Dateline NBC Return to the Lake Airs February 14 2025 on NBC

This Friday, February 14, 2025, at 9:00 PM ET/8:00 PM CT, Dateline NBC presents “Return to the Lake”, an in-depth investigation into Susan Smith, the South Carolina woman who admitted to murdering her two children in 1994. After serving more than 30 years in prison, Smith was recently denied parole, sparking renewed interest in this haunting case.

Correspondent Craig Melvin reports on the emotional parole hearing, where Susan Smith, now 53, expressed deep remorse for her actions, saying, “I know that what I did was horrible. And I would give anything if I could go back and change it.” During the hearing, she described the tragic events leading to the deaths of her children, 3-year-old Michael and 14-month-old Alexander, whom she drowned by driving their car into a lake. Smith’s defense team argued that mental health issues contributed to her actions, while her ex-husband, David Smith, strongly opposed her release, saying that she had never shown genuine remorse.

The episode explores the emotional toll the crime took on both the victim’s family and the public, as well as the legal process that has kept Smith behind bars. Viewers will hear from David Smith and his current wife, Tiffany, who spoke out during the parole hearing, urging the board to keep Susan Smith in prison for life.

Dateline revisits the story that captured national attention, uncovering new insights into Susan Smith’s past and the reasons behind her heartbreaking decision to kill her own children.

As always, the program aims to shed light on the darker sides of life while maintaining a respectful approach to the victims and their families. This episode is sure to be another memorable addition to the series, offering a blend of suspense and emotional depth that fans have come to love. Tune in for an evening of intrigue and discovery that only “Dateline NBC” can deliver.

Release Date & Time: 9:00 PM Friday 14 February 2025 on NBC

Dateline NBC Cast –