Author and investigative reporter Casey Sherman long believed his aunt, Mary Sullivan was the final victim of the Boston Strangler. Her death has had a long lasting impact on his family.
Today, Casey explains tp Sheryl McCollum why his family has long questioned the official story, pointing to ev…Author and investigative reporter Casey Sherman long believed his aunt, Mary Sullivan was the final victim of the Boston Strangler. Her death has had a long lasting impact on his family.
Today, Casey explains tp Sheryl McCollum why his family has long questioned the official story, pointing to evidence that, in his view, complicates what many people think they know about the case.
Their conversation touches on DNA analysis, missing confession tapes, and alternate suspects that Casey believes raise serious questions about Albert DeSalvo’s role in the murders.
Guest Bio
Casey Sherman is a New York Times bestselling-author and investigative reporter known for revisiting major crimes and historic tragedies.
He is the author of "A Rose for Mary," which examines the murder of his aunt, Mary Sullivan, and the lingering questions surrounding the Boston Strangler case.
About the Host
Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an active crime scene investigator for a Metro Atlanta Police Department and the director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, which partners with colleges and universities nationwide. With more than 4 decades of experience, she has worked on thousands of cold cases using her investigative system, The Last 24/361, which integrates evidence, media, and advanced forensic testing.
Her work on high-profile case include, in part, The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, and Tupac Shakur. McCollum’s work on the Moore’s Ford Bridge lynching led to her Emmy Award for “CSI: Atlanta” and induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023.
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Preorder Sheryl’s upcoming book, "Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Lessons in Life, Justice, and Joy from a Forensic Scientist," releasing May 2026 from Simon and Schuster.
Highlights:
(0:00) Sheryl McCollum opens with the DNA dispute at the center of the Boston Strangler case
(1:30) Sheryl welcomes Casey Sherman and explains why his work has changed how she views the case
(7:15) Casey explains how Mary Sullivan’s murder shaped his family for generations and why his mother never accepted the official story
(9:15) The missing confession tapes and the details that convinced Casey the official story didn’t hold up
(11:30) Missing evidence, stolen case materials, and the long-term damage they can do to a major investigation
(14:00) The DNA evidence Case says pointed to a prime suspect from 1964 and how that lead eventually took him to a golf course in northern New England
(16:30) Why Casey believes the Boston Strangler case was not the work of one man and that similar killings stretched across multiple states
(19:30) How sensational crime coverage in the 1960s may have helped shape false confessions
(21:15) Casey’s theory that George Nassar may have helped feed DeSalvo information and why DeSalvo was never charged with the murders he confessed to
(24:15) Casey on the pressure surrounding the case and why he believes too many important questions are still unanswered
(27:45) F. Lee Bailey’s role in the case and the unlikely friendship that followed years later
(31:30) The importance of revisiting evidence and challenging the accepted story
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This episode of True Crime This Week dives into two of Boston’s most infamous and enduring mysteries: the chilling 1960s killing spree attributed to the Boston Strangler—capped by Albert DeSalvo’s controversial confession, later recantation, and mysterious prison death—and the audacious 1950 Brink’s…This episode of True Crime This Week dives into two of Boston’s most infamous and enduring mysteries: the chilling 1960s killing spree attributed to the Boston Strangler—capped by Albert DeSalvo’s controversial confession, later recantation, and mysterious prison death—and the audacious 1950 Brink’s heist, where a disciplined crew of professional thieves executed a near-perfect $2.7 million robbery and evaded justice until betrayal from within unraveled their operation. Vanessa Richardson guides listeners through both cases, tracing how fear, political pressure, and well-timed confessions shaped these historic investigations and left behind questions that still haunt Boston today.
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In the early 60s, a madman was on the loose in Boston. In the span of 2 years, he's know to have brutally raped and murdered at least 13 women in their own homes. The killer was a monster who definitely didn't look like one--he'd easily gain his victim's trust and access to their homes, as there was…In the early 60s, a madman was on the loose in Boston. In the span of 2 years, he's know to have brutally raped and murdered at least 13 women in their own homes. The killer was a monster who definitely didn't look like one--he'd easily gain his victim's trust and access to their homes, as there was never any sign of forced entry. And he was meticulous, almost never leaving a single clue. As the terror in the city reaches a fever pitch, investigators make an arrest. But did they get the right guy? Or was he just a willing patsy set up to take the fall?
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It's Albert DeSalvo time, guys. In the conclusion to our dive into the Boston Strangler murder spree, we discuss Albert's childhood, his confessions and whether or not we think he did it at all.
One big take away is that it was dark in there. Don't worry, you'll get it.
Sources:
The Boston Strangl…It's Albert DeSalvo time, guys. In the conclusion to our dive into the Boston Strangler murder spree, we discuss Albert's childhood, his confessions and whether or not we think he did it at all.
One big take away is that it was dark in there. Don't worry, you'll get it.
It's here! Part 2 of our deep dive into the most frustrating series of murders to ever hit our hometown is here early. In this episode, we cover the last six murder attributed to this serial killing monster, we discuss the psychology behind strangulation, the physiology behind strangulation and also…It's here! Part 2 of our deep dive into the most frustrating series of murders to ever hit our hometown is here early. In this episode, we cover the last six murder attributed to this serial killing monster, we discuss the psychology behind strangulation, the physiology behind strangulation and also reveal a bit about the guy who confessed to it all: Albert DeSalvo.
***THIS EPISODE CONTAINS GRAPHIC DESCRIPTIONS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT***
It's our hometown murder time! We split this case into parts because there is truly a lot to unpack and we thought our beloved Boston deserved our time and attention. In Part 1, we take a look at the first 6 victims of The Boston Strangler(s) and set ourselves up to talk about the last 7, the psycho…It's our hometown murder time! We split this case into parts because there is truly a lot to unpack and we thought our beloved Boston deserved our time and attention. In Part 1, we take a look at the first 6 victims of The Boston Strangler(s) and set ourselves up to talk about the last 7, the psychology behind these crimes, as well as Albert DeSalvo's infamous confession in Part 2. This is a wild ride, so we suggest you hang on to your. butts and leave your Yankees hats at home.
***THIS EPISODE CONTAINS GRAPHIC DESCRIPTIONS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT***
After being admitted to Bridgewater State Hospital, Albert DeSalvo began confiding in other patients, bragging about his crimes and admitting he was the Boston Strangler. But was that a lie for attention? Or was DeSalvo truly the killer behind the crimes of the Boston Strangler?
Learn more about yo…After being admitted to Bridgewater State Hospital, Albert DeSalvo began confiding in other patients, bragging about his crimes and admitting he was the Boston Strangler. But was that a lie for attention? Or was DeSalvo truly the killer behind the crimes of the Boston Strangler?
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There’s a special sense of security within our own homes. But from 1962 to 1964, Albert DeSalvo took advantage of this trust. He swayed women into letting him through the front door, only to leave them as victims of “The Boston Strangler.”
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/…There’s a special sense of security within our own homes. But from 1962 to 1964, Albert DeSalvo took advantage of this trust. He swayed women into letting him through the front door, only to leave them as victims of “The Boston Strangler.”
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