Dateline NBC “The Women & Dirty John” September 8 2023 Recap & Preview
Dateline’s “The Women & Dirty John” is set to air on Friday, September 8 at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT.
Keith Morrison takes us deep into the twisted world of John Meehan, the man who made national headlines due to his crimes and the chilling climax that captivated the nation through the popular podcast, ‘Dirty John.’ But this is no fictional tale; it’s the shocking truth.
Keith Morrison gets up close and personal, bringing you interviews with key figures in this haunting story. Listen to the accounts of Debra and Terra Newell, the central figures in this real-life drama. Gain insights from reporter Christopher Goffard, who delved into the darkest corners of John Meehan’s life. And hear from law enforcement and others who were drawn into this web of deceit.
What Happened to John Meehan?
John Meehan was no ordinary criminal; he was a master of deception. With a history that spans decades, he left a trail of victims and broken lives in his wake. Multiple women fell prey to his charm and manipulation, only to discover the terrifying truth about the man they thought they knew.
The story begins with Debra Newell, who believed she had found “Mr. Right” in John Meehan. However, her daughters sensed something amiss and embarked on a quest to unveil Meehan’s true past. Their relentless search exposed a dangerous con man who had “seduced, swindled, and terrorized multiple women,” including Debra Newell.
Meehan’s history of deceit dates back to the 1990s when he began infiltrating the lives of unsuspecting women. He fabricated his past, age, identity, and concealed a dark drug addiction. Most encounters occurred on dating sites, leading to multiple restraining orders against him and a trail of arrests. In February 2014, Meehan pled guilty to stalking a Brazilian writer he met in a hospital during her recovery from a brain injury. His release from prison coincided with his meeting with Debra Newell on a dating website in October 2014. Their whirlwind romance culminated in marriage within two months.
The truth about Meehan’s sinister history finally emerged through the relentless investigation of Debra Newell and her children. They uncovered an extensive criminal record and a disturbing pattern of deceitful behavior towards women. Their pursuit of the truth led Debra to leave Meehan in March 2016, triggering his campaign of harassment, including the theft and arson of her Tesla.
Terra Newell Stabbed John Meehan 13 Times
The climax of this terrifying story occurred on August 20, 2016, when Meehan ambushed Terra Newell, Debra’s youngest daughter, in a Newport Beach parking lot. In a harrowing act of self-defense, Terra fought back, ultimately stabbing Meehan 13 times, fatally piercing his eye. Despite being wounded in the confrontation, Terra emerged victorious.
But this story isn’t just about deception; it’s also a tale of survival. Terra Newell, the youngest daughter of Debra Newell, found herself facing a life-threatening encounter with John Meehan. In a shocking act of self-defense, she fought back, ultimately saving her own life and bringing an end to John Meehan’s reign of terror.
John Meehan, a master con artist, convicted felon, and “classic psychopath,” wreaked havoc on numerous women over decades until his life came to a deadly end. In August 2016, Terra Newell, the youngest daughter of Debra Newell, the last victim of Meehan’s manipulation, bravely defended herself, stabbing him at least 13 times, including a fatal blow through the eye.
The climax of this story occurred on August 20, 2016, when Meehan ambushed Terra Newell, Debra’s youngest daughter, in a Newport Beach parking lot. In a harrowing act of self-defense, Terra fought back, ultimately stabbing Meehan 13 times, fatally piercing his eye. Despite being wounded in the confrontation, Terra emerged surviving the incident.
The aftermath of this traumatic event left Terra with PTSD. Her life changed irreversibly, but she embarked on a path to healing through therapy, specifically Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
Join Dateline on Friday, September 8, at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, as Keith Morrison unravels the chilling story of “The Women & Dirty John.” Brace yourself for a gripping journey into the dark recesses of the human psyche, where deception and survival collide in a true tale.
