At 18, Lukas Strasser-Hird’s future was bright. After a year studying abroad, he had aspirations to become a doctor.The day he arrived back in Calgary, he went out with friends to celebrate his homecoming.It was a fun night, until last-call.No one could have predicted how dangerous the situation was about to become.It’s a story that will leave you questioning what the person next to you at a bar is capable of.On this episode of the Global News podcast Crime Beat, crime reporter Nancy Hixt begins a two-part series on a case that devastated a Calgary family.Contact:Twitter: @nancyhixtFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyHixtCrimeBeat/Email: nancy.hixt@globalnews.ca

Maryam Rashidi’s life focused on creating opportunities for her son. But in 2015, both Rashidi and her husband were laid off from their jobs in the oil and gas industry.June 7, 2015, was her fourth shift working at a Calgary gas station — a job she took to make ends meet.That morning, Rashidi said goodbye to her husband and son, and went to work — the last time they would get to talk to her.Just hours later, they would learn Rashidi was taken by ambulance to the hospital. She’d been run over while trying to stop a gas-and-dash.Follow the twists and turns this case took and hear from the offender himself, who chose to run Rashidi over rather than pay for $113 worth of fuel.In this episode, you’ll also hear the far-reaching the impact this crime has had.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

On this episode of the Global News podcast Crime Beat, crime reporter Nancy Hixt shares the story Brittney McInnes, the concrete angel.At 17 and just months from graduation, McInnes had her whole life ahead of her.But in January 2010, the Calgary teen disappeared.Police were called to investigate, but the search came up empty.Hours later, Brittney’s family discovered her body.Follow along as police unraveled the web of lies her killer had created, and hear his confession—audio that’s never been made public before.In this episode, you’ll also learn details of further allegations in this 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: @nancyhixtFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyHixtCrimeBeat/Email: nancy.hixt@globalnews.ca

On this episode of the Global News Crime Beat, crime reporter Nancy Hixt shares the story of a young boy who fell through the cracks.You’ll hear from those who loved Alex Radita, those who fought to keep him alive and healthy, and those who fought for justice in his case.And for the first time, you’ll hear a recorded interview with Alex himself — who knew what he needed most to save his life.In May 2013, police were called to a home in northwest Calgary for reports of a teenage boy in medical distress.Nothing could have prepared first responders for what they found.Alex was found unconscious, lying in a bed in an upstairs room of his home.He was skin and bones.He had no useable teeth and was covered in dozens of ulcers and sores.The 15-year-old was wearing a diaper and weighed just 37 pounds.Despite all efforts by paramedics to resuscitate Alex, it was too late.The Calgary police homicide unit began investigating and what they found was that Alex’s death was not only completely preventable, but it was murder.More than a decade before he died, doctors and RCMP investigators in B.C. predicted this would happen to Alex if he wasn’t provided proper medical treatment for his Type 1 diabetes. 

It’s a case the family of the victims call a real life horror show.On this episode of the Global News podcast Crime Beat, crime reporter Nancy Hixt takes you through the details of the crimes committed against Terry Blanchette and his two-year-old daughter Hailey Dunbar Blanchette.  Follow along as we reveal evidence investigators uncovered, and an exclusive interview with the mother of the triple-murderer in this case. Her life has been shattered by her son’s actions.

Two people dead ...and a two year old child gone missing.A small community in the Rocky Mountains...shattered.On this episode of the Global News podcast Crime Beat, crime reporter Nancy Hixt takes you through one of the most disturbing cases she’s covered – one which the family of the victims call a real life horror show.

Season two premieres October 8th.Ride along with Crime Reporter Nancy Hixt, as she takes you through some of Canada’s most high profile criminal cases, shining a light into the darkness.

Executive Producer Chris Duncombe sits down with Global News crime reporter and host of Crime Beat, Nancy Hixt, for an in depth interview about the podcast and answers audience questions.

In July 2016, a Calgary mother, Sara Baillie, was found dead in her home, and her five-year-old daughter, Taliyah Marsman, was missing.Three days later, an Amber Alert came to a heartbreaking end when the little girl was found dead.On this episode of Global News podcast Crime Beat, crime reporter Nancy Hixt takes a look at who killed Sara and Taliyah.Hours after Taliyah’s body was recovered, police announced a man was charged in the case.Edward Downey was accused of two counts of first-degree murder.Sara and Taliyah’s family was left with so many questions.The man accused of this incomprehensible crime wasn’t even on the family’s radar.Why would Downey kill Sara, let alone her child?For more details on the case check this out https://wp.me/p2Y4rw-nJ4MIf 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

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: @nancyhixtFacebook: 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.

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: @nancyhixtFacebook: 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: @nancyhixtFacebook: 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: @nancyhixtFacebook: 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: @nancyhixtFacebook: 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: @nancyhixtFacebook: 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: @nancyhixtFacebook: 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: @nancyhixtFacebook: 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: @nancyhixtFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyHixtCrimeBeat/Email: nancy.hixt@globalnews.caResources: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.