Dateline NBC “Take Two” March 13 2026
Dateline NBC returns Friday, March 13, 2026, with a dramatic new report titled Take Two, airing at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT. Correspondent Andrea Canning examines the troubling case of a New York podiatrist accused of repeatedly trying to arrange the murder of his own wife. The episode explores how a shocking plot first uncovered years earlier took another disturbing turn when investigators learned of a second alleged attempt.
The story centers on Rockland County foot doctor Ira Bernstein and his former wife, Susan Bernstein. Authorities first began investigating Bernstein in 2017 after police were alerted to a murder-for-hire plan. Prosecutors said Bernstein and his then-girlfriend discussed paying someone to stage a deadly accident that would kill Susan. A car salesman approached about the plan instead went to police, leading to Bernstein’s conviction and prison sentence.
Years later, investigators say the case resurfaced when another man contacted authorities. According to prosecutors, Bernstein was recorded speaking with a landscaper about killing Susan, prompting a new investigation. Hidden recordings became key evidence as police tried to determine whether Bernstein had once again attempted to orchestrate a murder plot.
The legal case that followed did not focus on the alleged murder plan itself but on what happened afterward. Bernstein ultimately pleaded guilty to tampering with physical evidence related to the recorded conversation. In March 2026, a judge sentenced him to between one and three years in prison, marking a second prison term connected to threats against his former wife.
Take Two features interviews with Susan Bernstein, who speaks about the fear and uncertainty she experienced while authorities investigated the case. The program also examines the investigative work that uncovered the recordings and the legal battle that followed.
Through courtroom testimony, interviews, and exclusive reporting, Dateline revisits a case that prosecutors say shows how threats and manipulation can continue long after a relationship ends. Take Two airs Friday night on NBC and is available to stream afterward on Peacock.
