Leigh Egan

Leigh Egan is a crime-fighting journalist and editor who specializes in breaking news and investigative true crime coverage. With more than a decade of experience under her belt, Leigh’s work can be found in a number of high-profile national publications. For Leigh, learning didn’t stop after college. She considers herself a lifelong learner who frequently takes media and journalism courses to keep abreast of the latest happenings and innovations in her field. Tips: legan@crimeonline.com

Mystery ‘doorbell woman’ identified: Victim who rang neighbors’ doorbells wearing wrist shackles thought she would ‘die that night’ after rape, abuse

 Mystery ‘doorbell woman’ identified: Victim who rang neighbors’ doorbells wearing wrist shackles thought she would ‘die that night’ after rape, abuse
Domestic Abuse

A Texas woman captured shackled with broken wrist shackles while ringing strangers’ doorbells in the middle of the night last month revealed herself in an exclusive interview with Inside Edition. The mystery woman, who identified herself only as Lauren, said she fled from her boyfriend’s Montgomery home during the early morning hours of August 26, …

‘I hope the state puts her in a mental hospital!’ Family of Elizabeth Smart’s kidnapper won’t take her in, daughter reacts to ‘surprising’ prison release
Kidnapping
September 16, 2018

‘I hope the state puts her in a mental hospital!’ Family of Elizabeth Smart’s kidnapper won’t take her in, daughter reacts to ‘surprising’ prison release

Kidnapper Wanda Barzee apparently won’t be staying with family members upon her prison release this week, according to a relative. Barzee, 72, has completed a 15-year sentence in connection with the 2002 kidnapping of then-teen Elizabeth Smart, but the abductor could now faces additional issues: finding a home upon her release. Her new residence will …

Little boy disappears from neighborhood party as police continue search into 2nd day **FOUND SAFE**
Missing
September 16, 2018

Little boy disappears from neighborhood party as police continue search into 2nd day **FOUND SAFE**

UPDATE Delaware authorities confirmed an 8-year-old boy who disappeared on Saturday has been be found safe, according to CBS. Original Story Delaware police are searching for an 8-year-old boy who disappeared Saturday while attending a block party in his Wilmington neighborhood. First Update reports that Yaasir Ames vanished from the 200 block of W 36th Street at …

Missing girl found dead less than a mile from the park she was last seen at
Juveniles
September 15, 2018

Missing girl found dead less than a mile from the park she was last seen at

The body of a 10-year-old Alaska girl who disappeared on September 6 while playing at park was found on Friday, authorities confirmed. Anchorage Daily News reports that authorities found Ashley Johnson-Barr’s remains in a remote area in her home town of Kotzebue, a week after the FBI launched a search-and-rescue mission for the young girl. According to FBI …

Lawyer for unarmed man shot to death in his apartment slams police investigation, claims they looked for criminal activity to ‘smear’ victim’s reputation
Violent Crime
September 14, 2018

Lawyer for unarmed man shot to death in his apartment slams police investigation, claims they looked for criminal activity to ‘smear’ victim’s reputation

The lawyer for the family of an unarmed Dallas man shot to death in his apartment by an off-duty female police officer, said that police investigation into the matter was done in a way to “smear” the reputation of the victim. According to an arrest affidavit released Thursday by the Dallas Police Department, investigators found …

‘Realistic possibility’ missing baby is dead after police arrest suspect for illegally disposing a body: Police
Missing
September 14, 2018

‘Realistic possibility’ missing baby is dead after police arrest suspect for illegally disposing a body: Police

Virginia police confirmed on Thursday that a missing 3-month-old baby was likely dead. The announcement came after a Wednesday night arrest of a man charged with illegally disposing of a body. “The investigative focus has now shifted to the realistic possibility that circumstances related to Arieanna Day indicate that she is most likely deceased,” Roanoke …

Waffle House customer shoots suspect who tries to rob restaurant with BB gun: Police
Unsolved
September 14, 2018

Waffle House customer shoots suspect who tries to rob restaurant with BB gun: Police

Georgia police are searching for a man accused of attempted robbery at a Villa Ricca Waffle House restaurant on Thursday, who dropped a BB gun and managed to escape after a customer shot him. Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the incident occurred at the Highway 61 Waffle House a little after midnight, when a would-be robber entered …

WATCH: Video contradicts female officer’s statements after she shot black neighbor, claiming she mistakenly thought his apartment was her own
Violent Crime
September 13, 2018

WATCH: Video contradicts female officer’s statements after she shot black neighbor, claiming she mistakenly thought his apartment was her own

A Dallas police officer accused of shooting and killing her black neighbor reportedly explained her actions by claiming the apartment door was open before she shot at him. A recently-revealed video, according to a neighbor, contradicts the statement since the metal fire doors at the apartment complex automatically shut if no one or nothing holds …

BREAKING: Suspect arrested for illegal disposing of body, in connection with 3-month-old missing baby
Juveniles
September 13, 2018

BREAKING: Suspect arrested for illegal disposing of body, in connection with 3-month-old missing baby

A Virginia man was arrested last night in Blacksburg after the Roanoke Police Department contacted Blacksburg police for assistance in finding a missing baby. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Andrew Christopher Terry, 31, was arrested on Wednesday night at around 9:15 p.m., in connection with the disappearance of 3-month-old infant, Arieanna Day. Terry is being held …

Teen boy suffocates and kills toddler siblings to save them ‘from hell,’ mutilates kitten for scratching him: Prosecutor
Juveniles
September 13, 2018

Teen boy suffocates and kills toddler siblings to save them ‘from hell,’ mutilates kitten for scratching him: Prosecutor

During a Wednesday press conference, Indiana authorities provided details about a teen taken into custody last month, a little over a year after he allegedly killed his two toddler siblings and squeezed a kitten to the point of mutilation. ABC reports that a 13-year-old boy admitted to killing his younger brother and sister to protect from …