Dateline NBC: True Crime Weekly

Date: September 4, 2025
Host: Andrea Canning
Episode Overview:
This episode dives into three major stories: the defense of family matriarch Donna Adelson in a Florida murder-for-hire trial, a landmark DNA decision in the Gilgo Beach murders case, and a mother’s extraordinary road trip crusade to keep her daughter's unsolved homicide in the national spotlight. Updates on other high-profile cases, including Burning Man’s still-unfolding investigation and a Colorado murder suspect’s court fight, are also featured.

1. Donna Adelson’s Defense: The Florida Grandmother on Trial

Segment begins at 02:15

Key Discussion Points

• Background: Donna Adelson, accused of helping plan the 2014 murder-for-hire of her former son-in-law Dan Markel, faces charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation (02:15).
• Prosecution Case: Presented wiretapped calls, details from an FBI sting ("The Bump"), and startling new evidence:
  • Markel's car and license plate number were found in Donna's planner.
  • Jailhouse confession to a bunkmate:

    “[Donna] said she did it was to keep her grandkids, but it wasn’t supposed to go that far.”
    —Court Witness (03:14)

• Defense Strategy:
  • Brought in Donna’s friends and investigators as character witnesses.
  • Emphasized alternate explanations for incriminating details:
    • One-way airline tickets to Vietnam (a non-extradition country) were explained as non-nefarious by friend Anne Cunningham and confirmed by travel-savvy friend Richard Chagrin, who said it was his idea for practical reasons (04:27–06:57).

    “The ironic thing was that the round trip was a fraction more than one way...book a one way.”
    —Richard Chagrin (06:44)

• Emotional Testimony: Anne Cunningham attested to Donna’s distress after the murder and her son Charlie’s conviction.
• Did Donna Take the Stand?
  • After deliberation, Donna declined, exercising her right to remain silent:

    “I don’t want to testify.”
    —Donna Adelson (as relayed by Brad Davis, 08:14)

Notable Moments & Quotes

• The defense presented relatable, everyday concerns and long-standing relationships to counter the prosecution’s circumstantial case.
• The court and listeners were left wondering if her silence would help or hurt, as only Donna could clarify critical ambiguities.

  “She’s really the only person who can explain a lot of things that prosecution has laid out...But then there’s the risk...”
  —Brad Davis (08:19)

Next Steps

• The defense rested; closing arguments scheduled for Thursday (08:58).

2. Landmark DNA Ruling in the Gilgo Beach Murders

Segment begins at 11:26

Case Summary

• Background: Since 1993, 11 sets of remains (mainly sex workers) have been found on Long Island beaches (11:26).
• Suspect: Rex Heuermann, an architect, charged with seven murders, pleads not guilty; case pivots on DNA found on burlap sacks used to wrap victims (12:04).

Key Developments & Insights

• New DNA Technology:
  • "Whole genome sequencing" used to analyze five hairs found at the scene, linking at least one to Heuermann, others to his wife and daughter (who were cleared) (13:12–13:36).
  • Technology allows conclusive identification even from old, degraded samples (14:35).

    “They can say, with a much higher degree of certitude, this is the person.”
    —Ray Tierney (13:49)

  • STR DNA (the standard) requires whole hairs with roots; this case's samples were much more degraded.
• Legal Battle:
  • Defense called the method “magic” and “junk science”, arguing it’s not peer-reviewed or widely accepted, and has never been admitted in New York State before (15:06–15:24).
  • Prosecution presented scientists with peer-reviewed publications and prior successful use in other states (15:39).
• Judge's Decision:
  • The DNA evidence from whole genome sequencing will be admitted for trial—first time ever in NY State (16:02–16:45).

    “The science was on our side. And that’s why we won.”
    —Prosecutor (16:34)

  • Set a precedent for future cold cases.

    “This is a precedent-setting moment...a game changer.”
    —Ray Tierney (16:53)

• Defense’s Continued Challenge:
  • Filed another motion to disqualify the DNA due to alleged technicality: the lab’s licensing status (17:17).

Next Steps

• The next hearing is scheduled for September 23rd; possible trial date may be announced then (17:53).

3. Dateline Roundup: Updates on Major True Crime Stories

Segment begins at 20:16

Burning Man Homicide

• Victim: Vadim Kruglov (Russian visitor), found dead in a pool of blood at the festival (21:10).
• Challenges: Temporary city, party atmosphere, blurry memories, and dissolution of the “Black Rock City” site make investigation difficult (21:48).

Barry Morphew in Colorado

• Background: Suzanne Morphew reported missing Mother’s Day 2020, husband Barry charged, then briefly released when charges were dismissed, but re-indicted after Suzanne’s remains found in 2023 (22:16).
• Current Status:
  • Barry's defense asked for bond reduction from $3 million to $500,000, calling him “an honest person who is genuinely eager to clear his name” (22:53).
  • Suzanne's family, via her brother, called him a flight risk and a "serial psychopathic controller" (23:17).
  • Judge denied bond reduction but loosened conditions slightly (23:28).

University of Idaho Murders—Photos Controversy

• Context: Families of 2022 victims petitioned to block public release of graphic crime scene images (23:56).

  “How incredibly harmful and emotionally damaging it is for her to see images of her son and the other murder victims.”
  —Stacy Chapin’s lawyer (24:34)

• City Response: Legally required to release under Idaho Public Records Act, but expressed reluctance if there were alternatives (25:01).

  “If there were an option...that allowed these records to be fired into orbit into the sun, I think you know in my heart of hearts we would just as soon not release these records.”
  —City Attorney (25:15)

• Judge’s Move: Temporary restraining order on the release; final ruling forthcoming (25:26).

4. A Mother’s Road Trip for Justice: Dr. Maggie Zingman

Segment begins at 25:42

Story Highlights

• Background: Maggie Zingman's daughter Brittany was murdered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 2004; case remains unsolved after 20 years (26:27).
• The "Caravan to Catch a Killer":
  • On her 24th cross-country tour, driving a pink and purple van emblazoned with Brittany’s images and the campaign slogan—connecting with other cold case families to raise awareness (26:33–27:45).

  “Some people call it crazy, but this has been part of my healing process... focused on connecting to other cold case families and giving them a voice.”
  —Maggie Zingman (26:33)

• Britney’s Story:
  • Britney was a college student who called her mom feeling sick shortly before vanishing; her body was found days later, her murder still unsolved (27:52–28:56).
• Endurance and Hope:
  • Maggie uses advocacy to channel her grief and preserve her daughter's memory, helping and inspiring other grieving families (29:16–30:21).

  “If I crumble and fall apart, then her memory does. And I just can’t let that happen.”
  —Maggie Zingman (29:16) “I’m not gonna let her killer take my life.”
  —Maggie Zingman (30:14)

• Upcoming Appearance:
  • Will be at CrimeCon 25 in Denver to connect with other families and advocates (30:29).

5. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Donna Adelson’s friend explaining the “one-way ticket” to Vietnam:

  “They did buy one way tickets, but they were planning to return...for his bar mitzvah.”
  —Brad Davis (04:27)

• On the whole genome sequencing ruling:

  “...this is a precedent-setting moment...This is a game changer.”
  —Ray Tierney (16:53)

• On persevering as a grieving mom:

  “You learn to live in spite of and because of and in honor of and letting myself grieve.”
  —Maggie Zingman (29:56)

6. Timeline of Major Segments

• Donna Adelson trial coverage: 02:15–09:12
• Gilgo Beach DNA ruling: 11:26–18:09
• Roundup (Burning Man, Morphew, Idaho murders): 20:16–25:42
• Maggie Zingman interview: 25:42–31:00

Tone & Style

As with all Dateline True Crime Weekly episodes, the tone is empathetic, respectful, and analytical, blending clear, methodical reporting with personal stories and reflections from those directly involved. The interviews amplify the human side of each case, while the roundups succinctly update ongoing investigations.

Listeners walk away with a thorough understanding of high-profile and developing true crime stories, the emotional stakes for those involved, and key legal and forensic breakthroughs shaping the pursuit of justice.