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The Most Wanted Olympian from Suspicion

Toronto Star

Ryan Wedding was once a promising young athlete, a snowboarder who reached the Olympics. Now captured after a decade on the run, he's accused of running a deadly international drug trafficking empire. Season 5, "The Most Wanted Olympian" is coming in the fall of 2026. How did a small town Canadian boy allegedly become a narco kingpin? In this new podcast from the Toronto Star and CBC, host Michelle Shephard and journalist Calvi Leon trace Wedding's descent into a violent criminal underworld. From his beginnings at his family ski hill outside Thunder Bay, to Toronto and the shocking murders he's accused of ordering, to Mexico where he was believed to be protected by the notorious Sinaloa Cartel, they uncover his illicit connections and the stories behind the victims caught in the crossfire. Featuring on-the-ground reporting and original interviews, this podcast investigates the Canadian who the FBI called a "modern day El Chapo" and asks: what will it take to bring him to justice? The Most Wanted Olympian is an official 2026 Tribeca Festival Winner. The full podcast is coming to the Toronto Star's Suspicion and CBC's Uncover.

Suspicion is the Toronto Star's investigative true crime podcast.

Season 4, "Murder on Mount Olive," Chief Investigative Reporter Kevin Donovan, who brought you the Billionaire Murders, is back with Murder on Mount Olive, an investigation of a crime the courts closed the book on in 2012. This is the story of Christopher Sheriffe and his fight for justice, as he serves life in prison for a crime he says he didn't commit.

Season 3, "40 Years Cold," looks at a case that began four decades ago, when two women were killed in their Toronto homes. Wendy Gillis and Betsy Powell take you through the nights of the murders, the tragic circumstances of a murderer, and the stunning conclusion of a 40 years long cold case.

Season 2, "The Billionaire Murders: The hunt for the killers of Honey and Barry Sherman," probes the case of the famous Toronto couple who were found strangled in their home in 2017. Kevin Donovan covered the Sherman case and fought court battles to access documents on the police investigation.

Suspicion season 1, Death in a Small Town, was also hosted by Donovan. What began as just another day for the McLellan family would end with their youngest son clinging to life in hospital and a cloud of suspicion hanging over his mother and father.

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  • 27 episodes
  • Avg 25 min
  • English

Episodes 27

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  • S5 · E4
    Thursday · 27 min

    S5 E4: The Witness | The Most Wanted Olympian

    On a warm afternoon in Medellín, Colombia, a man is shot point-blank while eating lunch. The assailants flee, and a photo of the man's body - still holding a fork - is shared online. It's clear that this is a targeted killing. The victim is Jonathan Acebedo Garcia, a longtime associate of Ryan Wedding. Reporter Calvi Leon and host Michelle Shephard visit Montreal, putting together the pieces of who Jonathan was. A family man. An alleged drug smuggler. And a confidential witness for the FBI. This podcast is a co-production of Suspicion from the Toronto Star and Uncover from CBC. All episodes are now available to subscribers.

  • S5 · E3
    October 22 · 30 min

    S5 E3: Mr. Perfect | The Most Wanted Olympian

    Michelle Shephard travels to Mexico City, visiting the last known locations Ryan Wedding was spotted. After almost 10 years on the run, it's suspected that Wedding is operating his alleged empire from this sprawling metropolis - commanding killings and drug shipments thousands of kilometers away. Alongside Miguel Vega, a 'fixer' with contacts inside the Sinaloa Cartel, they trace his footsteps to find out how an alleged narco kingpin could stay hidden for so long. But back in Canada, a lucky traffic stop and a bag full of cash start to break open the case against Wedding. This podcast is a co-production of Suspicion from the Toronto Star and Uncover from CBC. All episodes are now available to subscribers.

  • October 19 · 30 min· Video

    Behind-the-scenes: Reporters discuss making The Most Wanted Olympian

    Calvi Leon and Michelle Shephard, the reporters behind the Most Wanted olympian podcast, pull back the curtain on how a rookie journalist's door-knock at a Caledon crime scene snowballed into a years-long investigation into Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympian accused of running an international drug empire. This podcast is a co-production of Suspicion from the Toronto Star and Uncover from CBC. All episodes are now available to subscribers. Listen to the whole series here, at Suspicion, at Uncover or at: https://www.thestar.com/themostwantedolympian.

  • S5 · E2
    October 15 · 29 min

    S5 E2: The Boss | The Most Wanted Olympian

    Former federal agent Brett Kalina is one of only a handful of law enforcement officers to come face to face with Ryan Wedding. In 2008, after years following the flow of money and drugs, Kalina arrests 'The Boss' and watches as the ex-snowboarder goes to trial. But once behind bars, Wedding turns the tables. He makes prison work for him, using his time inside a violent Texas detention centre to allegedly make criminal connections and cartel contacts. And the next time the police come looking for him, he's already gone. This podcast is a co-production of Suspicion from the Toronto Star and Uncover from CBC. All episodes are now available to subscribers.

  • S5 · E1
    October 15 · 34 min

    S5 E1: The Gentle Giant | The Most Wanted Olympian

    Shots ring out in a neighbourhood north-west of Toronto. A father is dead and a mother and daughter are in hospital, battling for their lives. When Toronto Star reporter Calvi Leon arrives on the scene days later, witnesses tell her what really happened. What she learns starts her down a path she could never have imagined and leads to one man: former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding. How does a small town Canadian kid, who was once called a labrador puppy by his teammates, find himself on the FBI's Most Wanted list? This podcast is a co-production of Suspicion from the Toronto Star and Uncover from CBC. All episodes are now available to subscribers.

  • October 8 · 2 min

    Introducing The Most Wanted Olympian, Suspicion Season 5: How did Ryan Wedding become an alleged narco kingpin?

    Ryan Wedding was once a promising young athlete, a snowboarder who reached the Olympics. Now captured after a decade on the run, he's accused of running a deadly international drug trafficking empire. How did a small town Canadian boy allegedly become an alleged narco kingpin? In The Most Wanted Olympian, a new podcast from CBC and the Toronto Star, host Michelle Shephard and journalist Calvi Leon trace Wedding's descent into a violent criminal underworld. From his beginnings at his family ski hill outside Thunder Bay, to Toronto and the shocking murders he's accused of ordering, to Mexico where he was believed to be protected by the notorious Sinaloa Cartel, they uncover his illicit connections and the stories behind the victims caught in the crossfire. Featuring on-the-ground reporting and original interviews, this podcast investigates the Canadian who the FBI called a "modern day El Chapo" and asks: what will it take to bring him to justice? This podcast is a co-production of Suspicion from the Toronto Star and Uncover from CBC. The Most Wanted Olympian is an official 2026 Tribeca Festival Winner, and will be available Thursday, October 15.

  • September 15 · 35 min

    Introducing What Happened to the Harrisons?

    In less than five years, three people would end up dead in the same house. Toronto Star investigative reporter, Amy Dempsey Raven, spent more than a decade asking what really happened inside that house. Suspicion is pleased to bring you episode one of What Happened to the Harrisons? Episode 1: Sudden Death In April 2009, Bridget Harrison comes home to find her husband of 40 years dead behind a locked bathroom door. Bill had been alone in the house. Police say he died naturally. But for his family, something's not adding up. Listen to episodes as they are released each week right at the Star, or binge all episodes of What Happened to the Harrisons? by subscribing at Apple Podcasts.

  • May 23, 2025 · 16 min

    It could happen to you

    Kevin Donovan's conversation with Canada's Dean of lawyers who advocates for the wrongfully convicted. James Lockyer talks about the new federal plan that could one day free Chris Sheriffe.

  • May 16, 2025 · 23 min

    Smokescreen

    There can be problems when using confidential informants and hearsay evidence, especially when a man's freedom is at stake. Lawyer Dean Embry's conversation with Kevin Donovan provides a back story for our Murder on Mount Olive investigation.

  • May 9, 2025 · 36 min

    Colour Blinded

    In this bonus episode, we hear a top cop's story of being Black and on the job in one of Canada's biggest police forces. Listen to Keith Merith's conversation with Kevin Donovan, providing a back story for our Murder on Mount Olive investigation.

  • S4 · E10
    May 2, 2025 · 30 min

    Choices

    It's now been 13 years. Chris reflects on decisions he made. The friends he had. Staying out that hot night in August instead of going home. And on what he would do if he is ever released. In the final episode of the series, we offer him a potential lifeline. Tell us what really happened between you and Awet, what he said, what he was planning to do that day. Surely this was a drug deal gone wrong.

  • S4 · E9
    Apr 25, 2025 · 53 min

    Trial and Error

    A trial scheduled for one month becomes two. The Judge is not pleased. It's now down to 12 jurors to determine Chris and Awet's fate – but the lone Black juror gets sick so now it's 11. Among the evidence the jury hears: false DNA evidence that's not corrected; a transcription of Chris's own words that is incorrect and not corrected; and the recollections of two police officers whose notes are strikingly similar. And then the jury comes in. At the end of the day, Chris knows that if he had stepped up and said he was involved in the shooting he'd have gotten a deal and would be out of prison by now. But there's a reason he will never do that. Audio: CPAC, Ontario Jury Video, EatonCentreShooting, Global TV, Essex County News

  • S4 · E8
    Apr 18, 2025 · 39 min

    The Third Man Theory Rocks Trial

    The day of the murder from all sides. Chris, Awet Asfaha, two young women — each give a different perspective on the events leading up to Kim Golaub's brutal murder. What they did. What was said. You've heard Chris's story before, but now at trial Awet comes out with a stunning story. There was someone else that day. A mysterious third man who was the killer. And Chris was the getaway driver, with Awet just along for the ride. This made the case a "cutthroat" defence — fingers pointing in different decisions.

  • S4 · E7
    Apr 11, 2025 · 34 min

    Two Down, One To Go

    Chris is out on bail leading up to the trial. Toronto Police show up at his house one night. They end up assaulting his father, arresting his brother, and not long after Chris's bail is revoked when a new charge is laid against him. Marjorie, Chris's mom, overhears police officers give an ominous warning about the men in her family and she goes into high gear – she's in the fight of her life against Toronto's finest. Then comes another bombshell. That young police officer with the gang information says Chris is the leader of a dangerous gang called "The Hustle Squad." A gang so mysterious, no members of the elite police Guns and Gangs Squad has ever heard of them.

  • Apr 10, 2025 · 4 min

    Why did Kevin Donovan investigate this case?

    Kevin Donovan talks about why he decided to look at Chris Sheriffe's case. Hear from him, and catch up on the series so far, while getting a glimpse of the weeks ahead. Subscribers get access to episodes one week early.

  • S4 · E6
    Apr 4, 2025 · 36 min

    Bodies To His Name

    Bombshell. On the eve of the murder trial, a young Toronto police officer emerges with two confidential sources, one of them purporting to be a gang member, who tell a very different story about Chris Sheriffe. It throws Chris's defence team for a loop. And here's the problem. The judge won't let the lawyers attack this new information. Audio: NBC's Law and Order, CTV, Toronto Police Video

  • Apr 3, 2025 · 3 min

    The Story So Far...

    This Friday, April 4, the second half of Murder on Mount Olive's season starts with episode 6, Bodies To His Name, as well as episode 7, one week early for subscribers. If you haven't heard the first five episodes to date, get caught up with the stories and main players so far, with this short trailer. Or listen to the first half of the season in your feed.

  • S4 · E5
    Mar 28, 2025 · 24 min

    Playing For Your Country

    Who is Chris Sheriffe? Elite soccer player. Aspiring carpenter. Good family. We hear from the people who knew him best, mother, sister, coach. We also learn about his experience growing up as a young Black teen in Toronto – the frequent police stops and his complaint about the most egregious one. He's in his Catholic school uniform, heading home from class at the end of the day and cops are tailing him for no reason at all. And that new prosecutor, she puts the first degree murder case back on track.

Showing 1–20 of 27 episodes