American Nightmares: The Canal Murders

Paul Wagner sits down with Mike King to discuss the Sherry Crandell case

American Nightmares: The Canal Murders

Show Notes

In this bonus episode, Mike King (American Nightmares: Garden of Evil, Season 5 - Coming Feb 3) sits down with investigative journalist Paul Wagner (American Nightmares: Murder in a Safe Place, Season 2) to revisit the Sherry Crandell case — and to unpack the long road that led to justice. Together, they break down the original investigation, the controversial hospital-wide DNA dragnet, and the relentless efforts of a retired detective who refused to let Sherry’s case fade into obscurity. The conversation also explores how Wagner’s reporting helped keep pressure on the case when leads ran dry and answers seemed impossible. Most importantly, they examine the 2025 breakthrough that finally identified Edward Barry Watts — also known as Baari Shabazz — as Sherry Crandell’s killer through investigative genetic genealogy. Paul and Mike discuss what this moment means for Sherry’s family, the ethical questions surrounding genetic genealogy, and the growing power of this technology to solve violent crimes once thought unsolvable. #ProfilingEvil #MurderInASafePlace #AmericanNightmares #SherryCrandell #PrinceGeorgesHospital #CheverlyMaryland #ColdCase #GeneticGenealogy #BaariShabazz #EdwardWatts #BernieNelson #FBI #HospitalMurder #VictimJustice #TrueCrimePodcast #InvestigativeJournalism

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More from American Nightmares: The Canal Murders

Oct 20, 2026

Seven years after his arrest, Brian Miller finally goes on trial for the Canal Murders of Angela Brosso and Melanie Bernas. With DNA tying Miller to both crime scenes, his defense presents a very different explanation of the man sitting in the courtroom. An extraordinary eight-month trial digs deep into Miller's childhood, mental state and history of violence, exposing secrets hidden for decades and asking which version of Brian Miller is real. Want the full story? On Apple Podcasts, you can binge every episode of American Nightmares ad-free now by subscribing to The Binge. Hit ’subscribe’ at the top of the American Nightmares show page to unlock the whole series today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Oct 13, 2026

After more than 22 years, DNA finally identifies Brian Miller as the suspected Canal Killer. Police arrest the Arizona Zombie Hunter and sit him down for his first interrogation about the murders of Angela Brosso and Melanie Bernas. Meanwhile, a search of Miller's cluttered Phoenix home on Mountainview Road reveals a disturbing world hidden behind its doors and raises new questions about the man investigators have finally caught. Want the full story? On Apple Podcasts, you can binge every episode of American Nightmares ad-free now by subscribing to The Binge. Hit ’subscribe’ at the top of the American Nightmares show page to unlock the whole series today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Oct 6, 2026

Phoenix cold case detectives finally have a name. Their investigation leads them to an eccentric figure in the city's steampunk scene known as the Arizona Zombie Hunter, who drives a decommissioned police car and has a disturbing history of violence. But a name isn't enough. Detectives devise an undercover plan to secretly obtain his DNA and learn whether they've finally found the Canal Killer. Want the full story? On Apple Podcasts, you can binge every episode of American Nightmares ad-free now by subscribing to The Binge. Hit ’subscribe’ at the top of the American Nightmares show page to unlock the whole series today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sep 29, 2026

More than two decades after the murders of Angela Brosso and Melanie Bernas, the Phoenix Canal Murders remain unsolved. Then forensic genealogist Colleen Fitzpatrick approaches Phoenix police with an emerging technique that combines DNA analysis and family trees. Her work could finally give cold case detectives what they've been missing for more than 20 years: their killer's name. Want the full story? On Apple Podcasts, you can binge every episode of American Nightmares ad-free now by subscribing to The Binge. Hit ’subscribe’ at the top of the American Nightmares show page to unlock the whole series today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sep 22, 2026

Ten months after the murder of Angela Brosso, 17-year-old Melanie Bernas is killed while riding her bike along a Phoenix canal. The similarities are impossible to ignore. Then DNA evidence confirms investigators' worst fear: Angela Brosso and Melanie Bernas were murdered by the same man. A serial killer is stalking Phoenix. Want the full story? On Apple Podcasts, you can binge every episode of American Nightmares ad-free now by subscribing to The Binge. Hit ’subscribe’ at the top of the American Nightmares show page to unlock the whole series today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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