Leigh Egan

Leigh Egan is a crime-fighting journalist and editor who specializes in breaking news and investigative true crime coverage. With more than a decade of experience under her belt, Leigh’s work can be found in a number of high-profile national publications. For Leigh, learning didn’t stop after college. She considers herself a lifelong learner who frequently takes media and journalism courses to keep abreast of the latest happenings and innovations in her field. Tips: legan@crimeonline.com

‘Too Good-Looking’ Teacher Hit with Over 50 Charges for Alleged Sexual Abuse of Boy, Now Claims She’s a Target of Sexism

 Formella mugshot
Child sex crimes

A married Illinois special education teacher, who claimed she’s been railroaded for being “too good-looking,” now claims she’s a victim of misogyny, according to a family representative. As CrimeOnline previously reported, Christina Formella, 30, is facing 55 charges in connection with the alleged sexual abuse of a teen student at Downers Grove South High School. …

Missing
July 3, 2025

BOLO: Missing Persons Alert Issued for 14-Year-Old Illinois Girl

Chicago police are searching for a 14-year-old girl who was last Wednesday on the city’s west side. According to the Chicago Police Department, Shaniajah Fields was last seen in the 3800 block of West Adams Street at around 2 p.m. She was last seen wearing in a red shirt and sweater and sweatpants, and black …

Formella mugshot
Teacher Scandals
July 2, 2025

‘Too Good-Looking’ Teacher, Facing 55 Charges, Wants to Live Closer to Student She’s Accused of Sexually Abusing

On Wednesday, an Illinois judge in DuPage County denied former teacher Christina Formella’s request to decrease the distance she’s required to maintain from the student she’s accused of sexually abusing. As CrimeOnline previously reported. Formella, 30, faces 55 charges, including criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual abuse, indecent solicitation of a child, and grooming. According …

July 2, 2025

Justin Ross Harris Released from Jail 11 Years After Tot Son’s Hot Car Death

A Georgia father who had his murder conviction overturned in connection with the 2014 death of his son, Cooper Harris, has been released from jail. According to FOX 5 Atlanta, Justin Ross Harris left the Cobb County Jail on June 16, after serving out his sentence for “distribution of obscene materials to a minor.” Harris …

Jocelyn Sanroman mugshot
Teacher Scandals
July 1, 2025

Michigan Charter School Teacher Arrested After Telling Co-Worker About Sex with Student

A former Michigan charter school teacher is facing charges after police say she “exploited” a minor through a 2023 sexual relationship. FOX 2 Detroit reports that 26-year-old Jocelyn Sanroman has been charged with third-degree sexual conduct. In 2023, while teaching at Oakside Prep Academy—a charter school in Waterford Township—Sanroman allegedly engaged in a sexual relationship …

Katlyn Harp
July 1, 2025

Katlyn Harp: Sister Found Missing PA Woman’s Remans in Metal Box During Search

Police say the sibling of slain Pennsylvania woman, Katlyn Harp, found her in a metal box following her disappearance earlier this month. As CrimeOnline previously reported, police arrested Katlyn’s husband, 39-year-old Vincent Lloyd Harp, on Sunday and charged him with criminal homicide, after discovering his wife’s body on a property located at 86 Harp Lane …

Shooting
June 30, 2025

‘This was a total ambush’: Officials Provide Update on Idaho Sniper Accused of Killing 2 Firefighters, Injuring Another

Two Idaho firefighters were fatally shot and another wounded Sunday afternoon in what officials are calling a deliberate ambush in northern Idaho’s mountainous terrain. The incident occurred when a gunman intentionally ignited a wildfire before opening fire on emergency responders who arrived at the scene. The responders arrived at the area at around 2 p.m. …

Hot car deaths
June 30, 2025

Texas Woman Arrested After Police Find 4-Year-Old Dead Inside Daycare Van

A Texas woman is facing charges after police say she left a 4-year-old inside a daycare van Friday, at the Learning Club Preschool in Brownsville. According to ValleyCentral, 36-year-old Karen Silva is facing a felony charge of injury to a child causing death, after Brownsville police found the child unresponsive inside the van, parked in the …