Talking Dateline: Book of Lies

Blayne Alexander sits down with Andrea Canning to discuss her latest episode, “Book of Lies.” In 2023, Utah mother of three Kouri Richins appeared on a local talk show to promote a children’s book she’d written about grief after the sudden death of her husband, Eric. Weeks later, she was behind bars, accused of his murder. Prosecutors said Kouri had spiked Eric's cocktail with fentanyl she purchased from the family housekeeper. She went to trial earlier this year and was found guilty. Andrea talks to Blayne about the tensions between Kouri and her in-laws, and the testimony of Kouri’s former lover in court. Andrea shares a podcast-exclusive clip of her interview with the private investigator hired by Eric’s family, and she and Blayne discuss what it takes to be a successful PI. Later, Andrea is joined by Dateline producer Karen Israel to answer viewer and listener questions from social media. Listen to the full episode of “Book of Lies” on Apple: https://apple.co/48s109l Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0pdELKI9O9XrY0n816yA0M Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrea Canning reports on the case of Utah mother Kouri Richins, who wrote a children’s book about grief following her husband’s death and recently went on trial for his murder. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In North Carolina, Gudrun Casper-Leinenkugel is accused of serving poison-laced wine to her guests at Thanksgiving dinner. Her daughter, Leela Livis, died the next day. In Los Angeles, singer and TikTok star David Anthony Burke, also known as D4vd, was arrested and charged with the murder of a 14-year-old girl, Celeste Rivas, whose remains were found in the trunk of his car. In Dateline Roundup, Alec Baldwin faces civil lawsuit over 2021 "Rust" shooting. Utah mom Tracey Grist, on trial for allegedly masterminding the murder of her son-in-law, takes the stand. Plus, sexual assault survivor Donna Palomba talks about her advocacy and support for others.   Find out more about the cases covered each week here: www.datelinetruecrimeweekly.com.                                             Resources for Sexual Assault Survivors: https://www.nbcnews.com/dateline/sexual-assault-resources-n378531 Learn more about Jane Doe No More: https://www.janedoenomore.org/   Listen to the episode "Evil Paid a Visit" on Apple: https://apple.co/4cVOQGN Lisen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/14K2H5Ad0QMdCxEx4aRYex?si=L6e1jfUgQcmOTTHFI82hHA Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Lester Holt sits down with Keith Morrison to discuss his latest episode, “Deadly Swagger.” In 2021, wealthy California couple Gary Spohr and Wendy Wood were gunned down in their home on Lake Tahoe. Investigators quickly uncovered security camera video showing a masked intruder sneaking into their house on the day of the shooting, while the couple was out on the lake with one of their daughters and her children. It would take more than two years to make an arrest in the case. The accused turned out to be the couple's son-in-law, former Major League Baseball pitcher Dan Serafini. Keith tells Lester about his emotional conversation with the lead detective on the case and his probing jailhouse interview with Serafini. They also discuss how memory can shape an investigation. Plus, Dateline producer Jessica de Vera shares an eerie story about the 911 call as she joins Keith to answer your questions from social media.   Have a question for Talking Dateline? DM us @DatelineNBC or leave a voicemail at (212) 413-5252 — your question could be featured in an upcoming episode.   Listen to the full episode of “Deadly Swagger” on Apple: https://apple.co/41JgWAf Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1VVmzbVgphWhmvihBSczSp Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After a couple is shot in their home on Lake Tahoe, investigators work to find a masked killer seen on camera at the house. The man convicted of the crime speaks exclusively with Keith Morrison. Lester Holt and Keith Morrison go behind the scenes of the making of this episode in 'Talking Dateline' Listen on Apple: https://apple.co/4twMR32 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7MTTYuE6pEj6w1gWXasfbG Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the Bahamas, Michigan man Brian Hooker says his wife Lynette fell overboard while boating with him. Police continue to investigate what happened. In Utah, Tracey Grist stands trial for allegedly masterminding the murder of her son-in-law, who was shot in her home.  His widow - Tracey's daughter - is the star prosecution witness. Updates in the Sean "Diddy" Combs and Lori Vallow Daybell cases. Plus, tips from a retired FBI agent on what to do if you are a victim of crime overseas.  Help  "Missing in America" win a Webby award. Vote here:  https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting#/2026/podcasts/shows/crime-justice Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Blayne Alexander sits down with Andrea Canning to discuss her latest episode, “The Gorge,” about the 2019 disappearance of Alice Ku, a private tutor from California, and her family's desperate search to find her.  With the help of Andrew Watters, a civil attorney with investigative experience, Alice's siblings soon learn she had been keeping a secret: she had married a man named Harald Herchen. Harald claims he last saw his wife while on a trip to Taiwan, when he dropped her off at a train station. The family doesn’t believe him, and after retracing Alice’s steps, they become convinced Harald killed her in Taiwan’s Taroko National Park. Harald denies any wrongdoing, but after the family files a wrongful death lawsuit, a civil jury finds him liable for Alice’s death.  Andrea shares a podcast-exclusive clip with attorney Watters. She also tells Blayne about getting caught in an earthquake in Taiwan, as well as the challenges of filming in the mountains of Taroko National Park, which included fleeing an aggressively hungry group of monkeys that tried to steal the team’s lunch. Plus, they answer your questions from social media. Help Dateline’s “Missing in America” win a Webby award! Vote here by April 16th: https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting#/2026/podcasts/shows/crime-justice Listen to the full episode of “The Gorge” on Apple: https://apple.co/4sDJXIC Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1P9KbCSYOSGHlyiHttztiG Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After a California tutor vanishes on a trip to Taiwan, her family’s search for answers reveals secrets and a trail of digital evidence that contradicts everything they thought they knew. Andrea Canning reports. Blayne Alexander and Andrea Canning go behind the scenes of the making of this episode in 'Talking Dateline' Listen on Apple: https://apple.co/4vyAogz Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7yWialtACKb2NPvBejwxlJ   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In Long Island, Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann pleads guilty to murders spanning decades. The families of his victims speak out. In Hawaii, a verdict at the trial of anesthesiologist Gerhardt Konig, who is accused of attempting to murder his wife on a hike. Plus, a veteran prosecutor explains what reasonable doubt means in a jury trial. Help  "Missing in America" win a Webby award. Vote here:  https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting#/2026/podcasts/shows/crime-justice Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Blayne Alexander sits down with Andrea Canning to discuss her latest episode, "Temptation." In 2023, IRS agent Brendan Banfield told police he'd walked into the bedroom of his Virginia home to find a stranger brutally stabbing his wife, Christine. He said he'd shot the man to try and save Christine but it was too late. She died from her injuries. Investigators didn't buy Brendan's story and discovered he had been having an affair with the family au pair. They determined the double homicide was the result of a diabolical catfishing scheme to lure a stranger named Joe Ryan to the Banfields' home and frame him for Christine's murder. Andrea shares an extra clip from the au pair’s testimony where she admits to posting romantic photos and videos with Brendan. Blayne discusses her family’s positive experience with the au pair program, and Andrea reveals her stint as a live-in nanny for “Baywatch” star David Hasselhoff. Plus, we answer your questions from social media.   Help Dateline’s “Missing in America” win a Webby award! Vote here by April 16th: https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting#/2026/podcasts/shows/crime-justice   Listen to the full episode of “Temptation” on Apple: https://apple.co/4veKJhw   Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5oZtmCAuf7YFypvB21vQ26?si=b3b6dd2fa8e145da Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.