Eight-part series launches globally on 6th August

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LONDON AND NEW YORK – August 4, 2025 – BBC Studios and iHeartPodcasts announced today that they have partnered for the first time on a new original true-crime podcast - Hands Tied.

The eight-episode series is presented by the award-winning journalist Maggie Robinson Katz (Scamtown, Mafia Tapes) and co-produced by BBC Studios and iHeartPodcasts. Launching on August 6th, episodes will be released weekly and will be available globally on iHeartRadio and wherever you get your podcasts.

In "Hands Tied," listeners will be introduced to Lizz Melgar Rose who went from being interested in true crime to living it. In 2012 relatives found Lizz’s mother Sandy Melgar shut in a closet, her hands bound behind her back, and her father Jim Melgar murdered. This awful tragedy was also a mystery and one Lizz was determined to solve using her lifelong interest in true crime as a guide.

Podcast host Maggie Robinson Katz delves deep inside the police investigation, the courtroom where the drama unfolded as the jury wrestled with this truly shocking crime, and inside Lizz’s own subsequent battle for answers – and for justice. Because there is one thing Lizz is convinced of, the wrong person is in prison for her father’s murder.

Maggie Robinson Katz said: “Though 'Hands Tied' is an examination into the shocking murder of Jim Melgar, my hope is that it transcends the typical true crime tropes and listeners connect with the human story at its core. The story of a daughter, and her tireless quest for answers and justice. I am grateful to Lizz for trusting us with her story - and her strength to continue her pursuit of justice.  I am also grateful to BBC Studios and iHeart for joining forces with me to explore this case."

Rich Knight, Director of Audio at BBC Studios, said: “At the heart of this extraordinary series is a violent crime and a search for answers. I’m grateful to our colleagues at iHeart for working with us to realise this story. And of course, I’m grateful to Lizz for letting us into her life. I hope listeners will be as moved by her fortitude as we were.”

Will Pearson, President of iHeartPodcasts, said: “We are excited to debut 'Hands Tied' with BBC Studios and help amplify the unbelievable details of a case that led to Sandy Melgar’s conviction. Listeners everywhere will instantly become invested in Lizz’s search for answers and feel her frustration as she comes up against a system she believes has failed her and her family, again and again.” 

Hands Tied is a BBC Studios production which is co-produced and distributed by iHeartPodcasts. The eight-episode series (plus two bonuses) is hosted by Maggie Robinson Katz and was produced by Maggie Latham and Executive Produced by Joe Kent for BBC Studios, and Cristina Everett for iHeartPodcasts. The trailer for the original true-crime podcast is available to listen to now and the series launches on Wednesday, August 6 globally and can be listened to wherever you access your podcasts.

EDITOR’S NOTE:

Embed the Hands Tied podcast player directly into your article or website using the below code.

<iframe allow="autoplay" width="100%" height="300" src="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-hands-tied-287782037/?embed=true" frameborder="0"></iframe>

For more information, please contact amy.dawson@bbc.com or jennpowers@iheartmedia.com.

About BBC Studios Audio

Our work includes impactful investigative serials such as Stalked, To Catch A Scorpion and Things Fell Apart; long-running prestige series such as Desert Island Discs and In Our Time; much-loved podcasts such as You’re Dead To Me and Evil Genius; and an extensive slate of award-winning Comedy, Entertainment and Drama output.  The Audio team has a mission to create and deliver compelling, premium audio to a wide-ranging global audience.  

About BBC Studios

BBC Studios is the main commercial arm of BBC Commercial Ltd and generated revenues of £1.8 billion in the last year and profits of over £200 million for a third consecutive year. Able to take an idea seamlessly from thought to screen and beyond, the business is built on two operating areas: the Content Studio, which produces, invests and distributes TV and audio globally and Media & Streaming, with BBC branded channels, services including UKTV, bbc.com and BritBox International and joint ventures in the UK and internationally. The business made more than 2,800 hours of award-winning British programmes last year for a wide range of UK and global broadcasters and platforms. Its content is internationally recognised across a broad range of genres and specialisms and includes world-famous brands like Strictly Come Dancing/Dancing with the Stars, the Planet series, Bluey and Doctor Who.