Decades After Mother’s Murder, Son Credits ‘American Nightmares’ Podcast For Justice.

The victim’s family in a decades-old Maryland murder case is crediting the true crime podcast “American Nightmares” for putting a focus on the crime, which has now allegedly been solved. Police announced this week that Edward Watts, who also went by Baari Shabazz — and who died in 2019 — was responsible for the 1998 crime. They allege he raped and murdered Sherry Crandell, a 50-year-old nurse and mother of three, inside her office at the former Prince George’s County Medical Center.

The story is a familiar one to listeners of “American Nightmares.” The podcast produced by WTOP-FM Washington (103.5) reexamined the case in its second season in 2021 titled “Murder in a Safe Place.” It chronicled the family’s decades-long search for answers. Following the police announcement, Crandell’s son, Darren Crandell, credited the podcast with helping to keep the case alive:

“The FBI told me the genealogy team listened to the podcast, and it energized them to keep on working and finally identify the man who committed the crime,” Crandell said.

Like so many cold cases, DNA is what has convinced investigators the crime has been solved. They say advances in forensic genetic genealogy — and renewed attention to the case — ultimately identified Watts as the alleged killer.

“It’s deeply gratifying to know our work may have helped maintain momentum on a case that deserved closure,” said WTOP investigative reporter Paul Wagner, who hosts the “American Nightmares” series. “This is exactly why we tell these stories — to remind people that justice can still be found, even decades later,” he said.

The podcast has released a special episode to coincide with the announcement by police, featuring exclusive details about the breakthrough and insight from the Crandell family and investigators. Meanwhile, the show — which is produced by Gamut Podcast Network and WTOP News — is also releasing new episodes from its latest season, which uncovers fresh information about the case featured in its first season.