Dateline NBC: True Crime Weekly – Episode Summary

Episode Date: January 15, 2026
Host: Andrea Canning (NBC News)
Guests: Erin McLaughlin, Marianne O’Donnell, Mario Garcia, BJ Meadowcroft

Overview

This episode of Dateline: True Crime Weekly delivers updates and analysis on several high-profile criminal cases. The central stories include the arrest of a surgeon accused of murdering his ex-wife and her husband in Ohio, dramatic testimony from a family au pair in a Virginia double murder trial, court developments in the Gilgo Beach murders, the Barry Morphew case, and a behind-the-scenes look at 911 emergency services.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Arrest of Ohio Surgeon for Double Murder

Segment Starts: [02:09]

• Case Summary
  The murder of Ohio dentist Spencer Tepe and his wife, Monique, shocked their community. After a 10-day manhunt, Monique's ex-husband, Dr. Michael David McKee—a prominent vascular surgeon with no criminal record—was arrested 400 miles from the crime scene in Illinois.
• Details of the Crime
  • Spencer's boss, concerned after Spencer missed work, initiated a wellness check ([03:16]).
  • Multiple 911 calls: One from the boss, another from someone reporting children crying, and another seeing Spencer’s body through a window ([03:16]-[04:10]).
  • Police found the Tepe couple dead from gunshot wounds, with their young children and dog unharmed.
• Investigation
  • No signs of forced entry or murder weapon.
  • Police sought surveillance video, which helped track a suspect—found to be Dr. McKee—via a car traced from Ohio to Illinois ([04:23]).
• Background on Dr. McKee
  • “He has no criminal record apart from a few traffic tickets.” ([05:15], Erin McLaughlin)
  • Brief marriage to Monique (2015–2017); no children together.
• Family and Motive
  • Monique’s family suspected McKee immediately.
    • “She wasn’t shy about talking…just how emotionally abusive he was to her.” ([06:32]; Rob Misla via Erin McLaughlin & Mario Garcia)
    • Monique had allegedly spoken of threats from McKee during their marriage.
• Legal Status & Family Reaction
  • Dr. McKee charged with aggravated murder; has not yet pled, but intends to plead not guilty.
  • Emotional memorial service attended by over a thousand ([08:25]).
    • “Putting the couple in their tombs was probably the hardest day so far…He said he'll never be the same.” ([08:25], Rob Misla via Erin McLaughlin)

2. Virginia Double Murder: The Au Pair Testifies

Segment Starts: [10:31]

• Case Summary
  Brendan Banfield, a former IRS agent, is accused of masterminding the murders of his wife Christine and a man named Joseph Ryan. Prosecutors allege he conspired with the family's Brazilian au pair, Juliana Perez Magalies, with whom he was having an affair.
• Key Facts
  • Banfield claims he shot a “stranger” attacking his wife.
  • The au pair initially supported his story but later turned state’s witness.
• Prosecution Theory
  • Banfield and Juliana allegedly created a fake profile on a fetish website, luring Joseph Ryan to their home under violent pretenses ([13:23]).
  • When Ryan arrived, Banfield killed him and then murdered his wife, Christine.
    • “Brendan Banfield wanted rid of his wife…he and the au pair…struck up a love affair, and he asked her to help him fake an account…” ([13:23], Marianne O’Donnell)
• Defense Argument
  • Alternatives proposed: Christine may have been consensually involved with Ryan.
• The Au Pair’s Testimony
  • Juliana detailed her evolving relationship with Banfield:
    • “It became…sexual. Physical relationship.” ([16:27], Juliana via Marianne O’Donnell)
    • She recounted Banfield’s alleged murder plans:
      • “‘Yes, he mentioned his plan to get rid of her.’” ([17:02])
    • Described being in the house during attacks:
      • “He got on top of her, and that's when I first saw him stabbing her with a knife.” ([17:44], Juliana)
      • Admitted she did not intervene because she “really did not think he was serious about this," and when events began, didn’t know “how to jump off it.” ([18:23])
    • On why she changed her story:
      • “She finally says, you know, I'm ready to tell the truth.” ([15:25], Marianne O’Donnell)
    • Facing likely deportation; sentencing at judge’s discretion.
    • The defense accused her of tailoring her story to fit the prosecution’s theory ([18:57]).

3. Dateline Roundup: Case Updates

Segment Starts: [21:14]

a. Gilgo Beach Serial Killings (Rex Heuermann)

• Heuermann back in court; defense sought to have search warrants and evidence (including controversial DNA from “pizza crust”) excluded ([21:40]-[23:18], Mario Garcia).
• Trial “very shortly after Labor Day, quote, come hell or high water.”
  • “The attorneys involved in the case will be wearing wool and not linen.” ([23:53], Judge Mazzi)
• Heuermann maintains not guilty plea.

b. Quadruple Murder: Paul Canaro Trial (New Jersey)

• Paul Canaro, accused of murdering brother’s family and arson, with $3 million inheritance as possible motive ([24:40]).
• Defense suggests another brother, Corey, should have been investigated.

c. Suzanne Morphew Murder Case (Colorado)

• Barry Morphew, accused of murdering his wife post-disappearance in 2020. Case revived after remains were found in 2023, linked to animal tranquilizer in her system ([26:35]).
• Trial date: October 13, expected to last six weeks.

4. Behind the Scenes: 911 Emergency Services

Segment Starts: [27:27]

• Expert Guest: BJ Meadowcroft (Chester County, PA Emergency Comms)
• How Calls Are Triaged
  • Calls are prioritized based on risk/urgency, situation fluidity, and can be upgraded with new info ([28:40]-[29:02]).
• Training for Difficult Calls
  • Dispatchers use scenario-based simulations; “Every call is different. There are even times that we'll have people text to 911 now.” ([29:52], BJ Meadowcroft)
• Texting 911
  • Available in some areas: “Call if you can, text if you can’t.”
  • To text, enter “911” and send message; utility may vary by location ([30:00]-[30:22]).
• Advice for Callers
  • Be clear and specific: provide addresses, landmarks, unit numbers.
    • “The more information that can be provided to the 911 dispatcher better allows us to share that information with responders.” ([31:34], BJ Meadowcroft)
  • Even if unsure or have little info, still call: “Our dispatchers are true professionals… even if there's limited information, please call.” ([32:12])
• Bedside Manner
  • Dispatchers are trained to understand callers are at their most vulnerable ([31:09]).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the Emotional Toll of Violent Crimes:

  • “It was one of the most moving services. He said more than a thousand… putting the couple in their tombs was probably the hardest day so far…he’ll never be the same.”
    — Rob Misla via Erin McLaughlin [08:25]

• On Suspect Motivations:

  • “He has no criminal record apart from a few traffic tickets.”
    — Erin McLaughlin on Dr. McKee [05:15]

• On 911 Advances:

  • “We say call if you can, text if you can't.”
    — BJ Meadowcroft [30:00]

• On the Nature of Emergency Calls:

  • “Every call is different. There are even times that we'll have people text to 911 now.”
    — BJ Meadowcroft [29:52]

• On the Justice System’s Thoroughness (Gilgo Beach):

  • “…Omnibus basically means one big thing with many parts. So it was 175 page motion with all their attachments. They were seeking what's known as relief on a wide range of issues…”
    — Mario Garcia [22:25]

• On Courtroom Zingers:

  • “The attorneys involved in the case will be wearing wool and not linen.”
    — Judge Mazzi (via Mario Garcia) [23:53]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:09] Ohio Surgeon Double Murder Case
• [10:31] Virginia Double Murder & Au Pair Testimony
• [21:14] Dateline Roundup (Gilgo, Canaro, Morphew)
• [27:27] 911 Emergency Calls: How They Work

Conclusion

This episode weaves together breaking developments in a tragic Ohio family murder, explosive courtroom drama in Virginia, major true crime updates, and insights into the life-and-death work of emergency dispatchers. With expert reporting and key interviews, Dateline True Crime Weekly brings listeners close to how violence shakes communities and how the justice system responds.

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