//podcastplus.net/feed/crime-beat~2c01794e 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.  New episodes every other week.Winner of the 2020 Edward R. Murrow Award (RTDNA). Tue, 22 Sep 2026 06:32:25 +0000 https://anchor.fm/s/2c3814a0/podcast/play/16666501/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2020-6-16%2F90686013-44100-2-38718aacd1d46d94.mp3 Global News crime reporter Nancy Hixt shares new information and insight into cases from the past two seasons in this special episode of Crime Beat.Listen to updates and insights to the following cases:If I can’t have you no one can  - https://www.nadiashopefoundation.com/The boy who overcame the oddsThe final homecoming of Lukas Strasser-HirdThe boy who fell through the cracksConcrete AngelDarkness in the PassThe Brentwood five massacreContact:Twitter: @nancyhixtFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyHixtCrimeBeat/Email: nancy.hixt@globalnews.ca Tue, 30 Jun 2020 04:00:00 +0000 https://anchor.fm/s/2c3814a0/podcast/play/16666501/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2020-6-16%2F90686013-44100-2-38718aacd1d46d94.mp3 https://anchor.fm/s/2c3814a0/podcast/play/16666522/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2020-6-16%2F90686045-44100-2-fab1604b44b8059a.mp3 On this episode of the Global News podcast Crime Beat, crime reporter Nancy Hixt shares a story of a child whose life was silenced, snuffed out and stolen-- so young he never had a chance.In the summer of 2010, EMS were called to a Calgary home where an 18-year-old single mom, Shelby Herchak, lived with her parents and her baby.The infant, just 26 days old, was rushed to hospital.But baby Daniel Herchak’s injuries were so severe, he died hours later.At a media conference soon after, Calgary police stated the cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma to the head. Officers said Daniel’s injuries were believed to be non-accidental in nature.Police formally interviewed Herchak twice and said her story changed each time--and the explanations didn’t add up when compared to the evidence.14 days after baby Daniel died, his mother was charged with second-degree murder.But the case would take several major turns.Herchak had bail granted and revoked several times.Then, in September of 2012, the trial ... Tue, 02 Jun 2020 04:00:00 +0000 https://anchor.fm/s/2c3814a0/podcast/play/16666522/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2020-6-16%2F90686045-44100-2-fab1604b44b8059a.mp3 https://anchor.fm/s/2c3814a0/podcast/play/16666493/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2020-6-16%2F90686053-44100-2-943ff1d9ed472f80.mp3 On this episode of the Global News podcast Crime Beat, crime reporter Nancy Hixt shares the story of a man who became the victim of a senseless crime and the unfortunate hands life dealt him throughout his life.   This case began, in the spring of 2014, when the co-manager of a Calgary Walmart was closing up shop and getting ready to head home.As he walked out to the parking lot with several coworkers, they spotted a man on a nearby bench who looked to be in medical distress.A closer look revealed the man was unconscious and lying in a pool of blood.The store manager called 911.Police and EMS arrived within minutes.The man was badly beaten and had been stabbed twice. He was rushed to hospital in serious, life-threatening condition but later died.An autopsy revealed he died from a loss of blood caused by the stab wounds.The victim was Gabriel Okeynan, 45, a father of four and his death became a homicide investigation.The question was, who did this to him, and why?This is a case that highlights what the det... Tue, 19 May 2020 04:00:00 +0000 https://anchor.fm/s/2c3814a0/podcast/play/16666493/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2020-6-16%2F90686053-44100-2-943ff1d9ed472f80.mp3 https://anchor.fm/s/2c3814a0/podcast/play/16666491/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2020-6-16%2F90686032-44100-2-51a74bc51bacec89.mp3 This episode begins with an investigation that rocked Alberta's foster care system.Garry Prokopishin took in troubled teenage boys: kids with behavioural and substance abuse issues. His foster home was considered a last resort for teens who had nowhere else to go.Those boys described having all the freedom in the world at the Prokopishin’s. They were allowed to smoke, they could have friends over, party, go out and not get in trouble.Prokopishin also took them out for dinner and drinks and made the boys feel special.A local association recognized him for his tireless efforts with boys, naming him “foster parent of the year."By 2009, Prokopishin had been operating a foster home for nearly 20 years and during that time 55 teenage boys had come under his care.Then, one young man came forward alleging sexual abuse.Before long, police revealed that abuse went beyond just one victim.The court process revealed Prokopishin used money and threats to manipulate the boys into keeping the abuse a secret for years.Bu... Tue, 05 May 2020 04:00:00 +0000 https://anchor.fm/s/2c3814a0/podcast/play/16666491/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2020-6-16%2F90686032-44100-2-51a74bc51bacec89.mp3 https://anchor.fm/s/2c3814a0/podcast/play/16666507/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2020-6-16%2F90686014-44100-2-7c2ecfeb24ace60c.mp3 In this episode, Global News crime reporter Nancy Hixt, turns to the experts including police, judges and lawyers, to answer your questions about crime, the courts and COVID-19 -- and what it all means for your safety.The novel coronavirus has affected all of us.Many have lost loved ones, businesses have closed, thousands have lost their jobs.People are asked to stay home wherever possible, to self-isolate and to maintain social distancing.With that, there are added strains on many relationships.Advocacy groups are seeing increased rates of domestic and sexual violence -- in some areas, the number of reported incidents has tripled.Others, can’t avoid going out -- including essential service providers like doctors, nurses and hospital staff. That also includes those working to maintain public safety during a time of heightened anxiety.Police are experiencing new challenges and are noticing a change in the types of crimes they’re being asked to investigate.With more people working from home, house break-in... Tue, 21 Apr 2020 04:00:00 +0000 https://anchor.fm/s/2c3814a0/podcast/play/16666507/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2020-6-16%2F90686014-44100-2-7c2ecfeb24ace60c.mp3 https://anchor.fm/s/2c3814a0/podcast/play/16666502/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2020-6-16%2F90686039-44100-2-53ed1df72d3df42b.mp3 On this episode of the Global News podcastCrime Beat, crime reporter Nancy Hixt brings us to Part 3 of her special series, the Brentwood five massacre.This episode takes an in-depth look at what it means to be found not criminally responsible (NCR) in Canada.Carol de Delley understands the anguish of what NCR can mean for the family of a victim, as few others can. She lost her son, Timothy McLean, in one of the most high profile cases in Canadian history where the killer was found NCR.In 2008, McLean was brutally attacked by a stranger—a man who sat next to him as they rode a Greyhound bus.McLean was stabbed more than 100 times. He was mutilated and cannibalized.Vince Li was charged with second-degree murderLess than a year later, he was found not criminally responsible for his actions.Just eight years after that, Vince Li (who changed his name to Will Baker) was granted an absolute discharge.That ruling gave him complete freedom. He never has to receive treatment or take medication again—if he chooses no... Tue, 07 Apr 2020 04:00:00 +0000 https://anchor.fm/s/2c3814a0/podcast/play/16666502/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2020-6-16%2F90686039-44100-2-53ed1df72d3df42b.mp3 https://anchor.fm/s/2c3814a0/podcast/play/16666505/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2020-6-16%2F90686004-44100-2-90af6ed6ca035d57.mp3 Lawrence Hong, Kaiti Perras, Jordan Segura, Josh Hunter and Zackariah Rathwell were a group of talented young people with promising futures.On this episode of the Global News podcast Crime Beat, crime reporter Nancy Hixt brings us to Part 2 of her special series, the Brentwood five massacre.What started out as a party to mark the end of classes at the University of Calgary ended in a horrific tragedy.It happened quickly and without warning.In less than a minute the five victims were stabbed in the biggest mass killing in Calgary’s history.Police arrived on the scene less than five minutes after the first call to 911.To add to the complexity of the case, investigators quickly learned the suspect was the son of one of their own.The accused was the 22-year-old son of a veteran, high ranking officer with the Calgary Police Service and would soon be charged with five counts of first-degree murder.But what led to such a horrific and violent attack? Contact:Twitter: @nancyhixtFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/N... Tue, 24 Mar 2020 04:00:00 +0000 https://anchor.fm/s/2c3814a0/podcast/play/16666505/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2020-6-16%2F90686004-44100-2-90af6ed6ca035d57.mp3 https://anchor.fm/s/2c3814a0/podcast/play/16666481/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2020-6-16%2F90686018-44100-2-718704b0695e5912.mp3 On April 14, 2014, a group of friends had a small get-together at their home near the University of Calgary campus in the northwest neighbourhood of Brentwood.Five young people shared a small, grey-and-blue split-level house on a quiet block on Butler Crescent.The house was a well-known rental for university students that many affectionately called the “Butler Mansion.”It was a relatively small gathering, with many of those invited having gone to junior high or high school together. The rest knew each other from university. It was an amazing group of young people that included an accomplished dancer, an aspiring urban planner, two talented musicians, and a young man who was well on his way to becoming a humanitarian.For the most part, the mood of the party was laid back and relaxed.No one could have predicted the terrifying turn the night would take and how quickly it would all unravel.It was a day that left a scar on the soul of the city -- the biggest mass killing in Calgary’s history.On this episode... Tue, 10 Mar 2020 04:00:00 +0000 https://anchor.fm/s/2c3814a0/podcast/play/16666481/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2020-6-16%2F90686018-44100-2-718704b0695e5912.mp3 https://anchor.fm/s/2c3814a0/podcast/play/16666500/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2020-6-16%2F90686047-44100-2-45cd5ce2a1eed335.mp3 On this episode Global News crime reporter Nancy Hixt is joined by an investigator who’s worked on many of the high profile cases featured on Crime Beat.In this special conversation with retired homicide Det. Tom Barrow, the veteran officer opens up in a raw, intimate way, and provides new insight into the demons that continue to haunt him.Listen to this episode now for exclusive behind the scenes details on several cases we’ve covered on the show and ones we’ll be profiling in the coming months. Tue, 25 Feb 2020 05:00:00 +0000 https://anchor.fm/s/2c3814a0/podcast/play/16666500/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2020-6-16%2F90686047-44100-2-45cd5ce2a1eed335.mp3 https://anchor.fm/s/2c3814a0/podcast/play/16666495/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2020-6-16%2F90686042-44100-2-a09d237e6e858055.mp3 In 2002, Lisa was 19 and working several jobs to put herself through university. One of which was at a Calgary tanning salon. Lisa is not her real name. Her identity is protected by a court-imposed publication ban.She is smart and a hard worker, and it appeared she made a good impression on the owners of the salon.After just a couple of months, she was offered an incredible opportunity -- the chance to manage her own store.She was asked to meet with the owner’s nephew one evening after work to go over details of the job. That meeting seemed to go smoothly until right before she was about to leave. Learn the shocking details of the night that left her paralyzed with fear – and hear why Lisa has been forced to relive the trauma over and over again.On this episode of the Global News podcast Crime Beat, crime reporter Nancy Hixt shares the story of a young woman who was presented with a golden opportunity -- instead, it would tarnish her whole life.Contact:Twitter: @nancyhixtFacebook: https://www.facebo... Tue, 28 Jan 2020 05:00:00 +0000 https://anchor.fm/s/2c3814a0/podcast/play/16666495/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2020-6-16%2F90686042-44100-2-a09d237e6e858055.mp3