Dateline NBC – "Under a Full Moon"

Air Date: September 2, 2025
Host: Lester Holt
Correspondent: Keith Morrison

Episode Overview

"Under a Full Moon" investigates the harrowing murder of Shawna Tiafe, a beloved Las Vegas cocktail waitress and devoted mother, found beaten to death in her suburban home in 2012. The story unfolds as a classic whodunit shadowed by Las Vegas’s glitz, exploring the trauma of her family and friends, the initial search for a sexual predator, and the extraordinary twists that ultimately reveal a shocking conspiracy involving those she trusted most. Through intimate interviews, painstaking police work, and courtroom drama, the episode lays bare a crime that shattered a family, a community, and the very foundations of trust.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Crime and Initial Shock (01:20–09:05)

• Discovery of Shawna's Murder:
  After working a late shift, Shawna Tiafe was found dead in her quiet family home by her husband, George, upon returning with their daughter.
• Community Impact:
  The horror rattled Shawna’s friends and co-workers, particularly those working similar late hours, sparking fears of a lurking predator.
• Violence and Evidence:
  Shawna was beaten to death and her body showed signs of sexual assault and staging. Her purse, cash, casino chips, and some personal items were missing.

Memorable Quote:
"It was absolutely horrible, and we felt so helpless. It's every woman's worst nightmare. We didn't know if any of us were next."
— [03:31] Shawna's co-worker

2. Victim and Family Background (03:40–07:11)

• Shawna's Life:
  Shawna, drawn to Las Vegas to be closer to family, was described as vivacious, loving, and deeply committed to her daughter and friends.
• George Tiafe's Persona:
  George was introduced as a model citizen—West Point graduate, firefighter, family man, and community volunteer.

3. Investigation: Theories and Early Suspects (07:55–15:13)

• Initial Suspects:
  Police first scrutinized George (the husband), but his airtight alibi as an on-duty firefighter eliminated him.
• Pattern of Burglaries:
  Shawna’s home had been burglarized weeks earlier, raising suspicions about a potential stalker or local troublemaker.
• Discovery of Shawna’s Items:
  Personal effects were found scattered on a nearby walking path, strengthening the theory of a sexual predator.

Notable Detective Insight:
"When you realize it's somebody walking away from the scene, discarding things… a stalker. A predator. Sexual predator."
— [14:23] Detective Dan Long

4. A Break in the Case: The Tipster and Greyhound (18:43–23:59)

• ‘Big Will’ Calls Crime Stoppers:
  An ex-con named Will calls in a tip, claiming a homeless handyman, "Greyhound" (Noel Stevens), bragged about the murder and described using a hammer—a detail only police should know.
• Greyhound’s Background and Evidence:
  Police find Stevens living in the desert. At his campsite, they discover Shawna’s belongings and jeans stained with her blood.

5. Suspicions Turn Inward: A Family Divided (24:19–29:15)

• Family Tensions Surface:
  Shawna’s sister, Paula, expresses intense distrust of George, alleging past abuse, intimidation, and manipulative tactics during marital strife.
• Funeral Drama:
  Recollections of George’s emotionless behavior at Shawna’s funeral further polarize the two families.

Quote – Family Conflict:
"I just think that he always loved himself more than he loved anyone else, and it was all about him and what he wanted."
— [24:19] Paula, Shawna’s sister

6. Detectives Zero In on George (28:22–32:34)

• Interview Inconsistencies:
  George initially claims he only knew Stevens as "Neil Smith," but slips and refers to him as "Noel," exposing a possible lie.
• The Suicide Attempt:
  When George hears he may be arrested, he attempts to flee and crashes his car in what police interpret as a failed suicide attempt, heightening suspicions.

Detective's Impression:
"He was driving extremely fast... and then plowed straight into a cement barrier. The officer following said he just committed suicide."
— [29:22] Detective C

• Stevens Confesses:
  In the hospital aftermath, Stevens confesses to the murder and names George as the mastermind—triggering dual arrests for murder and conspiracy.

7. The Trial: Two Sides of the Story (33:01–38:59)

• Prosecution’s Case:

  • Phone records show 87 calls between George and Stevens in the month before the murder.
  • Evidence of shopping trips for what could be a “murder kit”: gloves, hammers, a knife, dark clothing.
  • Motive: George’s need for control, fear of losing custody in the divorce.

• Defense’s Argument:

  • Insists George was only helping out a down-and-out handyman.
  • Itemizes that purchased items were mostly benign camping gear, and none of the hammers bought matched the murder weapon.
  • Claims the only incrimination comes from Stevens—a proven liar and addict.

Defense Quote:
"Without Noel Stevens' statement to the police, George is an innocent man to report it."
— [37:59] Defense Attorney Robert Langford

• Credibility Crisis:
  Prosecutors debate whether putting Stevens on the stand is worth the risk, given his history of substance abuse and hallucinations.

8. The Testimony of Noel Stevens (Greyhound) (39:04–41:44)

• On the Stand:
  Stevens describes, with graphic bluntness, how he killed Shawna at George’s alleged urging but testifies he hears voices and suffers hallucinations.

Memorable Quote:
"I think everybody agreed that Noel Stevens is crazy as an outhouse rat."
— [41:12] Prosecutor

• Jury's Dilemma:
  The jury must decide: Was George the manipulator behind the murder, or did a mentally unstable drifter act alone and later seek to blame an innocent man?

9. Verdict and Aftermath (42:25–44:22)

• Jury Deliberation:
  After three days of tension, George Tiafe is convicted of first-degree murder—primarily on the weight of circumstances, phone records, and Stevens's word.

Paula’s Relief:
"It was just this big weight taken off my shoulders... I've been so worried about representing [Shawna] right."
— [42:37] Paula

• Sentencing:
  Both George and Stevens receive life sentences.

• A Twisting Confession:
  Years later, George admits culpability in a court filing but blames medication-induced hallucinations and alleges divine instruction, never taking full responsibility.

Maria’s (George’s sister) Response:
"Now she feels he's where he belongs, behind bars."
— [44:00]

10. Lasting Impact on the Family (44:22–44:55)

• Greatest Victim:
  Shawna and George’s young daughter, now estranged from both parents, must grapple with the legacy of violence and betrayal.

Final Reflection:
"I really do feel that my niece is the true victim in all of this. It's so tragic, and I just don't have words for what she's going to have to come to terms with."
— [44:22] Paula

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "It's every woman's worst nightmare. We didn't know if any of us were next." — [03:31] Shawna's co-worker
• "No one knew that but the two of us." — [15:10] Detective on killer’s unique knowledge of crime scene
• "Driving that large vehicle into a K rail with your seatbelt on is not how an expert tries to commit suicide." — [33:36] Maria, George’s sister
• "I think everybody agreed that Noel Stevens is crazy as an outhouse rat." — [41:12] Prosecutor
• "Guilty of first degree murder." — [42:28] Jury Foreman

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Shawna’s background and discovery: 01:20–09:05
• Crime scene and early investigation: 09:05–15:13
• The Crime Stoppers tip & suspect Greyhound: 18:43–23:59
• Greyhound’s confession and evidence: 23:59–26:42
• Family suspicions and dynamics: 24:19–29:15
• George’s shift from suspect to defendant: 28:22–32:34
• Noel Stevens's confession and arrest: 32:34–33:01
• Trial and legal arguments: 33:01–38:59
• Noel Stevens’s testimony: 39:04–41:44
• Verdict and sentencing: 42:25–44:22

Conclusion

"Under a Full Moon" masterfully traces the path from brutal crime to courtroom drama, peeling back the glittery surface of Vegas to reveal a story of profound betrayal and loss. The episode subverts simplistic true-crime tropes, exploring the devastating ripples of violence, the failings and biases of the justice system, and the enduring wounds left behind for the survivors—especially the child caught in the crossfire. The final resonance is one of sorrow, caution, and a reminder of the unseen tragedies hidden behind ordinary facades.