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.

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.

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)

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)

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)

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."

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)

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

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.

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.