The Adelson children take the stand. A missing woman's husband is arrested. And a deep dive on DNA.

Summary

Dateline: True Crime Weekly — August 28, 2025

The Adelson Children Take the Stand. A Missing Woman’s Husband is Arrested. Plus, a Deep Dive on DNA.

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Main Theme & Purpose

In this episode, host Blaine Alexander (filling in for Andrea Canning) leads Dateline’s coverage of the week’s major crime stories. The episode centers on dramatic developments in the Donna Adelson murder trial as two Adelson children take the stand, the arrest of a missing woman’s husband in Northern California, and a nuanced exploration of DNA evidence in criminal cases. The show also features a true crime news roundup, with updates on cases involving Cardi B, Ryan Borgwart, and Ghislaine Maxwell.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Donna Adelson Murder Trial: The Children Take the Stand

[02:20–11:01]

• Background: Donna Adelson, 75, is on trial in Florida, charged with orchestrating the 2014 murder of her daughter Wendy’s ex-husband, FSU professor Dan Markel. Four people, including Donna’s son Charlie, have already been convicted.
• Prosecution’s Motive: Donna’s alleged motive was to allow Wendy to move her children to Miami. The prosecution uses family communications to paint a picture of Donna’s intense dislike for Dan and her determination to keep Wendy close.

Wendy Adelson’s Testimony

• Demeanor: Wendy, a lawyer, appeared poised and careful (“She really knows what to say and how to be careful when she speaks.” — Brad Davis, 04:18).

• Key Detail: Testified under state subpoena with use immunity.

• Evidence Highlighted: Prosecution presented emails and texts showing Donna’s harsh language about Dan.

  • Quote: "Did your mom ever call Dan Markel any disparaging names? ...Piece of shit? Yes. Asshole? Yes. Narcissist? Yes. Bully? Yes. Bastard? Yes." (05:03)

• Defense’s Counter: Emphasized Donna’s loving relationship with both Dan and the grandkids, including helping with childcare.

  • Quote: "The week before he died, your mother was babysitting for Danny, wasn’t she? ...She actually made him banana bread, specifically the way he liked it?" (06:01)

Rob Adelson’s Testimony

• Significance: Rob, the eldest and estranged sibling, testifies for the first time.

• Atmosphere: Intense courtroom focus; Rob was visibly nervous and careful not to make eye contact with Donna.

  • Quote: "You could sort of hear a pin drop...someone who has really been very reluctant to...speak to media or anything. And we're finally hearing him." (07:09)

• Family Dynamics: Describes Donna as controlling and the family leader.

  • Quote: "Who's the leader in the family? ...I think my mom." (07:54)
  • "Would you describe Donna Adelson's personality as being more controlling or more laid back?" — "More on the controlling side." (08:02)

• Attitude Towards Dan: Donna’s anger intensified during Wendy’s divorce.

  • Quote: "How did Donna feel about Dan Markel in 2014?" — "I mean, she hated him." (08:41)

• Donna’s Reaction to Dan’s Death: Rob recalls her emotionless response and lack of curiosity.

  • Quote: "She had said, I don’t care. It doesn’t concern me." (09:06)
  • "If it was some neighborhood gossip, people would be interested. This was national interest. And nobody had any curiosity about...who did this to Danny." (09:13)

• Discouraging Cooperation with Law Enforcement: Donna told Rob, “Oh, well, you don’t know anything anyway.” (09:55)

• After Hitmen Arrests: Rob contacted Donna about the break in the case, but she avoided the topic and cut the call short. He never spoke to her again.

  • Quote: "Her response was, you know, I’ve got to go...That was the last time I spoke to her." (10:47–10:58)

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2. Arrest in Missing Woman’s Case: Nikki McCain

[13:03–20:11]

• Case Summary: Nikki McCain disappeared from Redding, CA. Husband Tyler McCain, previously indicted (charges dropped) for domestic violence against Nikki, is now arrested for her murder even though her body hasn’t been found.

Key Developments

• History of Abuse: Nikki reported severe attacks; Tyler claimed she’d been in a fight with another woman and denied abuse. Charges were initially dropped, fueling protests.

  • Quote: "She had two black eyes and other injuries...He held her down, taped her ankles and wrists together, put tape over her mouth, proceeded to...hit her for three hours." (14:58)

• Evidence After Disappearance: Nikki’s car found with a bloodied sheet and overwhelming odor of decomposition; DNA confirmed both Nikki’s (blood) and Tyler’s (primary DNA) presence. Tyler also caught forging Nikki’s signature after her disappearance, and found with Nikki's burned driver's license.

  • Quote: "Nikki’s Chevy Avalanche...smell an overwhelming odor of decomposition. The truck bed had a white sheet with blood stains...the blood...was Nikki’s." (17:32)

• Confession: A confidential informant revealed Tyler admitted to killing Nikki.

  • Quote: "A confidential informant told detectives that Tyler admitted to killing Nikki." (18:25)

• Historic Indictment: First "no body" murder trial in Shasta County.

  • Quote: "It's the first time in Shasta county history they're trying to get someone for a murder charge with no body." (19:54)

• Enhancement to Charges: DA seeking life without parole; accused of murdering Nikki to prevent testimony.

  • Quote: "Filed an enhancement...for murder with intent to prevent testimony. It is our belief that Tyler McCain murdered his wife, Nikki McCain, to prevent her from testifying." (19:21)

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3. News Roundup

[22:13–28:07]

Ryan Borgwart: Kayaker Who Faked His Death

• Update: After faking his drowning and fleeing to Europe, Borgwart was sentenced to 89 days in jail for obstructing police—one day for each day he was missing. His wife filed for divorce upon his return. (22:52–23:46)

Cardi B: Civil Trial in Los Angeles

• Allegations: Rapper accused of physically assaulting a security guard. The plaintiff claims Cardi B verbally abused her, scratched her cheek, and spit on her.

  • Quote: "Cardi B got in her face and accused her of spreading the news...yelled obscenities...cut her cheek with her fingernail, and then spit on her." (24:08)

• Defense: Cardi B admits to a verbal confrontation but denies anything physical. Her personality shines through on the stand.

  • Quote, Cardi B: “It was like a verbal fight, but it didn’t get physical at all.” (25:16)

Ghislaine Maxwell: DOJ Interview and Fallout

• DOJ releases interview audio: Maxwell denies the existence of an Epstein "black book" or client list and downplays her role in recruiting.

  • Quote, Maxwell: "That is partially true." (26:56)
  • “So it is true that I...found masseuses and...would go to massage spas, like legitimate spas.” (27:05)

• Virginia Giuffre: Family outraged by the tapes being released, saying Maxwell is trying to rewrite history; Giuffre’s memoir "Nobody’s Girl" to be released posthumously.

  • Quote, Family: "Outraged by the release...as it gives Maxwell a, quote, platform to rewrite history." (27:31)

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4. Deep Dive: The Real Story on DNA Evidence

[28:18–32:40]

Guest: Melba Pearson, ABA Criminal Justice Section Chair

• DNA Collection:

  • By consent, by warrant, routinely upon criminal conviction (varies by state), and via "discarded DNA" (items left behind).
  • Law enforcement can use genetic genealogy through consumer databases (e.g., 23andMe) with a warrant.

• Limits of DNA:

  • Mixtures from multiple contributors—cannot conclusively ID one person.
  • Presence can be from consensual encounters, not just crimes.
  • Quote: "DNA cannot be the only thing you’re walking into the courtroom with." (32:25)

• Key Message: DNA is a powerful tool, but cases can be more complex than simply "DNA equals justice."

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Courtroom Drama: “You could sort of hear a pin drop... we’re finally hearing [Rob Adelson].” — Brad Davis (07:09)
• Donna Adelson’s Control: "Who's the leader in the family? ...I think my mom." (07:54)
• On Donna’s Attitude: "How did Donna feel about Dan Markel in 2014?" — "I mean, she hated him." (08:41)
• Rob's Final Conversation with Donna: "Her response was, you know, I’ve got to go...That was the last time I spoke to her." (10:47–10:58)
• On DNA Evidence: "DNA cannot be the only thing you’re walking into the courtroom with." — Melba Pearson (32:25)
• On Shasta County Murder Indictment: "It's the first time...they're trying to get someone for a murder charge with no body." — Blake Mayfield (19:54)
• Cardi B on the Stand: "It was like a verbal fight, but it didn’t get physical at all." (25:16)
• Outrage at Maxwell Interview Release: "Outraged by the release...as it gives Maxwell a platform to rewrite history." (27:31)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Adelson trial – Wendy & Rob testimony: 02:20–11:01
• Nikki McCain missing woman case: 13:03–20:11
• Dateline roundup: Borgwart, Cardi B, Maxwell: 22:13–28:07
• DNA deep dive with Melba Pearson: 28:18–32:40

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Episode Flow & Tone

The episode maintains Dateline’s signature blend of measured but urgent narration, with moments of emotional resonance—particularly in the testimonies of family members. The reporting is detailed, with legal experts contextualizing courtroom developments and the reality of evidence like DNA.

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For Listeners: Why This Episode Matters

• Offers a gripping inside look at how family dynamics and courtroom drama shape high-profile murder trials.
• Highlights shifting approaches to evidence, especially in "no body" homicide prosecutions.
• Cautions against over-reliance on DNA, showing the complexities behind forensic “science.”
• Features firsthand perspectives that humanize headline-making cases.

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Transcript

[Narrator]

How could popular Mormon family vlogger Ruby Franke end up being convicted for child abuse? The answer to that question is Jodi Hildebrandt. But Jodi's manipulation extended far beyond the Franke family, seemingly leaving a trail of victims in her wake. This ID documentary event features never before seen interviews from survivors who found the courage to expose her systematic abuse. Ruby and Jodie, A Cult of Sin and Influence premieres September 1st at 9pm Eastern on ID.

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[Interviewee]

Good.

[Reporter Blake Mayfield]

Last week of summer, though.

[Interviewee]

Yes, not technically, but effectively.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

It's time for dateline's morning meeting. Our editorial team is discussing breaking crime news.

[Producer Veronica Mazzeca]

He had been following her and she.

[Witness or Family Member]

Was completely unaware they might still be in voir dire. And tomorrow she has a hearing on her other case. They waited months before they realized she was really missing.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

Welcome to DATELINE True Crime Weekly. I'm Blaine Alexander filling in today for Andrea Canning. It's August 28th and here's what's on our docket. In Northern California, after giving a bizarre press conference about his missing wife, her husband is arrested for her murder.

[Reporter Blake Mayfield]

It's the first time in Shasta county history they're trying to get someone for a murder charge. With no body.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

In DATELINE roundup, the kayaker who faked his own death faces sentencing. And rap star Cardi B appears in a Los Angeles courtroom as a civil defendant. We'll bring you the latest on what she had to say in her own defense.

[Producer Veronica Mazzeca]

She really doubled down on it being just a verbal altercation, nothing physical.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

Plus, you've seen investigators asking suspects for DNA samples and DATELINE episodes. A former prosecutor breaks down why this is often detectives best tool, but it's not always foolproof.

[Expert Melba Pearson]

DNA cannot be the only thing you're walking into the courtroom with.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

But before all of that, at the murder trial of Florida grandmother Donna Adelson, one of the most anticipated witnesses takes the stand her oldest son. Nearly two years after she was arrested, Donna Adelen's trial is now in its second week. The 75 year old grandmother is charged with helping to orchestrate the 2014 killing of her daughter Wendy's ex husband, FSU professor Dan Markell. Markell was shot in the head by two hitmen in his driveway. And four people have already been convicted for their roles in the crime, Including Donna's son, Charlie. Donna adelson has pleaded not guilty to charges of first degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation. In its opening statement, the prosecution laid out what they said was Donna's motive To get Dan markle out of the way so that Wendy could move their children closer to her parents.

[Witness or Family Member]

The defendant said that she would never, never, never give up and never stop fighting for Wendy and the boys to be relocated to Miami. And she never did.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

The defense then countered that there is no direct proof that Donna adelson was ever involved. This case is really a lot about theory and motive and not evidence. This week, as testimony ramped up, the dynamics of the adelson family took center stage. Daughter Wendy and rob, the adelson son, who is estranged from the family, Both took the stand. Dateline producer Brad Davis was in the courtroom as their dramatic testimony unfolded and is here now to break down everything that happened in that testimony. Brad, thanks so much for joining us.

[Legal Analyst Brad Davis]

Oh, glad to be here.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

This is certainly a lot to talk about, so let's jump right in. Okay. So Wendy took the stand first. Now, what's notable about this, this is her fourth time testifying in six years. When we heard her on the stand, I mean, what was her demeanor like? What were some of the things that she said?

[Legal Analyst Brad Davis]

Yeah, I mean, she's very poised on the stand, and she's a lawyer herself, so she really knows what to say and how to be careful when she speaks. And the prosecution explained to the jury that she was testifying under a state subpoena and that she had a form of what's called use immunity, where what she said on the stand could not be used against her later in a court of law. But that doesn't mean that she can't be later prosecuted related to this case. The prosecution wanted her to help paint a picture of her family, and they wanted to show that Donna adelson was deeply involved in the divorce proceedings, you know, all the motions going back and forth.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

And they also wanted to show. Right. How much Donna apparently disliked Dan.

[Legal Analyst Brad Davis]

Yeah, they went through all of these documents, all these emails, all these texts from Donna to Wendy, and you get a lot of, like, really nasty comments that Donna makes about Dan markle. Her former son in law.

[Witness or Family Member]

At that point, did your mom ever call Dan Markell any disparaging names around this time frame? She did. Okay. Including piece of shit? Yes. Asshole? Yes. A narcissist? Yes. A bully? Yes. A bastard? Yes.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

So certainly the prosecution painted one picture of everything. But when it came time for cross examination, how did Donna's defense team try to counter the prosecution's case here?

[Legal Analyst Brad Davis]

Yeah, the defense portrays Donna as, you know, very loving mother and very loving mother in law, that she really had no animus. You know, she would do things for Dan. She would help with the kids, help him out with the kids. Even as Wendy and Dan were, you know, were divorced.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

You testified that your mother hated Danny at the time that he was killed. But the week before he died, your mother was babysitting for Danny, wasn't she?

[Witness or Family Member]

Yes.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

And in fact, she actually made him banana bread, specifically the way he liked it.

[Commercial Voiceover]

Right.

[Witness or Family Member]

It was his favorite.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

Without nuts, but with chocolate chips.

[Witness or Family Member]

That's right.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

The next witness in all of this was someone that a lot of people have been waiting to hear from for quite a long time, and that's the third Adelson sibling, Rob. Now, he has never testified at any of the earlier trials, so this is really the first time we're hearing from him. But before we get to his testimony, Brad, just kind of tell us a little bit about Rob.

[Legal Analyst Brad Davis]

Yeah. Rob Adelson is the oldest of the three Adelson kids. He is an ent, an ear, nose and throat doctor. And he lives up in New York. He does not live anywhere near Florida where the Adelsons have lived. You could tell he was very nervous on the stand. He tried to look really not at Donna, not at anyone in the courtroom. I mean, he was very careful to just focus on the prosecutor when he was talking.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

I'm curious, what was the mood in the courtroom while he was testifying?

[Legal Analyst Brad Davis]

Yeah, I mean, when. When Rob was testifying, you could sort of hear a pin drop. Because this is someone that we have never heard from in this case. You know, someone who has really been very reluctant to. To speak to media or anything. And we're finally hearing him, and the jury, you know, seemed very wrapped with attention as. As he was speaking.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

Let's talk about the picture that Rob painted of the Adelson household growing up.

[Legal Analyst Brad Davis]

Yeah, he talks about his family that. That basically his mom, Donna, was really in control of a lot of things, and she would get invol kids lives to an extent that, you know, was maybe to him unhealthy at times.

[Witness or Family Member]

Based on your personal observations throughout your life of your parents and of your siblings, who's the leader in the family who tends to run the show?

[Interviewee]

I think my mom.

[Witness or Family Member]

Would you describe Donna Adelson's personality as being more controlling or more laid back?

[Interviewee]

I think more on the controlling side.

[Legal Analyst Brad Davis]

Rob said Charlie to him is sort of the middle child who's sort of the ne' er do well. Wendy is the youngest. You know, she's the one that Donna has to take care of and make sure she's all okay.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

And of course, the prosecution asked Rob about Donna's relationship with Dan Markell. What did Rob have to say about the interaction between those two on the stand?

[Legal Analyst Brad Davis]

Rob said initially it seemed like everything, that Donna had no issues with Dan. But as the divorce, you know, began and got underway, she got really angry with Dan.

[Witness or Family Member]

And how did Donna Adelen feel about dan Martel in 2014?

[Interviewee]

I mean, she hated him.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

And Rob was also asked about his interactions with his mother surrounding Dan Markel's death. He said that she was the one who essentially broke the news to him.

[Legal Analyst Brad Davis]

Yeah, that's right. I mean, he said he got a call from her that right when it happened, and he was in shock. He couldn't believe what had happened. But he said his mother was not that emotional. On the phone speaking with him, she.

[Interviewee]

Had said, I don't care. It doesn't concern me.

[Witness or Family Member]

Was that out of character for her to not be curious and not be asking some questions?

[Interviewee]

Yeah, I mean, it was an unsolved murder of my former brother in law, Someone that we all know very well. If it was some neighborhood gossip, people would be interested. This was national interest. And nobody had any curiosity about, you know, who did this to Danny and Brad.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

This is certainly interesting. There was one portion in there where Rob testified that Donna told him not to talk to law enforcement.

[Legal Analyst Brad Davis]

Yeah. Rob said that the FBI came to talk with him up in New York, and he obliged and told them what he could. And then he got a call from his mother.

[Witness or Family Member]

Did you let her know that you'd already. You already had talked to law enforcement?

[Interviewee]

I said, I already did.

[Witness or Family Member]

What'd she say to that?

[Interviewee]

She said, oh, well, you don't know anything anyway.

[Witness or Family Member]

You don't. You don't know anything anyway.

[Interviewee]

Correct.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

And then the prosecution moved forward a bit to May of 2016. That's when the two hitmen were arrested. This was a very compelling piece of testimony. Brad, what did Rob have to say about what happened next?

[Legal Analyst Brad Davis]

Yeah, he said that he was truly shocked when he heard that they were arrested and then made. And so he was, like, waiting for his parents to call him to say, you know, that these arrests. And he, he didn't hear from them, but he knew he was going to two days later because his anniversary was coming up. So his mother did call and they talked about, you know, little things, small talk, and they never brought up these arrests.

[Interviewee]

So I finally broached the topic and said, you know, they found the guy, they arrested someone who killed Danny. You know, there's no response. And I said it, you know, at least two or three times. And her response was, you know, I've got to go.

[Witness or Family Member]

And then did she hang up the phone after that? Yes. Other than, you know, her reaching out for happy birthdays, happy anniversaries, that kind of thing. Was that the last conversation you had with her?

[Interviewee]

That was the last time I spoke to her.

[Witness or Family Member]

Okay, that's all. Thank you.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

We know that the prosecution is continuing to present their case, and of course, we will keep having you back on Brad to break down every twist and turn that comes out of the courtroom. Thank you so much.

[Legal Analyst Brad Davis]

Glad to be here. Thank you.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

Coming up, after a mother of four disappeared in Redding, California, her sisters urged police to take a closer look at her husband. Now there's been an arrest in the case.

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[Narrator]

How could popular Mormon family vlogger Ruby Franke end up being convicted for child abuse? The answer to that question is Jodi Hildebrandt. But Jody's manipulation extended far beyond the Franke family, seemingly leaving a trail of victims in her wake. This ID documentary event features never before seen interviews from survivors who found the courage to expose her systematic abuse. Ruby and Jody, A Cult of Sin and Influence premieres September 1st at 9pm Eastern on ID.

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[Host Blaine Alexander]

In March, Tyler McCain stood in front of reporters at the Shasta County Sheriff's Office and talked about his wife, Nikki. She'd been missing for almost a year.

[Interviewee]

We miss you. I don't really know what to say.

[Legal Analyst Brad Davis]

I haven't been in the public eyes, and I'm just here in support. So anything that I can do, I.

[Interviewee]

Want to do that.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

The people in that room knew that there was something Tyler wasn't saying. Before Nikki disappeared, her husband Tyler, had been indicted on four counts of domestic violence for allegedly assaulting her. Charges that had been dropped by the prosecutor after Nikki vanished, leading to protests outside of the county courthouse. Justice for Nikki is what we're looking.

[Commercial Voiceover]

For, and that's what we shall receive.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

Nikki's three sisters took it upon themselves to keep attention on her case, including by talking to DATELINE last summer for our online series, Missing in America.

[Producer Veronica Mazzeca]

I know that there are a lot of people who know something, but maybe they just might be afraid to say something.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

And then late last week, the family finally got some answers. Even without finding Nikki's body, The Shasta County DA charged Tyler McCain with his wife's murder. Action News now reporter Blake Mayfield has been following this case closely. He joins us now to tell us how prosecutors got to an indictment here and what they're revealing to the public about this investigation. Blake, thank you so much for joining us. We're so glad to have you today.

[Reporter Blake Mayfield]

Yeah, thank you for having me.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

I want to start by just talking about who Nikki was. Our digital team did a really great interview with her sisters, but tell us a little bit about what her life was like in Reading.

[Reporter Blake Mayfield]

She was born and raised in Reading. Reading lifer, if you will. Homemaker. Had four kids, 39 years old when she disappeared.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

Now, according to her sisters and the DA's account of the county's investigation, the marriage started getting violent around 2020. Tyler was arrested for domestic violence in 2023. So, Blake, what do we know about that incident?

[Reporter Blake Mayfield]

In the sheriff's complaint, the reporting officer said that when he met Nikki at Mercy Hospital, she had two black eyes and other injuries to her head and face. She had told the officer that Tyler had come home extremely agitated, was not making any sense. I mean, held her down, taped her ankles and wrists together, put tape over her mouth, proceeded to be right and hit her for three hours after that.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

Three hours.

[Reporter Blake Mayfield]

Pretty, pretty rough, pretty violent stuff. Nikki had told the officer there at Mercy that Tyler had done this type of thing before, but it never been that bad. Never to that extent. Tyler told the officer, he didn't strike Nikki in any way. He told the officer that he thought she got in a fight with another woman, and that's why she had the marks and the black eyes and all that. He pleaded not guilty to the felony charges, and he was scheduled to go to court on June 3rd. And that's actually just a little over two weeks after Nikki disappeared.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

Wow. Those are. I mean, we just need to pause and say those are some heavy allegations against Tyler that. That she made. Her sisters told us that Tyler had been asking Nikki to recant some of those allegations against him. She told us she was very upset because what he did was ambushed her with his attorney and tried to get her to tell his attorney that none of that happened, and she made it up. The press release that the Shasta County DA put out last week references these alleged efforts by Tyler saying, quote, detectives also determined that Tyler McCain made multiple attempts to dissuade Nikki from testifying in connection with a domestic violence incident. What do we know about that? I mean, is there any evidence?

[Reporter Blake Mayfield]

I know that she did not ask the county to drop the charges against Tyler.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

And Dateline has reached out to both Tyler McCain and his attorney. We've not yet heard back from either of them. But, Blake, what do we know about the investigation into Nikki's disappearance?

[Reporter Blake Mayfield]

Yeah, until last week, investigators and the district attorney's office never said publicly that they suspected foul play or that Tyler was even an official suspect. They did appear to have him on their radar from the get go. The couple's house was searched just a couple days after she went missing. Investigators found a firearm, a large capacity magazine ammunition. There was a protective order against him related to prior felony domestic violence charges to where he wasn't supposed to have anything like a large capacity magazine, so he. He got a charge for that one. The week after that, he forged Nikki's signature to cash an IRS refund check. And that's all we knew about the investigation.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

Was there anything that they found that pointed to possible violence toward Nikki, Any evidence to that effect?

[Reporter Blake Mayfield]

Yeah. So this is all new information from the DA's office. We had no idea of any of these details until last week. Nikki's Chevy Avalanche was found about a week after she was last heard from. And authorities say they smell an overwhelming odor of decomposition. The truck bed had a white sheet with blood stains on it. Investigators did confirm that the blood on the sheet was Nikki's, and they confirmed the primary source of the rest of the DNA in that car was indeed Tyler's. So that Was a part of the investigation as early as may of last year. In april of this year, Tyler was pulled over for throwing things out of the window of his truck. And one of the things that authorities found was actually Nikki's driver's license that had been partially burned.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

There's one more thing here, blake, that was kind of buried in the da's press release, but it is a very striking and notable detail. Tyler, according to the da's office, actually admitted to killing Nikki at some point.

[Reporter Blake Mayfield]

Yeah, yeah, that's what she said in her press conference. She said that a confidential informant told detectives that Tyler admitted to killing nikki. So that could have been over a year ago. It could have been three months ago. It could have been in march.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

But just to kind of punctuate it, I mean, that is a major update.

[Reporter Blake Mayfield]

Very, very much so. It's something I didn't expect to hear.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

I'm curious, blake, during her press conference, did she at all mention or address this kind of growing public frustration with just how long it's taken to bring an indictment in this case?

[Reporter Blake Mayfield]

DA Stephanie bridgie said this last week, it's the first time in shasta county history they're trying to get someone for a murder charge with no body. The d. A. Pointed out that her office and law enforcement partners have been, you know, gathering evidence since may of last year. She is going to bring back all the charges she dismissed last july against Tyler.

[Producer Veronica Mazzeca]

Now, it may have appeared that mccain had gotten away with domestic violence charges, and I understand your frustration at that.

[Witness or Family Member]

Time, but as you can see, we.

[Producer Veronica Mazzeca]

Filed an enhancement to the murder charge for murder with intent to prevent testimony. It is our belief that Tyler McCain murdered his wife, Nikki mccain, To prevent her from testifying in the domestic violence case.

[Reporter Blake Mayfield]

Yeah. So this enhancement actually changes the sentence that he'd be facing significantly. He's now looking at life without parole, and he also cannot get out on bail. While waiting for his trial to start.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

He entered a plea of not guilty at his arraignment. You were there in the courtroom that day. What was the mood like there? What was Tyler's demeanor when he entered that not guilty plea?

[Reporter Blake Mayfield]

Full courtroom. You know, it's going to be. It's one of the most high profile cases, not only in shasta county, but it feels like. I mean, I'm talking a dateline. Truthfully, I didn't really get a good look at him. His attorney did a really good job of standing in front of him.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

Well, blake, it is a very disturbing case. Thank you so much for joining us to break it all down.

[Reporter Blake Mayfield]

And I appreciate you guys having me on.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, you can always call the National Domestic Violence Hotline. That number is 1-800-799-7233. Or visit the website thehotline.org for more resources. Up next, it's time for DATELINE Roundup. Rapper Cardi B is on civil trial in California for an alleged assault. And what happened to the Wisconsin man who faked his own death to start a new life in Europe? We've got an update. Plus, when investigators collect suspects DNA, we'll tell you what you need to know.

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[Host Blaine Alexander]

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[Expert Melba Pearson]

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[Host Blaine Alexander]

Hi, everyone. Welcome back. Joining us this week for our roundup is DATELINE digital producer Veronica Mazeka. Veronica, hi.

[Producer Veronica Mazzeca]

Hi, Blaine.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

Veronica, thanks so much for joining us today. We certainly have a lot to break down. So first to start, we're heading to Wisconsin for an update in the case of Ryan Borgwart, the married father of three who authorities say faked his own death last year by pretending to drown while kayaking in a local lake. Now, after searching the lake for weeks, police found Borgward alive and well in Eastern Europe, where they say that he went to meet a woman that he'd met online. This is really quite a twisted case, Veronica. So what's the latest here?

[Producer Veronica Mazzeca]

Yeah. So Borgort voluntarily returned to the US Last December. He was taken into custody and then he was charged, charged with obstructing an officer. The allegation is that once police discovered Borgwart was alive and made contact with him, they say he deliberately misled them about his location by using a VPN while browsing the Internet, thereby obstructing their investigation. Borgwart was finally sentenced on Tuesday after pleading guilty to that charge.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

And what kind of a sentence did he receive?

[Producer Veronica Mazzeca]

The judge sentenced Borgwart to 89 days in county jail, one day for each of the days. Borgwart's whereabouts were unknown by law enforcement.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

89 days in jail. So that's the legal penalty. I'm curious, Veronica. What became of his marriage? What happened with his family that he deceived all this time?

[Producer Veronica Mazzeca]

So when he returned to the US his wife did file for divorce.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

For our next story, let's move out to California, where we switch gears and we focus on a civil trial instead of a criminal one. And it involves a name that many of us are familiar with, rapper Cardi B, whose legal name is Bella Khalis Almanzar. She's on trial this week for allegedly assaulting a female security guard. Guard inside a Beverly Hills medical building in 2018. So what is the plaintiff saying happened here?

[Producer Veronica Mazzeca]

So the plaintiff, Imani Ellis, took the stand Monday. She claimed that she was conducting routine rounds as a security guard when she saw Cardi B exit an elevator outside of an obstetrician's office. She testified that she said, wow, that's Cardi B. After which she alleges Cardi B got in her face and accused her of spreading the news of the rapper's pregnancy, which was a secret at the time, via her phone. She says that Cardi B yelled obscenities at her, cut her cheek with her fingernail, and then spit on her.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

Now, Cardi's lawyer is actually presenting a completely different story in his opening, though, right?

[Producer Veronica Mazzeca]

Yes. So Cardi B's lawyer, Peter Anderson, said that the rapper caught Ellis filming and photographing her. He does admit that his client used strong language and yelled, but never touched Ellis.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

You know, I think a lot of us are wondering, what does Cardi B have to say about all of this? Veronica? We actually heard from her on Tuesday. Tuesday, yeah.

[Producer Veronica Mazzeca]

So she really doubled down on it being just a verbal altercation, Nothing physical.

[Reporter Blake Mayfield]

When you say there was a verbal altercation, yes.

[Legal Analyst Brad Davis]

Do you know what the word altercation means?

[Host Blaine Alexander]

Like a conflict, Like a fight, right?

[Commercial Voiceover]

It was. Yeah, it was like a verbal fight, but it was. It didn't get physical at all.

[Legal Analyst Brad Davis]

Am I when I'm talking to you now, are we having a verbal altercation?

[Host Blaine Alexander]

We haven't, I'll say, a debate. A lot of people know Cardi b for her personality. It sounds like it was coming out on the stand there, too. And finally, we're diving into some updates in the case of Ghislaine Maxwell, convicted sex trafficker and former girlfriend of also convicted sex trafficker and disgraced New York financier Jeffrey Epstein. As I'm sure many of our listeners will remember, last month Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche sat down with Maxwell in a rather unprecedented interview and questioned her about Epstein's crimes as well as her own. And last week, the DOJ released the audio and transcripts of that two day interview. So, Veronica, a lot of people, of course, have been talking about this. What is the key takeaway that you've garnered from the release of this audio?

[Producer Veronica Mazzeca]

So, as we know, there's been a lot of buzz about a possible black book or client list that allegedly has the names of powerful individuals that Epstein trafficked young girls to. But according to Maxwell, that list doesn't actually ex.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

And Ghislaine Maxwell also answered some questions about her own involvement.

[Legal Analyst Brad Davis]

There's a ton of writing and a ton of, I guess, testimony as well, but also public reporting about how the recruiting was a very aggressive effort that you were a part of, that he was a part of, and others to try to find more and more masseuses. What is that? Is that true and what role did you have in that?

[Witness or Family Member]

That is partially true.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

Okay, so it is true that I.

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[Witness or Family Member]

Spas, like legitimate spas.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

And one of Epstein and Maxwell's most vocal accusers was a woman named Virginia Roberts Giuffre. She claims to have been recruited by Maxwell at President Trump's spa in Mar a Lago more than two decades ago. Giuffre died by suicide earlier this year. And now her family had a very strong reaction to the release of those tapes. Veronica, what did they have to say about this?

[Producer Veronica Mazzeca]

Yeah, so they said that they were, quote, outraged by the release of the audio and transcripts as it gives Maxwell a, quote, platform to rewrite history. They said that the transcripts directly contradict the conviction Maxwell got for child sex trafficking.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

It had to have just been difficult for them to hear this and almost kind of relive all of this so soon after her death. And there is more news, Veronica, about Giuffre this week as well.

[Producer Veronica Mazzeca]

That's right. We learned that she was writing a memoir at the time of her death. And it will be released posthumously in October. It's called Nobody's Girl.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

I'm sure a lot of people will be very interested to read that book. All right, Veronica, thank you so much for your expertise as always. We appreciate you.

[Producer Veronica Mazzeca]

Thank you.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

You've seen it time and again on dateline. The moment when law enforcement asks someone to give a sample of their DNA. Matching that sample to DNA left at the crime scene can make or break an investigation. But DNA isn't always collected at the police station. Take the recent case of Tony Hayes. He was accused and acquitted of a 33 year old double murder after investigators took a sample of his DNA from a pen that he used while at a traffic stop, which was a point of contention during his trial. It made us here at DATELINE want to find out more about the collection of DNA, how it works, what the process looks like when it's allowed and just in other nuances when it comes to this topic. So joining us now is former prosecutor Melba Pearson. She's the chair of the American Bar Association's Criminal justice section. Melba, thanks so much for joining us today. It's great to have you.

[Expert Melba Pearson]

Thank you so much for having me. Really looking forward to the discussion.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

Me too. So, Melba, let's talk about actually getting DNA from a potential suspect. Usually we talk about gathering DNA through a cheek swab or hair. Is there specific training for that?

[Expert Melba Pearson]

Yeah. So officers definitely have that as part of their training. They know the basics on how to collect DNA. Right. So that's important to note. But in terms of how DNA can be obtained, first off, consent. So the police officer or the detective asks you, hi, can I have a sample of your DNA? We're trying to eliminate people in this particular investigation and you can say yes or no. If you say yes, moves forward. If you say no, now it's up to the detective to go and get a warrant. Now, other ways that DNA could be obtained if you are convicted of a crime, and it varies by state, but as a general premise, you will be swabbed for your DNA even if you're not going to prison. Also, the way that has been very interesting in terms of a lot of discussion is the discarded DNA, because once you throw something out, the courts have very clearly said it's no longer yours. So if you take a sip from a water bottle and then you chuck it in the garbage, law enforcement can come right behind you, pick up that bottle, bag it, the whole thing, take it to the lab, have it tested, and then that could be used as a SA against maybe an existing sample in a particular case. And then the last way that DNA can come into play is the whole idea of genetic genealogy. And so you upload your DNA sample to 23andMe, Ancestry.com, whatever the case may be, law enforcement may be able to get access to that database through the use of a warrant. And if there's a match, then what they're looking at is this may be someone's who is related to the target of this investigation. So let's try to figure out is this a cousin, is this a brother, is this a sister? And you backtrack from there.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

So, Melba, before we go any further, let's just kind of level set here because I do think that it's easy to look at, you know, cases where DNA is involved and just say, okay, great, we got DNA, It's a match. Boom, the case is solved. This person's going to prison. But it's not always that cut and dry.

[Expert Melba Pearson]

Yes, absolutely. So there's so many different permutations in terms of how this can go. Right. Scenario where it could be a mixture so you can't tell conclusively. You know, it might be two or three different people that are involved in that one sample. We call those contributors. It could be more than one contributor to that particular sample. That doesn't exactly necessarily give you clarity on who the person is that committed the crime. So there's that. Also, you can have DNA and it can be from a consensual encounter. So for instance, we've seen many times in so many cases, especially involving a sexual assault, where the person who might be the main suspect, their DNA is found on the victim. And they're like, listen, we had a consensual encounter earlier that day, an hour before. And when I left the person, they were fine. They were still alive. How do you get around that argument? Right. So while DNA is great in terms of identification purposes, DNA cannot be the only thing. Thing you're walking into the courtroom with.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

This is such a fascinating discussion. We could go on and on. Melba Pearson, chair of ABA's criminal justice section, thank you so much for joining us today. I really appreciate it.

[Expert Melba Pearson]

Thank you for having me, Blaine.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

And that's it for this episode of Dateline True Crime Weekly. To get ad free listening for all of our podcasts, subscribe to Dateline Premium. Coming up this Friday on Dateline, we have a classic Andrea Cannon episode. When young mother Kelsey Barreth went missing On Thanksgiving Day 2018, investigators relied on a witness to piece together the mystery of her disappearance.

[Legal Analyst Brad Davis]

Was there any blood on the tv, do you remember?

[Witness or Family Member]

Yeah, there was blood on the tv.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

There was blood on the chairs.

[Witness or Family Member]

There's blood on the table.

[Host Blaine Alexander]

But was she just a witness or something more? Watch Devil's Bargain this Friday at 9, 8 Central. And just a reminder before you go, the first of its kind, DATELINE Live event is happening, happening Sunday, September 28th in Nashville. I'll be there along with Josh, Keith, Andrea, Dennis and Lester. And we would love for you to join us. There will be onstage panels, audience Q&As and a VIP reception. Tickets are on sale now at datelinenbc.com event. You can also find a link in the description of this episode. We'd love to see you there. Thanks so much for listening. DATELINE True Crime Weekly is produced by Frannie Kate Kelly and Katie Ferguson. Our associate producers are Carson Cummins and Caroline Casey. Our senior producer is Liz Brown. Kuriloff production and fact checking help by Terry Dickerson and Georgina DiNardo. Veronica Mazzeca is our digital producer. Rick Kwan is our sound designer. Original Music by Jesse McGinty. Bryson Barnes is head of audio production. Paul Ryan is executive producer and Liz Cole is senior executive producer of dateline. All right. Thanks everybody.

[Commercial Voiceover]

When life brings the blah, add more yabba dabba doo with some tasty fruity Pebbles. Early morning meeting, blah. Someone brought the Pebbles. Yabba dabba doo. Run errands, blah. Head to the store for Pebbles. Yabba dabba doo. Fruity Pebbles, less blah, more yabba dabba doo. Pick up pebble cereal today. Yabba and the Flintstones and all related characters and elements copyright and trademark Hanna Barbera.