Tragedy - A True Crime Podcast

In this episode of Tragedy: A True Crime Podcast, we sit down with author and longtime friend of Crystal McCrory, Lee Hickey.
Lee takes us beyond the case files and unanswered questions to introduce us to the Crystal she knew. She shares how their friendship began, the memories they created together, and the heartfelt stories that only those closest to Crystal can keep alive in her absence.
We also explore Lee’s work as an author and discuss the ideas behind her books, including how observation, critical thinking, and investigative skills can be developed and strengthened. It’s a conversation about looking deeper, asking better questions, and learning to recognize the details that others may overlook.
But at the heart of this episode is Crystal.
Cases can become consumed by evidence, timelines, theories, and questions about what happened. Lee reminds us that before Crystal became the subject of an investigation, she was a friend, a person with a personality, a history, and people who loved her.
This episode helps preserve that part of Crystal’s story—the part no case file could ever fully capture.

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In this episode of Tragedy: A True Crime Podcast, we sit down with Jana Guyewski-Lautigar, sister of Crystal McCrory, for a conversation about Crystal's death and the fight for answers that has consumed the years since.
Jana takes us back to the moment she first learned that Crystal was dead and shares what she remembers about the reactions of the people around her in those first confusing hours and days. She describes when the questions began, why those questions wouldn't go away, and how trying to understand what happened to her sister eventually grew into an enormous collection of reports, records, photographs, correspondence, and other information related to the case.
That case file has become part of Jana's mission. She has shared what she's collected with investigators, journalists, podcasters, experts, and virtually anyone willing to take a serious look at Crystal's story. 
We also talk candidly about Jana's experiences seeking help from law enforcement—where she believes officials have listened, where she believes they haven't, and what she still wants authorities to do. Crystal's death was initially deemed a suicide, while subsequent public accounts have reported that the manner of death was later changed to undetermined.
But this conversation is about more than a case file.
It's about a sister who refuses to allow Crystal to become just another name attached to a closed folder.
Jana tells us what she continues to advocate for, why she believes there is still work to be done, and what justice for Crystal would mean to her and her family.
This is Jana's story of persistence, advocacy, and a promise to keep asking questions in the name of Crystal McCrory.

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Every investigation begins with a single question. In this episode, we take our first look at the death of Crystal McCrory, introducing the known facts of the case and examining the details that immediately caught our attention.
As we walk through the timeline, we discuss several aspects of the investigation that raised questions for us, from the handling of evidence to the circumstances surrounding Crystal's death. While we're not drawing conclusions, we are identifying the areas that deserve a closer look as this series unfolds.
We also introduce many of the voices you'll hear throughout this investigation, including family members, friends, investigators, and experts who will help us better understand both Crystal's life and the investigation that followed her death. Each conversation adds another piece to a story that is far more complex than it first appears.
This is where the journey begins. Join us as we start asking the questions that continue to surround Crystal McCrory's case and begin searching for the answers.

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This episode is all about you—the incredible community that has helped transform Tragedy: A True Crime Podcast into something far greater than we ever imagined. Every download, every share, every review, and every conversation has helped amplify the voices of victims and their families. Because of your support, we've reached another major milestone, and we wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you while sharing where this journey is taking us next.
We also provide important updates on several of the cases we've been following, including Jody Kilgore, LaTonya Thomas, Michael John Olson, Cody Haney, and Ian Rogers. From new developments to ongoing efforts behind the scenes, we discuss where each investigation stands, what we've learned, and what may be coming next.
Finally, we look ahead to the conferences and events we'll be attending in the coming months, where we'll continue building relationships with investigators, advocates, families, and experts who share the same mission: keeping unsolved cases in the public eye and helping bring answers to those who have waited far too long.
Thank you for believing in this mission. None of this happens without you, and together we're proving that a dedicated community can make a real difference. As our audience continues to grow, so does our ability to shine a light on cases that deserve renewed attention, and we couldn't do it without each and every one of you standing beside us.

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What does evidence actually tell investigators—and just as importantly, what doesn't it tell them?
In this episode of Tragedy: A True Crime Podcast, we sit down with Kathy Decker, founder of IRIS (Incident Response & Investigative Strategies), for an in-depth conversation about the realities of professional investigations. Kathy shares the story behind IRIS, how the organization was built, and the decades of investigative experience she and her team bring to some of the most challenging cases.
Throughout the conversation, we explore the many facets of investigative work. We also present Kathy with several stories and real-world scenarios we've encountered during our own investigations, asking her to explain what specific pieces of evidence might actually mean, and what conclusions investigators should avoid jumping to.
During our discussion, we also talk about the potential value that organizations like IRIS can bring to unresolved investigations. We previously presented IRIS and its capabilities to the Wakulla County Sheriff's Office as a potential resource for assisting with unsolved cases (specifically the Jody Kilgore case), and to our knowledge, that opportunity was never pursued. Our hope is that this conversation provides another opportunity to highlight the expertise IRIS offers and that those responsible for investigating unsolved cases in our county will listen with an open mind and reconsider whether these resources could help bring answers to families who have been waiting far too long.
Whether you're fascinated by true crime, investigative techniques, or simply want to understand how experienced professionals evaluate evidence, this episode offers a rare look inside the investigative process from someone who has spent a career separating fact from speculation.
Join us for an honest discussion about critical thinking, evidence, and the science—and experience—behind modern investigations.

Email - kathy@irisinvestigativestrategies.com
Phone - (208) 999-8460

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Please visit us at www.tragedyatruecrimepodcast.com