Podcast Summary: Dateline Missing in America – Ep. 24: The Cold Case of Nancy Snow

Podcast: Dateline Originals
Episode Title: The Cold Case of Nancy Snow
Host/Narrator: Josh Mankiewicz (NBC News)
Date: September 5, 2025

Main Theme / Purpose

This episode explores the unresolved 1980 disappearance of Nancy Snow, a vibrant mother of three and political operative who vanished after attending a political victory party in Baltimore, Maryland. Through interviews with her daughters, investigators, and archival material, the episode delves into Nancy's life, the timeline of her disappearance, the investigation’s twists, and the primary person of interest, aiming to keep public attention on the case and solicit new leads.

Episode Structure & Key Discussion Points

I. Nancy Snow’s Background and Disappearance

[00:59–04:34] Introduction to Nancy Snow

• Nancy Snow, 44, disappeared after a political party on Nov 4, 1980.
• Daughters Kimberly, Justine, and Stacy recount vivid, loving memories of their mother.
  • “She was just so full of light. She was so amazing. She always made you feel like you were the most important person in the room.” — Nancy Snow's Daughter [01:48]
• Nancy’s wanderlust and multilinguistic skills stemmed from her life with Bob Snow, an Army intelligence and foreign service officer. The family lived abroad and stateside, immersing themselves in global cultures.

[05:23–06:29] Major Life Transitions

• Nancy's separation from Bob Snow in 1978 led to new independence. She moved to Annapolis, Maryland to further her political ambitions.

[07:12–09:16] New Life and New Relationships

• Worked for the RNC and began a romance with Bobby Goodman, a prominent political TV producer.
• After inheriting money and finalizing her divorce, Nancy considered leaving politics to start a charter boating business.

Memorable Quote:

• “I am deliriously in love with a big-time political TV producer from Baltimore. Probably won’t last, but for the moment, we’re bonkers. Neat.” — Nancy in a letter to daughter Stacy [08:11]

II. Nancy’s Last Known Movements and Early Investigation

[09:55–11:17] Timeline Leading to Disappearance

• On Election Day 1980, Nancy planned to attend an event and call her family the next day. That call never came.
• Paul Collins, her casual boyfriend and house-sitter, claimed she left for a boating trip and would be back by Christmas.

[11:46–12:22] The Search Begins

• Daughter Stacy traveled to Annapolis; Paul resisted relinquishing the apartment keys, insisting Nancy would return.
• An impromptu search for Nancy in Florida yielded no leads.

Memorable Moment:

• “He goes, yeah, I sleep in your mom’s room. And I’m like, what?” — Stacy recounting Paul's behavior [11:46]

[13:12–13:19] Paul’s Friends in Nancy’s Space

• Stacy noted Paul’s friends using Nancy’s belongings, raising red flags about his story and intentions.

[15:47–16:13] Family Doubts

• Daughters doubted Nancy, who stayed in constant touch, would suddenly vanish without word.
• The “boat job” claim never made sense to them.

Quote:

• “She talked me into moving out there and going to college there instead of California. Why would she just then just go poof?” — Nancy’s Daughter [15:57]

[16:41–18:53] Red Flags and Deceptions

• Paul told the family Nancy’s belongings were destroyed in a flood; Stacy discovered no such flood had occurred, and that Paul had not reported Nancy missing promptly.
• Friends of Paul found with Nancy's personal effects, including her nightgown and even her bed.

III. The Investigation Widens

[21:44–23:13] Expanding the Circle

• Host Mankiewicz discusses potential personal connection, underscoring the close-knit nature of 1980s political circles in DC/Baltimore.

[22:22–27:44] Police Interviews and Dead Ends

• Paul Collins told conflicting stories (airport pickup vs. hotel, car details, timeline shifts).
• Nancy’s boyfriend Bobby Goodman confirmed an affair but insisted he last saw her leaving in a car with another man.
• Paul Collins reported Nancy left to work with “Captain J” on a boat, but police found no evidence this person existed or that Nancy left by boat.

Detective Insight:

• “The lack of a footprint for such a busy woman is, in today’s terms, just unthinkable. But it was the norm.” — Detective William Noel [23:13]
• “You don’t think Nancy ever went to sea? You don’t think Nancy ever got on a boat? You don’t think she made it out of Annapolis?” — Mankiewicz
  “No to all.” — Detective Noel [39:39]

IV. Circumstantial Evidence and Paul Collins’ Role

[28:44–30:39] Relationships & Suspicions

• Nancy’s daughters viewed Paul's relationship with Nancy as platonic or convenient, while he claimed intimacy.
• Paul wrote checks from Nancy’s accounts post-disappearance, disposed of her belongings, and provided contradictory statements.

Detective Analysis:

• “Paul maintained that he had that permission to pay her bills, give himself a quick stipend as needed...The issue is we have nobody to refute it because Nancy’s, you know, missing.” — Detective William Noel [29:50]

[31:13–32:00] The Limits of Circumstantial Evidence

• Despite numerous suspicions, authorities lacked enough evidence to prosecute.

[34:24–36:34] Later Investigations

• Nancy declared legally dead in 1988, and the case reclassified as homicide in 1989.
• DA David Cordle and police re-interviewed witnesses, including Bobby Goodman (who was reserved yet cooperative) and Paul Collins (who was evasive, sometimes invoked the Fifth Amendment, and in later years gave changing stories).

[36:34–41:36] Timeline Shifts and Contradictions

• Collins shifted his story about where he picked Nancy up, and his account of her leaving with Captain J, but none of these details matched what Nancy's daughters knew about their meticulous, communication-loving mother.

Quote about Paul Collins:

• “He was trying to make it sound like my mom went off with friends, not strangers, so that we wouldn't worry...” — Nancy’s Daughter [38:36]

V. The Current Status & Hopes for Closure

[41:36–43:25] Person of Interest & Motives

• Paul Collins remains the only significant person of interest; motives could include jealousy or financial gain.
• Detective Noel is candid about investigative challenges, lacking the probable cause needed for charges.

Quote:

• “Absolutely, but not a suspect—can’t call him a suspect yet. But I will say that he’s a person of interest, nearly a suspect. But I can’t say that he’s a suspect, because right now we’re circumstantial. I don’t have my PC yet.” — Detective William Noel [41:21]

[43:25–46:34] Enduring Grief and Family Resilience

• The family’s emotional journey, with old cassette tapes bringing the sound of Nancy’s voice across decades.
• The daughters, now mothers themselves, carry on Nancy’s spirit and hope for answers.

Memorable Family Reflections:

• “She would sing me to sleep. She would read me stories. And I think maybe most of all, I really miss that voice...when I listen to them talk, when I don’t see them and I listen to them, they sound like my mom.” — Nancy’s Daughter [44:39]
• “She just believed that I was extraordinary and that I was capable of anything...I think the most powerful is how to believe in myself and how to love myself.” — Nancy’s Daughter [46:14]

[46:41] Final Word from Justine

• “I want justice to be served. I want to know the truth. I will never stop looking for our mom.” — Justine [46:41]

Notable Quotes & Moments With Timestamps

• “She was just so full of light...made you feel like the most important person in the room.” — Nancy's Daughter [01:48]
• “I am deliriously in love with a big-time political TV producer from Baltimore...” — Nancy’s Letter [08:11]
• “He goes, yeah, I sleep in your mom’s room. And I'm like, what?” — Stacy [11:46]
• “She would never not call us.” — Nancy's Daughter [32:00]
• “You don’t think Nancy ever made it out of Annapolis?” “No to all.” — Mankiewicz and Detective Noel [39:39]
• “He chose not to talk with us. Numerous attempts had been made. In 2005, Paul Collins was subpoenaed to appear before a grand jury...He took the fifth.” — Detective summary [36:34]
• "I want justice to be served. I want to know the truth. I will never stop looking for our mom." — Justine [46:41]

Important Segments With Timestamps

• [00:59–04:34] Nancy’s early life and family
• [06:04–09:16] Move to Annapolis, political work, new relationships
• [09:55–12:22] Election night disappearance and initial responses
• [13:12–16:41] Early search, suspicions regarding Paul Collins
• [22:22–27:44] Police efforts, focus on Captain J and interview inconsistencies
• [29:50–31:13] Circumstantial evidence and limitations for prosecution
• [34:24–36:34] Later phase of investigation, shifting witness testimonies
• [41:21–43:25] Paul Collins as person of interest, investigative roadblocks
• [44:39–46:41] Family’s reflections, memory, and hope for justice

Call to Action

If you have information about Nancy Snow’s disappearance:
Contact Annapolis Police Department at 410-268-9000 (ask for Corporal William Noel).

See photos and learn more at datelinemissinginamerica.com.

Overall Tone:
Respectful, emotional, and persistent, reflecting both the family’s pain and the podcast’s commitment to keeping cold cases alive in public memory and under investigative scrutiny.