Watch now: ‘Firecracker’ documentary debuts about Carol Ryan cold case in Syracuse

Firecracker documentary: The murder of Carol Ryan
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A new syracuse.com documentary details the investigation of Carol Ryan’s cold case in Central New York.

The documentary is part of a year-long reporting project exploring the death and life of Carol Ryan and the chilling effect her unsolved murder had on a community.

Through several exclusive interviews, the documentary outlines how Carol spent the hours leading up to her murder, how her family was affected by the monstrous crime, how first responders bungled the scene, challenges police face in the investigation, and how DNA technology could break open the case.

In 1996, when police saw what was left of Carol’s body, dumped in the driveway of a suburban compost site, they wondered what weapon could cause that level of devastation. The truth was worse than anyone imagined, and the unsolved mystery of Carol’s murder has haunted Central New York for decades.

Carol’s son blames police. After hundreds of interviews, police couldn’t make any leads stick. Three investigators believe they know the man who killed Carol. He’s still out there. But they haven’t been able to prove it.

A team of journalists at syracuse.com spent a year digging into the case, interviewing over 30 people including Carol’s family and friends, law enforcement, medical professionals, forensic experts, witnesses and persons of interest.

Shawn Hamilton is the main voice in syracuse.com's "Firecracker" true crime podcast. His mother, Carol Ryan, was found near death along NY State Route 91 on September 1, 1996. An explosive device was detonated inside of her, and her killer was never found. Her cold case remains one of the most disturbing murders in Syracuse history.

Shawn Hamilton is the main voice in syracuse.com's "Firecracker" documentary and true crime podcast. His mother, Carol Ryan, was found near death alongside a suburban compost side in Jamesville, N.Y., on Sept. 1, 1996. An explosive device had been detonated inside of her. Her cold case remains one of the most disturbing murders in Syracuse history.N. Scott Trimble

Shawn Hamilton, Carol’s only son, is the main voice in the documentary. He revealed vital new information about his mother’s upbringing, personality and past relationships.

“My mother deserves justice,” Hamilton told syracuse.com. “Someone knows something and until the final truth can be proven, I’ll never give up.”

You can also download and listen to the official six-episode “Firecracker” podcast about Carol Ryan’s case available exclusively and ad-free on Wondery+, the premium podcast subscription from Wondery.

Within days of its launch, the podcast broke the Top 100 for all shows and Top 25 chart for true crime on Apple Podcasts. With over 130,000 downloads to date, the show peaked at No. 78 for top podcasts and No. 21 for true crime a week after its debut. “Firecracker” also hit No. 10 on Apple Podcasts for true crime in New Zealand and No. 8 in Australia, according to Chartable’s global trending charts.

If you have any information about Carol Ryan’s case, contact the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office at 315-435-3051. To submit an anonymous tip, text TIPONON and your tip to 847411.

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