Crime Beat

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 b...

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 he...

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...

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...

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 tripl...

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

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

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

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, po...

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 bush...

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 w...

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, Travi...

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 t...

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...

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 r...

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 neve...

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...

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 “executi...

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 surviv...

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 serio...

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/adchoi...