about some items he might be interested in. When Ray didn’t show up for dinner that night, his daughter thought he must have gotten delayed at a garage sale. He loved to visit, even with complete strangers.But the next day, when she still couldn’t reach her father, Bonnie started to worry.She called family and friends and even tried local hospitals to see if Ray had been in an accident.No one had heard from her father. Bonnie called police and reported him missing.The next afternoon, investigators met with the Johnson family to update them on his case.Their father was found dead -- murdered.Follow along as family and friends helped investigators retrace Ray Johnson’s last steps.And, learn the shocking and senseless reason he was targeted.Contact:Twitter: @nancyhixtInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nancy.hixt/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyHixtCrimeBeat/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The deadliest shooting spree in Canada’s modern history left us with far more questions than answers. Join Sarah Ritchie, a reporter for Global News in Halifax, as she tries to unravel how something like this could happen there.Sarah will take you through every hour, as it unfolded and together you’ll try and piece together what happened, what could or should’ve been done to prevent it and what we can learn to make sure a tragedy of this magnitude never happens again. 13 Hours: Inside the Nova Scotia Massacre: Listen NOW! https://link.chtbl.com/13hours Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Global News podcast Crime Beat, crime reporter Nancy Hixt shares the story of a young mother who’s plans to rebuild her life were tragically interrupted.March 10, 2015, was a typical Monday for Jessica Newman.Her boyfriend took her home that morning after a weekend together at his place.Later that afternoon, her roommate dropped her off at a Calgary bar and grill so she could work the night shift.Her roommate expected to hear her come home around 10 that night.The hours passed and Jessica never came home.Her roommate didn’t immediately worry--he figured she must have met up with friends.But after she missed several important appointments and work shifts--and no one heard from her for a few days--her family and friends all began to worry.Newman’s roommate called 911 and reported her missing.Police retraced her steps--and found her footprints of life had ended: no bank transactions, texts, internet or phone activity after that Monday night.What had happened to the young mother, and was she a victim of foul play?Learn the shocking details police uncovered as they investigated her mysterious disappearance.Twitter: @nancyhixtFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyHixtCrimeBeat/Email: nancy.hixt@globalnews.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Global News podcast Crime Beat, crime reporter Nancy Hixt shares the story that will leave you questioning what horrors you can encounter-- just two doors down.May 4, 2013 was a beautiful spring day in Calgary.In one suburb, new neighbours met for the first time and decided to get together for a barbeque and drinks.It was a memorable night filled with good conversation and laughter…There’s a lasting reminder of that evening, a photo of the two men with their arms around each other, smiling. They appeared to be having a great time, but just minutes after that photo was taken tragedy struck.One of the men called 911.The other was pronounced dead at the scene, before he could be rushed to the hospital. He was later identified as Calgary middle school teacher, Craig Kelloway.An autopsy revealed Kelloway was stabbed 37 times.The question was, how did things turn so badly so quickly?It’s a case that continues to haunt the lead investigator. Follow along as we share the story of Mr. Kelloway in the season three premiere of Crime Beat.Contact:Twitter: @nancyhixtFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyHixtCrimeBeat/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nancy Hixt has been a crime reporter for nearly 25 years and in that time she's pretty much seen it all.Things she never imagined possible, things she never believed one human would do to  another.On Season 3 of Crime Beat she'll share stories that can only be described as mind-blowing and with so many twists and turns they're hard to believe they’re fact, not fiction. Real crimes… Real people …Real journalism  Crime Beat season three begins October 20. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Global News crime reporter Nancy Hixt shares new information and insight into cases from the past two seasons in this special episode of Crime Beat.Listen to updates and insights to the following cases: If I can’t have you no one can - https://www.nadiashopefoundation.com/ The boy who overcame the odds The final homecoming of Lukas Strasser-Hird The boy who fell through the cracks Concrete Angel Darkness in the Pass The Brentwood five massacre Contact:Twitter: @nancyhixtFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyHixtCrimeBeat/Email: nancy.hixt@globalnews.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices