Dateline: True Crime Weekly

Episode: The search for Nancy Guthrie. Drama in a Georgia courthouse. And an ice skating scandal.
Host: Andrea Canning, NBC News
Date: February 12, 2026

Overview

This episode of Dateline: True Crime Weekly brings listeners inside three gripping crime stories making headlines: the high-profile abduction of Nancy Guthrie, dramatic courtroom moments in the 25-year-old murder case of law student Tara Baker, and a look back at the infamous Nancy Kerrigan ice skating attack. Led by Andrea Canning, the show features expert reporting, emotional interviews, and sharp analysis of the week’s most compelling true crime cases, with insights from NBC’s Tom Winter, producer Dorothy Newell, and special figure skating contributor Philip Hirsch.

The Search for Nancy Guthrie

[01:32 – 10:49]

Key Discussion Points

• Timeline of Disappearance

  • Nancy Guthrie, 84, mother of NBC’s Savannah Guthrie, was dropped off at her Tucson home around 9:45pm on Saturday night (Feb 1).
  • At 1:47am, surveillance video captures a masked, armed man outside Nancy’s door.
  • Her pacemaker’s signal, which reports to her phone, stops communicating at 2:28am, indicating she was removed from the home around that time.
  • Sunday morning, her family notices she misses a routine online church gathering — when they check her house, they find medication, wallet, and phone left behind, and blood on the doorstep. Police are called immediately; homicide detectives dispatched from the start.

    “There were certain things… that just didn’t seem right— indications this could be the site of a crime.”
    — Tom Winter, 04:19

• Surveillance Video and Evidence

  • The FBI obtains and releases video despite initial claims it wasn’t saved due to a lack of subscription. Google (Nest) works with the FBI to recover footage.
  • The video shows a man with his head down, light mask, gloves, a large full backpack, and an external holster with a gun. Some say facial hair is visible around the mask.

    “You see this gun that’s carried in a… holster. Externally, it appears that it would be set up if somebody was a right-handed shot… The backpack is very large, and one of the things that sticks out—just how full that backpack is.”
    — Tom Winter, 07:22–08:12

• Ransom Notes

  • Several notes received by TV stations and TMZ, demanding cryptocurrency for Nancy’s return and referencing her white Apple Watch and home floodlights.
  • Authorities question the credibility of the notes, emphasizing demands for proof of life have gone unmet.

• Break in the Case

  • Shortly after the video is public, a man is taken in for questioning; his phone is kept, his home searched with a warrant, but he is released and not charged.

    “Some of those things are easily explained and they might not actually point towards the crime.”
    — Tom Winter, 08:53

• Ongoing Investigation

  • FBI and agents combing the area, seeking and reviewing additional surveillance footage, working to determine how many people may have been involved and the motive.
  • Public urged to call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov with information.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “You feel almost like you know Nancy, you’re rooting for her—even for people who haven’t met her. It’s like the whole country has come together for Savannah’s mom.”
  — Andrea Canning, 09:59

• “It’s all about getting information out. And certainly we gotta hold out hope for Nancy.”
  — Tom Winter, 10:35

Georgia Courthouse Drama: Tara Baker Case

[12:45 – 20:53]

Key Discussion Points

• Case Recap

  • Tara Baker, 23, a University of Georgia first-year law student, found raped, strangled, stabbed, and left for dead in her burning off-campus home (2001).
  • Early investigation found no forced entry; only her laptop missing.

• Breakthrough After 25 Years

  • New DNA technology in a rape kit leads to Edric Faust, a repeat offender.

    “They got some viable DNA… they got a hit—a repeat offender named Edric Faust. And that was just really out of the blue.”
    — Dorothy Newell, 15:15

• Trial Highlights

  • Prosecution leans heavy on DNA evidence, calling it “1 in 8 trillion” odds it isn’t Faust.
  • The defense does not dispute Faust’s DNA but insists Tara’s boyfriend, Chris Melton, is more suspicious due to also finding his DNA and alleged inconsistencies in his timeline and alibi.

• Emotional Testimony: Chris Melton

  • Chris describes a loving relationship, learning about Tara’s death, and his physical reaction ("I punched a wall 30 times, maybe more").

    "I started having an extreme emotional moment... there was a wall in front of me, and I punched it. I don't know, maybe 30 times, maybe more.”
    — Chris Melton (Mario Garcia), 18:12

  • He cooperated with the investigation throughout, offering repeated interviews and DNA.

• Defense’s Cross-Examination

  • Defense attorney vigorously presses Chris on inconsistencies: Did he see Tara six days or ten days before her murder? He claims time and trauma blurred his memory.

    “There was a time that I was confused. And it was 20 plus years later.”
    — Chris Melton (Mario Garcia), 20:29

• Current Status

  • Prosecution still presenting witnesses; case expected to continue another week.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “Why didn’t you cry?... Why didn’t any tears fall out of your eyes?”
  — Defense (Tom Winter) to Chris Melton, 19:22

• “I would find myself on my knees, pounding the ground… just finding myself so mad at God, not understanding how God could allow the devil in his angel’s house.”
  — Chris Melton (Mario Garcia), 18:38

Dateline Roundup: Case Updates

[22:53 – 29:26]

Key Discussion Points

• Luigi Mangione Case (NYC)

  • Accused of the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson (Dec 2024); faces charges in state and federal court.
  • Outburst after learning state trial date:

    “It’s the same trial twice! One plus one is two! Double jeopardy, by any common sense!”
    — Luigi Mangione (shouting, paraphrased), 23:39

  • Legal expert clarifies double jeopardy not applicable due to dual sovereignty (state & federal).

• Corey Richens (Utah)

  • Mother, children’s grief book author, on trial for allegedly poisoning husband with fentanyl.
  • Jury selection underway with a notably in-depth, 23-page juror questionnaire.

• Alec Murdoch (South Carolina)

  • Convicted of killing wife & son; defense team argued to Supreme Court for a new trial due to misconduct by court clerk Becky Hill.
  • Hill pleaded guilty to misconduct but denied influencing the jury.
  • Prosecutors say any clerical comments played no substantive role; most jurors reported at previous hearing they weren’t influenced.

    "Murdoch's defense says that Ms. Becky made comments to jurors that could have influenced them to find Murdoch guilty... Prosecution says nine of the jurors told a lower court judge exactly that [they weren't influenced]."
    — Mario Garcia, 28:00–28:56

• Potential Outcomes

  • Even with a new trial, Murdaugh remains imprisoned due to sentences for financial crimes.

Flashback: The Nancy Kerrigan–Tonya Harding Scandal

[29:30 – 35:15]

Key Discussion Points

• Background

  • In 1994, Olympic skater Nancy Kerrigan was attacked at a Detroit rink; assailant was Shane Stant, as part of a plot instigated by Tonya Harding’s ex-husband and bodyguard.

    “Nancy came through the curtain… and was attacked by somebody using what turned out to be a metal baton. She was whacked on the knee. And the very famous video shows her screaming, ‘Why? Why me?’”
    — Philip Hirsch, 30:57

• Competing Narratives

  • Tonya Harding, a powerhouse skater, stood to benefit from Kerrigan's absence. Harding ultimately barred from sanctioned competitions after admitting to covering up knowledge of the attack.

• Olympics Aftermath

  • Both compete in Lillehammer; Kerrigan, undeterred, wins silver. Harding falters amid scandal, finishes 8th.
  • The incident supercharged public interest in figure skating, spike in ratings, and financial windfall for many involved.

    "The initial reaction was how horrible this was. And then the next two or three years went by. They realized it was making all of them rich."
    — Philip Hirsch, 34:39

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “Where was Tonya, really?” — Press banter immediately after attack, 31:33, reflecting instant media suspicion.
• “I wondered why, and thought if I could just ask him, you know... I don't think I could understand anyway...”
  — Nancy Kerrigan (via Jane Pauley interview), 32:21

Memorable Quotes (with Speakers & Timestamps)

• “You feel almost like you know Nancy… It’s like the whole country has come together for Savannah’s mom.”
  — Andrea Canning, 09:59
• “You see this gun… the backpack is very large, and one of the things that sticks out—just how full that backpack is.”
  — Tom Winter, 07:22–08:12
• “I started having an extreme emotional moment… there was a wall in front of me, and I punched it. I don't know, maybe 30 times, maybe more.”
  — Chris Melton (Mario Garcia), 18:12
• “She was basically kept from skating in any sanctioned competition for the rest of her career.”
  — Philip Hirsch, 34:18

Segment Timestamps (Highlights)

• [01:32] – Nancy Guthrie case introduction
• [03:28] – Timeline of disappearance clarified
• [04:48] – Ransom notes and public information
• [07:22] – Description of surveillance footage
• [12:45] – Athens, Georgia: Tara Baker case intro
• [17:02] – Chris Melton’s emotional testimony
• [19:14] – Dramatic defense cross-examination
• [22:53] – Dateline Roundup begins (Mangione, Richens, Murdoch cases)
• [29:30] – Nancy Kerrigan/Tonya Harding ice skating scandal
• [30:57] – Hirsch describes the attack on Kerrigan
• [34:18] – Harding’s fate after the scandal

Tone & Style

The episode is urgent, empathetic, and sharply analytical—the hosts blend investigative detail with emotional resonance, bringing listeners into the tension and humanity of each case.

For Listeners

Whether you’re following these stories for the first time or craving a deeper, behind-the-scenes update, this episode is packed with law enforcement insights, courtroom drama, and legendary sports intrigue—Dateline’s trademark mix of solid journalism and addictive storytelling.