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What happens when the hits stop, but the damage remains? In this powerful episode of Cold Red, hosts Ray Carr and Fitz sit down with five-time NHL All-Star Brian Propp to explore the hidden consequences of professional hockey, repeated head trauma, and the long-term neurological effects that can follow athletes long after retirement. With more than 1,000 career points, five Stanley Cup Finals appearances, and 15 seasons in the NHL, Propp experienced hockey during an era when toughness was everything and playing through injuries was simply part of the game. From the infamous 1989 playoff hit by Chris Chelios to surviving a life-altering stroke in 2015, Propp shares his remarkable journey through injury, recovery, rehabilitation, and survival. Building on their recent conversation with renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Philip Stieg, Ray and Fitz examine the science behind Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) and Traumatic Encephalopathy Syndrome (TES), exploring how repetitive brain trauma may affect memory, personality, emotional regulation, and behavior. The conversation goes beyond professional sports, examining a fascinating intersection of neuroscience, behavioral analysis, and forensic linguistics: Can brain injuries change the way someone thinks, speaks, or behaves—and how do we recognize the difference between neurological damage and intentional behavior? It's an eye-opening conversation about the price of greatness, the hidden battles athletes face, and the resilience required to rebuild a life after devastating neurological injury. Subscribe to Cold Red on Apple Podcasts and follow us on social media for more conversations exploring criminal behavior, forensic science, neuroscience, and the human stories behind the headlines. Visit coldredpodcast.com for more. Stay safe and be aware of your surroundings. It just might save your life.

Can repeated head trauma change a person's behavior, destroy impulse control, or even contribute to violent actions? In this episode of Cold Red, retired FBI agents Raymond Carr and James Fitzgerald sit down with renowned neurosurgeon, NFL consultant, and CTE researcher Dr. Philip Stieg to explore the disturbing relationship between Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), brain damage, aggression, and violent behavior. From professional football players to individuals with a history of repetitive head injuries, Dr. Stieg breaks down what science reveals about the long-term consequences of brain trauma—and what researchers still don't know. Together, Ray, Fitz, and Dr. Stieg examine how damage to the frontal and temporal lobes may affect emotional regulation, decision-making, and impulse control. They also explore a critical question for criminal investigators: How do you distinguish calculated criminal behavior from actions potentially influenced by neurological deterioration? In this episode: What CTE actually does to the brain and its four proposed stages The potential connection between repeated head injuries, aggression, and impulsive behavior Why some individuals experience personality changes while others develop cognitive decline How brain trauma can complicate FBI behavioral analysis and criminal investigations Whether neurological damage can influence speech, deception, and interrogation strategies The limitations of current CTE research and the challenges of diagnosing the condition How substance abuse, performance-enhancing drugs, and psychological stress may complicate the picture Could brain scans eventually play a role in determining criminal responsibility? Can brain damage help explain violent behavior—or are we at risk of confusing correlation with causation? Join Ray, Fitz, and Dr. Stieg for a fascinating discussion at the intersection of neuroscience, forensic psychology, and criminal behavior. 🔴 SUBSCRIBE TO COLD RED for expert criminal analysis, true crime investigations, and exclusive conversations with leading experts in law enforcement, medicine, and forensic science. 🌐 Visit our website: https://coldredpodcast.com 💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Do you believe a history of serious brain trauma should influence how violent offenders are evaluated in the criminal justice system? Share your thoughts in the comments. #ColdRedPodcast #CTE #BrainInjury #TrueCrime #Neuroscience #FBI #JamesFitzgerald #PhilipStieg #CriminalPsychology #ForensicScience

Behind the Badge & Beyond the Case: Chief David Splain | Cold Red 1118 What happens when the realities of small-town policing meet the complexities of true crime? On this episode of Cold Red, Ray Carr and Fitz sit down with Chief David Splain of the Nether Providence Township Police Department to explore decades of law enforcement experience, historical homicide investigations, and his transition from police leadership to true crime author. Chief Splain discusses his books, Blood on the Trolley and Secrets From the Closet, offering insight into the investigative details, hidden truths, and human stories behind real cases. Together, Ray and Fitz examine the unique challenges of investigating crimes in close-knit communities, why some cold cases remain unsolved for decades, and how behavioral profiling, forensic linguistics, and modern forensic technology can help uncover new leads. Plus, the team tackles audience questions about protecting victims' families, avoiding critical mistakes during the first 48 hours of an investigation, and the evolving role of investigative genetic genealogy in cold cases. Subscribe to Cold Red for more expert analysis, real-world investigations, and the psychology behind the cases that continue to raise questions. Visit coldredpodcast.com for the blog and follow Cold Red on social media. Stay safe, stay aware, and remember: it just might save your life.

Four major true crime stories. New legal battles, disturbing allegations, and serious questions about how investigations are handled. On this episode of Cold Red Podcast, retired FBI agents Raymond J. Carr and James R. Fitzgerald break down four developing stories, examining the evidence, investigative procedures, behavioral patterns, and legal consequences. 🔴 THE CORNELL 7 INVESTIGATION A major shift in a high-profile sexual assault investigation raises questions about local prosecutors, state intervention, and whether the case was properly handled. What happens when higher authorities take control? 🔴 "GAS STATION HEROIN" — THE KRATOM CRISIS Deadly synthetic kratom derivatives are raising alarms across the country. From a college student's fatal overdose in Mississippi to reported deaths in Utah, Ray and Fitz examine the dangers of unregulated substances and potential criminal accountability. 🔴 GYPSY ROSE BLANCHARD — FACTS VS. INTERNET SPECULATION Online rumors and allegations surrounding Gypsy Rose Blanchard and Ken Urker highlight the dangers of social media investigations. Fitz explores confirmation bias, digital behavior, and why speculation should never replace forensic evidence. 🔴 NOLAN WELLS — FEDERAL INVESTIGATION & TERRELL OWENS LAWSUIT The Nolan Wells case continues to raise questions about accountability and justice. The family seeks federal intervention following a grand jury decision, while a defamation dispute involving NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Owens adds another legal dimension. Four stories. Four complicated investigations. What does the evidence actually tell us? Join Ray and Fitz as they separate facts from speculation and explain how experienced federal investigators approach these cases. 🔔 SUBSCRIBE for expert FBI analysis, criminal profiling, and true crime investigations. 🌐 Visit: https://coldredpodcast.com 💬 LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENTS: Which of these four stories deserves a deeper investigation? #ColdRedPodcast #TrueCrime #FBI #GypsyRoseBlanchard #NolanWells #Cornell7 #Kratom #CriminalProfiling #JamesRFitzgerald #RaymondCarr

Could new forensic research point investigators toward a previously overlooked Zodiac suspect? Ray Carr and Jim “Fitz” Fitzgerald sit down with researchers Chad and Kylie to examine newly acquired research surrounding the Zodiac Killer case and an individual referred to as “Subject X.” The discussion explores the Zodiac’s known crimes, behavioral profile, cryptic communications, and the linguistic patterns found in the killer’s letters. Fitz examines the case through the lens of forensic linguistics and questioned authorship, including contraction rates, British phrasing, word choice, misspellings, and other structural patterns. The researchers also present potential connections involving handwriting characteristics, blue felt-tip pen usage, schematic drawings, and distinctive phrases found in the Zodiac communications. What would it take to move this research from theory to evidence? Ray and Fitz discuss the additional forensic testing that could help confirm or eliminate “Subject X,” including archival fingerprints, travel records, and genealogical DNA. **Cold Red Podcast** brings true crime through the eyes of former FBI agents, examining behavioral analysis, forensic evidence, investigative procedure, and the questions that remain unanswered. Subscribe to Cold Red Podcast and visit coldredpodcast.com for more. #ColdRed #ZodiacKiller #Zodiac #TrueCrime #ColdCase #FBI #ForensicLinguistics #CriminalProfiling #UnsolvedMystery #ForensicAnalysis

Richard Marx recalls what it was like being at ground zero the day after September 11th.  He tells us what it was like digging through the wreckage to find clues.

Twenty-five years after September 11, questions remain about what U.S. intelligence agencies knew before the attacks—and why critical information may never have reached the investigators who needed it. Ray Carr and James R. Fitzgerald examine the unsealed sworn declaration of Military Commissions defense investigator Donald Canestraro and its explosive allegations surrounding pre-9/11 intelligence. The discussion examines CIA Alec Station, hijackers Nawaf al-Hazmi and Khalid al-Mihdhar, their time in San Diego, Operation Encore, alleged Saudi connections, and testimony from former FBI investigators who believe crucial intelligence was withheld or suppressed. Ray and Fitz also explore the difference between bureaucratic failure, deceptive omission, and active obstruction—and ask the question that remains 25 years later: Was this simply an intelligence failure, or was critical information deliberately kept from investigators? This is Part 1 of Cold Red’s investigation into the Canestraro Declaration. Subscribe to Cold Red Podcast and visit coldredpodcast.com for more.

Cold Red sits down with Joanna Rivera to discuss the nuance of domestic violence. She dives deep into her experiences and what she is doing now to help more the conference further

Were critical investigative opportunities missed in the Nancy Guthrie case? Former FBI profiler James "Fitz" Fitzgerald and retired FBI agent Ray Carr examine the investigation from an investigative perspective, discussing the decisions they believe deserved closer attention and explaining how they would have approached the case if they had been leading the investigation. Drawing on decades of FBI experience, they break down investigative strategy, behavioral analysis, and the key moments that may have shaped the direction of the case. What would you have done differently? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

summary In this episode, Jim Fitz and Ray Carr analyze the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case, exploring law enforcement tactics, forensic linguistics, and the psychological aspects of the abduction and communications. They discuss the significance of digital evidence, suspect profiling, and the strategic release of information to the public.

In this episode, Ray Carr and James R. Fitzgerald analyze recent criminal investigations, forensic evidence, and the importance of patience and evidence-based conclusions in solving cases. They discuss the Nolan Wells case, forensic linguistics, DNA and ballistics evidence, and the challenges law enforcement faces.

Nancy Guthrie's ransom letters have been picked apart by armchair detectives for weeks — but what does the language actually reveal? On this episode of Cold Red, retired FBI Special Agent Ray Carr and former FBI Supervisory Special Agent and criminal profiler James Fitzgerald — the same forensic linguist whose work helped identify the Unabomber — break down the ransom letters line by line using real forensic linguistics and behavioral analysis techniques. Is this the work of one person, or does the evidence point to multiple authors? Fitz and Ray walk through word choice, sentence structure, and behavioral markers the way the FBI actually analyzes questioned documents in an active investigation — not speculation, not theory-crafting, but the real tradecraft behind identifying who's really behind the letters. If you want to understand how investigators actually read a letter like this, this is the episode. 🔴 New episodes every week. Subscribe for more real FBI analysis of the cases everyone's talking about. #NancyGuthrie #ColdRed #FBIProfiler #TrueCrime #ForensicLinguistics

In this episode, Ray Carr and Fitz explore the complex case of Lindsay Bouziak's murder, delving into victimology, potential motives, and investigative challenges. Tanya Busiak, Lindsay's cousin, shares personal insights and raises critical questions about the case's handling and possible organized crime involvement.   Lindsay Bouziak, victimology, cold case, organized crime, investigation, Canada, homicide, unsolved case, law enforcement, real estate

On February 2nd, 2008, real estate agent Lindsay Buziak was murdered inside a  vacant home in Saanich, British Columbia — moments after showing the property  to a couple she had never met before. The suspects were seen. The timeline is documented. And yet — no one has ever  been charged. In this episode, former FBI Supervisory Special Agent and criminal profiler  James "Fitz" Fitzgerald and former FBI Special Agent Raymond Carr are joined by  investigative researcher Gail — who has spent years building the most  comprehensive public record of the Lindsay Buziak case — to break down what  really happened that night. What they cover: - Why investigators believe this was a targeted, pre-planned murder - The mysterious woman who called Lindsay days before to arrange the showing - The 17-minute window that changed everything - What the behavioral evidence tells us about who was behind it - Why this case has remained unsolved for over 15 years — and what would need    to happen to change that This is not armchair true crime. This is FBI-level analysis from agents who  have worked cases exactly like this one. 🔴 Subscribe to Cold Red on YouTube for video episodes, behavioral breakdowns,  and short-form FBI analysis. 🎙️ Find Gail's investigative research at murderondesousa.com 📌 Support Cold Red on Patreon for bonus case files and extended FBI analysis. Cold Red: See crime through the eyes of the FBI.