Deadly Engagement: Dateline Presents "Something About Cari"

Host: NBC News
Episode Date: December 2, 2025
Theme:
This episode introduces a new Dateline podcast series that delves into the mysterious and tragic story of Denita Smith, a young woman on the brink of achieving her dreams whose life is cut short by a single, shocking act of violence. With haunting narration and first-hand accounts, the episode sets the stage for a deep exploration of obsession, betrayal, and a years-long investigation into a twisted crime.

Episode Overview

The episode opens with a vivid, atmospheric retelling of the crime scene—a city park by the river, enveloped in darkness and secrecy. A mysterious shooting shakes the quiet, launching an investigation marked by confusion, heartbreak, and a trail of strange, interconnected crimes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Crime Scene: An Ominous Introduction

• Atmospheric Setup:
  Keith Morrison introduces the episode with evocative imagery of city lights and the river, hinting at secrets about to surface.
  "As if those winking lights knew something, as if that hum was gossip... cities don't really know secrets or when something is about to happen. Though something certainly was any minute now." (00:09 – 00:27)

• The Incident:
  The peace is abruptly broken by a gunshot just after 6:30 pm. A wounded woman calls 911, her voice trembling with pain and confusion.

  • Quote:
    911 OPERATOR: "Are you in the park?"
    VICTIM: "Parking lots on the west hand side. I have a red Toyota and I'm laying next to it." (01:34-01:39)
  • The woman reports being shot through her thigh—a "through and through" wound. (01:55)

2. Immediate Aftermath & Police Response

• Victim’s Account:
  The wounded woman, a mother of two and housecleaning business owner, is confused but certain the shooter is gone.

  • Quote:
    "I don't think so. I kept on burning." (01:43)

• Key Clue:
  When asked if she saw the assailant, the victim replies:

  • Quote:
    DISPATCH: "Do you know if it's male or female?"
    VICTIM: "Or female." (03:20-03:22)
  • This detail—that the shooter was a woman—defies common expectations in gun violence cases.

• Search Effort:
  The response is massive: squad cars, police from both Iowa and Nebraska, and a helicopter with a spotlight scour the 150-football-field-sized park, but the shooter remains elusive. (02:47-03:10)

3. A Case of Escalating Threats & Complexity

• A Pattern Emerges:
  Morrison unpacks the broader context: before the shooting, there were years of escalating harassment, stalking, arson, and ultimately, murder.

  • "Here was harassment, stalking, assault, arson, and, of course, murder." (04:27-04:48)

• Investigator Frustration:
  Despite diligent efforts, investigators struggle to connect the dots in this highly unusual and elaborate case.

  • Quote:
    "Detective 101 rarely covers this sort of diabolical scheming... it went on and on and on for years." (04:55-05:10)

• Victim’s Fear:

  • Quote:
    "You're on edge as to what's going to happen next, until that night by the river." (05:16)

4. Breakthrough and Resolution

• The Turning Point:
  An arrest finally brings relief to the victim's family and investigators.
  • Quote:
    "The best part of it was being able to tell her, we've arrested somebody for the murder of your daughter. That was what made working this whole case worth it." (05:38-05:55)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Had you ever encountered a thing quite that elaborate before? No, nothing. Nothing like this. This is a unique case, to say the least." — Narration (04:12-04:25)
• "All I heard was 'open up, police.' And what was that like? Traumatizing. I was freaked out." — Direct victim account (04:48-04:55)
• "They shot off a couple shots. They only hit one, I think." — Incident witness (05:21-05:25)

Important Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |----------------------------------|---------------| | Atmospheric opening narration | 00:00–01:20 | | 911 call, victim shot | 01:21–01:44 | | Victim describes attacker as female| 03:20–03:24 | | Police search and investigation begins| 02:47–03:35| | Growing pattern of harassment, stalking, and arson | 04:12–04:48 | | Breakthrough in the case, family notified | 05:27–05:55 |

Takeaway

This gripping preview sets up the full story of a case rife with obsession and duplicity—a saga that challenges investigators and devastates families. The blend of first-person audio, evocative narration, and real police recordings pulls listeners into a real-life mystery that is as shocking as it is tragic. The full series promises a deeper dive into the twisted motives, investigative hurdles, and ultimate quest for justice in the case of Denita Smith.

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