Dateline NBC – “Take Two” (March 17, 2026)

Episode Overview

This Dateline NBC episode, hosted by Andrea Canning and Lester Holt, dives into a chilling, twist-filled true crime saga: the murder-for-hire plot targeting Susan Bernstein in Rockland County, NY. The story uncovers layers of deceit, betrayal, and obsession, tracing the involvement of Susan’s husband, Dr. Ira Bernstein, his lover Kelly Gribeluk, and ultimately unfolds a shocking sequel years after the original case seemed resolved. The episode methodically breaks down the investigation, the sting operation, the aftermath, and the jaw-dropping revelation that lightning might strike twice.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Discovery of the Murder Plot (03:27–07:51)

• Markenzi’s Role: Markenzi, a car salesman, shares how an ordinary interaction with a former customer, Kelly Gribeluk, veered into criminal territory when she inquired about hiring someone to kill her boyfriend’s wife.
  • Notable Quote:
    “She believed that I would harm the guy.” – Markenzi (03:42)
• Unraveling Kelly’s Motivation: Detectives uncover Kelly's background—a mother of three and a former mortician with a history of deception and past police investigations.
• The Target: Susan Bernstein, a housewife and mother, becomes the center of the investigation after Markenzi brings the plot to the police’s attention.

2. The Sting Operation & Key Evidence (09:04–29:36)

• Undercover Maneuvers: Markenzi is recruited as an informant. Multiple secretly recorded meetings (in parking lots and his car) capture Kelly planning the crime and discussing logistics and payment:
  • Key Moment:
    “One car will hit her. Okay, two. 200,000. Okay, one. Can we get to the pod?” – Kelly, on the method and price (03:05)
  • Memorable Details: Inclusion of police in the plot via subtle references, discussion of making it look like an accident, and negotiation of payments.
• Ira’s Emergence: Detectives identify Dr. Ira Bernstein, a local podiatrist, as Kelly’s lover and co-conspirator.
• Escalation: Kelly negotiates a $100,000 price for the hit, delivers a cash deposit, and continues to contact others for possible involvement.
• Evidence of Conspiracy:
  • Notable Quote:
    “He’s the boss, right?” – Markenzi, probing for Ira’s involvement (26:13)
  • Recordings and a cash handover solidify the plot.

3. The “Side Quest”: Assault-For-Hire (30:03–33:46)

• Fraud Investigation Ties: As the investigation unfolds, Ira and Kelly attempt to have two insurance investigators—who were probing Ira for insurance fraud—beaten up, creating an unplanned twist for detectives.
• Staged Assault: Detectives team with the investigators and use makeup and staged photos to trick Kelly and Ira into believing the assault had occurred, pushing the couple closer to trusting the supposed hitman.

4. Meeting the Conspirators Face to Face & Final Proof (38:21–44:36)

• Sealing the Deal: Ira personally inspects the staged assault photos. Audio reveals him giving the green light—crucial for prosecution.
  • Critical Quote:
    “So if…I’ll tell her if she gives you the okay, then it came from me…” – Ira (40:28)
• Close Call: Ira nearly discovers the hidden camera in Markenzi’s car but is skillfully distracted.
• Verbal Confirmation: Kelly—hesitant to say “yes” out loud—types it into her phone and shows Markenzi, confirming the go-ahead on Susan’s murder.

5. The Arrests & Immediate Aftermath (44:49–49:24)

• Apprehensions: With evidence secured, police arrest Kelly (Walmart parking lot, 45:05) and later Ira (traffic stop, 48:47).
• Investigative Tactics: Police reveal Markenzi’s undercover status to pressure Kelly into cooperation, but she deflects blame.

6. Defense, Counter-Narratives & Plea Deals (51:52–74:32)

• Ira & Kelly’s Version: Both, out on bail, claim they wanted to back out and only continued under threat or coercion from the supposed hitman. They minimize each other’s roles and express remorse or claim entrapment.
  • Key Quote:
    “Anyone that knows me knows that I am not a violent person. … even she [Susan] knows there is no way I would have ever let this happen.” – Ira (57:42)
  • Kelly: “If we really wanted to do this, he would have been paid... When I was arrested, I had a dollar on me.” (64:31)
• Prosecution’s Argument: Prosecutors assert overwhelming evidence: voice recordings, money transfers, and lack of attempts to warn Susan. Motive centers on money and preserving Ira’s assets.
  • Key Quote:
    “If you don’t go through with this, harm could come to you. That’s simply not the case. … They did nothing.” – Prosecutor Moran (70:36)
• Resolutions: Plea deals are reached—Kelly gets 12 years (eligible for parole in 4), Ira accepts 15 years (parole in 5).
• Aftermath: Upon release, their relationship falls apart, and both lives take divergent paths.

7. History Repeats: The 2022 Plot & Second Arrest (77:54–89:15)

• A Surreal Twist: The landscaper Ira partners with post-prison reveals that, once again, Ira solicits him to have Susan killed—a near echo of the original plot.
  • Key Quote:
    “Does Ira just think that everybody has friends who are assassins?” – Detective Braddock (79:27)
• DIY Sting: The landscaper records Ira discussing the hit. When he confronts Ira, Ira’s sister, an attorney, intervenes, resulting in her own legal jeopardy.
• Legal Resolution: Ira pleads guilty to tampering with evidence with the solicitation charge dropped—but admits in open court that the tampering was in service of a murder plot.
• Sentencing & Fallout: Ira receives 1.5 to 3 years; his sister’s charges to be dropped if she stays law-abiding. Susan maintains distance and pursues civil actions for emotional distress.

Key Timestamps & Memorable Moments

Opening of the Case

• [03:50] The first chilling request: Kelly asks Markenzi about “planning on killing her boyfriend’s wife.”
• [09:20] Markenzi talks about being “007” as the informant.

Sting Operations

• [14:25] Kelly proposes a “car accident” to make the murder look like an accident.
• [19:06] The cash negotiations: price bargained from $200,000 down to $100,000.
• [28:52] $2,000 first payment handed to Markenzi.

Escalation and Additional Plots

• [30:16] New targets: insurance investigators.
• [33:46] Staged assault photos to win Ira’s trust.

Conspirator Meetings and Final Capture

• [38:21] Ira steps into Markenzi’s car for the decisive conversation.
• [40:47] Ira notices the hidden camera—tense moment.
• [44:36] Kelly non-verbally confirms go-ahead by showing “yes” on her phone.

Aftermath, Arrests, and Plea Deals

• [45:05] Kelly’s arrest.
• [48:47] Ira’s arrest: “My life is over. … I’ll never be able to practice again.”
• [68:21] Kelly left in jail for 5 months, leading to a plea deal.
• [72:09] Ira takes his plea deal.

Second Murder Plot: Lightning Strikes Twice

• [77:54] Ira again asks for help to have Susan killed.
• [79:29] Recordings capture Ira plotting—again.
• [86:02] Ira admits in court that the recording was a “solicitation to have Susan Bernstein killed.”
• [87:23] Susan, speaking at sentencing: “He is a multimillionaire who hired top attorneys to weasel his way out of his violent and harsh crimes…My children and I live in a state of crisis.”
• [89:15] Susan remains vigilant, with a renewed order of protection.

Notable Quotes

• "These guys are professional. Once they grab her, I don't know what's going to happen to her. All I know is that she's not going back home." – Markenzi recounting Ira’s words (00:27)
• "To say this case took a turn no one expected is really the understatement of my career." – Detective (01:18, 74:46, 77:40)
• "Nobody saw this coming." – Common refrain throughout the episode (01:18, 74:46, 77:40)
• "If we really wanted to do this, he would have been paid..." – Kelly (64:31)
• "I think for Ira, it's all about winning and it's all about money." – Detective Braddock (89:04)
• "I would do it all over again for her, you know, for anybody." – Markenzi on helping Susan (89:38)

Thematic Reflections

• Money and Control: Greed and the desire to maintain a lavish lifestyle repeatedly emerge as motives.
• Manipulation and Denial: Both Ira and Kelly attempt to shift blame, deny intent, or couch their actions within a fog of coercion and anxiety—even as evidence mounts.
• Systemic Loopholes: Plea deals, persistent legal wrangling, and even a second plot highlight both the tenacity of law enforcement and the loopholes by which some seem to evade full accountability.

Epilogue: Where Are They Now? ([75:01–89:38])

• Kelly: After serving time, she cuts ties with Ira, becomes a businesswoman, and reconnects with her children.
• Ira: Continues in and out of court, loses his medical license, moves into landscaping—eventually embroiled in a fraud dispute with a partner and re-arrested.
• Susan: Survives two attempts on her life, becomes a divorce and custody coach, and remains the target of ongoing legal and emotional fallout.
• Markenzi: Now Susan’s friend, continues to feel protective and proud of his role in averting tragedy.

Final Takeaway

This episode weaves together the initial, almost Hollywood-level sting operation with intimate interviews and the devastating irony of history nearly repeating itself. Layered motives, failed love, financial greed, and fragile trust form a cautionary tale about how darkness can persist beneath the surface of seemingly ordinary lives.

For the full behind-the-scenes look, Dateline invites listeners to the “Talking Dateline” podcast, available Wednesday.