Lawrence Hong, Kaiti Perras, Jordan Segura, Josh Hunter and Zackariah Rathwell were a group of talented young people with promising futures. On this episode of the Global News podcast Crime Beat, crime reporter Nancy Hixt brings us to Part 2 of her special series, the Brentwood five massacre. What started out as a party to mark the end of classes at the University of Calgary ended in a horrific tragedy. It happened quickly and without warning. In less than a minute the five victims were stabbed ...
Mar 24, 2020•1 hr 16 min•Season 2Ep. 13
On April 14, 2014, a group of friends had a small get-together at their home near the University of Calgary campus in the northwest neighbourhood of Brentwood. Five young people shared a small, grey-and-blue split-level house on a quiet block on Butler Crescent. The house was a well-known rental for university students that many affectionately called the “Butler Mansion.” It was a relatively small gathering, with many of those invited having gone to junior high or high school together. The rest ...
Mar 10, 2020•57 min•Season 2Ep. 12
On this episode Global News crime reporter Nancy Hixt is joined by an investigator who’s worked on many of the high profile cases featured on Crime Beat. In this special conversation with retired homicide Det. Tom Barrow, the veteran officer opens up in a raw, intimate way, and provides new insight into the demons that continue to haunt him. Listen to this episode now for exclusive behind the scenes details on several cases we’ve covered on the show and ones we’ll be profiling in the coming mont...
Feb 25, 2020•49 min•Season 2Ep. 11
Nancy Hixt shares a story that highlights how fragile life can be. On a crisp summer evening in August 2014, a young woman was enjoying a night out with some friends in downtown Calgary. Natasha Farah, 26, was originally from Toronto, but came to Calgary a year earlier for work and to further her education. That night, Farah was feeling especially nostalgic and had a long heart-to-heart with her best friend and also called her mother back home in Toronto. Neither of them realized how precious th...
Feb 11, 2020•58 min•Season 2Ep. 10
In 2002, Lisa was 19 and working several jobs to put herself through university. One of which was at a Calgary tanning salon. Lisa is not her real name. Her identity is protected by a court-imposed publication ban. She is smart and a hard worker, and it appeared she made a good impression on the owners of the salon. After just a couple of months, she was offered an incredible opportunity -- the chance to manage her own store. She was asked to meet with the owner’s nephew one evening after work t...
Jan 28, 2020•51 min•Season 2Ep. 9
At 29 years old, Lisa Mitchell had a lot on her plate. Lisa and her common-law husband, Allan Shyback, had two children. In the fall of 2012, she juggled two jobs to try to make ends meet and provide for her family. Then one day-- she disappeared-- leaving her common-law husband and two children behind. The only clues were a few short emails and a cryptic voicemail to her mother. For more than two years, her mother held out hope Lisa would return. On this episode of the Global News podcast Crime...
Jan 14, 2020•1 hr 21 min•Season 2Ep. 8
On this special year-end episode of Crime Beat, Global News crime reporter Nancy Hixt is joined by L.A. Times journalist and Pulitzer Prize finalist Christopher Goffard, who is the reporter and host of two podcasts, Dirty John and Detective Trapp. Nancy and Christopher pull back the curtain on crime reporting in a way that only two people who have covered this beat can. They talk crime and justice, and provide a look at how two journalists work to uncover the truth. Learn more about your ad choi...
Dec 30, 2019•1 hr 3 min
18-year-old, Lukas Strasser-Hird had aspirations of becoming a trauma surgeon. Instead, on November 23, 2013, he laid on an operating table, as a trauma surgeon worked to try and save his life. He was out at a nightclub, celebrating his return from a year studying abroad, when he became the victim of a savage attack. It took mere minutes for a group of guys to swarm him. He was kicked, stabbed and beaten beyond recognition. It was so hard to comprehend how this happened to Lukas-- and over what?...
Dec 17, 2019•1 hr 14 min•Season 2Ep. 7
At 18, Lukas Strasser-Hird’s future was bright. After a year studying abroad, he had aspirations to become a doctor. The day he arrived back in Calgary, he went out with friends to celebrate his homecoming. It was a fun night, until last-call. No one could have predicted how dangerous the situation was about to become. It’s a story that will leave you questioning what the person next to you at a bar is capable of. On this episode of the Global News podcast Crime Beat, crime reporter Nancy Hixt b...
Dec 03, 2019•1 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Maryam Rashidi’s life focused on creating opportunities for her son. But in 2015, both Rashidi and her husband were laid off from their jobs in the oil and gas industry. June 7, 2015, was her fourth shift working at a Calgary gas station — a job she took to make ends meet. That morning, Rashidi said goodbye to her husband and son, and went to work — the last time they would get to talk to her. Just hours later, they would learn Rashidi was taken by ambulance to the hospital. She’d been run over ...
Nov 19, 2019•57 min•Season 2Ep. 5
On this episode of the Global News podcast Crime Beat, crime reporter Nancy Hixt shares the story Brittney McInnes, the concrete angel. At 17 and just months from graduation, McInnes had her whole life ahead of her. But in January 2010, the Calgary teen disappeared. Police were called to investigate, but the search came up empty. Hours later, Brittney’s family discovered her body. Follow along as police unraveled the web of lies her killer had created, and hear his confession—audio that’s never ...
Nov 05, 2019•58 min•Season 2Ep. 4
On this episode of the Global News Crime Beat, crime reporter Nancy Hixt shares the story of a young boy who fell through the cracks. You’ll hear from those who loved Alex Radita, those who fought to keep him alive and healthy, and those who fought for justice in his case. And for the first time, you’ll hear a recorded interview with Alex himself — who knew what he needed most to save his life. In May 2013, police were called to a home in northwest Calgary for reports of a teenage boy in medical...
Oct 22, 2019•1 hr 4 min•Season 2Ep. 3
It’s a case the family of the victims call a real life horror show. On this episode of the Global News podcast Crime Beat, crime reporter Nancy Hixt takes you through the details of the crimes committed against Terry Blanchette and his two-year-old daughter Hailey Dunbar Blanchette. Follow along as we reveal evidence investigators uncovered, and an exclusive interview with the mother of the triple-murderer in this case. Her life has been shattered by her son’s actions. Learn more about your ad c...
Oct 08, 2019•1 hr 2 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Two people dead ...and a two year old child gone missing. A small community in the Rocky Mountains...shattered. On this episode of the Global News podcast Crime Beat, crime reporter Nancy Hixt takes you through one of the most disturbing cases she’s covered – one which the family of the victims call a real life horror show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 08, 2019•55 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Season two premieres October 8th. Ride along with Crime Reporter Nancy Hixt, as she takes you through some of Canada’s most high profile criminal cases, shining a light into the darkness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 01, 2019•2 min
Executive Producer Chris Duncombe sits down with Global News crime reporter and host of Crime Beat, Nancy Hixt, for an in depth interview about the podcast and answers audience questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 06, 2019•51 min
In July 2016, a Calgary mother, Sara Baillie, was found dead in her home, and her five-year-old daughter, Taliyah Marsman, was missing. Three days later, an Amber Alert came to a heartbreaking end when the little girl was found dead. On this episode of Global News podcast Crime Beat, crime reporter Nancy Hixt takes a look at who killed Sara and Taliyah. Hours after Taliyah’s body was recovered, police announced a man was charged in the case. Edward Downey was accused of two counts of first-degre...
Jul 23, 2019•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 12
Crime reporter Nancy Hixt tells the story of an inseparable duo, a young Calgary mother and her little girl. In July 2016 Sara Baillie was found dead in her house, and her five-year-old daughter was missing. Police issued an Alberta-wide Amber Alert, and the frantic search for the little girl began. Family held out hope Taliyah would be found alive, but three days later, her body was found in bushes outside the city limits. Follow along as police hunt for a killer and the shocking twist their in...
Jul 09, 2019•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 11
On this episode of Global News podcast Crime Beat, crime reporter Nancy Hixt tells the story of a man who came face-to-face with pure evil. Mark Mariani, 47, suffered from Crohn’s disease for more than half of his life. On Oct. 1, 2010, Mark was given new hope, thanks to medical advancements. Doctors told him he might not need his colostomy bag anymore. The next night, he headed to his favourite western bar to do some two-steppin’ and meet up with friends. It was the following morning when Mark’...
Jun 25, 2019•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Nancy Hixt tells the story of an unbreakable bond between a Calgary father and daughter. Sarah Rae was Gord Rae’s only child. In his eyes, the sun would rise and set on her. Their special daddy-daughter bond only grew as Sarah got older. Then, on Aug. 3, 2008, a stranger showed up at Gord’s doorstep. It was a Calgary police homicide detective. Sarah, 24, had been murdered. Sarah’s boyfriend, Travis Martel, found her body in the home he shared with his mother. He told police he owed a large gambl...
Jun 11, 2019•57 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Nancy Hixt tells the story of a young Calgary father who vanished without a trace. For several years, Ryan Lane had been involved in a battle to see his daughter. After a breakup with the child’s mother, it became more and more difficult for Lane to see the little girl. Then, in February 2012, he was granted a court-ordered visit and reunited with his four-year-old daughter for the first time in two years. The daddy and daughter spent time eating, playing and laughing together at Chuck E. Cheese...
May 28, 2019•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 8
On this episode of Global News podcast Crime Beat, crime reporter Nancy Hixt shares the devastating impact of a sexual predator. In 2003, a young Calgary woman was in her own home, when a stranger broke in and attacked her. She was bound, raped, beaten and threatened. Six months later, it happened again. A second woman, sexually assaulted in her own home, just blocks from where the first woman was attacked. The details were so similar — both women were sexually assaulted in their own homes by a ...
May 14, 2019•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 7
On this episode we're bringing you details of the Kelly Cook case that have never been reported before. In 1981, Kelly took a job to babysit for someone new named Bill Christensen. The 15-year-old was never seen alive again.What most people don’t know is that Kelly was not the killer’s first choice. She was the “backup babysitter.” Christensen's first choice was a 17-year-old girl. In the small rural community of Standard, in southern Alberta, the 17-year-old received a call from Christensen, bu...
Apr 29, 2019•59 min•Season 1Ep. 6
On this episode of Crime Beat, crime reporter Nancy Hixt tells the story of Kelly Cook, a young girl who was abducted from Standard, Alta., 38 years ago. Kelly had taken a job babysitting someone new — and then, she was gone. Her body was found June 28, 1981 in an irrigation canal south of Taber. Investigators said it was obvious someone had gone through a lot of work to make sure Kelly would never be found, but a drought in the area had lowered the water level and revealed her weighed-down body...
Apr 16, 2019•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Crime reporter Nancy Hixt tells a story of an aspiring actress who mysteriously disappeared from Calgary, Alta., in November 2014. Shannon Madill had everything going for her. She had just landed an audition for a role in a television series, and was looking forward to moving from Calgary to Edmonton. That audition was recorded on video. Hours later she vanished. It was only when Shannon missed a planned dinner with her older brother that her family realized she was missing and called police. By...
Apr 02, 2019•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 4
In this episode we look at a story of deadly infatuation. Join Nancy Hixt as she explains how a young girl was targeted — simply because she spurned a young man’s advances. Nadia El-Dib’s family said Nadia had broken things off with Adam Bettahar, and her body was found in a Calgary woman’s backyard March 25, 2018. She was stabbed dozens of times and shot twice. Police called her death an “execution.” Anyone needing help with violence or abuse in an intimate relationship is encouraged to reach o...
Mar 19, 2019•45 min•Season 1Ep. 3
On this episode of Crime Beat, crime reporter Nancy Hixt takes you through the mind blowing twists and turns in Randy Safronovich’s life. Safronovich jokes that he must have nine lives. The Sylvan Lake businessman was the victim of a home invasion robbery in June 2013. At one point, the offender put a gun to his head, and pulled the trigger. By some miracle, the gun misfired and Safronovich survived. It was a life changing moment, but surprisingly, not the first time Safronovich managed to evade...
Mar 04, 2019•48 min•Season 1Ep. 2
On this episode of Crime Beat, crime reporter Nancy Hixt takes you through the case--step by step. Follow along as she reveals the shocking behind the scenes details of the Meika Jordan case --and goes through the evidence as it was uncovered by investigators in their quest for justice for Meika. Meika Jordan was a bright, cheery and playful six year old. When she was rushed to hospital with serious life threatening injuries, her father and step-mother told police she had fallen down the stairs....
Mar 04, 2019•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 1
People know their hometowns by streets, a favorite restaurant or the local mall. Crime Reporter Nancy Hixt knows hers by the crime scenes she's been to over the past 20 years. Journey deep inside some of Canada’s most high-profile criminal cases. Each episode will take you inside the story to give you details you didn't hear on the news. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 05, 2019•2 min
