Dateline NBC “Secrets of the Snake Farm” June 27 2025 Recap & Preview

Dateline NBC revisits a chilling Missouri murder in a special rebroadcast of Secrets of the Snake Farm, airing Friday, June 27 at 9/8c on NBC. Reported by Andrea Canning, this gripping episode examines the shocking death of Ben Renick, a world-renowned snake breeder whose violent end left a quiet community stunned.

In June 2017, Ben Renick was found shot to death inside his reptile facility, home to thousands of exotic snakes. At first, authorities considered the possibility of a tragic accident involving one of the animals. But what started as a case of curiosity quickly unraveled into a calculated and cold-blooded murder plot.

The episode traces the twists of the investigation, featuring exclusive interviews with law enforcement, including Corporal Devin Foust, who led the case. Through careful detective work, suspicion shifted from a snake mishap to a murder carried out by someone much closer to home. The trail eventually led to Ben’s wife, Lynlee Renick, and her ex-boyfriend, Michael Humphrey, both of whom were later convicted for their roles in the murder.

Dateline explores how financial struggles, secret relationships, and betrayal converged to produce a shocking crime hidden behind the walls of a seemingly harmless snake farm. With firsthand accounts and courtroom details, Secrets of the Snake Farm reveals the truth behind one of the most unusual murder cases in recent memory.

The episode first aired in March 2023 and continues to draw attention for its bizarre setting and the tragic story at its core. Don’t miss the rebroadcast this Friday night on NBC.