Overview of Talking Dateline: The Professor & The Poet
This Talking Dateline episode (hosted by Keith Morrison with guest Josh Mankiewicz and producer Rachel White) breaks down the Dateline investigation into the murder of Sue Markham and the arrest of Jorge (Jorge Landeros / Landeros) — a charismatic Spanish teacher/yoga instructor who also published poetry. The episode covers how a bright, accomplished university professor became entangled with a man who concealed violent behavior, the police investigation that reached into Mexico, and the social-media questions viewers raised after the broadcast.
Key points and takeaways
- Victim: Sue Markham — a smart, well-liked university professor who had trouble stepping away from a one-sided relationship.
- Suspect: Jorge Landeros — Spanish teacher/yoga instructor, published poet; described as charming but with a violent undertow.
- Relationship: Began with Spanish lessons, moved into yoga and brief romantic involvement; Sue’s friends saw it as one-sided and a problem, but Sue isolated herself and minimized external objections.
- Crime and cover-up: After an altercation in Sue’s home, Jorge moved her car to stage a potential theft; that behavior suggested an attempt to conceal a crime and ultimately drew investigative attention.
- Capture and evidence: Jorge fled to Mexico, wrote poems while on the run (some about being pursued), was identified via DNA and arrested on the street outside his residence in Mexico.
- Additional corroboration: Jorge’s later girlfriend in Mexico, Rocio, reported controlling and abusive behavior (including choking during sex) and later contacted investigators with her concerns — her testimony supported patterns of abuse.
Characters and relationships
- Sue Markham: Victim, never married, beloved by students and friends, made accounting interesting (even for circus elephants — anecdote shared).
- Jorge Landeros: Teacher/yoga instructor/poet; outwardly charming, manipulative, capable of violence. Published poetry while fugitive; poems described as “purple” prose.
- Rocio: Jorge’s partner in Mexico; experienced controlling and abusive behaviors, sought protection and eventually cooperated with investigators.
- Josh Mankiewicz: Dateline correspondent who reported the episode; conducted interviews and on-site reporting.
- Rachel White: Dateline producer who answered viewer questions and helped assemble the episode.
Timeline & investigation (concise)
- Relationship develops (Spanish lessons → yoga → short-lived romance).
- Sue is murdered in her Montgomery County, Maryland home (case focal point: 2010).
- Jorge moves Sue’s car and behaves suspiciously; initially considered a petty thief by police but still pursued as an investigative lead.
- Jorge flees to Mexico (believed to have moved there in 2008 by friends).
- While on the run, Jorge publishes poetry about being pursued; he is identified by DNA.
- Arrest occurs on the street outside his home in Mexico; he was reportedly calm enough to sleep on the flight back in custody.
- Rocio later provides testimony about his abusive behavior, and she contacted Maryland investigators after his arrest.
Themes and insights
- Charm and manipulation: Perpetrators who seem charismatic and “spiritual” (yoga instructors, mentors) can mask abusive tendencies.
- Isolation as a red flag: Victims who cut off friends or ignore friends’ warnings are at greater risk. Friends often hesitate to keep pressing a loved one who refuses to listen.
- Investigative nuance: Early suspect behavior (theft, eluding police) doesn’t always equal the primary crime, but small acts (moving a car, staging theft) can be critical leads.
- Public persona vs. private violence: The case highlights how outwardly cultured attributes (poetry, yoga) don’t preclude violent or manipulative behavior.
Notable quotes & moments
- “When somebody is trying to isolate you and keep you from talking to people who are going to tell you that the guy you're with is the wrong guy, that is a giant red flag.”
- Jorge reportedly published poems about being chased by the FBI while on the run — an unusual and revealing detail.
- Arrest scene described vividly: Jorge stopped on the street retrieving a soda and taken into custody.
Viewer Q&A highlights (from host + producer)
- Why didn’t Sue’s friends report Jorge earlier? Friends believed Jorge had left for Mexico in 2008 and thought the relationship had ended; they only learned later that contact had continued.
- Was the Mexico footage shot in Juárez? No — the crew shot B-roll in Mexico City.
- Did Jorge receive a life-insurance payout? No — his attorneys said he did not attempt to collect it.
- On yoga instructors: viewers noted the irony that someone in a trusted “Zen” role became violent; producers acknowledged that such roles can, in some cases, attract people with ulterior motives.
Practical lessons / Advice
- Listen to friends and family: If multiple people warn you about a partner’s controlling or isolating behavior, take it seriously.
- Watch for isolation tactics: Attempts to cut someone off from friends or support networks are major warning signs.
- Report patterns: If you observe abuse or controlling behavior, even in another jurisdiction, reporting can help investigators connect patterns across cases.
Where to watch / listen
- The full Dateline episode (“The Professor & The Poet”) is available on Peacock and in the Dateline podcast feed.
Credits: Hosts Keith Morrison and Josh Mankiewicz; Dateline producer Rachel White.