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

Hania Aguilar Update: Suspect accused of killing teen girl also charged with unsolved 2016 rape after DNA evidence links him to both cases [Prosecutor]

 Hania Aguilar Update: Suspect accused of killing teen girl also charged with unsolved 2016 rape after DNA evidence links him to both cases [Prosecutor]

A North Carolina man accused of abducting and killing 13-year-old Hania Aguilar is also facing charges for a 2016 rape case that was previously unsolved, a prosecutor announced Monday. ABC11 reports that Michael McLellan, 34, appeared in court Monday to face charges in connection with the abduction and death of Hania, as well as unrelated charges …

Brief that aims to get Scott Peterson off death row blames attorney Mark Geragos for botching murder trial & making false promises
Court
December 10, 2018

Brief that aims to get Scott Peterson off death row blames attorney Mark Geragos for botching murder trial & making false promises

In a new habeas corpus brief released this week in connection with Scott Peterson’s 2004 murder conviction, attorney Mark Geragos is accused of botching the trial, which ultimately led to infamous killer’s death sentence in connection with his deceased wife, Laci Peterson, and their unborn son, Conner. According to court documents obtained by the Modesto Bee, defense …

BREAKING: FBI arrests suspect accused of kidnapping, raping & killing 13-year-old Hania Aguilar
Murder
December 8, 2018

BREAKING: FBI arrests suspect accused of kidnapping, raping & killing 13-year-old Hania Aguilar

Authorities in North Carolina say they’ve found the man responsible for kidnapping and killing 13-year-old Hania Aguilar. ABC6 reports that Michael Ray McLellan, 34, has been charged with murder, kidnapping, and numerous other felonies in connection with Hania’s death. The suspect was already behind bars, arrested on November 13 for unrelated charges. The convicted felon was …

Jayme Closs: Killer had deadly efficiency, was in the home mere minutes before killing girl’s parents and fleeing, but a video may help catch the suspect [Report]
AMBER Alert
December 6, 2018

Jayme Closs: Killer had deadly efficiency, was in the home mere minutes before killing girl’s parents and fleeing, but a video may help catch the suspect [Report]

Authorities released additional details on Thursday in the case of missing teen, Jayme Closs, who disappeared from her Barron, Wisconsin, home two months ago. DailyMailTV reports that Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald stated that whoever killed James Closs, 56, and his wife, Denise Closs, 46, did so within four minutes before fleeing the Barron County home on …

Community helps Hania Aguilar’s family move out of mobile home in dangerous area to bigger, safer residence: Report
December 6, 2018

Community helps Hania Aguilar’s family move out of mobile home in dangerous area to bigger, safer residence: Report

Members of the Lumberton, North Carolina, community have rallied around the family of slain teen girl, Hania Aguilar, and with the help of a local real estate agency, assisted them in obtaining a safer, more spacious home. As CrimeOnline previously reported, 13-year-old Hania Aguilar disappeared from her the front driveway of her family’s single-wide mobile …

Hania Aguilar’s dad denied temporary entry into U.S. to attend her funeral: Report
December 6, 2018

Hania Aguilar’s dad denied temporary entry into U.S. to attend her funeral: Report

Despite a petition signed by thousands of people online urging the U.S. government to allow slain girl Hania Aguilar’s father to gain temporary access into the country to attend her funeral, the request has been denied. “They said he doesn’t have enough ties to the country to issue him a temporary visa to go to …