Dateline NBC Bringing Jay Home Airs January 30 2026 on NBC

On Friday, January 30, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, Dateline NBC presents Bringing Jay Home, a powerful and emotional report from Oxford, Mississippi. Correspondent Blayne Alexander leads the coverage of the heartbreaking disappearance of Jimmie “Jay” Lee, a well-known and beloved student at the University of Mississippi whose sudden vanishing sent shockwaves through the community.
Jay Lee was last seen leaving his apartment early one morning in July 2022. A vibrant presence on campus, known for his activism, style, and bright personality, Jay’s absence raised immediate concerns among friends and family. As the hours turned into days, and then weeks, the case became more than just a missing persons investigation—it became a deeply personal search for justice.
Bringing Jay Home features exclusive interviews with Jay’s parents, Stephanie and Jimmy Lee, and his sister Tayla Carey. They speak openly about their grief, their unwavering hope, and how their faith has helped them cope with the unknown. The episode also includes in-depth discussions with University of Mississippi police captain Jane Mahan, Oxford Police Detective Ryan Baker, and Police Chief Jeff McCutchen, who walk viewers through the investigation, the leads pursued, and the ongoing questions that still surround the case.
Dateline explores not only the circumstances of Jay’s disappearance but also the broader issues at play, including the challenges of being a Black gay man in the Deep South and how that may have affected the search for answers. With empathy and clarity, Bringing Jay Home offers a window into a community’s pain and a family’s resilience in the face of tragedy.
Don’t miss this moving hour of Dateline NBC, airing Friday night and streaming the next day on Peacock.
Release Date & Time: 9:01 PM Friday 30 January 2026 on NBC
Dateline NBC Cast –
| Main Cast |
|---|
| Lester Holt Willie Geist Meredith Vieira Kate Snow Craig Melvin Andrea Canning Hoda Kotb Josh Mankiewicz Keith Morrison Dennis Murphy |
