Dateline: True Crime Weekly

Episode Summary – November 20, 2025
Host: Blaine Alexander, with Andrea Canning, Dorothy Newell, Kevin Geiss, Marissa Meyer, Tim Ewlinger
Key Themes: Stunning plea change in the Anna Walsh disappearance case, update on Michelle Troconis’s appeal in Jennifer Dulos’s murder, Karen Reid’s civil lawsuit, developments in the John Beam murder, and Smallville actress Allison Mack breaking her silence about NXIVM.

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode covers dramatic new developments in several headline true crime cases. The focus is on:

• Brian Walsh’s unexpected guilty plea (but not to murder) in the disappearance of his wife Anna Walsh
• Michelle Troconis’s thousand-page appeal in the Jennifer Dulos case
• New lawsuit from Karen Reid after her acquittal, the John Beam murder update, and a criminology class helping solve a decades-old cold case
• Exclusive insights into Allison Mack’s first public account of her involvement in NXIVM

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Brian Walsh’s Stunning Plea Change in the Anna Walsh Case

[00:57–09:38]

• Background:
  • Anna Walsh, a mother of three, disappeared on New Year’s Day 2023. Her husband Brian claimed she was traveling to work; no evidence supported this.
  • Blood, a knife, and incriminating Google searches (“10 Ways to Dispose of a Body”) on a child’s iPad contributed to the investigation turning to murder.
• Investigative Details:
  • Brian’s GPS data revealed trips to Home Depot (buying cleaning supplies and a hatchet) and dumping heavy garbage bags (containing Anna’s blood-stained belongings) ([05:06]).
  • No body has ever been found. Motives considered: marital trouble, possible infidelity, and a $2.7 million life insurance policy ([05:43]).
• In-Court Drama:
  • Brian was stabbed in jail, underwent mental health evaluation, and was just cleared for trial ([06:33]).
  • Jury selection was set to begin when he suddenly pleaded guilty to misleading investigators and improper conveyance of a body—not to murder ([07:14–08:01]).
    • Quote:
      • Judge: “Do you wish to offer a change of plea from not guilty to guilty?”
      • Brian Walsh: “I do.” ([03:10])
    • Key Exchanges:
      • Judge: “Did you, in fact, willfully mislead various law enforcement with the intent to impede or interfere with a criminal investigation of Anna Walsh’s disappearance?”
      • Brian Walsh: “Yes, your Honor.” ([07:50])
• What’s Next:
  • The murder trial is still going ahead. Jurors will learn of these lesser guilty pleas; defense may be strategizing for a lesser conviction ([08:14–08:51]).
    • Quote: Dorothy Newell: “By taking responsibility for some of his actions, Walsh could be trying to establish some goodwill with the jurors and hope they find him guilty of a lesser charge like second degree murder or manslaughter.” ([08:31])
• Critical Question:
  • If Brian admits disposing of Anna’s body, can he plausibly claim it was not murder? The only possible story would have to come from Brian himself, exposing him to cross-examination ([09:02]).

2. Michelle Troconis’s Appeal: Jennifer Dulos Case

[11:26–17:37]

• Background:
  • Jennifer Dulos vanished amidst a bitter divorce; her husband, Fotis, suspected but died by suicide before trial. Live-in girlfriend Michelle Troconis was convicted of conspiracy and evidence tampering ([11:26–12:46]).
• Evidence Against Troconis:
  • Prosecution’s narrative: Michel manipulated phone records, helped draft false alibi scripts, and disposed of evidence ([13:24]).
    • Quote: Kevin Geiss: “Prosecutors alleged that she was in charge of things like manipulating Fotis Dulos’ phone… She helped come up with what were referred to as these alibi scripts.” ([13:24])
  • Security footage showed Michelle with Fotis disposing of evidence; defense claimed innocence and unawareness ([14:20]).
  • Inconsistent stories during police interviews; prosecution highlighted inconsistencies, defense cited memory changes ([14:58–15:06]).
• The Appeal:
  • Defense claims insufficient evidence and alleges police interviews (where Troconis’s story repeatedly shifted) were improperly admitted—coercion is alleged ([16:07–16:23]).
    • Quote:
      • Investigator: “If you want to see your family and your daughter and your mother and not get charged with murder, this is your chance, and it’s your one and only chance.” ([16:33])
  • Appeal outcome could take a year; will be ruled by state appellate court ([17:20–17:33]).

3. Dateline Roundup: Major True Crime Headlines

[19:22–25:55]

Karen Reid Files Lawsuit After Acquittal:

• Reid, acquitted of murdering her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, now sues investigators and others from the house where O’Keefe died, alleging cover-up and framing ([19:29–20:59]).
  • Lawsuit claims O’Keefe was attacked inside, bitten by a dog, and body placed outside to frame Reid.
  • All accused parties strongly deny wrongdoing.
  • Quote: On the defendant officers: “The suit accuses all three men of failing to conduct a meaningful investigation into other suspects.” ([21:37])

John Beam Murder in Oakland:

• Laney College’s “Last Chance U” coach John Beam shot and killed on campus.
  • Suspect Cedric Irving Jr. confessed; remains in custody ([22:52]).
  • Motive still unclear, though suspect and Beam “were aware of each other in some capacity” ([23:44]).
  • NFL’s Marshawn Lynch attended the first court appearance in support of Beam’s family ([24:10]).

Criminology Students Crack a 1991 Cold Case:

• University of Arlington class assists police in the Cynthia Gonzalez murder; students’ review leads to the arrest of Janie Perkins ([24:38–25:36]).
• Perkins posted bail, and the class is now reviewing additional cold cases.

4. Allison Mack Breaks Her Silence on NXIVM

[25:58–31:07]

• Context:
  • Allison Mack, known for Smallville, was convicted for her role in the NXIVM cult—serving 21 months in prison, now pursuing social work ([27:11–31:02]).
• Mack’s Account:
  • Describes being seduced by NXIVM’s self-help promises; over a decade, became a key recruiter for “DOS” (latin for “master above female slaves”)—a subgroup where women were manipulated and branded ([28:31]).
  • “DOS basically meant that small groups of women who call themselves slaves were led by a female master… But Raniere was calling the shots, and he was the grandmaster.” —Tim Ewlinger ([28:41])
  • Mack details extreme control over members’ diets and lives; acknowledges her own naivete and guilt ([29:11–29:36]).
    • Quote: Mack: “People can believe me or… think I’m full of shit or whatever. People can not listen, like, whatever, but I feel like I at least have to say it out loud for myself, like, once.” ([27:11])
• Victims’ Response:
  • India Oxenberg (fellow member) acknowledges Mack’s right to share her story.
• Aftermath:
  • Mack admits leaving the group was a slow, difficult process and is trying to atone as she rebuilds her life ([30:40–31:02]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Brian Walsh Plea:
  • “I do.” – Brian Walsh, changing his plea ([03:13])
• Juror Strategy:
  • “By taking responsibility for some of his actions, Walsh could be trying to establish some goodwill with the jurors and hope they find him guilty of a lesser charge like second degree murder or manslaughter.” — Dorothy Newell ([08:31])
• Allison Mack on NXIVM:
  • “People can believe me or… think I’m full of shit or whatever… but I feel like I at least have to say it out loud for myself, like, once.” — Allison Mack ([27:11])
• NXIVM Control:
  • “Max says she was only allowed to eat about 500 calories a day, meaning… she was practically starving all the time.” — Tim Ewlinger ([29:11])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Brian Walsh Plea & Anna Walsh Case: [00:57–09:38]
• Michelle Troconis Appeal/Jennifer Dulos Case: [11:26–17:37]
• Karen Reid Lawsuit & Other Roundup Headlines: [19:22–25:55]
• Allison Mack/NXIVM Story: [25:58–31:07]

Tone & Style

Episodes reflect Dateline’s signature blend: conversational, journalistic, and empathetic, featuring in-depth sourcing from their team of reporters and guests.

For Listeners: Key Takeaways

• Even after shocking guilty pleas, key questions persist—especially if a body or a “smoking gun” remains missing.
• High-profile convictions are not the end; appeals and civil suits challenge verdicts behind the scenes.
• Grassroots efforts, from families to criminology students, can have powerful impacts on cold case investigations.
• Survivor and perpetrator narratives, like Allison Mack’s, remain complex and divisive long after convictions.

This episode is essential listening for true crime fans seeking detailed case progressions, insight into courtroom drama, and a look at the ongoing effects of high-profile crimes.