Dateline NBC Talking Dateline: In a Lonely Place
Aug 20, 2025
Blayne Alexander chats with Keith Morrison about the chilling case of Chris Smith, a businessman who vanished under suspicious circumstances. They unravel the deceptive tactics of his partner, Ed Shin, who misled everyone with fake emails. Insight into a pivotal investigative discovery reveals how intuition can crack a case wide open. The conversation also highlights the emotional toll on victims' families and the complexity of trust in relationships, all while sprinkling in memorable moments from interviewing criminals.
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Chris's Travel Persona Enabled The Ruse
- The story initially unfolded as a travel-mystery because Chris liked traveling and surfing.
- That background made the faked travel emails more believable to his family and friends.
Deception Through Convincing Emails
- Convincing, skillful emails can sustain a false narrative for months and delay investigation.
- The family's hope and the emails' tone made them believe Chris was alive despite worries.
Double Lives Mask Dangerous Habits
- People can present admirable public lives while hiding destructive private behaviors like gambling.
- That duality enabled Ed Shin to operate a double life undetected by many peers.
