Crime Beat – Details, episodes & analysis

If you’ve ever watched shows like Prison Break or Orange is the New Black you probably have an idea of what life behind bars is like or a dramatized version of it. On this special episode of Crime Beat, Global News senior crime reporter Nancy Hixt gives you an exclusive look inside jail and remand facilities through the eyes of a veteran correctional officer. Learn what a typical day is like for both the officers and inmates and find out how much of what you see on TV happens in reality. Contact: Instagram: @nancy.hixt Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyHixtCrimeBeat/ Email: nancy.hixt@globalnews.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the summer of 2006, a young Calgary woman was on top of the world. She had a supportive family, amazing friends and a great job. But life as she knew it came to an abrupt stop in the middle of the night on August 6, 2006. In this episode, Global News senior crime reporter Nancy Hixt shares details of a violent attack- a story that’s every woman’s worst fear. www.calgarycrimestoppers.org - reference case # 06274598 https://newsroom.calgary.ca/sexual-assault-case-from-2006-has-new-lead/ Contact: Instagram: @nancy.hixt Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyHixtCrimeBeat/ Email: nancy.hixt@globalnews.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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, but she already had plans so she turned him down. Christensen then asked the girl for names of other babysitters in the area. One of the names she gave was Kelly Cook. That original target, who we’ll refer to as Stacey, has never spoken to a journalist about what happened — until now. Global News is not using Stacey’s real name, as she continues to fear for her safety. Thirty-eight years later, and the case continues to impacted every aspect of her life and will continue to until the killer is caught. Police continue to investigate the case but are still waiting for the tip they need to solve it. If you know anything that can help police as they investigate Kelly's homicide, call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477. 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: @nancyhixt Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyHixtCrimeBeat/ Email: nancy.hixt@globalnews.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. The case turned into a homicide investigation and the manhunt for a killer began. Join Nancy Hixt as she takes you through the abduction and murder of Kelly Cook: what leads investigators have looked at and why it’s become a cold case. 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: @nancyhixt Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyHixtCrimeBeat/ Email: nancy.hixt@globalnews.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 then, she was already gone for several days. Her parents, siblings and husband stood side by side in front of the media at Calgary Police Headquarters to make a plea for help in finding her, and at one point, spoke directly to Shannon. Investigators looked into her cell phone, medical and banking records, but all leads came up empty. The days turned into months. Police tried to prepare the Madill family for all possible outcomes. Seven months later, the case took a shocking turn. The disturbing details are revealed in an interview with police. This Crime Beat episode is the first time those recordings are being made public. Find out what happened to Shannon Madill following her final audition in episode four of Crime Beat. If you enjoy Crime Beat, please take a minute to rate it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, tell us what you think and share the show with your friends. Contact: Twitter: @nancyhixt Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyHixtCrimeBeat/ Email: nancy.hixt@globalnews.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 out for help by calling Connect Family & Sexual Abuse Network at 403 -237-5888 (Toll Free: 1-877-237-5888), the 24-hour Family Violence Helpline at 403-234-SAFE (7233), or 211. 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: @nancyhixt Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyHixtCrimeBeat/ Email: nancy.hixt@globalnews.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 death. "I guess I will write a book called dodged a bullet twice now," Safronovich told Global News. Find out why the FBI was consulted for his case, in a real-life story that plays out more like a Hollywood film. 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: @nancyhixt Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyHixtCrimeBeat/ Email: nancy.hixt@globalnews.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. But the injuries didn’t match that explanation. Meika later died in hospital. That was the beginning of a lengthy investigation into her death--lead by the Calgary Police Homicide Unit. The little girl was from a split family--she spent half of her time with her biological dad Spencer Jordan and her step-mother Marie Magoon. She spent the other half of her time with her biological mother Kyla Woodhouse, and her step-father Brian Woodhouse. Early on, it became clear to detectives there were two people with the sole opportunity to kill Meika. But why would anyone kill such a beautiful and innocent little girl? 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: @nancyhixt Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyHixtCrimeBeat/ Email: nancy.hixt@globalnews.ca Resources: If you suspect a child is in immediate danger please call 911. For more information or if you're looking for support: https://kidshelpphone.ca/ https://calgarycac.ca/   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

In the late 1970s and early ‘80s a sexual predator stalked Calgarians. At the same time, homicide detectives used cutting edge strategies to track a child killer. What no one realized, was that the two cases were connected. Global News Senior Crime Reporter Nancy Hixt shares how a tip from one brave little girl changed the direction of the entire investigation and the unexpected twist the case took years later. Contact: Instagram: @nancy.hixt Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyHixtCrimeBeat/ Email: nancy.hixt@globalnews.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices