Anatomy of Murder – "A Quiet New Year's Day (Mary Greco)"

Episode Date: January 6, 2026
Podcast Hosts: Anna-Sigga Nicolazzi and Scott Weinberger
Theme: The tragic murder of retired nun Mary Greco on New Year's Day 2013 in Schenectady, NY, and the step-by-step investigation that led to her killer.

Episode Overview

This episode delves into the brutal murder of Mary Greco, a beloved 82-year-old retired nun, whose slaying shocked her quiet New York community. Anna-Sigga Nicolazzi and Scott Weinberger guide listeners through the investigation, focusing on the crime scene details, initial theories, police work, and the crucial evidence that brought her killer to justice. The story also explores broader issues of community safety and the reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals.

1. Setting the Scene: A Shocking Discovery

• Quiet New Year's Day Disrupted:
  • New Year's Day is usually one for rest and optimism, but 2013 brought tragedy to Schenectady ([00:40]–[01:00]).
• The 911 Call:
  • The landlord noticed Mary's absence and, upon checking, discovered a murder scene ([02:04]).
• Scene Description:
  • No forced entry; apartment clean and organized—a sign of brief interaction and lack of struggle ([03:02], [03:17]).
  • Mary was found murdered, covered with a blanket, with a knife in her neck ([04:20], [05:16]).

Notable Quote:

"We were just stunned. We were trying to figure out how the blanket got on her, why she was there like she was. Who in our community would do this?"
— Schenectady Chief of Police Eric Clifford ([00:02], [06:06])

2. Who Was Mary Greco?

• Profile:
  • 82 years old, lived alone, deeply faithful, devoted to helping others ([05:58], [09:31], [34:00]).
  • Previously a nun; described as gentle and active in her later years ([06:06], [31:02]).
• Community Impact:
  • Her murder creates unease and exposes community vulnerabilities ([08:03], [08:58]).
  • Neighbors and friends deeply affected; one even offers a $5,000 reward ([08:11]).

Notable Quote:

"If they would take a life of an 82-year-old nun, no one is safe."
— Scott Weinberger ([06:30])

3. The Investigation: Key Steps and Revelations

Initial Focus & Suspect Pool

• Investigation Begins:
  • Police start with those close to Mary—her landlord, her circle, neighbors ([09:57], [10:05]).
• Landlord as Initial Suspect:
  • Logical choice due to access and discovery of the body ([11:18]).
  • He and his wife had solid alibis and independently confirmed their stories ([11:38], [12:21]).
• A Possible Lead:
  • Landlord mentions a young man shoveling snow who had helped Mary ([12:31], [13:22]).

Neighborhood Canvass and Camera Setbacks

• Canvassing the Area:
  • Interviewing neighbors yields little; snow shoveling was common after recent storms ([13:33], [14:13]).
• Technological Tools:
  • Schenectady’s extensive street camera system is highlighted, but Mary's street lacks coverage ([14:33]–[16:39]).
• Mary’s Car Found:
  • Located in a church parking lot, vague video links a male suspect ([16:44]–[17:14]).

Breakthroughs at the Crime Scene

• Officer’s Observations:
  • TV unplugged and a box of pastries overturned—possible attempted theft ([17:54], [18:02]).
  • The bathroom's toilet seat left up—unusual for Mary, who lived alone—suggests a male was present ([18:31], [18:53]).
• Crucial Evidence:
  • Detective Jeremy Pace collects a perfect thumbprint from the toilet seat's chrome handle ([19:39]).

Notable Quote:

"When I went to check the bathroom and the toilet seat was up, that was something that really stood out to me. I knew she lived here by herself. And it's not typical for a female to leave the toilet seat up as a male."
— Sgt. Darrell Mallard ([18:39])

4. Forensics and the Suspect: Michael Briggs

• Fingerprint Match:
  • Thumbprint matches Michael Briggs—a 37-year-old with a criminal history ([21:23]).
• Background:
  • Previously incarcerated for burglary, child abuse, and armed robbery ([22:31]).
• Connecting the Dots:
  • No reason for his print to be in her home unless involved in the crime ([21:33]).

Notable Quote:

"Once we had that name, that was really the beginning parts of us trying to figure out, okay, we strongly believe he's a suspect, because unless there's a connection explaining why his thumbprint is on the toilet seat, he had no reason to be in the house."
— Eric Clifford ([21:33])

5. Building the Case and Making the Arrest

• Narrowing In:
  • Briggs identified among those shoveling snow; eyewitnesses recall him, and one notes he tried to sell them a crucifix (likely stolen from Mary) ([25:40], [25:50]).
• Corroborating Evidence:
  • Camera footage from a neighbor shows man matching Briggs’s description on Mary's street ([28:14], [28:31]).
  • Recovered stolen items (clothing, shovel, crucifix) tie to Briggs ([29:32]).
• Timeline and Theory:
  • Police piece together a scenario where Mary was killed after discovering Briggs attempting theft ([29:47]–[30:56]).
• Arrest and Confession:
  • Briggs denies involvement; eventually pleads guilty to first-degree murder, sentenced to 30 years to life ([30:56], [31:30]).

6. Reflections and Broader Themes

• Police Commended:
  • Sgt. Mallard and Detective Pace receive credit for attention to detail and teamwork in lifting the crucial fingerprint ([31:40], [32:04]).
• Community Response:
  • Tragedy deeply shakes the community, leading some residents to move ([32:40]).
• Broader Issues Raised:
  • Discussions on balancing community safety and reintegration of former inmates ([32:54], [33:45]).
• Remembering Mary:
  • Emphasis on Mary Greco’s lifelong devotion to helping others; hosts urge listeners not to let tragedy erode hope ([34:00]–[35:28]).

Notable Quote:

"I think the best way to honor her memory is to not get jaded when we see these awful things and we talk about dark crimes just like this, but that we continue to see the good and know the good that's out there and the hope that these cases get solved and the hope that we have less of them."
— Anna-Sigga Nicolazzi ([34:26])

Key Timestamps

• 00:40–01:00: Setting New Year's context
• 02:04: 911 call and scene entry
• 05:16: Crime scene description—Mary found
• 06:06: Revelation Mary was a retired nun
• 10:05–12:21: Investigative focus: landlord and alibis
• 14:33–16:39: Schenectady camera system overview and limitations
• 18:31–19:39: Discovery and lifting of thumbprint evidence
• 21:23: Thumbprint leads to Michael Briggs
• 25:50: Eyewitness ties Briggs to selling stolen crucifix
• 28:14–29:32: Neighbor camera & physical evidence secure the case
• 31:30: Arrest and sentencing
• 34:00–35:28: Remembering Mary Greco and closing reflections

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “There was a knife actually still sticking out from her neck.”
  — Anna-Sigga Nicolazzi ([05:16])
• “It is a telltale sign of a killer who does not want to look at the results of their actions. Somebody who potentially knows the victim.”
  — Scott Weinberger on the blanket ([04:39])
• “He tried to sell me a crucifix.”
  — Eyewitness, recounted by investigators ([25:50])
• “She had actually made a phone call to a family member to say that the person who was going to shovel her driveway seemed nice.”
  — Anna-Sigga Nicolazzi ([25:50])

Final Thoughts

The episode provides a meticulous breakdown of both the emotional and forensic layers of Mary Greco’s murder. It highlights the resolute efforts of law enforcement, the power of small details in crime-solving, and the enduring impact on a community. Throughout, the hosts maintain a respectful and thoughtful tone, ultimately inspiring hope in the face of darkness and honoring the life and legacy of Mary Greco.