Overview of Dateline True Crime Weekly by NBC News
This episode of Dateline True Crime Weekly covers three major true-crime developments: the San Diego murder trial of Larry Millete, the newly reopened case against David Vandermeer in the death of his wife Bernadette, and the weekly courtroom roundup on high-profile cases involving Alec Murdaugh, Luigi Mangione, and Nicholas Alahverdian. The episode also features actress and podcaster June Diane Raphael, who talks about her love of Dateline and her role in the new Legally Blonde prequel series Elle.
The Larry Millete Trial: Prosecutors Lean on the Love Triangle Theory
Core allegation
Prosecutors in the trial of Larry Millete are trying to prove that he murdered his wife Maya Millete in 2021, despite:
- no body being recovered
- no physical evidence definitively proving murder
- Larry’s continued claim of innocence
Their theory centers on a fractured marriage and a love triangle involving:
- Larry Millete
- Maya Millete
- Jamie Laird, Maya’s lover
Key testimony from Patricia Laird
The most notable witness this week was Patricia Laird, Jamie’s wife at the time.
She testified that:
- Jamie and Maya had an extensive affair beginning in 2019
- the two exchanged hundreds of secret messages, many sexually explicit
- Larry repeatedly called Patricia from different numbers trying to reach her
- Patricia eventually contacted Maya directly
Patricia also said Maya told her the affair had been made up to make Larry “feel stupid,” and that Larry was “crazy.” Patricia offered Maya police resources and a restraining order, but Maya declined and said she was not afraid of Larry.
Why Patricia mattered
Her testimony helped both sides:
- Prosecution: Patricia corroborated Jamie’s timeline and helped place him elsewhere when Maya disappeared, weakening the argument that he could be the alternate suspect
- Defense: They tried to show Larry’s calls were not threatening or violent, just persistent and polite, and suggested Jamie might still be hiding something
Big picture
The episode underscores that the case against Larry rests heavily on:
- motive from a failing marriage
- the affair
- circumstantial evidence
- the prosecution’s need to convince the jury that Maya is dead, even though her body has never been found
The David Vandermeer Case: Suspicious Fall on Angels Landing
Background
Authorities in Utah reopened the long-cold case of Bernadette Vandermeer, who died in 2006 after a fall on Angels Landing in Zion National Park.
Her husband, David Vandermeer, a youth pastor at the time, originally said:
- Bernadette accidentally fell off the cliff
- the death was ruled an accident
- the case remained closed for nearly 20 years
He was recently arrested in Las Vegas on charges including:
- murder
- insurance fraud
What investigators believe
According to the reporting in the episode, prosecutors and investigators now suspect:
- Bernadette’s death was not accidental
- David may have been motivated by a relationship with a young woman in his youth group, identified only as S.H.
- he benefited financially from a life insurance payout of about $567,000
Key witness: S.H.
This witness claimed that:
- David groomed her starting when she was 14
- the relationship became sexual when she was 16
- David told her the only way they could be together was if Bernadette was “not alive”
After Bernadette died, S.H. eventually married David, which investigators saw as further evidence of motive.
Other suspicious details
The investigation also found:
- the timing of David’s story didn’t match NASA sunrise data
- the 911 call came before the sun would have been visible at the location
- Bernadette had recently discussed increased life insurance coverage with her mother
Tragic ending
The case took another shocking turn:
- David died while in custody before extradition
- jail officials said his death was from self-inflicted injuries
Bernadette’s family said they finally felt justice was coming, but David’s death does not erase the loss of their daughter.
Dateline Roundup: Major Courtroom Updates
Alec Murdaugh
The episode revisited Alec Murdaugh’s murder case in South Carolina.
Why the conviction was overturned
Murdaugh’s 2023 convictions for killing:
- his wife Maggie
- his son Paul
were overturned by the state Supreme Court, which ordered a new trial.
What happened in court
At this week’s hearing:
- Murdaugh appeared in prison clothing and shackles
- the courtroom was packed with media
- the new judge, Deborah McCaslin, said she was not familiar with the original trial and asked attorneys to be complete in their explanations
Defense requests
The defense asked for:
- a change of venue
- civilian clothes for Murdaugh
- no shackles in front of the jury
- access to more evidence, including DNA under Maggie’s fingernails
The judge did not rule yet, but set a tentative retrial date of April 5, 2027.
Luigi Mangione
The episode also covered the federal case against Luigi Mangione, accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Court update
- Mangione arrived late after reportedly getting stuck in a courthouse elevator
- the federal trial date was moved from November to January 25, 2027
- the judge said the November schedule was impossible because of his earlier state trial
Plea talks
There had been reporting that plea discussions were underway, but the episode says those talks have broken down, though a deal could still happen later.
Nicholas Alahverdian
The roundup ended with news about Nicholas Alahverdian:
- the notorious con man who faked his death
- fled under a false identity
- was later convicted in Utah of rape in two separate cases
The biggest update: he reportedly died, with Utah corrections saying it was from complications of an existing medical condition after he stopped treatment.
Guest Segment: June Diane Raphael on Dateline and Elle
Who she is
The episode’s guest was June Diane Raphael, actor, comedian, and podcaster, currently appearing in the Legally Blonde prequel series Elle.
Why she loves Dateline
Raphael said she’s drawn to Dateline because:
- the stories are told with empathy
- the show focuses on victims and families
- true crime often gives women language for recognizing red flags and seeking justice
She also said she appreciates seeing perpetrators ultimately face consequences.
Her new project
Raphael discussed Elle:
- a prequel to Legally Blonde
- showing how Elle Woods became who she is
- exploring the women and influences behind that character’s confidence
- featuring some sleuthing and mystery elements that connect back to the original film
She also shared that her daughter is named Elle, a nod to her love of the character.
Key Takeaways
- Maya Millete case: The prosecution is leaning hard on an affair-driven motive and on witnesses who can place Jamie Laird elsewhere.
- Bernadette Vandermeer case: What was once ruled an accident is now being treated as a murder tied to grooming, control, and life insurance.
- Murdaugh retrial: The retrial process is underway, with major evidentiary and venue questions still unresolved.
- Mangione case: Federal proceedings are being delayed by the state case, pushing trial farther into 2027.
- Dateline’s appeal: The guest segment reinforced the show’s mix of investigative storytelling, victim-centered reporting, and true-crime fandom.
What’s Coming Next
The episode closes by previewing:
- more Dateline coverage in the weeks ahead
- the podcast After the Verdict
- a Friday episode featuring a particularly intense 911 call in a classic Josh Mankiewicz story