CrimeCon 2026

Before we dive in, let's catch you up. Our signature opening video is more than a recap—it's a powerful look at the stories that have shaped the past year in true crime. The ones that stayed with us. The moments that sparked conversation, demanded justice, and brought this community together. A reminder of why we’re all here. Welcome to CrimeCon—you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The opening will play on the video screens in the Ballroom, Breakout One, and Breakout Two simultaneously. The Creator Studio does not have screens. Please select the room that will host the first programming session you plan to attend as that session will begin as soon as the opening ends.

Join Spencer Coursen and CrimeCon’s goodest boy, Ronin, for a powerful conversation with survivor, author, and advocate Ashley Spence.

After surviving a sexual assault in college, Ashley turned her experience into action—using the very DNA evidence collected in her case to help secure justice and spark a national movement. Now the founder of the DNA Justice Project, she’s working to ensure no survivor is left waiting for answers.

This session breaks down how forensic DNA actually works, why thousands of rape kits remain untested, and what it will take to fix a system that’s failing survivors—without compromising civil liberties. It’s a candid, trauma-informed conversation about resilience, science, and reform—and the real, actionable steps you can take to help drive change.

In June 2021, the brutal murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh at the family’s Moselle hunting estate exposed a web of power, privilege, and deception that would end with Alex Murdaugh convicted of their killings. For years before that night, Blanca Turrubiate-Simpson worked inside the Murdaugh home — quietly observing the routines, relationships, and private world behind one of South Carolina’s most powerful legal dynasties. When the case went to trial, her testimony helped jurors understand what was normal inside that house — and what wasn’t — including key details about Alex’s movements, the clothing he was wearing that day, and the changes she noticed in the aftermath of the murders.

In this compelling conversation, Criminally Obsessed host Anne Emerson sits down with Blanca to discuss what she witnessed inside the Murdaugh home, what it meant to testify in her former boss's murder trial, and how she has moved forward in the years since.

Refuel, recharge, and explore. Head to the Expo Hall to browse exhibitors, meet your favorite creators, and stop by Nevada SPCA’s Puppy Park to meet adoptable rescues — or grab a coffee/snack before diving back into sessions!

Join David Mittelman, CEO of Othram, whose work has helped power thousands of identifications in both cold cases and active investigations. He’ll take you inside how DNA and AI are rewriting what’s possible in criminal justice, and why we are rapidly entering a world where unsolved crime doesn’t have to exist anymore.

What happens when someone vanishes — with no body, no clear crime scene, and no confirmed cause of death — yet police and prosecutors are convinced it was murder? So-called "no body" homicide cases are the most complex and controversial trials in the criminal justice system.

Former homicide prosecutor Tad DiBiase, the nation’s leading authority on “no body” murder prosecutions, takes us inside these difficult cases. Drawing from decades of experience and landmark trials, DiBiase will reveal how he trains police and prosecutors to prove a murder occurred, what evidence can replace a victim’s remains, and the investigative strategies used to build a case when there is no body.

DiBiase will give a behind the scenes look into how prosecutors convince a jury beyond a reasonable doubt, turning circumstantial evidence into compelling proof of guilt in some of the rarest of trials in criminal law.

Since its inception in 2016, Up and Vanished has become a mainstay of factual true crime storytelling. Host and Tenderfoot TV founder Payne Lindsey has investigated the cases of Tara Grinstead, Ashley Loring HeavyRunner, Kristal Reisinger, Florence Okpealuk, and Joseph Balderas. Five cases across four seasons, with more than 500 million downloads.

This year at CrimeCon Las Vegas, Payne looks back at these cases, what’s happened since, and what still needs to be done to help the families get answers.

But Payne and his team aren’t stopping there. Exclusively at CC26, Payne is searching for his next case. Three surprise guests will join him with cases they want him to investigate. Then, attendees will have the chance to live pitch a case for Payne to consider for Season 5 of Up and Vanished.

You’ll only have one to two minutes at the mic to make your case, but if you don’t get enough time, you can also submit your case to cases @tenderfoot.tv.

Every case deserves publicity. Every case deserves answers. Every case deserves justice. Join Payne Lindsey and the team for this exclusive session and your chance to be part of Up and Vanished Season 5.

PLEASE NOTE: This session contains graphic material, images, and sensitive information. Attendee discretion is advised. Due to the nature of this content, photography and filming of any kind are strictly prohibited. Anyone found recording will be removed immediately and will not be eligible for a refund.

Join legendary profiler John Douglas as he guides attendees along the path to solve one of the greatest puzzles in criminal investigations: WHY + HOW = WHO

Step into the world of criminal investigative analysis and see how real-life behavioral profiling informs and assists investigations. Just like in the Netflix series Mindhunter, former FBI Unit Chief John Douglas will explore the fascinating process of understanding offenders through their crimes and from clues left by them during the interaction with the victim.

Using cases by Douglas featured both in Mindhunter, as well cases that have been presented in numerous crime documentaries, attendees will learn how Criminal Investigative Analysts and Criminal Profilers classify crimes, identify behavioral patterns, and create offender profiles to help law enforcement catch some of society’s most dangerous criminals.

Attendees learn from the man that created the blue print of the search into the minds of criminals, so join your fellow budding profilers and John Douglas for this exclusive event!

⏵ Tickets and more Information: crimecon.com/johndouglas