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 shackled woman was tied up and sexually abused by ‘boyfriend’ before she escaped and ran door-to-door for help [BREAKING]
Suicide
August 30, 2018

Mystery shackled woman was tied up and sexually abused by ‘boyfriend’ before she escaped and ran door-to-door for help [BREAKING]

A partially dressed Texas woman wearing broken shackles, caught on camera Friday morning while frantically ringing doorbells, was apparently escaping sexual assault from a man who later shot himself in the head. ABC reports that the mystery woman’s reported boyfriend, identified as 49-year-old Dennis Ray Collins, allegedly killed himself on Wednesday afternoon inside a Montgomery …

‘He’s still out there’: As gifted student’s brutal murder remains unsolved, determined mom travels nationwide searching for killer & hoping to change laws
Cold Cases
August 30, 2018

‘He’s still out there’: As gifted student’s brutal murder remains unsolved, determined mom travels nationwide searching for killer & hoping to change laws

It’s been 14 years since she last saw her teen daughter alive, but an Oklahoma mother is on a mission to find the killer and to help change laws. Next month marks the 14th year since 18-year-old Brittany Phillips was raped and killed inside her Tulsa apartment. The young college student, described as a sweet, …

Dad shoves fingers down newborn’s throat, killing him for ‘crying too much’
Homicide
August 29, 2018

Dad shoves fingers down newborn’s throat, killing him for ‘crying too much’

A Missouri man pleaded guilty on Tuesday to shoving his fingers down his 9-week-old son’s throat, killing him. St. Louis Dispatch reports that Robert James Burnette, 21, admitted that he he shoved his fingers down infant Jaxon Burnette’s throat because the baby wouldn’t stop crying. Burnette claimed he was trying to find the baby’s voice box to …

Family Crime
August 28, 2018

NO evidence that slain mom Shan’ann Watts killed her young children: Report

Accused killer Chris Watts reportedly admitted he murdered his wife, but claims it happened after he found her strangling their two young daughters. Yet, a police source says there’s no evidence to suggest that the slain mother hurt her kids. People reports that an source with a connection to the investigation indicated that while there …

Nearly 40 years later, uncle admits to beating 5-year-old nephew to death: Police
Cold Cases
August 28, 2018

Nearly 40 years later, uncle admits to beating 5-year-old nephew to death: Police

A Texas man was arrested for murder on Monday after her admitted, almost 40 years after the disappearance of his 5-year-old nephew,  that he beat the boy to death. Dallas Morning News reports that Terry Lee Woodson, 64, initially told police in 1981 that his nephew, Anthony “Burt” Woodson, disappeared. According to Woodson, he left the little …

Gamer who eliminated Jacksonville shooter says suspect returned ‘acting strange,’ wearing same clothes from previous day
Mass shooting
August 27, 2018

Gamer who eliminated Jacksonville shooter says suspect returned ‘acting strange,’ wearing same clothes from previous day

A gamer who traveled from New Jersey to Florida to compete in the Jacksonville Madden Championship alongside the suspect accused of shooting and killing two people described the shooter as a “weird” person who was cold to other competitors. CBS47 reports that Dennis Alston, known as “Evil Ken,” competed in the Madden football video game tournament …