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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 headlines, and what we can do to push for answers. That’s why we spoke to one of the people who knows Lynette best - Karli Aylesworth, Lynette’s daughter. Investigative reporter Anne Emerson speaks with Karli, who just returned from the Bahamas after retracing her mother’s final known moments, and asks the urgent questions on all of our minds. Karli shares why she doesn’t believe her stepfather Brian Hooker’s account of what happened, and walks us through the details that matter most, from Lynette’s habits and state of mind, to key questions about the dinghy, the kill switch, the float bag, her Apple Watch, and what Lynette was wearing the last time she was caught on camera. With Lynette still missing and no charges filed, we focus on facts over rumors, offering a closer look at the victim, the timeline, and the growing number of unanswered questions in this case we can’t stop thinking about. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 at 800-799-7233 Contribute to Karli’s GoFundMe

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 this episode, we go beyond the headlines to unpack the disturbing evidence tied to Burke’s abandoned Tesla, and the questions that still don’t have answers. From eerie overlaps between his music lyrics and the case, to the forensic challenges of determining exactly how she died, we’re joined by veteran forensic death investigator Joseph Scott Morgan to examine the breaking updates in this case. Dr. Morgan reveals new details from the charging documents, including Celeste’s cause of death by ‘a sharp instrument’. The brutality in this case deepens with every new update we learn. As the investigation continues and Burke maintains his innocence ahead of a preliminary hearing April 23rd 2026, we take a closer look at the timeline, the evidence, and the haunting question at the center of it all: what really happened to Celeste Rivas Hernandez? Listen to the Body Bags podcast with Joseph Scott Morgan

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 facing one of the toughest challenges in any case: searching the open water.In this episode of Criminally Obsessed, we break down what that really means - from shifting currents to the harsh reality of what happens to the human body in warm ocean conditions. Investigative reporter Anne Emerson is joined by forensic diver Alex Beer, a veteran police officer and dive rescue expert, who explains why investigations in the ocean can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack… or rather, as he says, a “needle in water”.Alex shares the key red flags he sees in Lynette Hooker’s disappearance based on his experience. His insight into search efforts, ocean behavior, and the investigative process adds a critical layer of expertise to this ongoing 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 episode, Investigative reporter Anne Emerson is joined by forensic criminologist Dr. Laura Pettler, who specializes in staged crime scenes. We break down the conflicting accounts, including messages Brian sent in real time that don’t match what was later reported.  We learn why incidents - and crimes - that happen on the water can be especially difficult to piece together, and why certain details in Lynette’s case raise major red flags. With no charges filed against Brian Hooker, but suspicion building, we take a closer look at the timeline, the inconsistencies, and the mystery surrounding Lynette’s disappearance.

“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 aggravated sexual abuse and will be tried as an adult. Criminally Obsessed’s Anne Emerson investigates the cruise ship crime scene forensics with DrLaura Pettler as well as the family dynamics that are coming into play in this investigation. What were the red flags and boundary violations? Dr. Pettler says, “to understand Anna Kepner’s alleged murder, you have to understand the system that she came from.” And that’s just what we try to do in this episode.

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. Investigative reporter Anne Emerson interviews Daniel Danforth, a close friend of the Hookers, who spoke with Brian as the news of Lynette’s disappearance unfolded. Daniel says the timeline doesn’t add up, and is now sharing the messages that first raised red flags. So, what really happened? Is this a tragic accident, or something else entirely? Listen to what Daniel has to say, and decide for yourself.

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.   Investigative reporter Anne Emerson speaks with Laura’s younger sister, Michelle Impala, who opens up about finally getting confirmation that Laura was a victim of Ted Bundy. Now, as police say they expect to be able to identify more Bundy victims soon, the question remains... how many more women did he kill? 

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.