You know you’re watching a classic Keith Morrison Dateline episode when it has an outside shot of Keith doing his patented, casual lean-against-something, a pensive look, a creepy voiceover line that drops an octave at the end and trails off in a “well…,” or Keith pushing back against a suspect or their attorney. And of course, it has to have a great story.
There are too many episodes to sift through to find these gems, and since we at True Crime Docket are unabashed Keith Morrison fans, we’ve done that just for you.
Also check out 10 More of the Best Keith Morrison Dateline Episodes, the comprehensive list of Keith Morrison Dateline episodes and the Dateline show profile.
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1. “The Black Widow of Lomita” (Season 28, Episode 8)
This is not your typical black widow story. Instead, it’s a twisty story about a woman (Sonia Rios) in Lomita, California, whose two marriages end in death when her husbands die within 20 years of each other. The case leads to the discovery of a murderer who is killed by their family member before an arrest can occur, and it includes plenty of creepy voiceovers by Keith.
2. “Scorned”
(Season 26, Episode 1)
In this episode, a strange story begins with a love triangle and unfolds into stalking, arson, and murder, leading investigators to the discovery of a woman impersonating the victim. Keith adds his usual creepy narration, and the story will keep you guessing until the end. The case is also detailed in American Justice.
3. “A Shot in the Dark”
(Season 25, Episode 34)
When Cara Ryan kills her ex-husband in her bedroom, she claims that it was self-defense. She appears on the show, and Keith provides plenty of pushback against her story.
4. “Deadly Desire”
(Season 24, Episode 36)
Two seemingly normal couples in Idaho, Kandi and Rob Hall and Emmett and Ashlee Corrigan, are caught in a tangled relationship that leads to affairs, murder, and a surprising defense. In his interviews, Keith pushes back against the main suspect and his wife, and the episode contains plenty of spooky narration.
5. “The Shadow”
(Season 23, Episode 74)
Late one night in Iowa, Angie Ver Huel wakes up to find her fiancé, Justin Michael, dead in their bed. Questioning by detectives leads to the discovery of a convoluted plan by the killer to pin the murder on someone else. Keith not only provides his classic chilling narration, but plenty of empathy for Michael’s family and fiancée. The case is also covered by The Last 24.
6. “The Man Who Talked to Dogs”
(Season 22, Episode 53)
In this case involving a love triangle and divorce, dog trainer Mark Stover is murdered. The draw of the episode is when Keith confronts the lies of the main suspect, who also tries to push back against Keith. How dare he!
7. “Secrets in Pleasant Grove”
(Season 22, Episode 9)
Martin MacNeill finds his wife Michele dead in the bathtub a few days after she had a facelift. Family secrets come out, and the truth of Michele’s death is revealed. Keith provides entertainingly eerie dialogue and plenty of sarcasm, as well as lots of resistance against the suspect’s story.
8. “Under the Desert Sky”
(Season 21, Episode 14)
In this compelling episode, Keith details the murder of Micaela Costanzo, a 16-year-old high school student from a small town in Nevada. You’ll be shocked by the identities of the murderers, and what they claim happened. The case is also detailed on Snapped: Killer Couples.
9. “Secrets in the Snow”
(Season 21, Episode 2)
Stephanie Roller Bruner is found dead in the snow one winter night in Colorado, and a love triangle comes to light. Police investigate three suspects, and Keith provides the requisite creepy narration, along with pushback against one of the suspects.
10. “Deadly House of Cards”
(Season 19, Episode 95)
In Edmonton, Canada, Johnny Altinger vanishes, leading police to a killer inspired by the show Dexter. The episode and twisty story will keep you watching until the end. It includes footage from a weird police ride-along with their key suspect, in which he is creepily silent the entire time. The case is also covered on Bizarre Murders.