Dateline NBC: Introducing "Deadly Engagement"

Episode Date: September 9, 2025
Hosted by: NBC News
Guest Host: Josh Mankiewicz
Episode Focus: Introduction to a new true-crime podcast series: "Deadly Engagement"

Episode Overview

This episode previews "Deadly Engagement," an upcoming Dateline true-crime series centered on a love triangle that turns deadly. Set against the backdrop of a college campus in Durham, North Carolina, the series investigates the murder of Danita Monique Smith, a promising grad student. The case unfolds between jealousy, betrayal, and the shadowy dangers of leading double lives—with suspects pointing fingers and desperate moves to avoid conviction.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Love Triangle and Double Lives

• A man maintained relationships with two girlfriends in different cities—one in Greensboro and another in an unspecified location.
• The arrangement was supposed to remain secret, but complications escalated into a fatal encounter.

  "The guy thought he had a good thing going. A good job and two lovers living in separate cities... That was the plan. That is, until the math in this triangle got complicated and somebody had to go." — (A, 00:03)

2. The Victim: Danita Monique Smith

• Danita described as a beautiful, talented graduate student whose life is cut short.
• The murder throws suspicion onto the remaining two corners of the triangle.

3. Investigation and Suspicion

• Each surviving participant becomes a potential suspect, bolstered by alibis and reciprocal accusations.
• The narrative teases a classic whodunit: "three minus one left, two potential suspects, two alibis, and two fingers pointing at each other. Somebody was going to prison for life. But who?" — (A, 00:12)

4. Themes of Jealousy, Revenge, and Consequences

• The episode frames the story as one of jealousy and revenge, where actions have dangerous consequences:

  "It just shows you that, man, our actions have consequences. And it may seem as though as, hey, you know, we're all grownups here. But stuff happens. And in this situation, some pretty bad stuff happened." — (A, 00:38)

5. Escalating Threats and Paranoia

• Tension rises as the suspects turn against each other, referencing threats and stalking behavior:

  "He got scary. He would leave threatening messages, showing up unannounced, angry, calling my job nonstop." — (A, 00:55) "She called me from a untraceable redelect service number that doesn't allow you to trace the original source of the call." — (A, 01:09)

6. The Central Mystery

• The core of the upcoming series focuses on untangling who was really in danger and who became the aggressor.

  "If we can ever prove who was stalking whom, I think we have our case solved." — (A, 01:18)

7. Series Information and Release

• Hosted by Josh Mankiewicz, "Deadly Engagement" debuts Monday, September 16th.
• Early access and ad-free listening available on Dateline Premium.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the love triangle unraveling:

  "The math in this triangle got complicated and somebody had to go." — (A, 00:08)

• On the investigation:

  "Two potential suspects, two alibis, and two fingers pointing at each other. Somebody was going to prison for life. But who? What this trial was about is. Which one is it?" — (A, 00:12)

• On the unpredictability of human actions:

  "Our actions have consequences... It may seem as though as, hey, you know, we're all grownups here. But stuff happens. And in this situation, some pretty bad stuff happened." — (A, 00:38)

• On the escalation of threats:

  "He got scary. He would leave threatening messages, showing up unannounced, angry, calling my job nonstop." — (A, 00:55)
  "She called me from a untraceable redelect service number that doesn't allow you to trace the original source of the call." — (A, 01:09)

• On solving the case:

  "If we can ever prove who was stalking whom, I think we have our case solved." — (A, 01:18)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:03 — Setup of the love triangle and its complications
• 00:12 — Introduction of the murder and key suspects
• 00:38 — Reflection on consequences and growth
• 00:55 — Discussion of threatening behavior and stalking
• 01:18 — Central investigative question: Who was the aggressor?
• 01:25 — Announcement of series launch and subscription options

Summary

"Deadly Engagement" promises a gripping, true-crime exploration of jealousy, betrayal, and the often-tragic outcomes of secret double lives, set in North Carolina's college community. The introductory episode masterfully teases the central mystery—who killed Danita Monique Smith—and sets the tone for a suspenseful investigation, guided by real testimonies, chilling details, and the engaging storytelling style Dateline is known for. The official series launch is set for September 16th, with early access available via subscription.