Dateline: True Crime Weekly – January 8, 2026

Episode Summary

Main Theme:
This episode, hosted by Lester Holt with contributions from the Dateline team, covers three major crime stories making headlines in early 2026: an urgent double homicide manhunt in Ohio, the retrial of a widow in Georgia accused of poisoning and killing her husband, and a deep dive into the science and challenges of arson investigations. Regular New England and California case updates round out the news, with expert commentary and behind-the-scenes journalism.

1. BREAKING: Double Homicide Manhunt in Columbus, Ohio

Segment Start: [02:10]

Overview

Police are searching for the killer of Dr. Spencer Tepe and his wife Monique, who were shot dead in their home on December 30. Their two young children were found unharmed in the house. NBC’s Ryan Chandler brings the latest developments.

Key Details & Insights

• Victims: Spencer (dentist) and Monique Tepe (childhood education specialist), late 30s, described as a devoted, joyful couple deeply connected with their community.

  “They were extraordinary people whose lives were filled with love, joy and deep connection to others.” — Ryan Chandler [03:26]

• Discovery:

  • Multiple 911 calls around 9–10am after Spencer didn't show for work and a friend heard the children inside.
  • Police found both adults shot, with their children and family dog unharmed in another room.

  “There’s a body. There’s a body.” — 911 caller relayed by Ryan Chandler [04:49]

• Investigation:

  • No sign of forced entry. No firearm recovered, but three 9mm shell casings found inside.
  • The Columbus PD released a brief security video showing a ‘person of interest’—face covered, dark hoodie, head down, seen in a snowy alley near the Tepe home.
  • Ongoing plea to public for information, especially from 2–5am on the night of the murders.

• Possible History of Trouble:

  • Fox News obtained a 911 call from the Tepe address in April 2025, logged as a domestic dispute. The family denies the caller is Monique.
  • Children are safe with family, as is family dog.

Notable Quotes

• “Their demeanor, their face is covered, the hoodie is up, hands are in their pockets and their head is down as they're walking along this snowy alley near the Tepe residence…” — Ryan Chandler [06:19]

2. Widow on Trial a Third Time: The Susan Embert Case

Segment Start: [10:02]

Overview

Susan Embert stands trial for a third time, accused of staging her husband Jake’s suicide and poisoning him over months in Georgia in 2014. The case has involved a volatile combination of botched evidence, family suspicions, and multiple retrials.

Key Details & Insights

• Background:

  • Jake was found dead of a gunshot wound in 2014, ruled at first a suicide (no autopsy, body released and cremated promptly).
  • Months later, family suspicions (illnesses, isolation) led to investigation; Susan charged with murder and aggravated assault (alleged poisoning).

• First Trial:

  • Prosecution claimed Susan staged the death, presenting hair sample tox reports showing DEET, antifreeze, arsenic, and other heavy metals allegedly administered by Susan.
  • Defense countered chain-of-custody issues and alternative environmental exposures.
  • Conviction in 2019 led to life sentence.

• Appeals & Mistrial:

  • 2024: Conviction thrown out due to ineligible juror.
  • December retrial ended in mistrial when the coroner mentioned "antifreeze"—in violation of a ruling that tox lab evidence (from a now-discredited laboratory) could not be used.

  “About an hour into his testimony, the coroner said the word ‘antifreeze.’ Our team said you could hear people gasp in the courtroom.” — Marissa Meyer [16:02]

• Current (Third) Trial:

  • New prosecution team; poison not mentioned in opening statements.
  • Prosecution to call a shooting reconstruction expert.
  • Family remains determined to see justice for Jake.

Memorable Moments

• “She steadfastly maintains her innocence. — Did you do what you're accused of doing? No, I did not.” — Susan Embert, relayed by Lester Holt [11:47]
• “Jake’s family told us that Susan tried to isolate him from the family. She took over his finances and his email accounts. That's something that Susan denies doing.” — Marissa Meyer [13:35]

3. Dateline Roundup – Latest True Crime Developments

Segment Start: [19:21]

A. Michelle Troconis: Hearing in Jennifer Dulos Case

• Context: Michelle Troconis, convicted in 2024 as a conspirator in Jennifer Dulos’ murder, is in court for a habeas petition claiming ineffective counsel.
• Significance: Judge’s choice to hold a hearing indicates the claim has merit worth exploring.
• Attorney Testimony:

  “She wanted to talk to them… but my advice at that time was don’t talk to them.” — Andrew Bowman [20:57]

• Next Steps: More hearings set for January 9 and 16; judge’s decision pending.

B. Uvalde Responding Officer Trial

• Defendant: Adrian Gonzalez, former school police officer, charged with 29 counts of abandoning/endangering a child during the Robb Elementary shooting response.
• Key Defense Argument:

  “Adrian Gonzalez did the best he could with what he knew at the time.” — Gonzalez’s attorney (Scott Coleman) [22:23]

• Trial: Expected to last two weeks; max penalty two years if convicted.

C. Hollywood Parents Murder Arraignment Delay

• Case: Nick Reiner (accused in the deaths of Michelle & Rob Reiner) had his arraignment delayed when his high-profile attorney, Alan Jackson, stepped down unexpectedly.
• Attorney’s Statement:

  “Circumstances beyond our control, but more importantly, circumstances beyond Nick’s control, have dictated that.” — Alan Jackson [23:17]

• Status: Now represented by public defender, next arraignment in February.

4. Deep Dive: The Science of Arson Investigation

Segment Start: [23:57]

Expert Guest:

Scott Coleman, California Conference of Arson Investigators

Key Points

• Why Arson is Hard to Prove:

  • Fire destroys evidence and, ironically, evidence is often further damaged/removed during firefighting efforts.

  “As we all think of fire, by its very nature, it’s destructive… and sometimes your evidence.” — Scott Coleman [24:53]

• First Steps:

  • First-responder firefighters are the first ‘eyes and ears,’ reporting signs like smoke color, flame behavior, etc.
  • Investigators follow the “scientific method,” examining exterior/interior, documenting damage and working back to cause.

  “We’re just documenting everything as it is. The smoke staining the windows, your electrical meter, your gas meter…” — Scott Coleman [25:38]

• Accelerant Detection:

  • Use of canines and chemical testing. Canines help pinpoint collection sites; only the lab can confirm presence of accelerant.

  “Only then once the lab confirms it, can we testify that that was in fact an accelerant.” — Scott Coleman [26:48]

• New Technology:

  • 3D imaging cameras now allow fire investigators to create detailed models enabling ‘walkthroughs’ of fire scenes for later review and courtroom presentation.

  “I can put this camera throughout a structure and in less than 20 minutes… anyone at any time in the future can walk through that room with me almost in real time…” — Scott Coleman [27:31]

Notable Quotes and Moments

• On the Tepe family murder:
  “No signs of forced entry. There was not a firearm recovered at the scene.” — Ryan Chandler [05:12]

• On the Embert case’s shifting narrative:
  “This has been incredibly difficult on them. But they remain deeply committed to their father and what they say is their mission of finding justice for him.” — Marissa Meyer [17:01]

• On arson difficulties:
  “The primary role of the fire department is to protect life and property.” — Scott Coleman [25:21]

Episode Structure & Flow

• Each major segment begins with a headline and context-setting.
• The episode is brisk and informative, with back-and-forth between Lester Holt, field correspondents and producers.
• The tone remains thoughtful, empathetic and professional, with direct sourcing and the use of court and police audio for impact.

Timestamps For Important Segments

• [02:10] Double homicide manhunt in Columbus, Ohio
• [10:02] Susan Embert’s third trial and backstory
• [19:21] Crime news roundup (Troconis/Dulos habeas case, Uvalde officer, Reiner case update)
• [23:57] Deep dive: how arson investigations work

Conclusion

This episode showcases the evolving nature of true crime reporting—blending real-time investigative updates with in-depth storytelling and expert explanation. Dateline’s team leverages their reporting resources for gripping, accessible, and nuanced perspectives on cases that are still far from over.