Explore every episode of the podcast American Nightmares - Gardens of Evil: Inside The Zion Society Cult

31 years after the Potomac River Rapist attacked his first victim, the detectives who solved the case are telling their story exclusively to WTOP American Nightmare Series Host Paul Wagner.

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The D.C. Court of Appeals has denied Daron Wint a retrial in his quadruple murder conviction. Hosts Megan Cloherty and Jack Moore sit down to talk about the three-judge panel's decision.

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In the summer of 1998, a brilliant scientist walking home from a party is grabbed off the street and killed. Her body is found the next day in a wooded area just steps from the Georgetown University campus. It was a gruesome scene. DC Police had no witnesses and no suspects, but they did have a valuable clue: a key piece of evidence the killer left behind.

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Ten months after Prince George's County Police Detective Bernie Nelson began using genealogy to track Sherry Crandell's killer through his relatives - the research continues on a promising family tree.

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For 9 years, he terrorized women across the DC region. Breaking into homes and raping his victims before killing a brilliant scientist near the gates of Georgetown University in 1998. And then, it all stopped. Was he dead? Locked up? Before the FBI would name him the infamous Potomac River Rapist, detectives simply called him their “unknown subject” for years. A man whose DNA linked him to multiple crime scenes, but whose name and face remained a mystery to police. For decades, detectives had no idea who he was until a bike cop named Smugs began connecting the dots.

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Prince George's County Police Detective Bernie Nelson turns to genealogy after seeing another Maryland cold case solved after 28 years. Can the murder of Sherry Crandell be solved the same way?

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In the days after Sherry Crandell was viciously raped and murdered in January 1998, the police in Prince George’s County, Maryland, set up what they called a ‘war room’ to manage a complex and intense investigation. A probe that uncovered shocking details about security on the 40-acre hospital campus.

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With no one in custody and no prime suspects, Prince George's County police devise a plan to get DNA from the hundreds of men working at Prince George's Hospital Center. A tactic that would turn highly controversial and put the police on the defensive.

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As Prince George's County Police detectives investigate the murder of nurse Sherry Crandell, they learn of a witness to the attack. A fact police kept deep in their files for 23 years and are revealing for the first time on this podcast.

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In 1998, a nurse was found brutally raped and strangled in the Maryland hospital where she worked. Despite DNA evidence and a fingerprint of the killer left behind at the scene, the case remains unsolved 23 years later. But, could newly uncovered information finally bring justice for Sherry Crandell?

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An update in the case after nearly two years: Daron Wint’s lawyers have filed an appeal seeking to throw out his conviction and asking for a new trial. Hosts Megan Cloherty and Jack Moore head back into the studio to discuss the latest development. "22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is a production of WTOP News in Washington, D.C. Music featured in "22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is licensed with artist permission. Music for this episode is "Haters Hate" by Ramone Messam.

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Host Paul Wagner brings listeners a huge update about Giles Warrick that changes the course of...everything.

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In our final episode, we again return to the studio and dig through our notes, files and transcripts of the case to answer listener questions. What happened to the $40,000 ransom and was it fully accounted for? What is the timeline of the various fires in the case? And what was the deal with Daron’s alibi, Ed?

This episode is written and produced by WTOP reporters Megan Cloherty and Jack Moore. Julia Ziegler is the content adviser. Visit 22HoursPodcast.com to sign up for em ail alerts on the case, and to see photos and other evidence.

"22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is a production of WTOP News in Washington, D.C. Music for this episode is “Haters Hate” by Ramone Messam.

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After Daron Wint’s conviction, federal prosecutors press the judge for the harshest possible sentence and, for the first time reveal his history of explosive rage, violent threats and assaults. At Daron’s sentencing, emotional statements from the two surviving Savopoulos daughters are read in court. As the last regular episode comes to a close, we reflect back.

This episode is written and produced by reporters Megan Cloherty and Jack Moore. Julia Ziegler is the content adviser. Visit 22HoursPodcast.com to sign up for email alerts on this case and the podcast. You can also see a video of Nelly Gutierrez sharing more of her memories.

"22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is a production of WTOP News in Washington, D.C. All music featured in "22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is licensed through Creative Commons and/or by permission of the artist. We're grateful to all the artists whose music has helped us tell this story. Music for this episode is “Haters Hate” by Ramone Messam; “Beyond the Lows” by The Whole Other and “Spookster” by Wayne Jones, available in the YouTube Audio Library. “Rhythmic Pulse” and “Closing my Eyes for a Moment” by Daniel Birch and “Harbor” by Kai Engel are licensed under Creative Commons by Attribution 4.0 International.

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After six weeks, dozens of witnesses and hours of testimony, emotions were running high when attorneys delivered their closing arguments. Then the United States v. Daron Wint went to the jury. Some of the men and women who decided Daron Wint’s fate take us inside the deliberation room as they weighed the evidence and came to a conclusion. 

This episode is written and produced by reporters Megan Cloherty and Jack Moore. Julia Ziegler is the content adviser. Visit 22HoursPodcast.com to see photos, a map of key locations from the case, and an interactive blog where you can ask questions or leave your comments about each episode. You can also visit us on Twitter, @22hourspod . "22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is a production of WTOP News in Washington, D.C.

MUSIC: All music featured in "22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is licensed through Creative Commons and/or by permission of the artist. We're grateful to all the artists whose music has helped us tell this story. "Haters Hate" by Ramone Messam, used with permission of the artist; "Rhythmic Pulse” by Daniel Birch and “Weirder” by Drake Stafford, licensed under Creative Commons by Attribution 4.0 International; and "Cast of Pods" by Doug Maxwell and “A Great Darkness Approaches, Can You Feel It” by ELPHNT, available in the YouTube Audio Library.

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Daron Wint’s bizarre arrest one week after the murders on Woodland Drive only added to the mystery surrounding the case. When he was taken into custody, Daron was with five other people, including his brother, Darrell. But the full story of Daron’s arrest wouldn’t be told until his murder trial -- when prosecutors called brother to testify against brother.

This episode is written and produced by reporters Megan Cloherty and Jack Moore. Julia Ziegler is the content adviser. Visit 22HoursPodcast.com to see photos, a map of key locations from the case, and an interactive blog where you can ask questions or leave your comments about each episode. "22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is a production of WTOP News in Washington, D.C.

All music featured in "22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is licensed through Creative Commons and/or by permission of the artist. We're grateful to all the artists whose music has helped us tell this story. "Haters Hate" by Ramone Messam, used with permission of the artist; "Cast of Pods" by Doug Maxwell, available in the YouTube Audio Library; "Beyond the Lows" and “Incoming Transition” by The Whole Other, available in the YouTube Audio Library; and "Rhythmic Pulse," by Daniel Birch, licensed under Creative Commons by Attribution 4.0 International.

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Did any of the victims eat the pizza? Why the $40,000 ransom? Did security cameras in the neighborhood capture footage? We hit pause on the case and go into the studio to answer your questions, so far, about the crime, the case and the podcast. A regular episode returns next week.

This episode is written and produced by reporters Megan Cloherty and Jack Moore. Julia Ziegler is the content adviser. Visit 22HoursPodcast.com to see photos, a map of key locations from the case, and an interactive blog where you can ask questions or leave your comments about each episode. "22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is a production of WTOP News in Washington, D.C. Music in this episode is "Haters Hate" by Ramone Messam, used with permission of the artist.

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After hours on the witness stand, Daron Wint’s story begins to falter. Then, one of the lawyers in the case drops a big hint about what’s coming next in one of Washington, D.C.’s most high-profile murder trials. 

This episode is written and produced by reporters Megan Cloherty and Jack Moore. Julia Ziegler is the content adviser. Visit 22HoursPodcast.com to see the transcript of Daron’s testimony as well as photos, map and an interactive blog where you can ask questions or leave your comments about each episode. "22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is a production of WTOP News in Washington, D.C.

All music featured in "22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is licensed through Creative Commons and/or by permission of the artist. We're grateful to all the artists whose music has helped us tell this story. “Haters Hate” by Ramone Messam, used with permission of the artist; "Cast of Pods" by Doug Maxwell, available in the YouTube Audio Library; “Spookster” by Wayne Jones, available in the YouTube Audio Library; and “Rhythmic Pulse,” by Daniel Birch, licensed under Creative Commons by Attribution 4.0 International.

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In a stunning move, Daron Wint, the accused killer, takes the stand. Under unrelenting questioning by federal prosecutor Laura Bach, Daron seems to have an explanation for almost all of the evidence that links him to the killings. It’s almost a perfect puzzle. But will the jury believe him? This episode is written and produced by reporters Megan Cloherty and Jack Moore. Julia Ziegler is the content adviser. Visit 22HoursPodcast.com to see the full transcript of Daron’s testimony, as well as photos, a map of key locations from the case, and an interactive blog where you can ask questions or leave your comments about each episode. "22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is a production of WTOP News in Washington, D.C. All music featured in "22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is licensed through Creative Commons and/or by permission of the artist. We're grateful to all the artists whose music has helped us tell this story. “Haters Hate” by Ramone Messam, used with permission of the artist; "Cast of Pods" by Doug Maxwell, available in the YouTube Audio Library; “Spookster” by Wayne Jones, available in the YouTube Audio Library; and “Rhythmic Pulse,” by Daniel Birch, licensed under Creative Commons by Attribution 4.0 International.

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Over the 22 hours the victims were taken captive and then killed, the prime suspect goes missing and his normally active Facebook account goes dark. We track Daron Wint's whereabouts during that crucial time. Also in this episode, an introduction to some of the key players in the courtroom: the federal prosecutors who spent years building their case against Wint and the team of public defenders who tried to pin the blame on other suspects. This episode is written and produced by reporters Megan Cloherty and Jack Moore. Julia Ziegler is the content adviser. Visit 22HoursPodcast.com to see the texts between Daron and his girlfriend mentioned in this week's episode, as well as photos, maps and an interactive blog where you can ask questions or leave your comments about each episode. "22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is a production of WTOP News in Washington, D.C. All music featured in "22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is licensed through Creative Commons and/or by permission of the artist. We're grateful to all the artists whose music has helped us tell this story. “Haters Hate” by Ramone Messam, used with permission of the artist; "Cast of Pods" by Doug Maxwell, available in the YouTube Audio Library; and “Rhythmic Pulse,” “Call Me” and “Closing My Eyes for a Moment” by Daniel Birch, licensed under Creative Commons by Attribution 4.0 International.

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The Savopoulos house was held in evidence for weeks as crime scene investigators looked for clues. In the end, five pieces of forensic evidence linked Daron Wint to the killings, including a sliver of his DNA on the crust of a pizza that had been delivered to the house while he held the family captive. But was the forensic evidence a slam dunk? This episode is written and produced by reporters Megan Cloherty and Jack Moore. Julia Ziegler is the content adviser. Visit 22HoursPodcast.com for photos, maps and an interactive blog where you can ask us questions or leave your comments about each episode. "22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is a production of WTOP News in Washington, D.C. All music featured in "22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is licensed through Creative Commons and/or by permission of the artist. We're grateful to all the artists whose music has helped us tell this story. “Haters Hate” by Ramone Messam, used with permission of the artist; “Procession” by Puddle of Infinity, available in the YouTube Audio Library; “Rhythmic Pulse,” “Marimba on the Loose” and “Closing My Eyes for a Moment” by Daniel Birch, and “Weirder” by Drake Stafford, all licensed under Creative Commons by Attribution 4.0 International.

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Hours after the victims are taken hostage, a ransom is delivered to the mansion on Woodland Drive. But it doesn’t save the victims -- the calls, text messages and voicemails end, leaving key parts of the timeline unexplained. But after the trial, a new theory emerges explaining how the killer got inside the house. This episode is written and produced by WTOP reporters Megan Cloherty and Jack Moore. Julia Ziegler is the content adviser. Visit http://22hourspodcast.com to meet our hosts, view photos of the crime scene, explore a map of key locations in the case, and ask questions or leave comments in our interactive blog. You can also reach out via email, podcast@wtop.com, or via Twitter, @22hourspod. "22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is a production of WTOP News in Washington, D.C. All music featured in "22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is licensed through Creative Commons and/or by permission of the artist. We're grateful to all the artists whose music has helped us tell this story. “Haters Hate” by Ramone Messam, used with permission of the artist; “Call me” and “Rhythmic Pulse” by Daniel Birch, as well as “Weirder” by Drake Stafford, all licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0); and "Beyond the Lows" by The Whole Other, available in the YouTube Audio Library.

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When Giles Warrick is questioned by police in the hours after his arrest, the 60-year-old tells them he doesn't know how his DNA turned up at 10 different crime scenes in DC and Maryland. But, what will police find when they search his South Carolina home?

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For the Savopoulos family and Vera Figueroa, May 13, 2015, began like any other Wednesday. Then things went terribly wrong. Through phone records, text messages and eyewitnesses, we recreate the timeline of their last 22 hours. This episode is written and produced by WTOP News reporters Megan Cloherty and Jack Moore. WTOP Digital News Director Julia Ziegler is the content adviser. Visit 22HoursPodcast.com for more insider information on this crime and trial including photos, maps and an interactive blog. "22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is a production of WTOP News in Washington, D.C. All music featured in "22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is licensed through Creative Commons and/or by permission of the artist. We're grateful to all the artists whose music has helped us tell this story. “Haters Hate” by Ramone Messam, used with permission of the artist, and “Call me” and “Rhythmic Pulse” by Daniel Birch licensed under Creative Commons by Attribution 4.0 International.

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It began with a fire. A man driving through an upscale neighborhood in Washington, D.C., in 2015 spotted smoke pouring from one of the homes. It was the first sign something terrible had happened on Woodland Drive. This episode is written and produced by reporters Megan Cloherty and Jack Moore. Julia Ziegler is the content adviser. Visit www.22HoursPodcast.com for photos, maps and an interactive blog. “22 Hours: An American Nightmare” is a production of WTOP News in Washington, D.C. All music featured in “22 Hours: An American Nightmare” is licensed through Creative Commons and/or by permission of the artist. We’re grateful to all the artists whose music has helped us tell this story. “Hater’s Hate” (theme) by Ramone Messam, used with permission of the artist; “Passing time” by Kevin MacLeod, available in the YouTube Audio Library; “Beyond the Lows” by The Whole Other, available in the YouTube Audio Library; and “Bachata Night” provided by Lyrah/Pond5.

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It was a case nightmares are made of. A D.C. power couple, their 10-year-old son and housekeeper held hostage for nearly 24 hours and murdered inside their own home. WTOP examines the complicated trail of evidence that police say led to finding their killer and why they say he committed such a brutal crime. Listen to the first 8 minutes of episode 1 before the full episode is released on June 10. Subscribe today.

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In November 2019, detectives from Montgomery County, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., make their way to Conway, South Carolina, where investigators are certain they will find their "unknown subject." They head to a ranch house on a rural country road where a 60-year-old man is living with his girlfriend. But, what will they find when they knock on the door?

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By 2018, investigators had tired of waiting for another DNA cold hit and decided to hand the case to a cop named 'Smugs.' A young Montgomery County police officer who had already used genealogy to solve several high profile rape and murder cases. Crimes that had stumped detectives for years. Could 'Smugs' be the one to finally give a name to the Unknown Subject?

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As the nineties turned into Y2K Detectives Dean Combee and Joe Mudano were still trying to solve their cases. Years of investigating had gotten them nowhere until the FBI called with stunning news. DNA from all of the attacks had been linked to one man. A fact that floored the veteran investigators who never saw it coming.

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In the early to mid nineties, Montgomery County Police Detective Joe Mudano knew he had a ruthless rapist preying on women but he had no idea who he was. DNA linked a number of cases, but a clear description remained elusive. More maddening for Mudano was the fact the Unknown Subject seemed to have inside information. But how?

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Seven years before Christine Mirzayan was murdered in Georgetown, a man cut the phone lines to a house miles outside the city and raped a teenage baby sitter. The first in a string of similar attacks spread out over several years. Kelly survived that awful night and in this episode tells her harrowing story. A crime that was nothing like the murder in Georgetown.

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This is 22 Hours: A Second Look, where we revisit our original season with original host Megan Cloherty. In this episode, Megan explores what happened to the Savopoulos' mansion. She talks to the private buyer that bought the land and steps foot in the new multi-million dollar home that sits where the Savopoulos home once stood.

New episodes will drop every Tuesday.

Original Episode

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For the Savopoulos family and Vera Figueroa, May 13, 2015, began like any other Wednesday. Then things went terribly wrong. Through phone records, text messages and eyewitnesses, we recreate the timeline of their last 22 hours. This episode is written and produced by WTOP News reporters Megan Cloherty and Jack Moore. WTOP Digital News Director Julia Ziegler is the content adviser. New content written, gathered and produced by Megan Cloherty.

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Welcome to 22 Hours: A Second Look, where we revisit our original season with original host Megan Cloherty. In this episode, Megan shares why we're revisiting the case of the Savopoulos family and their housekeeper and she shares part 1 of her conversation with one of the Savopoulos' surviving daughters.

New episodes will drop every Tuesday.

Original Episode

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It began with a fire. A man driving through an upscale neighborhood in Washington, D.C., in 2015 spotted smoke pouring from one of the homes. It was the first sign something terrible had happened on Woodland Drive. Later, firefighters would discover the bodies of four people inside, including a child.

Now in the re-release of the original podcast, listeners will hear a new part one of Megan's interview at the end of the episode with Abigail Savopoulos, the first family member of the victims to speak about the tragedy.

New content written, gathered and produced by Megan Cloherty.

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Part two of host Paul Wagner’s discussion with Tiffany, Darren and Luke Crandell, and Detective Bernie Nelson. In this episode, we go behind the scenes with the team on what it’s like creating a podcast. And Detective Nelson takes us deeper into the world of using genealogy to solve cold cases. 

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Tiffany, Darren and Luke Crandell join podcast host Paul Wagner and Detective Bernie Nelson to discuss their mother’s case. The conversation was the first time in 23 years all three Crandell siblings were together with the man who has never stopped looking for their mother’s killer.

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Host Megan Cloherty returns for a new season of American Nightmares. In the upcoming season, we revisit the story that launched the series: a D.C. power couple, their 10-year-old son, and their housekeeper—held hostage for nearly 24 hours before being murdered inside their own home.

Now, 10 years after the crime and 6 years since we first told the story, Season 1 returns with all-new content, fresh interviews, and exclusive updates that shed new light on a case that still resonates today.

New episodes drop September 2nd

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