I’m an agile multi-media journalist with more than 20 years of experience. I can dive deep on a quick-turn story, week-of feature or a long-range project. I’ve covered everything from police misconduct and military culture to political personalities and nightclub mavens. I pitch, report, visualize, execute and promote my stories on social media platforms.
Send me a tip via secure, encrypted messaging.
For 14 years, I reported for CNN. I turned high-metabolism dailies and also reported long-range projects with the network's investigative team. In 2021, I left CNN to write, report and host narrative non-fiction podcasts.
My 2023 podcast "Body Brokers" explores the little-known but highly lucrative world of buying and selling body parts. My 2022 podcast "Suspect, season II" charted for more than a week at #1. "Suspect" tells the story of a 12-year-old girl who disappeared from her home in 1984 and a self-professed true-crime fan whose obsession with the case may be more than it seems.
I'm available to help report, produce or consult on your podcast or story.
My stories have appeared in U.S. and international outlets, including the Miami Herald, CNN, Wondery-Amazon, Sony Music Entertainment, Campside Media, the Oxford American, Salon, Newsweek, Agence France Presse and the German publication Die Tageszeitung. I’ve reported from Berlin and Macedonia while on fellowship with the International Center for Journalists.
Have an idea and need a reporter or writer to bring it to life? I love to collaborate. Let’s find a creative, new way to tell a story. Need a researcher with an investigative journalist’s skills? I can background people or companies using a host of investigative tools. I can find any variety of public record and help you use the latest technology to dig for information and communicate securely. I have a rigorous fact-checking process and enjoy working with various outlets’ standards and legal teams.
Get in touch and let's get to work!
Awards
2018
Atlanta Press Club: Best Investigative Story Award for “Destroyed”
2019
Emmy nomination for outstanding graphic design and art direction for “Destroyed”
2019
Eppy for Best Investigative/Enterprise Feature on a website for “Destroyed”
2019
End Violence Against Women International Media Excellence Award for “Destroyed”
2019
Pictures of the Year International (POY), Documentary Project of the Year, Second Place for “Destroyed”
2010
Peabody Award for coverage of the Gulf Oil Spill
2008
Peabody Award for coverage of the US Presidential Election
2015
American Academy of Religion award for best in-depth news writing for a story about missionaries
I explained why police destroyed rape kits and I answered callers’ questions
On the UK’s top investigative journalism podcast I walked listeners through the backstory of reporting “Destroyed”
Responding to my investigation “Destroyed,” Georgia outlawed rape kit destruction. I discussed that and more on the state’s NPR affiliate.
I chatted about all the obstacles to reporting “Destroyed” with popular pod host Andrew Vontz.
Contact me or send me a story tip
Encrypted and confidential at ashleyfantz (at) protonmail.com
Twitter: @afantz