Introducing: Five Miles From Home

Summary

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Dateline NBC Episode Summary

Episode Title: Introducing: Five Miles From Home
Release Date: June 1, 2026
Host: NBC News / Keith Morrison

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Overview

This episode serves as an introduction to Dateline NBC’s latest true-crime series, Five Miles From Home. The new podcast delves into the haunting disappearance of 16-year-old Mickey Costanzo from the small casino town of West Wendover, Nevada. What begins as an ordinary day for a high school student quickly spirals into a mystery marked by shocking confessions, unexpected twists, deception, and the relentless quest for justice.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Disappearance of Mickey Costanzo

• Ordinary Turned Tragic:

  • The episode opens with the depiction of an everyday scenario—Mickey walking home from high school.
  • “Such an ordinary thing on an ordinary day to walk home from high school.” [00:04], Speaker A
  • The false sense of security is shattered when Mickey never makes it home.
  • “Seemed perfectly safe. Until it wasn’t.” [00:13], Speaker B

• Immediate Aftermath:

  • Panic and confusion among her loved ones and local authorities.
  • “In the bottom of my heart, I knew something was really, really wrong.” [00:25], Speaker C
  • Possibilities raise questions of foul play or abduction.
  • “We didn't know whether she'd met with foul play or if she was being held somewhere.” [00:29], Speaker B

2. The Setting: West Wendover, Nevada

• Described as a quiet, uneventful place.
  • “Nothing happens in Wendover. And something did.” [01:03], Speaker C
  • This contrast heightens the impact and intrigue of the incident.

3. Victim and Suspects: Unlikely Players

• Who Could Be Responsible?

  • The episode teases unexpected suspects and motives.
  • “Unlikely victim, unlikely suspects.” [01:07], Speaker B

• Emergence of Jealousy, Rage, and Betrayal:

  • The case unfolds into a tangle of emotions and personal relationships.
  • “It's a story of jealousy, rage and deceit.” [01:27], Speaker B
  • “The hatred grew more and more. It just escalated.” [01:32], Speaker C

• Disturbing Revelations:

  • Confessions and cover-ups begin to surface, further complicating the narrative.
  • “Something that got out of hand, that went very, very wrong. Just went haywire.” [01:35], Speaker B

4. Family and Community Trauma

• The case's emotional impact is emphasized through the continued suffering and unanswered questions of those who loved Mickey.
  • “Not a day that goes by that I don't think about what happened.” [00:40], Speaker C
  • “This is not over yet until the person or persons responsible are brought to justice.” [00:48], Speaker C

5. Lingering Mystery

• The episode closes its summary segment with the suggestion that the truth is as elusive as ever, and the need for answers persists.
  • “No one would have ever seen this coming. Just isn't possible. I still wonder to this day why? What even really happened?” [01:48], Speaker C

6. Podcast Launch Details

• Keith Morrison announces the official launch date and outlines where listeners can access episodes, both free and through a premium subscription.
  • “I'm Keith Morrison and this is Five Miles From Home, an all new podcast from Dateline. Starting Monday, June 8th, you can listen to the latest episodes completely free, or to begin listening now, subscribe to Dateline Premium…” [01:59], Keith Morrison

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Memorable Quotes

• Speaker B:

  • “Seemed perfectly safe. Until it wasn’t.” [00:13]
  • “Unlikely victim, unlikely suspects.” [01:07]
  • “It's a story of jealousy, rage and deceit.” [01:27]
  • “Something that got out of hand, that went very, very wrong. Just went haywire.” [01:35]

• Speaker C:

  • “In the bottom of my heart, I knew something was really, really wrong.” [00:25]
  • “Not a day that goes by that I don't think about what happened.” [00:40]
  • “This is not over yet until the person or persons responsible are brought to justice.” [00:48]
  • “The hatred grew more and more. It just escalated.” [01:32]
  • “No one would have ever seen this coming. Just isn't possible. I still wonder to this day why? What even really happened?” [01:48]

• Keith Morrison:

  • “I'm Keith Morrison and this is Five Miles From Home, an all new podcast from Dateline.” [01:59]

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Important Timestamps

• 00:04 – Opening scene: The ordinariness of Mickey's final walk.
• 00:25 – Realization and fear: Voices from those close to Mickey sense something is wrong.
• 01:03 – Introducing West Wendover, Nevada—the setting.
• 01:27 – The investigation into jealousy, rage, and deceit.
• 01:59 – Keith Morrison introduces the podcast, cover details about listening/launch.

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Conclusion

The introduction to Five Miles From Home sets the stage for a gripping investigation into a case that shook a quiet desert town. Through a blend of personal testimonies, raw emotion, and hints at the complexity ahead, listeners are drawn into the unfinished story of a teenager’s disappearance—and the lasting wounds it left behind. The episode promises an intense, emotion-driven exploration of crime, community, and the search for truth.

Transcript

[A]

Such an ordinary thing on an ordinary

[B]

day to walk home from high school.

[C]

I thought that everything was fine. Everything was normal.

[B]

Her name was Mickey Costanzo. Just 16. She didn't have far to go. Seemed perfectly safe. Until it wasn't.

[C]

In the bottom of my heart, I knew something was really, really wrong.

[B]

We didn't know whether she'd met with foul play or if she was being held somewhere.

[A]

What happened to Mickey, it didn't make sense.

[B]

Came out of the blue. I was blindsided.

[C]

Not a day that goes by that I don't think about what happened.

[A]

Who happened to Mickey?

[C]

This is not over yet until the person or persons responsible are brought to justice.

[B]

Our latest podcast takes us to West Wendover, Nevada, a tiny casino town tucked away in the desert.

[C]

Nothing happens in Wendover. And something did.

[B]

Unlikely victim, unlikely suspects.

[C]

I had gotten a text saying that he had had her. And I said, I know where she's at. Let's go.

[B]

What'd you think when you got that call? I thought the worst.

[C]

As soon as he actually confessed to doing it, then I knew she had something to do with it.

[B]

It's a story of jealousy, rage and deceit.

[C]

The hatred grew more and more. It just escalated.

[B]

It's something that got out of hand, that went very, very wrong. Just went haywire. Disturbing would be the word. Confessions, cover ups and lies.

[C]

No one would have ever seen this coming. Just isn't possible. I still wonder to this day why? What even really happened?

[B]

I'm Keith Morrison and this is five Miles From Home, an all new podcast from dateline. Starting Monday, June 8th, you can listen to the latest episodes completely free or to begin listening now, 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.

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