Dateline NBC “The Black Candle Confession” August 4 2023 Preview
Prepare for a gripping episode of Dateline, as the investigative series delves into the chilling case of “The Black Candle Confession.” This story airs on Friday, August 4, at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, and is set to leave viewers on the edge of their seats.
The tale begins with a haunting memory etched in the mind of 9-year-old Jessie Becker. Witnessing a sobbing woman lighting black candles has remained with her for decades. Now, Jessie bravely comes forward to reveal what she saw, reigniting an investigation into the unsolved murder of a local bartender.
This episode focuses on the long-lasting and chilling murder case of Corey Lee Wieneke, a 22-year-old former high school football star from West Liberty, Iowa. Corey was known for being larger-than-life, with his popularity reaching every corner of the small town. However, his life took a tragic turn when he was found dead inside his own home on October 13, 1992, with fatal blunt force trauma to his body, inflicted by an aluminum baseball bat.
The investigation into Corey’s death led to several perplexing leads and suspects. Initially, his fiancée Jody Hotz, who found him and made the 911 call, was ruled out as a suspect. The blood-stained murder weapon was found one mile away from the scene, and witnesses narrowed down the window of the crime to a specific timeframe. However, the lack of physical evidence connecting anyone to the murder made the case go cold.
Years later, a chilling tip emerged, pointing towards Annette Hazen (now Cahill) as a potential suspect. Detective work and witness accounts shed light on a potential motive related to a complicated relationship between Annette and Corey. Jessica Becker, who was a young girl at the time of the murder, came forward with a memory of seeing Annette lighting black candles and overhearing an apology for killing Corey. This new evidence prompted a reopening of the investigation.
During Annette’s subsequent trials, her story changed, and another witness, Scott Payne, came forward to implicate her further. Annette was eventually found guilty of second-degree murder, receiving a 50-year prison sentence with the possibility of parole after 35 years.
The ‘Dateline’ episode will offer a compelling and compassionate look into the heart-wrenching events surrounding Corey Wieneke’s murder, as well as the journey to justice for his family and friends in West Liberty, Iowa.
With award-winning correspondent Keith Morrison leading the charge, Dateline takes audiences on a compelling journey through West Liberty, Iowa, where the harrowing events took place. As the pieces of the puzzle start to come together, the show features interviews with key figures, including Sheriff CJ Ryan and District Attorney Alan Ostergren, shedding light on the complex and mysterious case.
“The Black Candle Confession” promises to be a heart-pounding and emotionally charged episode, offering an look into a chilling crime that has remained shrouded in mystery for years. Don’t miss this Dateline special on August 4, as it unravels the truth behind the black candle confession in West Liberty, Iowa.
