True Crime With The Sarge: The Audio Files
Join Joseph Giacalone, retired NYPD Sergeant SDS, author, and professor, as he takes listeners behind the badge for a real-world look at true crime and criminal investigations. In this audio extension of his popular YouTube channel, the Sarge breaks down cold cases, missing persons, forensic evidence, and investigative strategy with unmatched experience and credibility.Each episode dives into the truth behind some of the most haunting unsolved cases—bringing facts, not speculation. If you’re passionate about justice, forensics, and the pursuit of truth, this podcast belongs in your library.Listen, learn, and uncover what really happens when detectives chase the...
Matthew Farwell Found Guilty: The Sandra Birchmore Murder Case | Michele McPhee
Former Stoughton Police Officer Matthew Farwell has been found GUILTY on all counts in the federal case surrounding the death of Sandra Birchmore and her unborn child. But what did the jury hear, what evidence proved critical to the prosecution, and what comes next?
On this episode of True Crime with the Sarge: The Audio Files, Joseph Giacalone is joined by Michele McPhee, Senior Editor of LA Magazine, who covered the federal trial and followed the case inside the courtroom.
Michele brings her firsthand reporting and investigative journalism experience to an...
Sandra Birchmore Case: Michele McPhee Updates Us on the Federal Murder Case Against Matthew Farwell
What is it like to report on a high-profile federal murder case day after day? Investigative journalist Michele McPhee, Senior Editor at LA Magazine, joins Joseph L. Giacalone, the Sarge, on True Crime with the Sarge to discuss her ongoing reporting on the federal case against former Stoughton police officer Matthew Farwell, who is charged in connection with the death of Sandra Birchmore.
In this in-depth interview, McPhee provides insight into the daily realities of covering a complex federal criminal case, the challenges of following court proceedings, and the...
Is There a Serial Killer in Lansing, Michigan? | True Crime with the Sarge
Is there a serial killer operating in Lansing, Michigan? On this episode of True Crime with the Sarge , former NYPD Sergeant SDS Joseph L. Giacalone examines the reported cases raising questions about a possible connection between incidents in the Lansing area.
What does it take for investigators to determine whether separate crimes are linked to a serial offender? We break down the investigative questions, crime patterns, forensic evidence, victimology, timelines, and behavioral similarities that detectives must evaluate when examining the possibility of a serial killer.
In this episode, we explore:
The...I Took Raymond R.C. Horsch to Lunch and This is What He Told Me: Reporter Peter Crimmins
Peter Crimmins, the Arts and Culture Reporter for WHYY in Philadelphia, conducted two recorded interviews with Raymond R.C. Horsch for an Adult Film Festival in 2014. After years of forgetting about it, Peter Crimmins found the interviews and wrote the essay, “I took an alleged Philly killer to lunch 12 years ago. Here’s what I learned about a self-proclaimed ‘sociopath.”
I had the opportunity to interview Peter about his encounters for True Crime with the Sarge, and not only did he discussed what he reported, but also revealed some new details that were never revealed before!
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Sandra Birchmore Case: Matthew Farwell Murder Charges | Michele McPhee
What happened to Sandra Birchmore?
On this special episode of True Crime with the Sarge, Joseph L. Giacalone sits down with investigative journalist Michele McPhee, Senior Editor at Los Angeles Magazine, to examine the death of Sandra Birchmore and the federal murder case against former Stoughton, Massachusetts police officer Matthew Farwell.
Birchmore’s death has raised serious questions about her relationships with members of law enforcement, the circumstances surrounding her death, and the investigation that ultimately led to federal murder charges against Farwell.
Michele McPhee brings her in...
The RC Horsch Case: Can You Prove Murder Without a Body? | Tad DiBiase
What does it take to prove a murder when there is no body?
On this special episode of True Crime with the Sarge, Joseph Giacalone welcomes Tad DiBiase, former Assistant U.S. Attorney and author of No-Body Homicide Cases, to examine the unfolding investigation surrounding Eugene and R.C. Horsch in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia investigators are examining a massive collection of digital evidence recovered from the Horsch property. Authorities believe some videos may depict five women who were no longer alive, but investigators have not recovered human remains...
Richard Gabriel: The Jury Consultant Behind OJ Simpson and Casey Anthony Weighs in on Lindsay Clancy
What really happens inside the jury room when a high-profile criminal case goes to trial?
On this episode of True Crime with the Sarge, Joseph Giacalone sits down with Richard Gabriel, nationally recognized jury consultant and author of Acquittal: An Insider Reveals the Stories and Strategies Behind Today’s Most Infamous Cases.
Gabriel takes us behind the scenes of some of America’s most infamous criminal trials, revealing how jury selection, courtroom strategy, witness testimony, evidence, persuasion, and juror psychology can shape the outcome of a case.
How...
National Cold Case Awareness Month: Why Cases Go Cold
September is National Cold Case Awareness Month, a time to shine a light on the thousands of unsolved murders, missing persons cases, unidentified remains, and unresolved investigations that remain open across the country.
In this episode of True Crime with the Sarge: The Audio Files, former NYPD Sergeant Commanding Officer of the Bronx Cold Case Squad, Joseph Giacalone takes a closer look at what happens when a criminal investigation goes cold. Why do some cases remain unsolved for years or even decades? What causes investigative leads to disappear? And what role...
Nancy Guthrie Disappearance: Investigative Reporter Michael Ruiz on the Arizona Investigation
NOTE: This was first streamed live on YouTube
What happened to Nancy Guthrie?
On this episode of True Crime with the Sarge, Fox News Digital investigative reporter Mike Ruiz joins Joseph Giacalone to discuss his boots-on-the-ground investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie from her home in Pima County, Arizona.
Mike Ruiz was there from the beginning, reporting from the ground as investigators, law enforcement and search teams worked to uncover what happened to Nancy. He brings firsthand insight into the early days of the...
U.S. Supreme Court's Chatrie Decision Explained | Geofence Warrants, Digital Privacy & the Fourth Amendment
What does the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark decision in Chatrie v. United States mean for your digital privacy, law enforcement investigations, and the future of geofence warrants?
In this episode of True Crime with the Sarge: The Audio Files, retired NYPD Sergeant Joseph Giacalone is joined by former Assistant U.S. Attorney and current Adjunct Professor at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School to break down one of the most important Fourth Amendment decisions in the digital age.
Together, they examine the Supreme Court's ruling...
Rex Heuermann’s Defense Attorney Explains the Strategy | Michael J. Brown on the Long Island Serial Killer Case
What is it like to defend one of the most high-profile murder suspects in modern American history?
In this episode of True Crime with the Sarge: The Audio Files, retired NYPD Sergeant Joseph Giacalone and filmmaker Josh Zeman, director of The Killing Season, sit down with defense attorney Michael J. Brown, who represented Rex Heuermann, the accused Long Island Serial Killer.
Attorney Brown provides a rare behind-the-scenes look at the legal strategy used in the case, discussing the defense’s approach, the controversial planning document, jurisdictional issues, constitutional protections, me...
The Cold Case of Carmen Vargas | Found on Long Island’s Meadowbrook Parkway
In this episode of True Crime with the Sarge - The Audio Files, retired NYPD Sergeant Joseph Giacalone examines the cold case of Carmen Vargas, whose body was discovered along the southbound lanes of the Meadowbrook Parkway near Freeport, Long Island.
Who was Carmen Vargas? What happened in the hours leading up to her death? Why has this case remained unsolved, and what investigative questions still linger today?
Join us as we explore the known facts, timeline, evidence, and investigative challenges surrounding one of Long Island’s enduring unsolved homicide cases. From the initial discovery to...
Is There a Crisis in Crisis Communication? Douglas Levy on Missteps, Media Pressure, & the Golden Hour
What happens when the people responsible for controlling the message become part of the problem?
In this episode of True Crime with the Sarge – The Audio Files, I sit down with crisis communication expert and author Douglas Levy (The Communications Golden Hour) to break down a growing issue in modern policing: Is there a crisis in crisis communication?
From high-profile investigations to breaking news moments, we examine real cases where police executives stepped in front of the microphone—only to later walk back critical information. What went wrong? And more importantly, how does it i...
No Body Murder Cases Explained: Ex-AUSA Tad DiBiase on Prosecuting Without a Victim
How do you prove a murder when there’s no body, no crime scene, and sometimes no clear cause of death?
In this gripping episode of True Crime with the Sarge, retired NYPD Sergeant Joseph Giacalone sits down with former Assistant U.S. Attorney Tad DiBiase, author of No Body Cases, to break down one of the most challenging aspects of the criminal justice system: investigating and prosecuting homicide cases without a victim’s remains.
DiBiase shares insider knowledge from decades of federal prosecution, revealing how circumstantial evidence, behavioral patterns, forensic science, and digi...
Rex Heuermann’s Wife Speaks: Josh Zeman on Asa Ellerup & Peacock Special Breakdown
In this gripping episode of True Crime with the Sarge, retired NYPD Sergeant Joseph Giacalone sits down with acclaimed director Josh Zeman to unpack the story behind Asa Ellerup, the wife of accused Long Island Serial Killer Rex Heuermann.
Following the buzz around the latest special on Peacock, this episode cuts through speculation and headlines to analyze Ellerup’s perspective, her public statements, and the broader implications for one of the most notorious serial killer investigations in recent history.
Zeman, known for his deep investigative storytelling, offers unique insight into the making of the documentary an...
Gilgo Beach Murders Solved: Former SCPD Commissioner Rodney Harrison on LISK Rex Heuermann Case
How did law enforcement finally solve the Gilgo Beach murders after more than a decade? In this gripping episode of True Crime with the Sarge, former Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison joins us to reveal how the Gilgo Beach Task Force, formed with DA Ray Tierney, helped identify and arrest Long Island Serial Killer Rex Heuermann.
We go inside the investigation that changed everything—breaking down the strategy, leadership, and forensic advancements that led to Heuermann pleading guilty to the murders of eight women: Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Amber Lynn Costello, Sandra Costilla, Valerie Ma...
Cold Case Breakthrough: ADA Kim D’Avignon on the Carla Walker Murder, DNA Evidence & the Glen McCurley Guilty Plea
In this powerful episode of True Crime with the Sarge: The Audio Files, we go inside one of Texas’ most haunting cold cases: the murder of Carla Walker and the stunning guilty plea that finally brought long-awaited answers.
Host Joseph Giacalone is joined by Tarrant County Assistant District Attorney Kim D’Avignon, who played a pivotal role in securing the conviction of Glen McCurley decades after the crime. This in-depth conversation unpacks how modern forensic science helped crack a case once thought unsolvable.
We explore the evolution of DNA technology, the impact of forensic genetic gene...
Rex Heuermann Guilty Plea? LISK Case Update with Director Josh Zeman & Attorney Bob Motta
A major shift may be coming in the Long Island Serial Killer investigation. Reports suggest that Rex Heuermann is expected to plead guilty on April 8, 2026, in connection with the murders of seven women.
In this audio-only episode of True Crime with the Sarge, retired NYPD Sergeant Joseph Giacalone sits down with acclaimed director Josh Zeman and attorney Bob Motta of the Defense Diaries to break down what this reported plea could mean for the case, the victims, and the future of the investigation.
As co-creator of The Killing Season, Zeman brings a unique, insider perspective...
Solving Cold Cases with DNA: Inside Forensic Genetic Genealogy with Dr. Colleen Fitzpatrick
On this episode of True Crime with the Sarge, host Joseph Giacalone sits down with Colleen Fitzpatrick, one of the pioneers of Forensic Genetic Genealogy. Learn how forensic genetic genealogy is helping solve cold cases using DNA and family tree analysis
This powerful investigative technique has helped law enforcement identify unknown suspects and victims in decades-old cold cases by combining DNA analysis with traditional genealogical research.
Dr. Fitzpatrick explains:
• What a forensic genetic genealogist actually does
• How investigators build family trees from DNA matches
• How the technique helps solve cold c...
What is Geographic Profiling? Doug MacGregor Joins True Crime with the Sarge to Explain
Geographic profiling is one of the most powerful investigative tools in modern criminal analysis and in this episode of True Crime with the Sarge – The Audio Files, we go deep into the science behind it.
Retired NYPD Sergeant and host Joseph Giacalone sits down with geographic profiling expert Doug MacGregor to break down how offender location patterns, crime scene clustering, journey-to-crime behavior, and spatial analysis help investigators narrow suspect pools and prioritize leads. From serial offenders to cold cases, geographic profiling blends criminology, behavioral science, mapping technology, and investigative strategy to reveal what random crime scenes often co...
Rex Heuermann Investigation Deep Dive: Mindhunter Clues, Criminal Profiling & Insights with Josh Zeman
Step inside a deep investigative breakdown as True Crime with the Sarge welcomes filmmaker Josh Zeman, director of The Killing Season, for a focused analysis of alleged Long Island Serial Killer Rex Heuermann. This episode examines the emerging evidence, investigative leads, and behavioral indicators shaping one of the most closely followed serial homicide cases in America.
The discussion explores reported crime scene details, including the discovery of Mindhunter by former FBI profiler John E. Douglas, and what that could suggest about offender psychology, criminal profiling, and decision-making patterns in complex serial investigations.
Listeners gain expert...
Retired Secret Service Agent Brad Beeler Reveals Insider Tips from His Book Tell Me Everything
In this episode of True Crime with the Sarge, retired U.S. Secret Service agent Brad Beeler joins the show to discuss his book Tell Me Everything and the real-world investigations that shaped his career. He shares behind-the-scenes insight into protective intelligence, high-stakes decision making, and the communication skills necessary to have the investigative mindset used to prevent threats before they unfold.
Tell Me Everything: A Secret Service Agent’s Proven Strategies for Earning Trust, Revealing the Truth, and Communicating with Anyone is available wherever books are sold.
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Rex Heuermann Defense Motions Explained | Josh Zeman Joins True Crime with the Sarge to Break Down the LISK Case
In this episode of True Crime with the Sarge, I’m joined by acclaimed filmmaker and Long Island Serial Killer expert Josh Zeman for a deep legal breakdown of the latest defense motions filed on behalf of Rex Heuermann, the accused Long Island Serial Killer.
We walk through what the defense is arguing, why these motions matter, and how they could impact the prosecution’s case moving forward. From evidentiary challenges and constitutional claims to broader strategy, this conversation strips away the legal jargon and explains what’s really happening inside the courtroom.
Josh brings his un...
The Top 5 Solved Cold Cases in 2025 - True Crime with the Sarge
In this gripping audio podcast, we break down the Top 5 Cold Cases Solved in 2025, examining how decades old mysteries were finally unraveled through persistence, advancing forensic science, DNA genealogy, and relentless investigative work.
From long forgotten homicide files to missing persons cases that haunted families for generations, this episode takes you inside the breakthroughs that changed everything. You will hear how investigators revisited stalled evidence, how new technology exposed hidden truths, and how modern detectives brought long awaited answers to victims’ families.
Each case is analyzed with a focus on timelines, suspects, forensic developments, and th...
Deep Dive into the Latest U.S. Government Data Dump On JFK with Gerald Posner - True Crime With The Sarge
Join us on this must-hear episode of True Crime with the Sarge as best-selling author Gerald Posner breaks down the most recent U.S. Government release of documents related to the Assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Posner offers expert analysis on the newly released data from the National Archives and explains what this information reveals about Lee Harvey Oswald, CIA files, FBI records, and long held theories that have shaped public understanding for decades.
In this episode we explore what the latest JFK files add to the historical record and separate fact from fiction using verified...
