Emotional testimony from a killer. A murder defendant's unusual defense. And travel scam safety tips.

Listen to this week's episode of the Dateline: True Crime Weekly podcast with Andrea Canning. A California jury hears chilling details about the murder of hairstylist Fabio Sementilli from the man who admits he helped kill him. In Kansas, the lead detective on a double murder case is called to the witness stand by the woman charged with the murders. She's representing herself. We've got the latest on the investigation into the death of Hollywood actor Gene Hackman. Plus, NBC News' Vicky Nguyen is back with tips on how to avoid travel scams. Find out more about the cases covered each week here:www.datelinetruecrimeweekly.com

Blayne Alexander and Josh Mankiewicz sit down to talk about Blayne’s episode "The Haunted House Confession.” When 25-year-old Chantay Blankinship’s remains were found near an abandoned farmhouse in a small Texas town, investigators wondered if someone from the close knit congregation at her church was responsible. Blayne talks about her emotional interviews with Chantay’s family and boyfriend, and shares a podcast-exclusive clip of her interview with two members of Chantay’s congregation who witnessed the killer’s surprising confession. Plus, they answer viewer and listener questions, and Blayne reveals what she learned about cowboy hats and Texas Rangers.Have a question for Talking Dateline? Leave it for us in a voicemail at (212) 413-5252 for a chance to be featured on a future episode!Listen to the full episode of “The Haunted House Confession” on Apple: https://apple.co/4irOppdListen to the full episode on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6mYpPprF9fRh9avU7J5oa9 

After 25-year-old Chantay Blankinship’s remains are found at an abandoned building that locals call the Haunted House, investigators sort through dead-end leads until a stunning confession during a church service changes everything. Blayne Alexander reports.Blayne Alexander and Josh Mankiewicz go behind the scenes of the making of this episode in ‘Talking Dateline’Listen on Apple: https://apple.co/41I0HEoListen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4aB3Ue5KHHP1bVfYkgj1D4

Listen to this week's episode of the Dateline: True Crime Weekly podcast with Andrea Canning. An officer goes undercover with an alleged killer in the Hollywood hair stylist case. We're listening in. A woman's third murder trial in three decades is underway. This time, she's acting as attorney and defendant — and cross-examining her own children. We've got updates on Karen Read and Adnan Syed, and a verdict in Hawaii. Plus, the latest on a new texting scam targeting drivers. Find out more about the cases covered each week here: www.datelinetruecrimeweekly.com

Blayne Alexander and Andrea Canning catch up about Andrea’s latest episode, “A Walk Through the Woods.” In 2017,  two middle schoolers, Libby German and Abby Williams, were found murdered in the woods on the outskirts of Delphi, Indiana, near an abandoned railway bridge. For years, the case was at a standstill, except for one clue: a video of the killer captured by one of his victims on her cellphone.  Andrea tells Blayne about visiting the bridge for herself and what it was like covering the crime as the mother of girls the same age as the victims. Plus, she shares a podcast-exclusive clip from her interview with the prosecutor on the case, Nick McLeland, and answers viewer and listener questions from social media.Have a question for Talking Dateline? Leave it for us in a voicemail at (212) 413-5252 for a chance to be featured on a future episode!  Listen to the full episode of "A Walk Through the Woods" on Apple: https://apple.co/3Xjb92lListen to the full episode on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2kXFahUaZMKnbAxkHasZI2

The high-profile case of two murdered Indiana teens takes a stunning turn after video of the killer, taken by one of his victims shortly before their deaths, is revealed. 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/4kfiJ88Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3IKjdEvb70ZyPDVNOh6LjE

Listen to this week's episode of the Dateline: True Crime Weekly podcast with guest host, Blayne Alexander. A dentist already facing murder charges for allegedly poisoning his wife is back in court. This time he's accused of plotting to murder four other people from behind bars. In Honolulu, a man accused of murdering his wife's acupuncturist ex-lover takes the stand in his own defense. More from the courtroom ahead of the trials of Karen Read and Bryan Kohberger. Plus, Keith Morrison talks about the unusual clue that broke the case wide open in his latest podcast series, "Murder in the Moonlight".Find out more about the cases covered each week here: www.datelinetruecrimeweekly.com

Josh Mankiewicz and Craig Melvin sit down to talk about Craig’s episode, “Return to the Lake.” In 1994, the disappearance of two young brothers, Michael and Alex Smith, following an alleged carjacking in Union, South Carolina, was all anyone could talk about. The nation felt their mother’s despair as she told the harrowing story of a man who drove off with her two young boys after threatening her at gunpoint.  Nine days after Michael and Alex disappeared, Susan Smith confessed to the unimaginable – she had killed her sons. Josh and Craig discuss Craig’s heartbreaking interview with David Smith about the deaths of his sons 30 years ago and his ex-wife’s recent bid for parole. Dateline Producer Carol Gable joins Josh to discuss the letters she and Susan Smith have exchanged for the past 20 years and to answer questions from social media.Listen to the full episode of “Return to the Lake” on Apple: https://apple.co/3CM39jzListen to the full episode on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/13y8ZWq4lKB5kM9ZY7Crli

Exclusive new details in the case of Susan Smith, who murdered her two young boys in 1994. Craig Melvin speaks with David Smith about his ex-wife’s recent attempt to be released from prison.Craig Melvin and Josh Mankiewicz go behind the scenes of the making of this episode in ‘Talking Dateline’Listen on Apple: https://apple.co/3Qp5q7lListen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6xSyGrJDc8FdlonPPNxwSW

Hey Dateline fans! As a bonus, we’re giving you a special preview clip of our new podcast series, Murder in the Moonlight.  In this podcast, Keith Morrison takes listeners to a quiet farmhouse on America’s Great Plains, where Sharmon and Wayne Stock have just celebrated Easter with their big, loving family. That night, under a pale moon, the couple is shot to death in their bedroom. The investigation includes four suspects, spans three states, and comes down to a single shiny clue: A gold ring found at the scene of the crime. If you like what you hear, just search Murder in the Moonlight to listen to the first two episodes now, completely free. Or subscribe to Dateline Premium on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or DatelinePremium.com. Subscribers get early access to new episodes and can listen to all Dateline podcasts ad-free.