On the season finale of Crime Beat, Global News senior crime reporter Nancy Hixt answers your questions. Join her as she gives you behind-the-scenes insight on the podcast, journalism, and the stories she shares on this special episode, “Inside Crime Beat.”Contact:Twitter: @nancyhixtFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyHixtCrimeBeat/Email: nancy.hixt@globalnews.ca

On a beautiful September night in 2008, a young couple went out for dinner in downtown Calgary.They walked through a park on their way home and sat down on a bench to soak in the warm, late summer air.Around them, the trees were changing colours .Never once did it cross their mind that it would be the last time, as a couple, they would see those vibrant fall colours again.Moments later, the sound of screaming filled the air followed by sirens as police and EMS rushed to the scene.Find out what happened next on the latest episode of Crime Beat. Global News senior crime reporter Nancy Hixt shares one man’s story of survival and inspiration in ‘Hope in the darkness.’

A story of deadly infatuation. Join Nancy Hixt as she explains how a young woman 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.Nadia El-Dib's Foundation - https://www.nadiashopefoundation.comContact:Twitter: @nancyhixtFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyHixtCrimeBeat/Email: nancy.hixt@globalnews.ca

On April 14, 2022, two senior police officers– Sgt. Brian Topham and Cpl. Brandon Tobin received the highest honour that’s bestowed by the RCMP.The commissioner’s commendation for bravery recognizes outstanding courage in the face of dangerous circumstances…But the award came at a cost. Join Nancy Hixt, a senior crime reporter for Global News as she shares how two officers, both diagnosed with PTSD, are working to heal and raise awareness about the trauma they’re living with in ‘The scars that don’t heal.’Nadia El-Dib's Foundation - https://www.nadiashopefoundation.comContact:Twitter: @nancyhixtFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyHixtCrimeBeat/Email: nancy.hixt@globalnews.ca

Elias Tarabay remembers Aug. 4, 2020, clearly. He arrived home after having a late lunch with a friend. He was living in Beirut, the capital city of Lebanon. His house had a balcony that looked out at the city’s ports.Just as he settled in, he heard a loud explosion.Tarabay was working as an editor for a local newspaper at the time and he thought he would take the video to send back to his office.Then a second large explosion rocked the Beirut port.The explosion killed at least 214 people, according to official records. Thousands were injured.It was one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in history — the result of hundreds of tons of ammonium nitrate igniting after a fire broke out. The explosion tore through the city with such force that it caused a tremor across the entire country that was heard and felt as far away as the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, more than 200 kilometres away.It would soon emerge in documents that the highly combustible nitrates had been haphazardly stored at a port warehouse alongside other flammable material since 2014 — and that multiple high-level officials over the years knew of its presence and did nothing.The event galvanized people to demonstrate in the streets, asking for government accountability and in the days following the explosion, several cabinet members announced their resignation. On Aug. 10, 2020, Beirut’s prime minister, Hassan Diab, announced he would be stepping down from his position.On this episode of What happened to …? Erica Vella revisits the days that followed the deadly blast and finds out if anyone has been held accountable. She also learns how Lebanon’s economic crisis has made it difficult for the country to rebuild.Contact:Email: erica.vella@globalnews.ca 

In the summer of 2020, a listener reached out and asked how Crime Beat stories are selected.She said she was seeking justice for something that happened to her decades earlier when she was a teenager.That was the starting point of this episode.Join Global News senior crime reporter Nancy Hixt as she shares how one woman’s bravery cracked open one of the most high profile sex assault cases in Calgary’s history. Learn exclusive new details of the police investigation in ‘Mr. Gregory’s dark secret.’ Contact:Twitter: @nancyhixtFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyHixtCrimeBeat/Email: nancy.hixt@globalnews.ca

On this special episode of Crime Beat, Global News senior crime reporter Nancy Hixt  takes you behind the scenes with a crime analyst. Learn how she uses data and technology to help solve cases as she works alongside homicide detectives.Contact:Twitter: @nancyhixtFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyHixtCrimeBeat/Email: nancy.hixt@globalnews.ca

On a cold, snowy winter night in January 2008, an officer was on patrol when a confusing call came in to 911. A hardworking mother of five disappeared while on her way home from work. To make matters worse, the call indicated that she was being attacked.Investigators raced against the clock to find Arcelie Laoagan. On the latest episode of Crime Beat, Global News senior crime reporter Nancy Hixt shares details of the frantic search and the horrific discovery that haunts both the officer and all of those who knew and cared for Arcelie Laoagan to this day.Contact:Twitter: @nancyhixtFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyHixtCrimeBeat/Email: nancy.hixt@globalnews.ca

On a cold, snowy evening in the fall of 2012, a series of 911 calls led Calgary police to multiple scenes.At one of those locations, investigators made a disturbing discovery — the body of Lacey Jones-McKnight.As homicide investigators took over the case, they learned the killer made shocking admissions to several people that night.Follow along on the latest episode of Crime Beat as Global News senior crime reporter Nancy Hixt shares the painstaking lengths forensic investigators went to in an effort to find Justice for Lacey.Contact:Twitter: @nancyhixtFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyHixtCrimeBeat/Email: nancy.hixt@globalnews.ca

In  movies and TV police interviews with suspects look simple enough, but in reality there’s a lot more to them.Global News senior crime reporter Nancy Hixt takes you behind-the-scenes for a special look at forensic interviewing with veteran investigator Det.Mike Shute..Find out what it’s really like to be across from a suspect in search of the truth when the stakes are high.Contact:Twitter: @nancyhixtFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyHixtCrimeBeat/Email: nancy.hixt@globalnews.ca

In the summer of 2018, a young Calgary woman disappeared.For nearly a week her family held out hope she would be found safe.Instead, a call to 911 sparked a major investigation and led officers to multiple scenes where they uncovered a killing spree.Join Global News senior crime reporter Nancy Hixt as she explains how this triple-murder investigation unfolded in the latest episode of Crime Beat. Contact:Twitter: @nancyhixtFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyHixtCrimeBeat/Email: nancy.hixt@globalnews.ca

In the middle of the night on Sept. 24, 1981, a two-year-old girl was rescued by police.She was found outside of a post office in a small town north of Calgary. She was cold, crying, and wearing only her pyjamas.What happened that fateful night changed the course of a little girl’s life forever.Decades later, Global News Crime Reporter Nancy Hixt met that victim — just as the offender who kidnapped her was released from prison in 1998.She’s followed the case for more than two decades.Listen to the latest episode of Crime Beat, Stolen Innocence to learn the tragic twists this case has taken– and the life sentence the victim has suffered.Contact:Twitter: @nancyhixtFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyHixtCrimeBeat/Email: nancy.hixt@globalnews.ca

On this episode of Crime Beat we introduce you to another Global News podcast called What happened to…? where host and reporter Erica Vella ,speaks with Ted Williams and Doral Chenoweth and the 2011, 90-second video, that launched Ted Williams, a man who was experiencing homelessness, into fame.In the video, Williams was standing at the side of a road in Columbus, Ohio; he was holding a sign that read in part, “I have a God-given gift of voice.”Doral Chenoweth, a photojournalist with The Columbus Dispatch -- a daily newspaper based in Ohio – took the video.Chenoweth posted the video in January 2011 and it quickly began drawing international attention; media from all over the U.S. went on a search to find Williams, dubbed the man with the golden voice.Williams speaks about his battles with addiction; he explains what happened after the video went viral and where he is now.

A heartbreaking anniversary highlights a decade of missed opportunities, a killer tries to fight his conviction – again, and a disgraced doctor faces new charges.On this special year-end episode senior crime reporter Nancy Hixt brings you  several updates on cases we’ve shared.This is the 2021 edition of “the story is never finished.”Contact:Twitter: @nancyhixtFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyHixtCrimeBeat/Email: nancy.hixt@globalnews.ca

In the fall of 2016, the CFL season was well underway and the Calgary Stampeders were on fire.When the Stamps beat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Sept. 24 of that year, the team set a record winning streak.After the game, the team went out to celebrate.What should have been a fun night on the town, was instead marred by tragedy.A simple, accidental brush into the wrong person set the tone for the rest of the evening.In the latest episode of Crime Beat podcast, Global news senior crime reporter Nancy Hixt shares the story of a young man who beat the odds to become a professional football player only to have that dream suddenly shattered.Contact:Twitter: @nancyhixtFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyHixtCrimeBeat/Email: nancy.hixt@globalnews.ca

It’s arguably one of the highest profile multiple murder cases in Canadian history.Douglas Garland was convicted of the first-degree murder of five-year-old Nathan O’Brien and his grandparents Alvin and Kathy Liknes.For nearly five weeks, jurors were shown graphic forensic evidence gathered from the Liknes home and the farm where Garland lived with his parents.Now, for the first time, two of the 12 jurors who decided Garland’s fate, are speaking out about the ongoing impact of hearing such a disturbing case.For these jurors, it’s been an ongoing process to cope with the trauma that’s been passed on to them and they deal with sudden and unexpected triggers.“I'm not going to say I haven't shed a few tears just randomly,” one said in the exclusive interview.Join Global News senior crime reporter Nancy Hixt as she shares their compelling conversations in the conclusion of this three-part special Crime Beat podcast series, ‘Hunted by Evil.’Contact:Twitter: @nancyhixtFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyHixtCrimeBeat/Email: nancy.hixt@globalnews.ca

On July 4, 2014, four days into an Amber Alert, a suspect was arrested in connection with the disappearance of Nathan O’Brien and his grandparents Alvin and Kathy Liknes.An RCMP emergency response team searched the farm where Douglas Garland lived with his parents.They didn’t find Nathan, Alvin and Kathy.At that time, there wasn’t enough evidence to charge Garland with kidnapping. Instead, he was arrested on unrelated fraud charges.In the meantime, investigators got a warrant and began an exhaustive search of the expansive 40-acre Garland property — one that would become the biggest in Calgary police history.A few days later, he was released on bail with the condition he would not return to his parents' farm as the search continued.The 54-year-old was under constant surveillance.Two days later, officers watched as he drove out to his parents' property.In Part Two of the Crime Beat series "Hunted by Evil," you’ll hear from the rookie officer who tracked Garland in the darkness and the forensic investigators who scoured the Garland property for months.More than 1,400 exhibits were seized — including the DNA of all three victims.Follow along as Global News senior crime reporter Nancy Hixt explains how a petty grudge grew into a murderous plot and shares the disturbing evidence that police uncovered.--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: @nancyhixtFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyHixtCrimeBeat/Email: nancy.hixt@globalnews.ca

In 2014, on the first long weekend of the summer, a Calgary mother went to her parents’ home to pick up her five-year-old son following a sleepover.When she got there, all three were missing.Who would kidnap a five-year-old child and his grandparents, and why?It was the start of one of the longest Amber Alerts in Canadian history and a race against the clock to find the missing trio.In part one of this two-part series of Crime Beat, ‘Hunted by Evil,’ Global News senior crime reporter Nancy Hixt shares the unprecedented efforts that were made to find Nathan O’Brien and his grandparents Alvin and Kathy Liknes.Follow along as police uncover shocking forensic evidence and learn the twist that finally led investigators to identify a suspect.--Contact:Twitter: @nancyhixtFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyHixtCrimeBeat/Email: nancy.hixt@globalnews.ca

Over her 25 year career as a crime reporter...each case she's covered stays with her…But...there are some... that haunt her.They’re heartbreaking and horrific…difficult to revisit...because to bring you these stories she goes through hundreds of photos, court exhibits... graphic evidence.This season on Crime Beat, we share the high-profile cases you’ve asked me about...and others that maybe you’re not as familiar with.Nancy Hixt, is a senior crime reporter with Global News…join her on season four of Crime Beat as she takes you beyond the headlines… Introduces you to the people directly impacted by these crimes…and brings you the stories behind the stories…You’ll hear exclusive interviews with victims, families, investigators, prosecutors, and even jurors…voices that deserve to be heard.Season four begins October 19th

Introducing Episode 1 of China Rising - Hostage DiplomacyOn the first episode of China Rising, we examine  the Chinese government's practice of detaining political prisoners, by hearing directly from Canadians who've become caught in the crossfire. Christian aid workers Julia and Kevin Garratt lived in China for 30 years before their arrest in 2014, when they were suddenly cast as pawns in a geopolitical chess match. The Garratts’ traumatic experience is eerily similar to the case of the 'Two Michaels,' Canadians Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, detained in China since December 2018. Using their stories and others as a guide, we'll investigate how Western countries, including Canada, should respond to China's so-called 'Hostage Diplomacy.'You can listen to more episodes here: https://link.chtbl.com/china-rising

Global News crime reporter Nancy Hixt gives you a behind-the-scenes look at Crime Beat.From digging up stories to writing and putting together this podcast, join Nancy as she explains how it all comes together.In this episode, she shares insight on journalism, crime reporting and even answers some of your questions. She also introduces you to the Crime Beat team -- which includes Chris Bassett, Dila Velazquez and Rob Johnston.Contact:Twitter: @nancyhixtFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyHixtCrimeBeat/Email: nancy.hixt@globalnews.ca

In the summer of 1999, the RCMP in central Alberta investigated a horrific case involving two children.A father murdered his little girl and tried to kill his son.The case haunted investigators for decades.But it was particularly traumatic for one officer because it launched a completely unrelated series of events that ultimately led to him being wrongfully accused of sexual assault.It would leave his life torn in pieces.In part two of this special Crime Beat series, Global News crime reporter Nancy Hixt explains the mind-blowing twists and turns of this case.Learn what it’s been like for this veteran officer to live with the stigma of being wrongfully accused of a serious criminal offence in the conclusion of ‘Scarred but not broken.’ Contact:Twitter: @nancyhixtFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyHixtCrimeBeat/Email: nancy.hixt@globalnews.ca

On a cool rainy day in the summer of 1999, an old Chevy van was seen speeding on a highway from the backcountry eastbound towards Rocky Mountain House, Alta.There was a large piece of canvas attached to the bumper and it dragged behind the van.A short time later, the vehicle pulled into the ambulance bay at the Rocky Mountain House hospital.A man went in and identified himself as Brian Hogg.He was covered in blood and had lacerations to both of his wrists.Hogg asked the doctor to check on his son, who was still in the van.A little boy was found seated in the front passenger seat. He had blood on his neck, face, chest, arms and legs. His throat was cut, but he was responsive.The seven-year-old was rushed into the emergency room.But he wasn’t the only child inside the van.There was a little girl, unresponsive, on top of some sleeping bags.The doctor who made the horrific discovery noted the two-year-old was cold to the touch.She had no vital signs when was rushed into the emergency room and was later pronounced deceased by the local medical examiner.The case was now considered a homicide.In part one of this two-part series of Crime Beat, Global News crime reporter Nancy Hixt shares how this senseless crime continues to impact the officers who investigated the case.Contact:Twitter: @nancyhixtFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyHixtCrimeBeat/Email: nancy.hixt@globalnews.ca

In early 2007, a young widowed mother of two was just settling into a bigger home after living for several years in a cramped apartment with her extended family.Aset Magomadova was looking forward to spring because she finally had a backyard and was going to plant a garden.The family came to Calgary as refugees from war-torn Chechnya where they experienced imprisonment, homelessness, severe injuries and loss.Arriving in Canada brought new hope. This was the place her dreams were supposed to come true.But on a cold snowy day in February 2007, all those plans came to an abrupt end. In the latest episode of the Global News podcast, Crime Beat, crime reporter Nancy Hixt highlights the importance of knowing the full story before rushing to judgment because we never know what people have gone through.Contact:Twitter: @nancyhixtFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyHixtCrimeBeat/Email: nancy.hixt@globalnews.ca

In the fall of 1996, the Canadian sports world was rocked by a major sex abuse scandal.NHL player Sheldon Kennedy courageously went forward to police to reveal he suffered years of abuse at the hands of his childhood coach, Graham James.When Kennedy broke his silence, it started an important conversation around sexual assault and opened the door for others to do the same.In 1997, James pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting two former players -- including Kennedy. He admitted to sexually assaulting the boys hundreds of times.Since then, according to the Parole Board of Canada, there are six victims named on his record but the board notes he’s “admitted to have had sexual intercourse with around 20 hockey players he was coaching ... using manipulation, control and his position of trust and authority to facilitate the assaults.”One of the other hockey players James has admitted to sexually assaulting, is former NHL star Theo Fleury.In this episode of the Global News podcast, Crime Beat, crime reporter Nancy Hixt shares the stories of four men who James abused as boys. Learn the shocking details of how signs were ignored -- so were outright requests for help from hockey officials.These men now work every day to empower victims and take control back from their abusers. Hear their inspiring stories in “the scars that last a lifetime.”Contact:Twitter: @nancyhixtFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyHixtCrimeBeat/Email: nancy.hixt@globalnews.ca