Talking Dateline: The Thing About Helen & Olga

Lester Holt talks with Keith Morrison about his original podcast series “The Thing About Helen & Olga.” A team of seasoned detectives uncover horrifying murder plots in Los Angeles orchestrated by a pair of unlikely suspects: two elderly ladies named Helen Golay and Olga Rutterschmidt. Keith tells Lester who he believes was the mastermind of their devious schemes and plays extra sound from the manager of a mom-and-pop lighting store who had his own run-in with the “girls.” They’re joined by Dateline Senior Producer Susan Leibowitz, who shares a story about why she returned to the church where Helen and Olga volunteered “helping” the homeless long after reporting on the story.Have a question for Talking Dateline? DM us a video to @DatelineNBC or leave a voicemail at (212) 413-5252. Your question may be featured in an upcoming episode. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Helen and Olga are on a mission to help homeless men in Los Angeles, when tragedy strikes. Twice. This episode was originally published on November 16, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

An insurance investigator’s hunch leads law enforcement to assign a task force to tail two little old ladies. This episode was originally published on November 16, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Granny Task Force conducts simultaneous early-morning raids at the homes of Helen and Olga. This episode was originally published on November 16, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Detectives leave Helen and Olga alone together in a room wired for sound. Old resentments boil over. This episode was originally published on November 16, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The investigation goes into high gear with the discovery of the murder weapon. This episode was originally published on November 16, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Fireworks and finger pointing in court as two little old ladies do whatever it takes to beat a murder rap. This episode was originally published on November 16, 2021, and updated on February 9, 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In Virginia, Brendan Banfield testifies at his double murder trial, and the jury returns a verdict. Former Olympian Ryan Wedding, who prosecutors say swapped his snowboard for the drug underworld, is now behind bars, facing multiple drug and murder charges. He says he's not guilty. Updates in the Luigi Mangione and the Gabby Petito cases. Plus, a digital expert shares tips on protecting yourself from catfishing scams. Nancy Guthrie Tipline: 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) Get resources on domestic violence: https://www.thehotline.org/ Find out more about the cases covered each week here: www.datelinetruecrimeweekly.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrea Canning and Blayne Alexander sit down to discuss Blayne’s latest episode, "Bringing Jay Home." When 20-year-old Jimmie "Jay" Lee -- a proud gay man, Ole Miss student, and loving son -- went missing in 2022,  police put together a painful theory: Jay’s former classmate Sheldon Timothy Herrington killed him out of fear that their relationship would be exposed. More than three years and one mistrial later, Herrington confessed to the murder. Blayne talks about the powerful legacy Jay Lee left behind and the passionate investigators who tackled his case. Plus, she shares a podcast-exclusive clip from her interview with Jay’s parents. Then, she and Andrea answer viewer and listener questions from social media.  Have a question for Talking Dateline? DM us a video to @DatelineNBC or leave a voicemail at (212) 413-5252. Your question may be featured in an upcoming episode.Listen to the full episode “Bringing Jay Home” on Apple:https://apple.co/3ZcraI7Listen on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/episode/17AuUeUpFBQo31JfpB5J1B Dateline Premium subscribers can listen to the After the Verdict episode that featured retired detective Lisa Miller, whose comment was featured in the social media section of this episode.Listen on Apple: https://apple.co/3OkiL2SListen on Spotify: https://dateline.supportingcast.fm/listen/dateline-nbc-premium/after-the-verdict-while-she-was-sleeping Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrea Canning and Blayne Alexander sit down to discuss Blayne’s latest episode, "Bringing Jay Home." When 20-year-old Jimmie "Jay" Lee -- a proud gay man, Ole Miss student, and loving son -- went missing in 2022,  police put together a painful theory: Jay’s former classmate Sheldon Timothy Herrington killed him out of fear that their relationship would be exposed. More than three years and one mistrial later, Herrington confessed to the murder. Blayne talks about the powerful legacy Jay Lee left behind and the passionate investigators who tackled his case. Plus, she shares a podcast-exclusive clip from her interview with Jay’s parents. Then, she and Andrea answer viewer and listener questions from social media.  Have a question for Talking Dateline? DM us a video to @DatelineNBC or leave a voicemail at (212) 413-5252. Your question may be featured in an upcoming episode. Listen to the full episode “Bringing Jay Home” on Apple:https://apple.co/3ZcraI7Listen on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/episode/17AuUeUpFBQo31JfpB5J1B Dateline Premium subscribers can listen to the After the Verdict episode that featured retired detective Lisa Miller, whose comment was featured in the social media section of this episode.Listen on Apple: https://apple.co/3OkiL2SListen on Spotify: https://dateline.supportingcast.fm/listen/dateline-nbc-premium/after-the-verdict-while-she-was-sleeping Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.