Talking Dateline: Malice

With Blayne on assignment, Lester Holt talks with Senior Producer Allison Orr and Producer Ann Preisman about Blayne’s latest episode, "Malice." Just over a year into his new marriage, Jake Embert was found dead from what would quickly be ruled a self-inflicted gunshot. Jake’s family did not accept the ruling, believing he had been killed by his new wife. They hired a private investigator who presented his findings to authorities, resulting in Jake’s manner of death being changed to homicide. Susan Embert was charged with her husband’s murder and eventually found guilty and sentenced to life. Allison and Ann discuss the credentials needed to become a coroner and play an extra clip of Blayne confronting Susan about a Facebook post she made in the days following her husband’s death. Plus, Lester and Ann answer your questions from social media. This episode discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or visit 988lifeline.org for more resources. Listen to the full episode “Malice” on Apple: https://apple.co/3PcKoLI Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6vQ1hNSjEf6GUKiNTvEfV0

Episode 260304 of the Dateline NBC podcast, hosted by NBC News, titled "Talking Dateline: Malice" was published on March 4, 2026 and runs 22 minutes.

March 4, 2026 ·22m · Dateline NBC

Summary

With Blayne on assignment, Lester Holt talks with Senior Producer Allison Orr and Producer Ann Preisman about Blayne’s latest episode, "Malice." Just over a year into his new marriage, Jake Embert was found dead from what would quickly be ruled a self-inflicted gunshot. Jake’s family did not accept the ruling, believing he had been killed by his new wife. They hired a private investigator who presented his findings to authorities, resulting in Jake’s manner of death being changed to homicide. Susan Embert was charged with her husband’s murder and eventually found guilty and sentenced to life. Allison and Ann discuss the credentials needed to become a coroner and play an extra clip of Blayne confronting Susan about a Facebook post she made in the days following her husband’s death. Plus, Lester and Ann answer your questions from social media. This episode discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or visit 988lifeline.org for more resources. Listen to the full episode “Malice” on Apple: https://apple.co/3PcKoLI Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6vQ1hNSjEf6GUKiNTvEfV0

Episode Description