CrimeCon 2026

Join Investigation Discovery, the leader in true crime programming, for a compelling panel spotlighting the women who are redefining the genre through bold, survivor‑centric storytelling rooted in empathy, integrity, and journalistic rigor. Featuring some of the creative forces behind the network’s biggest and most talked‑about series, this dynamic conversation explores how ID continues to deliver programming that is informative, responsible, and deeply resonant. Equal parts revealing and inspiring, this can’t‑miss session offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from the women shaping the future of true crime storytelling, including:
Holly Madison, host of Lethally Blonde, who amplifies voices often overlooked, exploring cases involving victims on the fringes of society
Journalist Elizabeth Chambers, who platforms powerful survivor stories while examining the complexity and lasting impact of traumatic relationships in Toxic
Legal analyst Beth Karas, a trusted authority who brings clarity and context to some of the most bizarre and intricate cases featured in The Curious Case of…
Pop culture commentator Simone Boyce, who unpacks the darker realities behind cultural moments, guiding viewers through each episode of Hollywood Demons

The conversation will be moderated by Emmy Award–winning journalist Paula Zahn, whose compassionate, measured approach has made On the Case with Paula Zahn Investigation Discovery’s longest‑running newsmagazine. With empathy and journalistic integrity at the forefront of her storytelling, Zahn brings a deeply informed and human lens to the discussion.

In this powerful, ground-breaking session, Joseph Scott Morgan - leading international forensic analyst, veteran death investigator and Jacksonville State University professor - breaks down the three critical levels of identifying the deceased: positive ID, unidentified remains, and speculative association. He takes a deep dive into what separates scientific certainty from educated guesswork - and what it truly takes to move a case from unknown to confirmed.

Then comes a revelation like no other: Working alongside David Mittelman, CEO of Othram - a cutting-edge forensic genetics lab at the forefront of modern cold case work - Morgan reveals how meticulous analysis and forensic genealogy of minute evidence is accomplishing the impossible: a positive ID in a never-before revealed case. It's a session you won't want to miss!

Take a break, grab lunch, and recharge. For quick bites and grab-and-go options nearby, check out Caesars Palace spots like Pronto by Giada, Brioche by Guy Savoy, Starbucks, and the Celebrity Food Hall, featuring quick-service options including Bobby’s Burgers and Chicken Guy. More dining options can be found here.

A disturbing new threat is rapidly gaining ground online-- and it’s targeting children. “Nudify” apps use artificial intelligence to generate explicit images of real people, often without their knowledge or consent. For young victims, the impact is immediate and devastating, turning a single photo into a tool for harassment, sextortion and long-term trauma.

Michelle DeLaune, President and CEO of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, is joined by survivor advocate Francesca Mani and her mother, Dorota Mani, who have helped lead the fight for stronger laws to combat this emerging form of abuse. Together, they’ll unpack how these platforms work, why they’re spreading so quickly, and the real-world consequences for victims and families. The conversation will also explore the challenges facing law enforcement and the urgent need for coordinated action from technology companies, policymakers, and the public.

As AI continues to evolve, so do the risks to children. The question is no longer whether this technology will be used to harm — it already is. The real question is: what are we going to do about it?

It wouldn’t be CrimeCon without Josh Mankiewicz. The legendary Dateline storyteller returns for another must-see conversation, joined by NBC News correspondent Ellison Barber, host of Netflix’s new true-crime video podcast Allegedly.

Together, they discuss their most unforgettable investigations and high-stakes interviews; offering a behind-the-scenes look at how today’s biggest true crime stories are reported, shaped, and told.

On November 16, 1983, 16-year-old Sheri Jo Elliott left home to catch the bus to Flint Carman High School. She never made it. Four days later, her body was discovered 30 miles away in a rural ditch. Sheri had been abducted, sexually assaulted, and shot multiple times. Evidence suggested she may have been held captive for days before she was killed. Then, silence.

For four long decades, her case haunted a community. Now, the silence is finally broken.

Hear from Othram Labs Co-Founder Kristen Mittelman, Michigan investigators, and Sheri Jo’s family, who refused to let her story fade. After the case was reopened in 2023, Othram’s Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing helped develop a suspect profile pointing to Roni Collins, a 75-year-old man living just miles from Sheri Jo’s hometown of Flint.

Before detectives could confront him, Collins died by suicide in 2026. But the truth didn’t die with him. DNA recovered during his autopsy delivered the answer Sheri’s family had waited 40 years to hear – it was him.

This is the story of a case that refused to be forgotten — and the science rewriting what’s possible for cold case justice.

Brian Entin spends the majority of his time traveling the country from crime scene to crime scene. He takes us behind the scenes with what is it like living on the road — working long hours tracking down leads, making sources, and meeting victims’ families. From the Kohberger case, to the Reiner murders, to two straight months in Arizona for Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance — Brian has the inside scoop.