The death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez remains an active investigation, rife with a web of unanswered questions. Authorities have pieced together a timeline and are focusing on a Tesla vehicle, yet much of the case remains shrouded in mystery.

In a recent episode of “Zone 7,” host Sheryl McCollum engages with journalist Lauren Conlin to dissect public information surrounding Celeste’s tragic case. The discussion delves into why Celeste was initially labeled a runaway, her interactions with older individuals, and the implications of the absence of a named suspect, which has stirred public concern.

The conversation also touches on the arrest of actor and director Timothy Busfield, examining the dangers of drawing conclusions from selective evidence and the public’s tendency to weaponize credibility. They emphasize the importance of a thorough, measured approach to allegations of child abuse, rather than rushing to judgment based on online speculation.

About the Guest

Lauren Conlin, a journalist based in New York, specializes in true crime and high-profile investigations. Her work is featured in Los Angeles Magazine, and she hosts investigative podcasts. Conlin is also a frequent legal and crime commentator on platforms like Court TV, Fox News, and “Crime Stories with Nancy Grace.”

About the Host

Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an active crime scene investigator for a Metro Atlanta Police Department and the director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, which partners with colleges and universities nationwide.

With more than 4 decades of experience, she has worked on thousands of cold cases using her investigative system, The Last 24/361, which integrates evidence, media, and advanced forensic testing.

Her work on high-profile cases includes, in part, the Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, Tupac Shakur. Her work on the Moore’s Ford Bridge lynching led to her Emmy Award for “CSI: Atlanta” and induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023.

Social Links:

• Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com

• Twitter: @149zone7

• Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum

• Instagram: @officialzone7podcast

Preorder Sheryl’s upcoming book, “Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Lessons in Life, Justice, and Joy from a Forensic Scientist,” releasing May 2026 from Simon and Schuster.

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[Feature Photo: Celeste Rivas/GoFundMe and D4vd in 2024/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP]