Overview of Dateline True Crime Weekly
This episode covers a fast-moving Florida double-murder investigation tied to two missing University of South Florida graduate students, a separate California murder case involving claims of spells and hexes, and a Dateline Roundup featuring the Reiner family, the Paul Canero case, and a major plea in the Jam Master Jay murder. It also previews Allegedly, NBC News’ new true-crime video podcast on Netflix, which launches with a deep dive into the Gabby Petito case.
USF Double Murder Investigation: Two Missing Students, One Suspect
NBC News correspondent Jesse Kirsch breaks down the disappearance of two 27-year-old doctoral students at the University of South Florida:
- Nahida Bristy studied chemical engineering.
- Jamil Limon studied geography, environmental science, and policy.
What happened
- Nahida last contacted her family in Bangladesh on April 16.
- Soon after, both students were reported missing.
- Jamil’s body was later found near the Howard Frankland Bridge, about 25 miles from campus.
- Nahida still had not been found at the time of the broadcast.
Suspect and evidence
Investigators say the suspect, Hisham Abu Garbiya, was a roommate of Jamil’s and became the focus early in the case.
Key alleged evidence includes:
- His changing explanations about where he was and what he knew.
- A cut on his finger, which he said came from cutting onions.
- Phone and vehicle data placing him near the victims at relevant times.
- Search activity prosecutors say may point to premeditation, including an alleged ChatGPT query about:
- putting a human in a black garbage bag
- throwing it in a dumpster
Key takeaway
Prosecutors appear to be building a case around digital evidence, location data, and inconsistent statements, while the search for Nahida continues.
California Case: Husband Accused of Killing Wife After Alleged Hexes
The episode then turns to the case of Maya Millete and her husband, Larry Millete.
Background
- Maya was a 39-year-old mother of three from Chula Vista, California.
- She vanished just days before a planned family trip.
- Larry was later charged with her murder and pleaded not guilty.
Investigative allegations
Prosecutors say:
- The marriage had been under strain for months.
- Maya had allegedly described abuse, including an incident where Larry choked her until she lost consciousness.
- Maya texted a friend the day before she disappeared: she was filing for divorce and was “done trying to make things amicable.”
The “spellcaster” angle
One of the more unusual elements in the case is the allegation that Larry paid people online to cast:
- love spells
- hexes
- spells intended to harm or control Maya
Investigators say he paid hundreds of dollars for dozens of these spells.
Evidence cited by prosecutors
- Surveillance video allegedly shows Maya returning home but not leaving again.
- Investigators heard nine loud bangs near the home that night.
- Larry allegedly failed to report to work for several days after she vanished.
- Prosecutors say there is blood evidence in the home.
- The defense argues there is no body, no murder weapon, and no direct forensic evidence.
Current status
- Trial is scheduled for May 11.
- The defense has accused the prosecutor of misconduct and is seeking to derail or delay the case.
Dateline Roundup
Jake Reiner speaks after his parents’ murders
Jake Reiner, son of Rob Reiner and Michelle Singer Reiner, shared his first public personal reflection after their alleged killing.
Main points:
- He described the murders as a “living nightmare.”
- He said losing both parents at once, while his brother Nick is accused, was almost impossible to process.
- He asked for compassion and emphasized the values his parents lived by.
Paul Canero’s quadruple murder conviction stands
A New Jersey judge rejected defense arguments for a new trial in the Paul Canero case.
What happened:
- Canero was convicted of murdering his brother Keith, Keith’s wife, and their two children.
- Prosecutors said the motive was financial desperation and greed.
- The defense argued the judge was hostile toward them during trial.
- The judge said the trial was fair and the jury was guided by evidence, not bias.
Jam Master Jay case: third defendant pleads guilty
A surprise development came in the long-running murder case of Jam Master Jay (Jason Mizell of Run-DMC).
- Jay Bryant pleaded guilty to being an accomplice.
- He admitted he helped facilitate the killing and knew a gun would be used.
- He faces 15 to 20 years in prison.
Preview: Allegedly, NBC News’ New True-Crime Video Podcast
Andrea Mitchell previews Allegedly, a new Netflix video podcast hosted by Ellison Barber and produced by NBC News Studios.
What the show does
- Focuses on high-profile true-crime cases.
- Combines storytelling with court documents, depositions, and interviews.
- Aims to be thoughtful and accurate, rather than racing to be first.
Premiere episode: Gabby Petito
The first episode examines the Gabby Petito case through newly surfaced civil depositions and legal records.
Notable themes:
- Questions about what Brian Laundrie’s parents knew.
- The alleged lack of action after Laundrie reportedly told his parents, “Gabby’s gone.”
- A detailed look at a letter attributed to Laundrie’s mother that contained highly disturbing language about helping dispose of a body.
Future episodes
The show plans to cover additional major cases, including:
- Cory Richens
- the Alexander brothers case
Main Takeaways
- The USF case appears to hinge on digital evidence, location tracking, and a suspect’s inconsistent story.
- The Maya Millete case is moving toward trial with allegations of abuse, obsession, and bizarre spell/hex activity.
- The Dateline Roundup highlighted major developments in headline-grabbing true-crime cases.
- Allegedly is being positioned as a more document-driven, video-first true-crime series that aims to unpack major cases with fresh records and context.