David and Bathsheba

Summary

Deadly Mirage: "David and Bathsheba" – A Detailed Summary

Deadly Mirage, hosted by Josh Mankiewicz and produced by NBC News' Dateline, delves into the mysterious murder of Rob Limone in Silver Lakes, California. The episode titled "David and Bathsheba" explores the intertwined lives of Sabrina and Jonathan Limon, uncovering secrets of faith, infidelity, and deception that ultimately lead to tragedy.

---

1. Setting the Scene

The story unfolds in Silver Lakes, a picturesque manmade oasis in California’s Mojave Desert. Rob and Sabrina Limone appear to embody the ideal family life with their two young children, a stunning home, and a close-knit group of friends known as the “Wolf Pack.” However, beneath this facade lies a web of secrets that surfaces following Rob's untimely murder.

---

2. Undercover Surveillance

An undercover police officer, part of a rotating surveillance team, frequents a local pizza joint where Sabrina Limone is seen interacting closely with Jonathan Hearn, a firefighter. At [01:07], Josh Mankiewicz describes the scene:

"The pizza joint was about half full when the undercover cop walked in... He took a seat at the table with his buddies and joined them in trying to eavesdrop on the couple."

The officers observe Sabrina and Jonathan's seemingly affectionate behavior, raising suspicions about their relationship.

---

3. Detective Meyer's Interrogation

Detective Randall Meyer conducts a probing interview with Sabrina at the Kern County Sheriff's Office. During the [05:26] mark, Meyer discusses DNA evidence, though it’s later revealed to be fictitious:

“With that, Meyers scooted closer to the table and started outlining the way a lab would analyze the fictitious DNA sample that he told Sabrina was found at the scene of her husband.”

Sabrina expresses gratitude for the detective's efforts, while Jonathan's sister, Emily Hearn, praises the department's dedication [05:06]:

“It's so nice, I can't even tell you how grateful my heart is to.”

---

4. The Limon Relationship and Faith

As the investigation intensifies, Sabrina and Jonathan’s relationship becomes a focal point. Their deep religious beliefs play a significant role in how they navigate the mounting pressure. Sabrina recounts their life together, emphasizing Rob’s legacy and their shared faith:

“He worked for the railroad for 14 years... Rob had been killed two days before their 14th wedding anniversary.” [07:04]

Jonathan frequently references their faith, viewing their situation through a religious lens. At [16:14], he prays:

“God, please help the DNA thing to be the way in which we are kept from having our dirty laundry aired...”

---

5. Biblical Parallels and Confession

The episode draws a parallel between Sabrina and Jonathan's actions and the biblical story of David and Bathsheba. Both individuals use scripture to rationalize their behavior, blurring the lines between justification and confession. Jonathan relates their situation to Psalm 51, highlighting his perception of being forgiven despite their transgressions [21:29]:

“The Psalms are so good because David is a lot like you and I, Sabrina.”

Detective Meyer recognizes this parallel, suggesting it serves as an implicit confession [22:09]:

“They believed they were doing what was God's work.”

---

6. Mounting Suspicion and Investigative Pressure

Detective Meyer escalates the investigation by introducing new evidence, including security camera footage allegedly showing a man on a motorcycle connected to Rob’s murder. At [26:31], Meyer informs Sabrina:

“I provided Sabrina with the actual description that matched Jonathan. Tall white male, possibly riding a motorcycle when the murder occurred and with a possible name of John.”

Sabrina and Jonathan interpret this move as an attempt to frame them, intensifying their fear of impending arrest. Jonathan voices his concerns over the phone with Sabrina:

“Someone is trying to frame us. And who might that someone be? Well, Jonathan had a pretty good idea. He thought it was Jason and Kelly Bernatine.” [28:12]

---

7. The Arrest

Despite their efforts to maintain innocence and rely on their faith, the evidence mounts against Jonathan and Sabrina. Following intensified surveillance and the revelation of planted evidence, Jonathan is arrested while stationed in a fire truck [36:00]:

“It turned out an arrest was not as imminent as Jonathan thought... An hour passed, still they didn't move. A little after nine, Jonathan told Sabrina they should use their free time while they still had it, to look for an attorney.”

Sabrina remains unaware of the full extent of Jonathan's predicament, continuing her daily routines while the investigation closes in [36:11].

---

8. Conclusion

Deadly Mirage: "David and Bathsheba" skillfully weaves a narrative of love, faith, and betrayal. Through meticulous storytelling and compelling interviews, the episode reveals how Sabrina and Jonathan's pursuit of a seemingly perfect life ultimately leads to fatal consequences. The biblical allegory underscores the moral complexities of their actions, leaving listeners contemplating the thin line between righteousness and wrongdoing.

---

Notable Quotes:

• Detective Randall Meyer [02:50]: "He appeared to be very panicked."
• Sabrina Limone [03:05]: "Some of the questions that the detective."
• Jonathan Hearn [16:14]: "God, please help the DNA thing to be the way in which we are kept from having our dirty laundry aired..."
• Detective Randall Meyer [22:21]: "Yes." (In response to biblical parallels)
• Jonathan Hearn [28:35]: "Could it be... That just sounds like Detective Meyer trying to make something up."

Deadly Mirage masterfully exposes the unraveling of a seemingly idyllic family, highlighting the profound impact of secrets and lies fueled by misguided faith.

Transcript

[Narrator]

Every day, our world gets a little more connected, but a little further apart. But then there are moments that remind us to be more human.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Thank you for calling Amica Insurance. Hey, I was just in an accident. Don't worry, we'll get you taken care of.

[Narrator]

At Amica, we understand that looking out for each other isn't new or groundbreaking. It's human. Amica empathy is our best policy.

[Shopify Advertiser]

Nobody does selling better than Shopify, home of the number one checkout on the planet. The Shop Pay feature even boosts conversions up to 50%. So if you're into growing your business, your commerce platform better be ready to sell wherever your customers are scrolling or scrolling. Upgrade your business and get the same checkout top brands like Allbirds use. Sign up for your $1 per month trial period at shopify.com podcastfree all lowercase go to shopify.com podcastfree to upgrade your selling Today.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

The pizza joint was about half full when the undercover cop walked in. A midweek crowd having dinner out, parents studying menus while kids played the video games. Along the wall. Beyond the front register, the cop caught a glimpse of Sabrina Limone's blonde head bent toward Jonathan Hearns, both deep in conversation. At the next table over, he saw some familiar faces, three other special ops guys who were also part of the rotating surveillance detail. Surveillance work can be tedious work hours on end spent on stakeout waiting, watching closed doors and windows while an oven hot wind blew off the desert. By contrast, this was nice. It was air conditioned, and here at least they could grab a hot slice and a cold drink. The cop took a seat at the table with his buddies and joined them in trying to eavesdrop on the couple. At the next table, Sabrina and Jonathan spoke in hushed tones while her kids played video games. The cops couldn't make out what they were saying, but they did note the couple's body language. They appeared very close to one another, would touch one another, hug each other, kiss just as a normal couple would. Of course, as the cops knew, this wasn't just any other couple out for pizza with the kids. In this episode, you'll hear how Sabrina and Jonathan reacted when confronted with a critical piece of evidence.

[Detective Randall Meyer]

He appeared to be very panicked.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

And what does he say in that phone call?

[Detective Randall Meyer]

Does it look like me?

[Josh Mankiewicz]

You'll hear Jonathan and Sabrina's intimate conversations as they try to match wits with the detective investigating them.

[Sabrina Limone]

Some of the questions that the detective.

[Jonathan Hearn]

Asked me just like how much of our story to tell kind of things.

[Sabrina Limone]

Well, yeah, they were asking personal questions about Rob And I did. You guys have an open marriage.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

And you'll hear how two murder suspects turned to the Bible for guidance and absolution as the pressure mounted.

[Detective Randall Meyer]

And there's just hour after hour in.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Which they're playing David and Bathsheba, in which they're literally reading these passages, trying to come to grips with what happened. I mean, it's just bizarre. It's absolutely bizarre. I'm Josh Mankiewicz, and this is Deadly Mirage, a podcast From Dateline, episode 4 David and Bathsheba as Sabrina Limone walked to the Kern County Sheriff's Office that morning for a scheduled meeting with the detective investigating her husband's murder, Sabrina must have felt as if she'd already put in a full day. She'd been up since before dawn, getting the kids dressed and fed and off to school. Then there was the two hour drive she and her sister had made from Silver Lakes to the Kern County Sheriff's Department in Bakersfield. Inside the low slung building, Sabrina followed Detective Randall Meyer down a bright hallway to a small interview room straight out of a TV drama.

[Detective Randall Meyer]

Before we get going.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

No sooner had the detectives settled into his chair than a man wearing a blue shirt walked in. Sabrina had never seen him before.

[Detective Randall Meyer]

I just want to tell you he's been working really hard on space. I was just looking at some stats a minute ago. We followed up close to 100 leads. I just wanted to come here and tell you we all care about this case. It's important to us and Randall's been working diligently on it.

[Emily Hearn]

It's so nice, I can't even tell you how grateful my heart is to.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Once the supervisor left, Detective Meyer reminded Sabrina their meeting was being recorded and that she could leave anytime she wanted. Sabrina nodded and Meyer started the interview. First.

[Detective Randall Meyer]

I wanted to talk to you about my meeting with the crime lab this morning.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

With that, Meyers scooted closer to the table and started outlining the way a lab would analyze the fictitious DNA sample that he told Sabrina was found at the scene of her husband. There was a company called Cyber Genetics, he said, that analyzes DNA with unbelievable precision.

[Detective Randall Meyer]

We're actually the first county in the United States that started using the software. And since we started using it, some other counties have, and they've actually solved some cases and stuff they were working on.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Sabrina sat and nodded as the detective went on and on about alleles and lines and patterns. Scientific gibberish. She couldn't really follow the mixing and stuff.

[Detective Randall Meyer]

It is. It is simply amazing.

[Emily Hearn]

That's beyond my mind. That's why I'm just like, what?

[Detective Randall Meyer]

Yes.

[Emily Hearn]

I need everything explained for this simple.

[Detective Randall Meyer]

Sure.

[Emily Hearn]

This simple mind.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

The detective kept saying this was a huge deal and it might help them identify the killer. Sabrina, who'd been leaning across the table and craning her neck to follow the detective's drawings, seemed to understand.

[Emily Hearn]

And so this lab will send that out and like you said, it'll ping in the system if there was already someone arrested. Arrested.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Then the detective switched gears and said he just wanted to go back over her history with Rob Limone, starting from the very beginning.

[Emily Hearn]

I met him in Prescott, Arizona, and we were. We were young.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Sabrina talked about Rob's job with the railroad and moving to California.

[Emily Hearn]

He worked for the railroad for 14 years.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

She talked about their wedding and the children and the fact that Rob had been killed two days before their 14th wedding anniversary.

[Detective Randall Meyer]

You at least have some friends that have been helping you through this and stuff.

[Emily Hearn]

Oh, my gosh, I've had to. I've had so many friends that have been helping me a lot, and I'm so grateful. I feel God lifting me and, like, carrying me, you know? It is amazing.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

She told the detective the last time she spoke with Rob was around lunchtime on the day he died.

[Emily Hearn]

He called me. He was on a train. He was on this million dollar train or whatever. It's like. Like ups. It was sitting on it because it was broken, whatever. And he had to wait for something.

[Detective Randall Meyer]

Okay.

[Emily Hearn]

Somebody else to show up, something.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Rob told her he'd had a tuna melt for lunch and that he intended to take a nap once he'd finished the repair and was back at the shop.

[Emily Hearn]

Rob would say, man, this is such a good gig. They have cable. He'd watch tv. He'd go to all the shops. I think everybody knew him at Tashby.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

After a short break in which Meyer left the room to consult with investigators who were watching in another room, he returned and asked Sabrina again about her marriage.

[Detective Randall Meyer]

So what type of marriage did you guys have? A good marriage.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Meyer leaned back in his swivel chair and kept his eyes locked on hers.

[Detective Randall Meyer]

How about you? While you guys were married, did you ever have an extra rental affair or forgiven or anything?

[Sabrina Limone]

No.

[Detective Randall Meyer]

You said you always liked to party a lot.

[Emily Hearn]

We just liked to have fun. We did a lot of stuff. Like to go to the river. Which river liked? The Colorado River. Did all adult trips.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

The detective rubbed his chin and briefly paused before asking a question that seemed to catch Sabrina off guard.

[Detective Randall Meyer]

Did you guys have an open relationship? No. I just heard some rumors out there.

[Emily Hearn]

Yeah. I mean, I know how rumors go.

[Detective Randall Meyer]

Sure.

[Emily Hearn]

And I know that that's probably how we were viewed by maybe some.

[Detective Randall Meyer]

I think we typically call it swinging.

[Emily Hearn]

Yeah.

[Detective Randall Meyer]

No swinger.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Her partying days were in the past. Sabrina said. Then, looking the detective in the eye, she addressed him by his first name, as if she were a politician who'd gone through media training.

[Emily Hearn]

I feel my purpose in the responsibility of taking care of my kids, Randall. I just. Like, here they are. And I cannot be distracted by anything else besides Robbie and Leanna, and how am I gonna, you know, raise them?

[Josh Mankiewicz]

With that, the detective excused himself again to confer with the other investigators. When he returned, he gave Sabrina the number for free counseling and asked if there was anything else she wanted to tell him.

[Emily Hearn]

I have nothing at all. I just. Like I said, every time I talk to you, like, I don't even want. I just. I want. I just don't get it, you know? It feels just unreal. Like, how could that have happened? You know, kind of thing. Like, I have no idea how that could happen to Robert because he was. He was quick on the speaker.

[Detective Randall Meyer]

You know, we may never really know exactly why and what happened.

[Emily Hearn]

Is there anything you can tell me? I've heard you guys caught somebody.

[Detective Randall Meyer]

We've been looking at a bunch of people, and we've. Every person we've looked at has turned out to be not involved.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

And that was that. The detective stood and thanked Sabrina for coming in. She thanked him again.

[Emily Hearn]

Oh, Detective, thank you so much.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

And gave the detective a big hug.

[Detective Randall Meyer]

Something comes up, let me know.

[Emily Hearn]

I appreciate your. Everything that you've done, and if there's anything that I will.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

There seemed to be a lightness in her step as Sabrina Lamone pushed through the big glass doors of the building and stepped into the bright afternoon sun. Things had gone well. It had been nothing like the grilling Jonathan had warned her about. As she was driving home through the Tehachapi Pass, Sabrina's phone lit up.

[Emily Hearn]

Hello?

[Jonathan Hearn]

Hello?

[Josh Mankiewicz]

It was Jonathan.

[Emily Hearn]

Hey, how's it going?

[Sabrina Limone]

Hey.

[Detective Randall Meyer]

Good, good. I was just calling to let you know that there's a bunch of people praying for you. Just wanted to see how your family.

[Emily Hearn]

Oh, thank you so much. It's good. My sister and I are on our way home right now.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

With her sister Julie sitting right there beside her, Sabrina didn't seem to want to go into much detail about her meeting with the detective.

[Emily Hearn]

Everything, you know, everything's good. I'll talk to you. Maybe I'll talk to you this evening. Are you going to be around when.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

She called him back later to arrange for a full in person debrief. She said some of Detective Meyer's questions had been been unsettling.

[Sabrina Limone]

Some of the questions that the detectives.

[Jonathan Hearn]

Asked me just like how much of our story to tell kind of things.

[Sabrina Limone]

Well, yeah, and how much of Rob and I story? I mean they, they were asking personal questions about Rob and I, you know, did you guys have an open marriage?

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Jonathan did not like the sound of that.

[Jonathan Hearn]

Yeah, I'll talk to you about that tonight.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

That was one of those conversations he preferred to have in person.

[Narrator]

At Amica Insurance, we know it's more than just a car. It's the two door coupe that was there for your first drive, the hatchback that took you cross country and back, and the minivan that tackles the weekly carpool for the cars you couldn't live without. Trust Amica Auto Insurance. Amica Empathy is our best policy.

[Shopify Advertiser]

Nobody does selling better than Shopify. Home of the number one checkout on the planet. The shop pay feature even boosts conversions up to 50%. So if you're into growing your business, your commerce platform better be ready to sell wherever your customers are scrolling or strolling. Upgrade your business and get the same checkout top brands like Allbirds use. Sign up for your $1 per month trial period at shopify.com podcast free. All lowercase go to shopify.com podcast free to upgrade your selling today.

[Emily Hearn]

Hey everybody, it's Hoda Kotb from the Today show reminding you to check out my podcast Making Space. In this week's episode, I sit down with singer songwriter Tyler Hubbard of the duo Florida Georg. It's a really special conversation about his family, his faith and finding the balance in all of it. You can listen to the full conversation right now. All you have to do is search making space wherever you get your podcasts.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Firefighter Jonathan Hearn had been off duty the day Sabrina drove to Bakersfield to meet with Detective Meyer. A lot of 24 year olds might have slept late or taken a ride on their motorcycle. Jonathan did not. He stayed home pacing and praying, just as he had told Sabrina he would.

[Jonathan Hearn]

I'm just gonna be doing stuff here today, being your prayer warrior today.

[Sabrina Limone]

Back here and thank you so much.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Thinking about Sabrina's meeting with Detective Meyer had been stressful. In the two room garage apartment Jonathan rented from his grandparents probably felt smaller than usual, as if the green and maroon accented walls were closing in. If not for that irritating detective and his murder investigation, Jonathan probably thought he and Sabrina would have been well, on their way to living the lives God intended for them, serving his purpose just the way they'd always said it would be.

[Jonathan Hearn]

We have an understanding of his purpose we've been given.

[Sabrina Limone]

Yes, for sure. For sure.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

The wiretaps were like a window into Jonathan Hearn's mind. For instance, the detective learned that God's purpose almost always lined up perfectly with what Jonathan wanted. And when it did not, well, Jonathan seemed to think that was what forgiveness was for.

[Jonathan Hearn]

God, please help the DNA thing to be the way in which we are kept from having our dirty laundry aired. God, we have been sinners and we have cheated. But God, you're a savior.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

The way Jonathan saw it, everything had been going according to plan. That is, until the detectives started calling every day with updates. After Rob's death, he and Sabrina had brought their relationship out of the shadows, laundered it and presented it as something new and natural without a trace of dishonesty. Jonathan's younger sister, Emily had gone with Jonathan to Sabrina's home for that initial sympathy call and later acted as a kind of chaperone and witnessed to their blooming romance.

[Julie Cordova]

I think that Jonathan probably was initiating the few visits that we had, but it didn't feel unnatural or forced.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

That's the voice of Emily Hearn.

[Julie Cordova]

I just had such a warm spot in my heart for the family, for the kids. I remember taking Liliana to her little Girl Scouts thing one day while I was there.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Emily and Sabrina got along so well, in fact, that Jonathan likely imagined they'd make good sisters in law someday.

[Julie Cordova]

I spent the night there with him one evening, and we just crashed on her couches. It was probably three or four in the morning that we had finished up dinner and talking and getting the kids to bed and stuff. And so we were going to go to a church that she had attended with her family the next day. And so we just, you know, spent the night on our couches.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Sabrina had met his mom, and with the holidays coming, Jonathan no doubt anticipated introducing Sabrina to the rest of the family. As for Sabrina's people, well, he'd met her parents and sister at Sabrina's house. Shortly after Rob died, they came over. It was him and his sister Emily. That's Julie Cordova, Sabrina's sister. How'd Sabrina introduce him? These are my friends that I've met at Costco. Jonathan had been eager to make a good impression that day and strike just the right note of respect, sympathy and support that first day. He must have said two or three prayers when we were there, and I Thought, well, you know, that's Brena's Christian support or whatever. Her faith is so strong.

[Emily Hearn]

And him and Emily would pray and.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

He would keep praying. In an effort to impress Sabrina's folks and also demonstrate his honorable intentions, Jonathan volunteered to cook dinner for them. The second time I saw him, he.

[Emily Hearn]

Was cooking in the kitchen and my.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Parents were going over. He may have thought that gesture made a good impression. It did not. Was I uncomfortable with it? Yes, because that was Robert's place. You know, Jonathan had known all along that taking Rob's place and winning over Sabrina's family would not happen quickly. Even so, he was committed and convinced he and Sabrina would be married soon. And why was he so sure? Well, because he felt it was God's will. I think he just wowed her or whatever with his faith in his beliefs in God. You see, God had a course mapped out for Jonathan Hearn. He might be living the cramped and cluttered life of a 24 year old now, but he was certain God had big plans for his future.

[Jonathan Hearn]

I love you and can't wait to be with you, so I want to be everything that I need to be to prepare for that.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Jonathan knew Sabrina stood to collect $300,000 and perhaps more than that in death benefits from the railroad. He knew that kind of money could come in handy if he and Sabrina married. But he told her he wasn't thinking about the money anymore. God would take care of that.

[Jonathan Hearn]

You know, I feel like I was, like, we talked about money stuff and I feel like I was kind of sort of being selfish, anticipating a certain, you know, ease, or anticipating a certain, like, oh, well, this will be super easy because this will happen and this will happen like, and it's like, no, let God control it.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

There were times during Jonathan's talks with Sabrina when it seemed every fifth word was either love or God, prayer or purpose. And the Bible, well, that was an unending source of inspiration. Psalms 51 was a favorite.

[Sabrina Limone]

I've been reading Psalms 51.

[Jonathan Hearn]

The Psalms are so good. The Psalms are so good because David is a lot like you and I, Sabrina.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

The cops in the wire room perked up when they heard that Detective Meyer knew that Old Testament story of adultery and death as well as Jonathan did.

[Detective Randall Meyer]

And basically with that story, King David finds a woman very beautiful, ends up.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Being Bathsheba, the story of two people who have an affair, right?

[Jonathan Hearn]

He is a regular guy, but he loves God. He was someone who committed adultery. It says in the Bible that David was a man after God's own heart.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

In David and Bathsheba, they have an affair. She gets pregnant and David has her husband killed. But she's not involved. David's later forgiven for that. I think.

[Detective Randall Meyer]

Yes.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

The parallels were far from perfect. Even forgiven sins have consequences. Jonathan seemed to have missed that part of scripture.

[Jonathan Hearn]

Like God really liked him. He was like one of God's favorite people ever.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

As he listened in, the detective felt Jonathan's affinity for that powerful Bible story was essentially a confession. Is that sort of how you thought they perceived what had happened? That Jonathan had had Rob killed and expected later to be forgiven?

[Detective Randall Meyer]

Yes. Through their conversations, they believed they were doing what was God's work. And they talked about that many times.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

You ever hear anybody use a story out of the Bible to justify having an affair and killing the other person's spouse?

[Detective Randall Meyer]

That was a first.

[Narrator]

Every day, our world gets a little more connected, but a little further apart. But then there are moments that remind us to be more human.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Thank you for calling Amica Insurance. Hey, I was just in an accident.

[Detective Randall Meyer]

Don't worry.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

We'll get you taken care of.

[Narrator]

At Amika, we understand that looking out for each other isn't new or groundbreaking. It's human. Amica empathy is our best policy.

[Shopify Advertiser]

Nobody does selling better than Shopify. Home of the number one checkout on the planet. The shop pay feature even boosts conversions up to 50%. So if you're into growing your business, your commerce platform better be ready to sell wherever your customers are scrolling or strolling. Upgrade your business and get the same checkout top brands like Allbirds use. Sign up for your $1 per month trial [e-mail] podcastfree all lowercase. Go to shopify.com podcastfree to upgrade your selling. Today.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Friday night on Dateline.

[Detective Randall Meyer]

Did you sexually assault anyone? Did you defraud anyone?

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Whoa, whoa, whoa. The international con man who faked his own death finally comes face to face with justice.

[Detective Randall Meyer]

It should have ended with me.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Dateline Friday at 9, 8 Central. Only on NBC. In the days after Sabrina Limone's latest sit down with Detective Meyer, the cops in the wire room remained on high alert, waiting for either Jonathan or Sabrina to slip up and say something clear and unambiguous about the murder of Rob Lamone.

[Jonathan Hearn]

We were selfish, we did sin. But we have God and we have grace.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

That never happened. Instead, Jonathan and Sabrina behaved as if the murder investigation was behind them. That Sunday, Sabrina brought Jonathan to church, along with her kids and his sister Emily. It felt as if a new blended family was being forged for Jason and Kelly Bernatine. Who'd initially told Detective Meyer about Sybrina's affair with Jonathan and who were among the first to suspect him of murder. That was a demoralizing development.

[Narrator]

She took him to church with his.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Sister again and was introducing him to our friends.

[Julie Cordova]

And I was freaking out. I thought, we cannot have Rob's murderer around our friends and their kids.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

The next day was Monday, November 17th, and it marked the three month anniversary of Rob Limone's murder. At 6:34 that Monday evening, Meyer called Sabrina's home phone and left a voicemail. The detective told Sabrina the re release of security camera video of the man on the motorcycle had worked as planned. He said a secret witness had just phoned the sheriff's department and said they thought they recognized the man on the motorcycle.

[Detective Randall Meyer]

I provided Sybrina with the actual description that matched Jonathan. Tall white male, possibly riding a motorcycle when the murder occurred and with a possible name of John.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Meaning that if that were true, you'd be getting close.

[Detective Randall Meyer]

Yes.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

You were playing Sabrina and Jonathan like a couple of violins.

[Detective Randall Meyer]

Yes, that's what we were doing.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

I'm surprised you didn't have sheet music.

[Detective Randall Meyer]

We had a lot of music, but it wasn't actually on a sheet.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

True to form, Sabrina called Jonathan at the fire station as soon as she heard that message.

[Jonathan Hearn]

Hello?

[Sabrina Limone]

Hey. I'm not sure what's going on, but Detective Meyer called and he's going to call me back.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Sabrina told Jonathan a secret witness had apparently come forward after seeing the re released video. The police didn't know who the witness was, but thought the information sounded credible.

[Sabrina Limone]

Tall white male was leaving on a motorcycle. Someone that knows Rob by the name of John. John.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

There was a long pause on the other end of the line as Jonathan Hearn processed what he was hearing. Then he said, someone's trying to not g Great news. Not Hallelujah. I hope they catch the guy so we can get on with living our lives of purpose. No, what he said was, someone is trying to frame us. And who might that someone be? Well, Jonathan had a pretty good idea. He thought it was Jason and Kelly Bernatine.

[Sabrina Limone]

I can't imagine Kelly doing that.

[Jonathan Hearn]

I feel like Kelly and Jason would do that just to put it out there. Just because they don't like me, but.

[Sabrina Limone]

They would mess up my chances. Like to be. You know what I mean? Like, yeah, I guess they would. Maybe.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

There was just one thing. Jonathan didn't think Kelly or Jason even knew he owned a motorcycle.

[Jonathan Hearn]

Could it be. Oh, seeing the motorcycle there, I bet.

[Sabrina Limone]

You no they don't know.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Like a quiz show contestant who's been stumped. Jonathan decided to ask a friend and called the man upstairs for help.

[Jonathan Hearn]

God, you've given us a purpose. I think it's somebody trying to frame me because of this affair. God, and please keep us safe.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

At times during the call, Jonathan and Sabrina both seemed to understand the detective was throwing out some bait, toying with them just to see what they would.

[Jonathan Hearn]

Say to a tall, skinny white guy driving away on a motorcycle.

[Sabrina Limone]

A John that knew Rob.

[Jonathan Hearn]

That just sounds like Detective Meyer trying to make something up. Honestly, why would he tell you that other than to record the conversation?

[Josh Mankiewicz]

He was 100% correct. And yet the two continued to discuss the investigation on a line they now had ample reason to believe was tapped.

[Jonathan Hearn]

I wouldn't be surprised if they're listening to us right now.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

There were likely more than a few smiles and knowing glances exchanged back in the wire room when the eavesdroppers heard that one. Remember, please. What they had not heard, at least so far. Was anything like a confession. An explicit comment that could be used to convict at a murder trial. Proof of guilt. What they did here through the bad cell reception was a creeping sense of dread. Both Jonathan and Sabrina seemed to sense they could be arrested at any moment.

[Sabrina Limone]

I don't think they're going to come tonight, do you?

[Jonathan Hearn]

I would say it's a possibility, but I honestly, I don't know.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

No doubt they were feeling the heat. So the detective decided to amp up the pressure. He sent one more text.

[Sabrina Limone]

Hold on, Detective Meyer. Okay, we think we have our guy. Do you recognize this person on the motorcycle?

[Josh Mankiewicz]

In this high stakes game of nerves, the detective had just played his last card. He'd sent Sabrina a still frame from a security camera video. The one from that pilot gas station in Kramer Junction. It showed a man on a motorcycle stopping at the gas pumps about an hour after Rob Lamone was killed.

[Sabrina Limone]

A black helmet.

[Jonathan Hearn]

What's he wearing?

[Sabrina Limone]

Shorts.

[Jonathan Hearn]

Does it.

[Sabrina Limone]

Tan shorts and a tank top. A black tank top and a mask. It looks like.

[Jonathan Hearn]

Is it like a good quality picture?

[Sabrina Limone]

No, it looks like the whole face is covered.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

It was then that Jonathan said something odd.

[Jonathan Hearn]

If they're just using like a picture of me that they randomly found, if it's me, don't be like, oh, no. Because they could just be checking.

[Sabrina Limone]

Well, it looks like the face is covered.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

If. Sabrina wondered why Jonathan would think the man in the photo was him. She didn't say anything. She was focused on why the detective thought the man wearing the shorts And Tank Top was the man who'd killed her husband.

[Sabrina Limone]

Let me call him right now.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

The detective, of course, was expecting her call. He didn't have much to tell her, only that the fuzzy still frame he'd texted her had come from the security camera video at the pilot station at Kramer's Junction. Though Meyer had that video for weeks, he told Sabrina it had just come in and was being sent out to experts for enhancement. When Sabrina told Jonathan what the detective said, he told her he could see the writing on the wall.

[Jonathan Hearn]

Clearly, I see that they want to look into me. Clearly they want to look into us.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

According to Jonathan, the best thing they could do now was try to get some rest and then start looking for a lawyer first thing in the morning.

[Jonathan Hearn]

We want our lawyer there from the beginning because we don't want to just let him grab us for a long time before we have a lawyer. And then after the fact, you get a lawyer who's now already, like two steps behind.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Jonathan and Sabrina had been on the phone for nearly an hour when he offered up one last plea for deliverance from a reckoning he feared was arriving with the sunrise.

[Jonathan Hearn]

Through this, through our adultery, you have brought us to repentance. Help us to not be taught. For this. To not be destroyed. For this. I love you, Sabrina.

[Sabrina Limone]

I love you, too, John. So much.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

It's unlikely Sabrina or Jonathan slept well that night. They probably tossed and turned their minds replaying recent conversations and events in a Constant Loop. At 6am the next morning, they were at it again. They spent more than an hour rehashing theories of who the detective's secret witness might be. They prayed and they agreed that if asked, Sabrina should admit she knew Jonathan. And Jonathan told her exactly what words to use.

[Detective Randall Meyer]

I know. I know it is not.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

I know. I know that it's not him. When Sabrina checked In with Jonathan 90 minutes later, it seemed the time for talking hypotheticals was over. Hello?

[Emily Hearn]

Hey.

[Detective Randall Meyer]

Hey.

[Emily Hearn]

Are you okay?

[Detective Randall Meyer]

Yeah, they're. They're done.

[Emily Hearn]

They're down here having a copy now.

[Detective Randall Meyer]

It was obvious there was, like, someone posted at a corner.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

For Jonathan, it was as clear as the desert sky. His life, as he'd known it, as he had imagined it might one day be, was over.

[Detective Randall Meyer]

I'm thinking it'll probably be sooner than later. I would appreciate your prayers.

[Jonathan Hearn]

And I'm going to keep.

[Detective Randall Meyer]

I'm going to keep praying because that's. That's all we can do.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

It turned out an arrest was not as imminent as Jonathan thought. Minutes passed that probably felt like weeks. The watchers down the street were perched like birds of prey, waiting. An hour passed, still they didn't move. A little after nine, Jonathan told Sabrina they should use their free time while they still had it, to look for an attorney.

[Detective Randall Meyer]

I've always assumed only guilty people get lawyers. And now I'm suddenly realizing the well funded government system is against you and me right now. And they are, you know, sitting down here watching.

[Jonathan Hearn]

They're listening to this conversation.

[Detective Randall Meyer]

They're trying to put together a case to go through all this work just.

[Jonathan Hearn]

To tell a story, paint us in.

[Detective Randall Meyer]

A bad light and put us in jail.

[Emily Hearn]

And that's all they want the wife. They want the wife?

[Detective Randall Meyer]

What's that?

[Emily Hearn]

That's what they want, the wife.

[Sabrina Limone]

You know, like, that's so crazy.

[Emily Hearn]

Like, I know I can believe the.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Rest my life, I've only watched it on tv. That was the last time Sabrina Limone spoke with Jonathan Hearn. Shortly after the call ended, the watchers made their move. Jonathan was arrested while sitting in a fire truck. And Sabrina, well, she went to her children's school for a parent teacher conference, blissfully unaware that her lover was in custody or that she was under surveillance. Coming up next on Deadly Mirage. You guys didn't know anything about the poisoning until Jonathan gave that to you? That's correct.

[Julie Cordova]

I put the arsenic on some meat and gave it to the dog to.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

See what would happen. They actually ended up giving it to Ron.

[Detective Randall Meyer]

Yes.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Deadly Mirage is a production of Dateline and NBC News. Tim Beacham is the producer. Brian Drew, Kelly Lawdeen and Marshall Housefeld are audio editors. Carson Cummins is associate producer. Adam Gordon Dorfain is co executive producer. Paul Ryan is executive producer. And Liz Cole is senior executive producer from NBC News. Audio sound mixing by Katie Lau. Bryson Barnes is head of audio production.

[Narrator]

At Amica Insurance. We know it's more than just a house. It's your home. The place that's filled with memories. The early days of figuring it out to the later years of still figuring.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

It out.

[Narrator]

For the place you've put down roots. Trust Amica Home Insurance. Amica Empathy is our best policy.