About this episode
<p>Lester Holt talks with Andrea Canning about her episode, “Secrets in the Ashes.” When 31-year-old Texas mother Patricia Leigh Mills is found dead in a house fire, her family suspects her husband, Delbert, of setting the blaze that killed her, suspicions that only grow when he remarries less than two months after the death of his wife. Years later, after Delbert is convicted of Patricia Leigh’s murder, attention turns to his now ex-wife, Allison Salinas, who had moved to a new state, gotten remarried, and then tried to enlist her high school boyfriend to kill her husband. Andrea tells Lester about her prison interviews with Allison and Delbert, and they play a podcast-exclusive clip of Delbert describing his biggest regret. Plus, they answer your questions from social media. </p><p>Have a question for Talking Dateline? DM us a video to @DatelineNBC or leave a voicemail at (212) 413-5252. Your question may be featured in an upcoming episode.</p><p>Listen to the full episode “Secrets in the Ashes” on Apple: <a href="https://apple.co/4k1nVwN">https://apple.co/4k1nVwN</a><br />Listen on Spotify: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/0RhpCOtSZeY5jS2EPUHxkb?si=8de6f7cea7b64e06">https://open.spotify.com/episode/0RhpCOtSZeY5jS2EPUHxkb?si=8de6f7cea7b64e06</a></p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>
Listen to this episode in English to learn English
Podcast episodes are one of the highest-density ways to absorb English at native pace. Talking Dateline: Secrets in the Ashes from Dateline NBC gives you natural dialogue, unscripted speech, and vocabulary that actually appears in real conversations.
In the Hinto app, every word in the transcript is tappable. Tap an unknown word, see the translation in your language instantly, and keep listening without breaking flow.
Episodes to Learn English
- Children speak at father's sentencing. Business partner on trial for double murder. Plus, manhunts. Nov 5, 2026
- Talking Dateline: The Orchard Nov 4, 2026
- The Orchard Nov 3, 2026
- Verdict in UNC student trial. Influencer's alleged conspiracy to murder. Plus, handwriting analysis. Oct 29, 2026
- Talking Dateline: Blindsided Oct 28, 2026
- Blindsided Oct 27, 2026
- Keith Morrison reads Edgar Allan Poe’s haunting classics Oct 23, 2026
- Sandra Birchmore's texts. Arrest in "The People's Court" cold case. Plus, job scams. Oct 22, 2026
- Talking Dateline: The Betrayal of Kirby Carpenter Oct 21, 2026
- The Betrayal of Kirby Carpenter Oct 20, 2026
- Preview: Gabby Giffords on Before & After with Lester Holt Oct 19, 2026
- Keith Morrison reads Edgar Allan Poe Stories Oct 16, 2026
- Sandra Birchmore's alleged killer on trial. UNC student murder case. Plus, campus safety. Oct 15, 2026
- Talking Dateline: Heartless Oct 14, 2026
- Heartless Oct 13, 2026
- Preview: Brittney Griner on Before & After with Lester Holt Oct 12, 2026
- Crisis at Cornell. Husband on trial for missing wife's murder. Plus, "The Widower" documentary. Oct 8, 2026
- Talking Dateline: Unmasking the Monster Oct 7, 2026
- Unmasking the Monster Oct 6, 2026
- Preview: Rebecca Scofield on Before & After with Lester Holt Oct 5, 2026
- Bombshell witness at American Idol murder trial. Lindsay Clancy back in court. Plus, Cornell lawsuit. Oct 1, 2026
- Talking Dateline: The Family Plot Sep 30, 2026
- The Family Plot Sep 29, 2026
- Preview: Adrianne Haslet on Before & After with Lester Holt Sep 28, 2026
- Former American Idol contestant on trial. Plastic surgeon allegedly murders lawyer. Plus, AI scams. Sep 24, 2026
- Talking Dateline: The Man Who Loved Christmas Sep 23, 2026
- The Man Who Loved Christmas Sep 22, 2026
- Preview: Jeremy Renner on Before & After with Lester Holt Sep 21, 2026
- Alleged eye drop murder. A divorce attorney accused of murder. Plus, criminal investigations at sea. Sep 17, 2026
- True Lies Sep 16, 2026