Dateline Originals

On October 3, 2024, 28-year-old Broadway performer Zelig Williams disappeared from Columbia, South Carolina. He was last seen by his mother, Kathy Williams, when he left her house around 9:50 that morning. After he failed to return home, Kathy filed a missing person’s report with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. The next night, Zelig’s car was discovered at the Palmetto Trailhead with some of his belongings inside. Despite extensive searches, no trace of Zelig has been found, and the investigation remains active. Dateline’s Josh Mankiewicz speaks with Zelig’s loved ones and Investigator JP Smith of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Zelig Williams is about 5’9” and 175 lbs., with brown eyes. He would be 29 today. Anyone with information regarding his disappearance is asked to contact the Richland County Sheriff’s Department at 803-576-3000 or Midland Crime Stoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC. Get more information and see pictures of Zelig Williams here: https://www.nbcnews.com/datelinemissing. This episode originally published on July 27, 2026.

Bianca Carrasco, a 29-year-old oncology nurse and mother of three, disappeared on May 1, 2016, in San Antonio, Texas. She was last seen by her husband, who said she walked out of the house after an argument. Bianca's phone went dark that night, and no one has heard from her since. Dateline's Josh Mankiewicz speaks with Bianca's sister, Jovanna Burney, her friend Julie Stinson, and a representative from Search and Support San Antonio, Lori Wittmeyer. Bianca is right-hand dominant, has a tattoo of the letter "B" on her left hip, and a surgical scar on her abdomen. At the time of her disappearance Bianca was 5’1, 125 lbs., with brown eyes and shoulder-length brown hair. She was last seen wearing a blue jean jacket, multi-colored leggings, and wedge shoes. She is said to have been carrying a pink Prada purse, and a black Prada wallet. Anyone with information regarding Bianca’s case is urged to call the San Antonio Police Department at (210) 207-7660 or San Antonio Crime Stoppers at 210-224-STOP (210-224-7867). Get more information and see pictures of Bianca Carrasco here: https://www.nbcnews.com/datelinemissing. This episode originally published on August 31, 2026.

Marilyn “Niqui” McCown vanished from Richmond, Indiana, on July 22, 2001, just weeks before her wedding. The 28-year-old was last seen on security video at a convenience store near a local laundromat. Months later, the GMC Jimmy she had been driving was found in Dayton, Ohio; her laundry was found folded inside the vehicle. Dateline’s Josh Mankiewicz speaks with Niqui’s sister, Michelle McCown-Luster, and Niqui’s daughter, Payton Johnston, about their long search for answers. Josh also speaks with WDTN co-anchor Kelley King, who has followed Niqui’s case for years. Also featured is Richmond Police Department Detective Mike Wright, who continues to investigate Niqui’s disappearance. Niqui was 5’3” and weighed 115 pounds at the time of her disappearance with brown hair and eyes. She was last seen wearing a pink top, biker shorts, and sandals. She would be 53 years old today. Anyone with information about Niqui’s case is asked to call the Richmond Police Department at 765-983-7247. Get more information and see pictures of Niqui McCown here: https://www.nbcnews.com/datelinemissing. This episode originally published on August 24, 2026.

On June 5, 2017, 20-year-old Ashley Loring Heavy Runner reportedly went to a couple of house parties on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Browning, Montana. The next day, she and her sister Kimberly Loring messaged each other on Facebook. That is the last time anyone in Ashley’s family has heard from her. Dateline's Josh Mankiewicz talks with Kimberly Loring, Montana Free Press reporter Nora Mabie, and Haley Omeasoo, Ashley’s high school classmate and founder of Ohkomi Forensics, about the crisis of missing Native Americans and the work being done to bring their cases to light. At the time of her disappearance Ashley was 5'2" and weighed about 90 lbs. She has brown hair and brown eyes. Ashley would be 29 years old today. Anyone with information on Ashley's whereabouts is asked to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or contact their field office in Billings at (406) 248-8487. You can also submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. Get more information and see pictures of Ashley Loring Heavy Runner here: https://www.nbcnews.com/datelinemissing. This episode originally published on August 3, 2026.

Haleigh Murphy, a 22-year-old Army veteran and mother, was last seen on June 16, 2023, leaving a bar in Round Rock, Texas, with a male friend. Her family has not heard from her since that night. According to the Austin Police Department, at the time of her disappearance Haleigh was an informant for the Texas Department of Public Safety. Dateline’s Josh Mankiewicz speaks with Haleigh’s mother, Becky Mitchell, her sister, Harley Murphy, and her best friend, Brittney Ketchum. When last seen, Haleigh Murphy was 5’ and 130 lbs. She had short platinum blonde hair, hazel eyes, and many brightly-colored tattoos. She would be 26 years old today. Anyone with information regarding her disappearance is asked to contact the Texas Rangers at 512-424-2160 or the Texas Department of Public Safety Missing Persons Clearinghouse at 512-424-5074. Get more information and see pictures of Haleigh Murphy here: https://www.nbcnews.com/datelinemissing. This episode originally published on August 17, 2026.

Cheryl Scherer vanished from the Rhodes Pump-Ur-Own gas station in Scott City, Missouri, on April 17, 1979. The 19-year-old had spoken with her mother that morning, but when a co-worker stopped by the station shortly after that call, Cheryl was gone. Nearly half a century later, Cheryl’s disappearance remains unsolved, and tips continue to come in today. Dateline’s Josh Mankiewicz speaks with Cheryl’s younger siblings, Anthony Scherer and Diane Scherer-Morris, along with Sheriff Derick Wheetley, Det. Sgt. Michael Williams, and Det. Carerra Patterson of the Scott County Sheriff’s Office about the case. At the time of her disappearance, Cheryl Scherer was 5’1”, weighed about 100 lbs., with blue eyes and shoulder-length red hair. Cheryl would be 67 years old in August. Anyone with information about her disappearance is urged to contact the Scott County Sheriff’s Office at 573-545-3525. Get more information and see pictures of Cheryl Scherer here: https://www.nbcnews.com/datelinemissing. This episode originally published on August 10, 2026.

Hey, Dateline fans. The trailer for season 5 of Morrison Mysteries is waiting for you… Enter the shadowy world of Edgar Allan Poe, brought to life by the unmistakable voice of Dateline’s Keith Morrison. In Season 5 of Morrison Mysteries, experience the mystery and madness of Poe's haunting classics, The Tell-Tale Heart, The Black Cat and The Murders in the Rue Morgue. Just search “Morrison Mysteries” to follow now or click here: swap.fm/l/mmdfd

Hey Dateline fans, here’s a special preview of the first episode of our new podcast series, Before & After with Lester Holt. In this episode, Lester Holt talks to former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick about his decision to take a knee during the national anthem and the unexpected consequences that changed his life. Search Before & After with Lester Holt to listen to the full episode now, completely free. Or subscribe to Dateline Premium on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or DatelinePremium.com. Subscribers get early access to new episodes and can listen to all Dateline podcasts ad-free. swap.fm/l/bapfd

Hey Dateline fans! As a bonus for you, we’re sharing the trailer for Before & After with Lester Holt, an all-new original podcast series from Dateline. Before & After with Lester Holt is a deeply personal interview series about moments that divide a life into before and after. In each conversation, Lester sits down with someone whose life was transformed in an instant by an unexpected twist of fate. The episodes explore what it takes to endure the unimaginable, rebuild a life, and find meaning and purpose in the aftermath. Follow now to get the first episode on Monday, September 14 completely free. Or subscribe to Dateline Premium on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or DatelinePremium.com. Subscribers receive ad-free listening and early access to subsequent episodes. swap.fm/l/fdtw

An interview with an unlikely suspect takes a surprising turn, leading to an arrest. This episode originally published on June 15, 2026.

A young woman makes a startling confession and suddenly turns the case upside down. This episode originally published on June 17, 2026.

When a popular high school junior doesn’t make it home from track practice, her family springs into action. This episode originally published on June 8, 2026.

After a discovery in the desert, investigators start with Mickie’s inner circle. This episode originally published on June 8, 2026.

Pointed questions lead to revealing answers when Dateline interviews a killer. This episode originally published on June 24, 2026.

As the case heads to trial, two very different accounts of the crime emerge. This episode originally published on June 22, 2026.

Cindy starts partying. And investigators start digging. This episode originally published on March 10, 2026.

The jury speaks out, a new lawyer steps in, and the case heads in a new direction. This episode originally published on March 24, 2026.

A trial. A legal blunder. And a lot of dirty laundry. This episode originally published on March 19, 2026.

A fresh look at the evidence leads to an almost unimaginable twist. This episode originally published on March 26, 2026.

New evidence in Todd’s death leads to a theory of motive. This episode originally published on March 17, 2026.