CrimeCon 2026: Full Schedule

Please note that event details will continue to be updated as additional speakers, creators, and other programming information are announced. This tool is provided solely for your convenience in planning your weekend and is subject to change without notice. No reservations are required to attend any non-VIP session.

Learn More & Register for CrimeCon 2026 →

12:00pm PDT

Welcome to CrimeCon 2026 Las Vegas!

Friday May 29, 2026 12:00pm - 12:05pm PDT

Breakout 2

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.

Friday May 29, 2026 12:00pm - 12:05pm PDT
Breakout 2

General Interest

12:05pm PDT

Silent Witness: How DNA Cracks Cold Cases & Restores Justice

Friday May 29, 2026 12:05pm - 1:00pm PDT

Breakout 2

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.

Speakers

Spencer Coursen

Threat Management Expert & Author

Spencer Coursen is a nationally recognized threat management expert, best-selling author of The Safety Trap, and combat-proven protective strategist. A former U.S. Army Ranger and Special Deputy U.S. Marshal, Coursen advises corporations, government agencies, public figures, and private families on risk mitigation, protective strategy, and crisis response. Spencer shares his life and mission... Read More →

Ashley Spence

Founder, DNA Justice Project

Ashley Spence is the founder of the DNA Justice Project, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit that champions forensic DNA advocacy and reform. A survivor of a violent 2003 home invasion and sexual assault at age 19 while a student at Arizona State University, Ashley endured years of uncertainty until a 2010 CODIS DNA match identified and convicted her... Read More →

Ronin

Certified Good Boy

Friday May 29, 2026 12:05pm - 1:00pm PDT
Breakout 2

General Interest

1:20pm PDT

The Housekeeper Knows All: What Blanca Turrubiate-Simpson Witnessed Working for the Murdaughs

Friday May 29, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm PDT

Breakout 2

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.

Speakers

Anne Emerson

Host, Criminally Obsessed

Anne Emerson is an Edward R. Murrow and Emmy Award-winning investigative journalist with more than 30 years of experience. She is the host of Criminally Obsessed, a daily true crime podcast that can be seen on YouTube and heard wherever you listen to podcasts.Anne has reported everywhere from global conflict zones to America’s most notorious courtrooms. She got her start in South Africa for ABC News during the country’s transition from apartheid – an experience that shaped her lifelong focus... Read More →

Blanca Simpson

Former Murdaugh Family Housekeeper

Blanca Simpson is the former housekeeper for the Murdaugh family and a central witness to the events surrounding one of the most infamous true-crime cases in recent American history. For years, Blanca worked inside the Murdaugh household in South Carolina, where she developed a close... Read More →

Sponsors

Criminally Obsessed

First on scene, uniting armchair detectives in their quest to crack the case. Follow Criminally Obsessed for all things true crime.

Friday May 29, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm PDT
Breakout 2

Case File

2:30pm PDT

Afternoon Break

Friday May 29, 2026 2:30pm - 3:00pm PDT

Breakout 2

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!

Friday May 29, 2026 2:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
Breakout 2

Other

3:00pm PDT

Rebooting Criminal Investigations with DNA and AI: How Othram is Shaping the Future

Friday May 29, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

Breakout 2

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.

Speakers

David Mittelman

Founder and CEO, Othram

David Mittelman is the founder and CEO of Othram Inc, a biometrics company using DNA sequencing and genomics to advance human identification. Mittelman has a well-established background in genomics. He participated in the Human Genome Project while at the University of Texas Southwestern... Read More →

Sponsors

Othram

Othram is revolutionizing the way cold cases are solved. Through its accredited, fully integrated DNA lab and proprietary forensic genetic genealogy technology, Othram helps law enforcement identify unknown victims and suspects—even from highly degraded evidence. Their work has... Read More →

Friday May 29, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Breakout 2

General Interest

4:15pm PDT

No Body, No Crime? How Prosecutors Prove Murder Without a Body

Friday May 29, 2026 4:15pm - 5:15pm PDT

Breakout 2

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.

Speakers

Tad DiBiase

Former Assistant U.S. Attorney

Thomas A. (Tad) DiBiase is a native New Yorker, born in Elmira and raised in Westchester County. He received a B.A. in Politics from Wake Forest University in 1987 and a J.D. from Brooklyn Law School in 1991. Mr. DiBiase joined the Washington office of the Wall Street firm Shearman... Read More →

Friday May 29, 2026 4:15pm - 5:15pm PDT
Breakout 2

General Interest

5:30pm PDT

10 Years of Up and Vanished: A Look Back with Payne Lindsey

Friday May 29, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT

Breakout 2

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.

Speakers

Payne Lindsey

Creator & Founder, Tenderfoot TV

Payne Lindsey is an Atlanta-based director, award-winning documentary filmmaker, and the creator and host of the hit podcasts “Up and Vanished”, “Atlanta Monster,” and “High Strange.” He founded Tenderfoot TV in 2016 with the launch of his first podcast, the investigative... Read More →

Friday May 29, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Breakout 2

General Interest

8:00pm PDT

[SEPARATE TICKET REQUIRED] Inside the Mind of a Criminal with John Douglas

Friday May 29, 2026 8:00pm - 10:30pm PDT

Breakout 2

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

Speakers

John Douglas

Former FBI Criminal Profiler

As an innovator at the FBI in the late 1970s, John Douglas developed new investigative techniques for hunting serial killers, sex offenders, and other violent offenders. Advancing the use in investigations of the procedure known as criminal profiling, Douglas became widely recognized... Read More →

Friday May 29, 2026 8:00pm - 10:30pm PDT
Breakout 2

Separate Ticket Required

9:00am PDT

No Body, No Silence: The Brittany Wallace Story

Saturday May 30, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am PDT

Breakout 2

When a person disappears, the silence can be deafening. But what happens when there’s no body, no arrest, and a family still searching for answers?

Brittany Wallace’s father, Greg Wallace, joins Hide and Seek host James Baysinger and former Assistant United States Attorney Tad DiBiase — a nationally recognized expert in no-body homicide prosecutions — to examine one of the most difficult realities in criminal law: building a murder case when a body has never been found.

From the personal devastation of a family left in limbo to the investigative roadblocks and legal strategy required to pursue justice without physical remains, this session pulls back the curtain on what it takes to move a case like Brittany’s forward.

This isn’t just a story about what’s missing. It’s about what can still be proven.

Speakers

James Baysinger

Host, Hide and Seek Podcast

James Baysinger is the creator and host of Hide and Seek, an investigative true crime podcast focused on missing-person cases and unresolved disappearances. Across four seasons, the show has examined the cases of Nancy Moyer, Logan Schiendelman, Brittany Wallace Shank, and Shane Barton, combining interviews, field investigation, and narrative... Read More →

Tad DiBiase

Former Assistant U.S. Attorney

Greg Wallace

Father of Brittany Wallace

Greg Wallace is the father of Brittany Wallace, the mischievous, fun-loving, and fiercely determined young woman who disappeared in November 2018 from Sturgis, Michigan. Greg raised Brittany through much of her childhood, watching her grow into someone whose strong will and vibrant... Read More →

Saturday May 30, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am PDT
Breakout 2

Case File

10:20am PDT

TBA

Saturday May 30, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am PDT

Breakout 2

The session is confirmed in spirit, pending final paperwork in writing.

Saturday May 30, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am PDT
Breakout 2

11:40am PDT

Hollywood Fire Devil: The Hunt for a Serial Arsonist

Saturday May 30, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm PDT

Breakout 2

It started as a quiet New Year’s weekend in Los Angeles — and turned into the largest serial arson investigation ever in U.S. history.

Over just three days in 2012, an unknown firestarter ignited 52 major fires across the region — more than anyone in America had ever set in such a short period of time. Panic spread. Media pressure mounted. Political interference complicated the hunt. Investigators faced a daunting question: How do you identify one arsonist when the only witness is fire?

Former Los Angeles Arson Task Force lead investigator Det. Ed Nordskog - who was in charge of this largest ever serial arson investigation in America - takes us deep into the fire forensics that cracked the case. He led more than 400 investigators who raced against the clock, chasing over 700 tips in a high-stakes, 96-hour manhunt. You’ll learn how burn patterns, ignition sequencing, accelerant indicators, and point-of-origin analysis revealed the signature of a single offender. Det. Nordskog will break down how investigators read heat shadows, V-patterns, and ventilation clues to reconstruct each scene — and how subtle consistencies across dozens of fires exposed the arsonist’s evolving methodology.

You’ll also gain insight into how forensic evidence helped separate copycats from the true offender, link scenes across jurisdictions, and predict the suspect’s next moves — ultimately leading to his arrest -- even as he prepared to ignite 17 more fires.

If you’ve ever wondered how investigators “read” a fire scene or how science turns ashes into evidence, this exclusive look at America's largest-ever fire investigation is a session you won’t want to miss.

Speakers

Edward Nordskog

Arson Investigator and Fire Death Expert

Ed Nordskog is one of the most decorated arson investigators in the world with four internationally recognized awards, and over 100 other commendations or medals for arson investigations. He is currently a Cold Case investigator for Arson Murders and Fire Deaths, and a consultant... Read More →

Saturday May 30, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm PDT
Breakout 2

Case File

12:40pm PDT

Lunch Break

Saturday May 30, 2026 12:40pm - 1:40pm PDT

Breakout 2

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.

Saturday May 30, 2026 12:40pm - 1:40pm PDT
Breakout 2

Other

1:40pm PDT

What Makes Them Tick? Inside the Mind of a Psychopath

Saturday May 30, 2026 1:40pm - 2:40pm PDT

Breakout 2

Can a brain scan predict criminal behavior? Can neuroscience help explain — or even predict — psychopathy?

Internationally renowned neuroscientist Dr. Kent Kiehl, one of the world’s leading psychopathy researchers, takes attendees inside the criminal mind. After scanning thousands of incarcerated offenders and building one of the largest forensic brain databases in the world, Dr. Kiehl has identified measurable differences in brain structure tied to psychopathic traits and violent behavior.

This session explores what brain scans can tell us about criminal behavior, whether violence can be predicted or prevented, and how this research is reshaping the justice system. Prepare to rethink everything you thought you knew about the nature of evil.

Speakers

Kent Kiehl

Neuroscientist

Dr. Kiehl is a Professor of Psychology, Neuroscience and Law at the University of New Mexico and Executive Science Officer of the non-profit Mind Research Network in Albuquerque, NM. Dr. Kiehl conducts clinical neuroscience research of major mental illnesses, with special focus on... Read More →

Saturday May 30, 2026 1:40pm - 2:40pm PDT
Breakout 2

General Interest