
After seemingly healthy 23-year-old Marine Todd Sommer dies unexpectedly, his widow Cindy’s lavish spending, cosmetic surgery, and wild partying raise investigators’ suspicions. They accuse her of poisoning him with arsenic for his life insurance, setting off a criminal case that takes a stunning turn... Josh Mankiewicz sits down with the woman at the center of it all in Dateline’s newest podcast. Follow and subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts. Early access for Dateline Premium Subscribers begins Tuesday, March 3rd.
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Josh Mankiewicz
He was a young Marine, handsome in his dress blues. He had a religious aspect to him. She was a free spirit who didn't care about convention.
Widow
I'm a hippie. I'm a deadhead.
Josh Mankiewicz
They married and made a life together. And then one night, The Marine died. 911. Do you have a regiment?
Widow
Yeah. My husband just collapsed.
Josh Mankiewicz
What happened?
Widow
He just collapsed. He woke up and couldn't believe he crashed.
Josh Mankiewicz
Drums rolled, guns saluted, and a flag was folded for the widow. All of it by the book. Solemn, dignified, appropriate. And then something happened. The widow went off script.
Widow
She started having a lot of parties shortly after his funeral. A lot of the neighbors was just like. She got over that pretty quickly.
Josh Mankiewicz
With her husband's insurance money, the widow lived it up. New bling, new lovers, new look. This case started because of the breast implants. Think about it. If she had a nose job, would we even be talking about it? Eyebrows arched, tongues wagged. And an investigation was born. Chemists found arsenic in the Marine's tissues, and his widow was accused of murder.
Widow
You know, we need to try to pursue justice for this young Marine and his family.
Josh Mankiewicz
Our latest podcast takes us to San Diego, where an untimely death and some unseemly behavior added up to a murder rap.
Widow
What am I being arrested for?
Josh Mankiewicz
Like I told you yesterday, there was some foreign substance that was found in his body, and.
Widow
So are you charged with murder? Oh, my gosh. Are you serious?
Josh Mankiewicz
Yes. It's a story about investigators in dogged pursuit of a theory. I told them they might want to get the stuff retested and find out what's going on. It's about prosecutors hell bent on winning and about what happens when the wheels of justice go off the rails.
Widow
It was over a million. My mom sold her house, cashed in all of their retirements, all their every everything.
Josh Mankiewicz
It shouldn't be a game. It shouldn't be a situation where let's see what we can get away with. And that's what happened in this case. I'm Josh Mankiewicz, and this is Trace of Suspicion, an all new podcast from dateline beginning Tuesday, March 10th. You can listen to the latest episodes completely free or. To begin listening now, subscribe to Dateline Premium on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Dateline premium.com subscribers get early access to new episodes and can listen to all Dateline podcasts ad free sat.
Podcast: Trace of Suspicion
Host: Josh Mankiewicz (NBC News)
Episode: Introducing: Trace of Suspicion
Date: February 27, 2026
This introductory episode sets the stage for Trace of Suspicion, Dateline’s gripping new podcast. Host Josh Mankiewicz unpacks the mysterious and controversial case of Todd Sommer, a seemingly healthy 23-year-old Marine who died suddenly. When Todd’s widow, Cindy Sommer, began spending lavishly and socializing wildly after his funeral, authorities grew suspicious. They launched an investigation that uncovered arsenic in Todd’s body, leading to Cindy’s arrest for murder—a case sparked by rumors, forensic puzzles, and shocking twists.
The episode maintains a classic Dateline tone—measured, suspenseful, and richly detailed—juxtaposing Cindy Sommer’s free-spirited personality against the strict expectations placed on a military widow. Mankiewicz’s narration leans into both intrigue and skepticism, offering a preview of deeper questions to come about truth, justice, and the cost of prosecution.
In summary: This episode introduces listeners to a tale where personal choices, forensic science, and the justice system collide. Through a mix of first-person accounts, neighborly gossip, and prosecutorial zeal, Trace of Suspicion invites listeners to question not just the “who” and “how,” but the “why” and “what if” behind a notorious case.