Crime Beat
True Crime & Paranormal
About
People know their hometowns by streets, a favourite 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. Winner of the 2020 & 2023 Edward R. Murrow Award (RTDNA). Nominated as Best International Podcast at the 2026 iHeart Podcast Awards.
Episodes
- Golden Years Gone Part 02 | 02
In August 1995, Bill Vomastic vanished, leaving a suspicious note and signs of violence at his home. Investigators connected his disappearance to another unsolved homicide.
- Golden Years Gone Part 01 | 01
Crime Beat uncovers the story of a 75-year-old man found beaten to death in his Alberta home. The episode details the exhaustive efforts by investigators, and how the case ultimately went cold.
- Sneak Peek: Golden Years Gone
This Crime Beat episode covers the unsolved murder of a beloved senior in rural Alberta. The murderer has not yet been arrested despite efforts by investigators.
- New Season Coming Soon
Global News Senior Crime Reporter Nancy Hixt covers crime cases in the new season of Crime Beat. The season focuses on shocking incidents of violence, greed, and human selfishness.
- I Survived A Serial Killer
This episode of Crime Beat features two survivors of serial killer Bruce McArthur, who recounts their experiences and the events leading to McArthur's eventual capture. The reporting covers the emotional impact on those affected and explor…
- A Random Encounter
This episode of Crime Beat covers the murder of 64-year-old Annie Hang-Kam Chiu. The investigation leads to the discovery of connections to international terrorism after the accused turned himself in with a homemade device.
- Who Killed Sonia?
This episode of Crime Beat investigates the 2010 murder of Sonia Varaschin, a 42-year-old nurse who was found brutally murdered. Police continue to search for her killer.
- Shootout at the Duke
A shootout at a Toronto tavern leaves one newly-arrived young woman dead and four others wounded. The subsequent investigation reveals a pregnant victim, a man who protected the killer, and a missing gun that reappears in an unrelated crim…
- Closure
This episode of Crime Beat discusses two unsolved murders from 1983 in Toronto. Decades later, DNA evidence linked the cases and genetic genealogy identified a suspect, leading to an arrest and conviction.
- The Legacy of Jordan Manners
This episode of Crime Beat discusses the 2007 shooting death of Jordan Manners, a student at C.W. Jefferys Collegiate Institute. It explores the incident's impact on the community and his family, and its role in a major review of school sa…
- Before My Eyes
Royi Flescher and Soula Berdoussis share their accounts of discovering two stabbing victims in Toronto in August 2022. They also discuss their experiences testifying in court regarding the incident.
- Alicia Ross, Everyone’s Daughter
This Crime Beat episode covers the disappearance of Alicia Ross, one of the biggest missing person searches in Ontario’s history. Reporter Catherine McDonald reconnected with Alicia’s mother to tell her story as part of a TV documentary se…
- Special Announcement
Nancy Hixt announces a special series of Crime Beat. This series features Catherine McDonald, a colleague from the Crime Beat TV documentary series, who will share insights into cases she has covered.
- Listen Next... Stop Rewind: The Lost Boy | Through A Glass Darkly | 1
This episode of Crime Beat tells the story of Taj Khyber Rowland, who was kidnapped as a child in India. He attempts to reconstruct his past, starting from his childhood as Chellamuthu in rural India.
- Narrowing in on a killer: The Kelly Cook Story
This episode of Crime Beat revisits the unsolved 1981 murder of Kelly Cook in southeastern Alberta. Nancy Hixt shares an emotional meeting of two victims connected to the case.
- Kelly Cook: The Back-up Babysitter - Part 2
This Crime Beat episode details the 1981 murder of 15-year-old Kelly Cook, who was killed after taking a babysitting job. The episode reveals that Cook was not the killer's initial target. It also includes an interview with the killer's fi…
- Kelly Cook: The Back-up Babysitter - Part 1
This episode of Crime Beat covers the abduction and murder of Kelly Cook in Standard, Alberta, in 1981. Senior crime reporter Nancy Hixt details the events surrounding Kelly Cook's disappearance and the discovery of her body.
- Uncovering A Serial Killer - Part 3 | 14
This episode of Crime Beat discusses how police uncovered a serial killer responsible for the deaths of four women using cutting-edge techniques. Global News senior crime reporter Nancy Hixt shares details about the case.
- Uncovering A Serial Killer - Part 2 | 13
This episode of Crime Beat investigates a serial killer from 1976-1977. Four young women were found dead outside Calgary, and investigations decades later uncovered evidence.
- Uncovering A Serial Killer | 12
This episode of Crime Beat features Global News senior crime reporter Nancy Hixt. She examines a series of mysterious deaths from the late 1970s, detailing each case and the reasons behind the stalled investigations for nearly half a centu…
- Coming Soon: Uncovering a Serial Killer
Nancy Hixt investigates a 1970s serial killer case, revealing how cold cases were solved decades later using new investigative techniques. The series includes exclusive interviews with the killer's family.
- Benevolence Betrayed Part 2 | 11
In 1999, physiotherapist Audrey Trudeau disappears while preparing to move. Her family and coworkers are baffled, and investigators later make a disturbing discovery regarding the case.
- Benevolence Betrayed | 10
This episode of Crime Beat investigates the disappearance of Audrey Trudeau, a physiotherapist in Calgary. It details the events that led her family and coworkers to become suspicious and the search that followed.
- Shattered Dreams Part 2 | 09
This episode, "Shattered Dreams Part 2," concludes the investigation into the murder of a beloved chef. Senior crime reporter Nancy Hixt details how investigators uncovered the motive behind the killing.
- Shattered Dreams | 08
Global News Senior Crime reporter Nancy Hixt presents "Shattered Dreams," an investigation into the 2020 killing of a chef. The episode details how detectives uncovered the motive behind the crime.
- Deadly Rumours - Part 2 | 07
This episode of Crime Beat details how two tenacious investigators worked to solve a crime involving allegations of torture and murder in Calgary, even when there was no initial evidence of foul play. They uncovered details of a crime that…
- Deadly Rumours | 06
In 2006, Calgary Police received calls about a woman held captive in a rooming house, followed by reports of violence and a possible murder. Global News Senior Crime Reporter Nancy Hixt covers the details of "Deadly Rumours."
- The Day Mark Mariani Came Face-to-Face With Evil | 05 (Re-release)
This episode of Crime Beat covers the investigation into the murder of Mark Mariani, who was found dead in a Calgary strip mall parking lot in 2010. Detectives unravel the reason for his killing.
- Face-to-Face with Evil | 04
This episode of Crime Beat covers a brutal murder case. Nancy Hixt shares new developments, including details from The Parole Board on one killer's bid for freedom.
- Inside Forensics: Solving a Murder in the Mountains | 03
This episode of Crime Beat investigates a 1990 murder in Banff National Park, focusing on the pivotal role of DNA evidence in solving the case. It explores the early use of forensic DNA testing and the investigative process.
- Murder in the Mountains - Part 2 | 02
This episode of Crime Beat covers the 1990 murder of a young woman. It details the initial investigation, the case going cold, a reward for information, and its feature on Unsolved Mysteries. The episode shares how a breakthrough occurred…
- Murder in the Mountains | 01
This episode of Crime Beat investigates the murder of a young woman in Banff. The case went cold despite efforts to find the killer. Senior Crime reporter Nancy Hixt covers the story.
- Crime Beat returns March 4th
Crime Beat returns on March 4th, hosted by senior Crime Reporter Nancy Hixt. This season explores high-profile and previously unheard of Canadian cases, following them from the crime scene to the courtroom.
- Gone in an instant - The Hunt for Talal Amer Part 1 | 14
This episode of Crime Beat covers the 2022 incident involving erratic drivers, gunfire, and a deadly crash. Senior crime reporter Nancy Hixt investigates the hunt for the person responsible for the death of a mother of five.
- Gone in an instant - The Hunt for Talal Amer Part 2 | 15
This episode of Crime Beat covers the ongoing search for Talal Amer, who is wanted for manslaughter, attempted murder, and firearms offences following a fatal collision in Calgary. The episode details the events surrounding the incident an…
- Inside Corrections | 12
Global News senior crime reporter Nancy Hixt presents an exclusive look inside jail and remand facilities. A veteran correctional officer shares insights into the daily routines of both officers and inmates, contrasting it with dramatized…
- Incendiary Circumstances - Part 2 | 11
This episode of Crime Beat, "Incendiary Circumstances - Part 2," details the investigation into a 2004 house fire in Calgary that killed two children. The episode uncovers how the fire was deliberately set and who was responsible.
- Incendiary Circumstances - Part 1 | 10
In this episode of Crime Beat, a Calgary woman's home is engulfed in flames. The episode details the devastating impact of the fire and the heroic efforts of firefighters.
- The autopsy tells a story | 09
This episode of Crime Beat explores forensic pathology with host Nancy Hixt. It delves into the role of forensic pathologists, medical examiners, and coroners, examining how an autopsy can reveal critical information in investigations.
- The long road to justice - Part 2 | 8
This episode of Crime Beat covers the 2002 murder of Adrienne McColl, whose body was found in a rural area south of Calgary. The case went cold but was never forgotten by investigators. Senior crime reporter Nancy Hixt details the family's…
- The long road to justice - Part 1 | 7
In February 2002, a body was discovered in a ditch in southern Alberta, leading to a long road to justice for Adrienne McColl. This episode recounts the initial events of the case.
- The Deadly Contract - Part 2 | 6
This episode concludes the investigation into the 2006 murder of financier Jack Beauchamp. Global News senior crime reporter Nancy Hixt shares how investigators unravelled the murder mystery.
- The Deadly Contract - Part 1 | 5
On January 16th, 2006, financier Jack Beauchamp was shot in his downtown Calgary office. Senior crime reporter Nancy Hixt shares the story of the investigation, including how co-workers helped identify a suspect and an unexpected turn in t…
- Update: The Brentwood five massacre | 4
This episode of Crime Beat provides an update on the Brentwood five massacre, ten years after the event. Nancy Hixt discusses the victims' families' efforts to change legislation and the current situation of the man found not criminally re…
- Out of the dark | 3
This episode of Crime Beat discusses a 2006 violent attack on a young woman in Calgary. Global News senior crime reporter Nancy Hixt shares details about the case.
- The Hunt For A Predator - Part 2 | 2
In the late 1970s and early '80s, homicide detectives investigated a sexual predator and a child killer in Calgary. The two cases were later found to be connected.
- The Hunt For A Predator - Part 1 | 1
This episode of Crime Beat covers the search for a sexual predator in Calgary during the late 1970s and early 1980s. It details the police investigation and the connection between two different cases.
- Season 6 is coming, February 27th
Season 6 of the podcast "Crime Beat" is set to release on February 27th. Host Nancy Hixt, a crime reporter for Global News, will provide exclusive access to cases she has covered throughout her career.
- Introducing... Global News' What Happened To...? The Thai Cave Rescue
This episode of What Happened To…? revisits the 2018 Thai cave rescue. Host Erica Vella speaks with diver Rick Stanton and water management expert Thanet Natisri about the rescue mission and how it was executed. The discussion covers the w…
- Gone In An Instant Part 2 | 15
This episode of Crime Beat investigates the death of Angela McKenzie in southeast Calgary. It details the events leading to her death and the ongoing search for Talal Amer, who is wanted for manslaughter, attempted murder, and firearms off…