Talking Dateline: Finding Rita

Josh and Keith take you behind-the-scenes of the making of Keith’s recently aired “Finding Rita” episode, about a Colorado mother whose disappearance was a mystery until a detective found a connection to a previous crime. In their revealing conversation, Keith and Josh also share insights and anecdotes from memorable stories they’ve reported on over the years.

As a bonus for you, we’re sharing a special preview of The Girl in the Blue Mustang, an all-new original podcast series from Dateline and Keith Morrison.  When 18-year-old Michelle O’Keefe is found murdered in her shiny new blue Mustang in a California park and ride, investigators encounter a confusing crime scene and a witness who seems to know too much. In Dateline’s latest original podcast series, Keith Morrison takes us to the High Desert outside Los Angeles for a story featuring twists, turns and a sharp-eyed Dateline viewer who steers the case in an entirely new direction. Get the first two episodes for free on Tuesday, March 14, or subscribe to Dateline Premium on Apple Podcasts to listen to episodes 1 and 2 now. Listen to the first 2 episodes now for free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium on Apple Podcasts. Subscribers get early access to new episodes and can listen to all Dateline podcasts ad-free: https://link.chtbl.com/tgitbm_fdlw

When a Colorado mother vanishes without a trace, the detective investigating her disappearance discovers a connection to a previous assault. Keith Morrison reports. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault, or is in crisis, please contact the following for help and resources:National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or  www.thehotline.orgNational Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 or https://rainn.org/Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call 988 or go to https://988lifeline.org/

As a special preview for Dateline listeners, here’s a sneak peek from the fifth episode of Letters from Sing Sing, a new original podcast from NBC News Studios hosted by longtime investigative reporter Dan Slepian. In this excerpt, JJ finally gets a face-to-face with the Manhattan DA’s office. But things don’t go quite how he’d hoped. Follow the podcast and listen to the first five episodes now: https://link.chtbl.com/lfss_fdfv 

In this Dateline classic, when a young newlywed falls to her death from a 1,000-foot cliff questions emerge. Was it an accident, or was she pushed? Keith Morrison reports. Originally aired on NBC on June 11, 2007.

A once-prominent South Carolina attorney, Alex Murdaugh, faces a trial for the murders of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul. Craig Melvin reports.

As a special preview for Dateline listeners, we’re sharing a sneak peek from the fourth episode of Letters from Sing Sing, a new original podcast from NBC News Studios hosted by longtime investigative reporter Dan Slepian.  In this excerpt, Dan tracks down two of the jurors from JJ’s trial.  What they had to say stunned him.  Follow the podcast and listen to the first four episodes now: https://link.chtbl.com/lfss_ef

As a special preview for Dateline listeners, we’re sharing a sneak peek from the third episode of Letters from Sing Sing, a new original podcast from NBC News Studios hosted by longtime investigative reporter Dan Slepian.  It’s a story that started in 2002 with a single letter from an incarcerated man claiming his innocence.  20 years later, it’s still unfolding.  In this episode, JJ Velasquez discovers from his prison cell that detectives were looking at a different primary suspect before JJ’s name ever came up.  Follow the podcast and listen to the first three episodes now: https://link.chtbl.com/lfss_et 

A Florida father is determined to find out what happened to his daughter after her fatal fall from a penthouse apartment in Belgium. Dennis Murphy reports.

In this Dateline classic, an airplane mechanic goes missing. His wife says he left on a flight with a mysterious passenger. But when details emerge about the mechanic’s life on the ground, police begin to question his marriage. Keith Morrison reports. Originally aired May 30, 2008.