Dateline NBC: Murder & Magnolias – Episode 2: "The Hit Packet"

Date: February 23, 2026
Host: Keith Morrison

Episode Overview

The second episode of “Murder & Magnolias” plunges deeper into the chilling murder-for-hire case targeting Nancy Latham in the midst of a bitter Charleston divorce. The episode unpacks how federal agents and local police uncovered an elaborate plot, details the discovery of the so-called "hit packet," and captures the mounting fear, paranoia, and desperation from both law enforcement and the intended victim’s family. Listeners are granted exclusive insight into law enforcement’s investigation, as well as the raw emotional fallout experienced by Nancy, her daughters, and her close-knit support network.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Stage: Divorce Turned Deadly

• Bitterness Escalates: Chris and Nancy Latham’s divorce escalates from a public, acrimonious battle into something far more sinister.

  • Keith Morrison: “Chris and Nancy Latham had hoped to avoid all that. An amicable, no contest divorce was what they had in mind. But emotions at the bitter end of love had another idea… No longer lovers, they were now bitter enemies.” [01:09]

• Mutual Accusations: The couple accuses each other of professional sabotage, defamation, and public humiliation.

  • Nancy: “Any love that I had for him was gone.” [02:12]
  • Chris: “I never once said anything negative.” [02:44]
  • Nancy: “He is so very cognizant of his reputation and his standing in the community. And to have his wife sort of put all of his dirty laundry on display…” [02:46]

2. Discovery of the Murder Plot

• Midnight Call to the ATF:

  • ATF agent Bobby Callahan gets a pre-dawn call to investigate a supposed murder plot after an ex-con, Aaron Wilkinson, walks into the local police department and confesses his involvement.
    • Callahan: “About 4:30 in the morning on April 5th, I got a phone call from the North Charleston Police Department…” [03:58]

• The Messy Motel Room & the ‘Hit Packet’:

  • In a disheveled motel room, agents find a manila envelope containing detailed information about Nancy Latham, her routine, her home, her children—essentially, a guide for a hitman.
    • Agent Joe Boykin: “Inside the package was a pretty comprehensive list about Nancy Latham.” [08:41]
    • Callahan: “This was our first thing that we were able to corroborate on what Aaron Wilkinson had told us.” [09:57]

• Realization of Imminent Danger:

  • The agents realize they must act quickly, as at least one would-be killer (Sam Yenawine) is still at large.
  • Aaron Wilkinson: “If I didn’t contact Sammy soon, he might even be on the way to Charleston at that very minute to finish the job himself.” [10:15]

3. The Undercover Call

• Wilkinson’s Reluctant Cooperation:

  • Agents convince a nervous, withdrawing Wilkinson to make a recorded call to “Sammy,” pressing him for incriminating admissions about the planned hit and the murder weapon.
    • Joe Boykin: “I asked him to make the undercover call… He didn’t want to do it. He was reluctant.” [11:02]
    • Wilkinson: “They wrote on paper several things to try to get me to elicit from Sammy... talk about killing or murder in the phone call, talk about the firearm.” [11:18]

• The Phone Call:

  • Despite technical difficulties, Wilkinson succeeds in getting Sammy to confirm critical details and discuss disposing of the murder weapon.
    • Wilkinson: “If you want me to just throw it [the gun] in the water... And he said, yeah, that would be the best.” [12:37]

4. The Lathams Go Into Protective Custody

Nancy is Warned:

• Police at the Door: Nancy is told there’s a hit out on her; she is skeptical but soon understands the danger is real.

  • Nancy: “Is there any reason that somebody would want to hurt you? ... I kind of laughed and said, well, my husband's not very fond of me right now.” [17:53]
  • Nancy recounts: “Apparently there's been a hit taken out on you... We need you and your daughter to get your stuff together… because this is where the hit was supposed to take place.” [18:38]

• Maddie’s Prom Dress: Even amid unfolding crisis, Nancy insists on taking her daughter Maddie to a prom dress fitting, with police shadowing them.

  • Nancy: “I'm not sure what your day entails, but my daughter's getting fitted for a prom dress. We made this appointment a long time ago. Can't change it… We're going to get fitted for a prom dress.” [18:58]

Best Friend Kathy Intervenes:

• Kathy Steps Up: Nancy’s friend Kathy Harrell is enlisted to shelter Maddie, arming herself as she heads out to help.
  • Kathy: “I have a concealed weapons permit. And so I got my gun.” [20:47]
  • Kathy: “If anybody would take a hit for my daughter, it would be Kathy.” (Nancy) [21:24]

Daughters Pulled from School:

• Emily’s Ordeal: Emily, away at college, is picked up by police and told to leave campus as she’s now considered a risk due to the plot.
  • Emily: “My school told me I was a danger by being on campus, so they made me leave.” [25:32]

5. Examining the 'Hit Packet'

• The Package & The Handwriting: Nancy and agents scrutinize the contents of the hit packet, searching for definitive proof of Chris’s involvement.

  • Nancy: “I grabbed Joe's arm and I said, that is my husband's handwriting. He is the only grownup I know that writes in all caps.” [27:38]
  • Agent: “It was not determined to be Chris's, but there was some handwriting in there that Aaron Wilkinson admitted that he wrote.” [28:18]

• Chilling Evidence: Nancy recognizes family photos, some taken by Chris, included as assassination prep. A birthday picture is found with Chris and Emily cut from the image, signaling to Nancy that the plotter knew who would be present at the hit scene.

  • Nancy: “He had taken that picture and folded over himself and Emily, or cut it out of the picture. It felt like somebody had kicked me in the stomach...” [29:37]

6. Aftermath and Emotional Impact

• Devastating Realization:

  • Nancy: “As a parent, I cannot understand that. Why... you put her picture in knowing that she was going to be upstairs asleep in the house.” [30:38]
  • Nancy, on her worst fear: “My fear is that I would have gotten up, maybe screamed, and… as I lay on the ground, bleeding... that Sammy... would have shot my daughter Madison. And that is something that I will never ever be able to forgive him for.” [31:44]

• Law Enforcement’s Doubts and Next Steps:

  • Investigators are certain Chris is involved, but now must determine how he connected with an ex-con and identify the mysterious woman facilitating the plot.
    • Keith Morrison: “What they didn't know was this. How did a blue ribbon Charleston banker get involved with an ex con like Sammy Yenawine?” [32:50]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Keith Morrison on Divorce War:
  “A nasty divorce? Oh, yes. One in which public humiliation was not just an unfortunate byproduct, it was the goal.” [02:56]

• Nancy’s Denial and Dread:
  “Yeah, really? Is that the story you’re gonna try to sell me this morning? ... No ma’am, it’s very serious, there’s been a hit taken out on you.” [18:38]

• On recognizing Chris’s handwriting:
  Nancy: “That is my husband’s handwriting. He is the only grownup I know that writes in all caps.” [27:38]

• Nancy’s fear for her daughter:
  “My fear is that I would have to listen as they shot my daughter Madison. And that is something that I will never ever be able to forgive him for.” [31:44]

Key Timestamps

• 01:09 – Morrison sets stage: ugly divorce turns dangerous
• 03:58 – ATF agent Callahan receives midnight call
• 05:29 – Discovery of the manila "hit packet"
• 07:29 – Interview of Aaron Wilkinson
• 12:01 – Undercover call to "Sammy" yields critical confession
• 17:08 – Nancy is informed of the murder plot at her door
• 20:11 – Kathy Harrell mobilizes to protect Maddie
• 24:27 – Emily Latham is escorted from college to safety
• 27:00 – Nancy recognizes evidence in the hit packet
• 31:44 – Nancy shares her deepest fear about what could have happened

Tone and Style

The episode maintains a gripping and dramatic narrative, blending law enforcement procedure with raw, emotional testimony from Nancy and her circle. Keith Morrison’s narration is both empathetic and tinged with Dateline’s signature suspense, supporting the voices of those involved as they navigate both fear and disbelief.

Conclusion & What Lies Ahead

The investigation leaves listeners with pressing questions about who orchestrated the plot and the true depths of the conspiracy. The emotional toll on Nancy and her daughters is unmistakable, as the law closes in on the potential instigators and the shadowy woman involved in the setup. The episode ends with a tease—there are more players to be discovered and more truths yet to come.

For listeners compelled by true crime, “The Hit Packet” is a showcase of how real-life investigations unfold, immersing you in both the detective work and the harrowing human cost.