Candice DeLong remains one of the most recognizable and authoritative voices in the true crime genre today, with her work spanning a distinguished career in the FBI and a prolific media presence that continues to evolve in late 2025. Her unique background as a psychiatric nurse turned elite criminal profiler gives her an unparalleled perspective on the minds of the world’s most dangerous offenders, a perspective she shares through her books, television shows, and chart-topping podcasts. The former lead profiler for the FBI’s San Francisco division is not slowing down, consistently releasing fresh content and analyses on complex criminal cases.

As of the current date, DeLong is actively involved in multiple media projects, including her hit podcast and a new true-crime narrative series, ensuring her insights are more accessible than ever before. From going undercover to profiling serial killers, her journey offers a rare look inside the bureau’s highest-stakes investigations and the psychological warfare required to solve them.

Candice DeLong: Full Biography and Professional Profile

Candice DeLong’s career trajectory is anything but typical, transitioning from the medical field to the forefront of federal law enforcement. Her unique blend of clinical knowledge and investigative experience established her as a formidable figure within the FBI.

• Full Name: Candice DeLong
• Date of Birth: July 16, 1950
• Early Career: Worked as a psychiatric nurse, providing her with a foundational understanding of mental illness and human behavior.
• FBI Career: Joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and served for 20 years.
• Key Role: Served as the lead criminal profiler for the FBI’s San Francisco division.
• High-Profile Cases: Involved in major investigations including the Chicago Tylenol Murders, the Unabomber case (Ted Kaczynski), and the capture of the Olympic Park Bomber (Eric Rudolph).
• Author: Bestselling author of the memoir Special Agent: My Life on the Front Lines as a Woman in the FBI.
• Media Host: Host of Investigation Discovery (ID) programs Deadly Women and Facing Evil with Candice DeLong.
• Podcast Host: Creator and host of the Wondery true crime podcast, Killer Psyche with Candice DeLong.

5 High-Stakes Cases That Defined Candice DeLong’s FBI Career

DeLong’s tenure at the FBI placed her on the front lines of some of the most complex and chilling criminal investigations in modern history. Her role as a profiler involved creating detailed psychological assessments of unknown subjects (UnSubs) to assist in their identification and capture. These cases cemented her reputation as an expert in criminal psychology.

1. The Chicago Tylenol Murders (1982)

One of DeLong’s earliest and most significant cases involved the 1982 Tylenol poisonings, a series of deaths in the Chicago area caused by cyanide-laced capsules. This case was a pivotal moment in American crime history, leading to widespread panic and the introduction of tamper-evident packaging for over-the-counter drugs. DeLong was an investigator on the case, working to understand the motivations and profile of the perpetrator responsible for this act of domestic terrorism.

2. The Unabomber Investigation (Ted Kaczynski)

DeLong was heavily involved in the long-running investigation into the Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski, who conducted a nationwide bombing campaign spanning nearly two decades. Profiling the Unabomber required a deep dive into the mind of a highly intelligent, reclusive individual with a specific anti-technology ideology. Her work contributed to the eventual identification and arrest of Kaczynski, a case that showcased the critical importance of psychological profiling in catching elusive serial offenders.

3. Undercover Operations

A lesser-known but equally dangerous aspect of DeLong’s career involved going undercover, a task that requires immense courage and psychological fortitude. These operations allowed her to gain direct intelligence on criminal networks and individuals, often placing her in precarious situations to gather the necessary evidence for prosecution. This hands-on experience provided invaluable material for her later profiling work and media commentary.

4. The Olympic Park Bomber (Eric Rudolph)

DeLong was also part of the team that investigated Eric Rudolph, the man responsible for the 1996 Centennial Olympic Park bombing in Atlanta, as well as several other anti-abortion and anti-gay bombings. Rudolph evaded capture for years, necessitating a comprehensive profile to track and predict the movements of a fugitive with survivalist skills. Her expertise in understanding the motivations of domestic terrorists proved vital in this high-profile manhunt.

5. Profiling Female Offenders

While her FBI work covered all types of criminals, DeLong has become internationally recognized for her expertise on female homicide offenders, which is the focus of her long-running Investigation Discovery series, Deadly Women. Her clinical background as a psychiatric nurse offers a unique lens to explore the psychological pathways that lead women to commit violent crimes, challenging the common misconception that women are rarely capable of extreme violence. This specialization has made her a leading authority in the field of gender-based criminology.

Candice DeLong’s Latest True Crime Projects and Media Empire (2024–2025)

Retired from the FBI, Candice DeLong has successfully transitioned into a full-time media personality, leveraging her unparalleled expertise to educate and captivate a global audience. Her current projects demonstrate a commitment to delivering fresh, in-depth true crime analysis.

The Wondery Podcast: Killer Psyche

DeLong continues to host the highly successful Wondery podcast, Killer Psyche with Candice DeLong, which has consistently ranked among the top true crime podcasts. The podcast delves deep into the minds of notorious criminals, dissecting their pathology and motives using her profiler's perspective. The show frequently releases new episodes, with its fourth season being highlighted in recent media appearances, ensuring the content remains current.

New True Crime Series: Natural Selection: Scott v. Wild Bill

In a significant update for 2024, DeLong narrated the new true crime series/podcast, Natural Selection: Scott v. Wild Bill, a project released in July 2024. The series, which she hosts and narrates, tells the stranger-than-fiction true story of William "Wild Bill" Holbert, a serial killer and con artist, and the man who brought him down, Scott. This new format showcases DeLong’s versatility, moving beyond her analysis of female offenders to a complex narrative of a male predator and the pursuit of justice.

Television and Public Appearances

Beyond her podcast work, DeLong remains the face of Investigation Discovery’s long-running series, Deadly Women, and the interview-focused program, Facing Evil with Candice DeLong, where she speaks directly with incarcerated female criminals. Furthermore, she is a sought-after speaker, having appeared at major events like CrimeCon 2024, where she shared her insights on criminal behavior and her experiences working undercover for the FBI. Her continued presence in various media—from television to audio—solidifies her status as a global expert and one of the most authoritative voices in the true crime landscape.