Crime Beat

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 bushes outside the city limits. Follow along as police hunt for a killer and the shocking twist their investigation took. Part 1 of Sara and Taliyah’s story is available now in episode eleven of Crime Beat. 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

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 western bar to do some two-steppin’ and meet up with friends. It was the following morning when Mark’s family received a call from police. Mark was found dead in a Calgary strip mall parking lot — his keys, wallet and cell phone were found in a nearby alley. Follow along as homicide detectives investigate the murder of Mark Mariani, and unravel the shocking reason why he was killed.

Wait, There’s More is a daily Global News podcast released every afternoon just in time for your commute home. On this episode, protests have erupted in Hong Kong as tens of thousands of people speak out against legislation that would allow the territory’s citizens to be extradited to Mainland China. Demonstrators tried to storm government buildings and police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets. Host Tamara Khandaker explores Hong Kong’s precarious relationship with China since the end of British governance in 1997 and what the implications of such a major change will mean for the safety of its citizens with the help of Crystal Yeung, a Canadian human rights lawyer living in Hong Kong; Grace Yeung, a Hong Kong resident, who has taken to the streets to protest; and BBC journalist Vincent Ni.

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, Travis Martel, found her body in the home he shared with his mother. He told police he owed a large gambling debt and that’s likely why Sarah was killed. Follow the twists and turns, including the shocking discovery of a graphic and disturbing video that led police to solve the case. Contact: Twitter: @nancyhixt Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyHixtCrimeBeat/ Email: nancy.hixt@globalnews.ca

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 two years. The daddy and daughter spent time eating, playing and laughing together at Chuck E. Cheese. It was one of the happiest days of Lane’s life. That night, Lane Skyped with one of his closest friends and shared videos of the playdate. Just before midnight, that chat was interrupted when Lane got a call from a phone booth. He rushed out to meet the caller at a nearby strip mall. That was the last time Lane was ever seen. Calgary police detectives used every possible investigative strategy to try and find Lane. Find out what happened to Lane, and the senseless tragedy his family has had to deal with in episode eight of “Crime Beat.”

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 attacked. The details were so similar — both women were sexually assaulted in their own homes by a violent stranger. Police knew it was the same offender. A serial rapist was preying on young women. For investigators, it was a race against time to try and catch this monster before he could strike again. The tactics used to try to catch this rapist will likely surprise you. And for the first time, hear from one of the people impacted most by the horrific actions of this sex offender. Follow the story of the “Beltline Rapist” in episode seven of “Crime Beat.” 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

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

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

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

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

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

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/  

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.