Tonight (Friday February 24 2023), NBC broadcasts an episode of the series “Dateline” titled “Before Daylight“.
We’ve got the scoop on everything you need to know about tonight’s episode, including if it’s new, the time, cast, how to watch and all the episode details!
Dateline NBC “Before Daylight” 2/24/23 Episode Summary
When Jesse Valencia, a college student, is found murdered in a residential neighbourhood, investigators are taken aback to learn that one of their own could be involved.
Steven Arthur Rios, a Columbia police officer well-liked by his division and with a wife and newborn baby at the time of the murder, was convicted in September 2004 of Valencia’s murder. Rios was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder, as well as a ten-year sentence for a related charge (for use of a weapon during commission of the crime). His conviction was later overturned after a judge ruled that hearsay evidence was admitted during his first trial. Rios was convicted of second-degree murder and armed criminal action in a retrial, earning him another life sentence and an additional twenty-three-year sentence.
Valencia was openly gay at his college, which was supported by the people he cared about, and he dated and had casual intimate relationships while there. Rios was called two months before Valencia’s murder to break up a party. Rios arrested Valencia because he was present and opposed the raid. After asking Valencia numerous personal questions on the way down to the station, Rios offered to drop the charges the next day if Rios solicited sex from Valencia.
Rios would show up unannounced at Valencia’s house, where sexual encounters would take place before Rios slipped away each time. Andy Schermerhorn, one of Valencia’s casual partners, was present during one of the visits and coerced into participating in the sexual activities, with Valencia swearing him to silence. Valencia told his mother, Linda, about the extortion and described it as “stalking,” but he knew very little about Rios, possibly even his name. Valencia was prepared to report Rios to his department if the charges were not dropped, as he told his friend Joan Sheridan.
Valencia left his shift at the motel and went to a campus party. He’d drank at the party and was walking back after calling one of his partners, Ed McDevitt, on the night in question. Valencia was discovered dead between two campus buildings by a group of students early in the morning, having been killed sometime before dawn. A serrated knife slashed his throat deep enough to scrape his spine. He had no defensive wounds, but strangulation marks on his throat indicated he had been choked prior to being slashed. Rios was among the first officers to recognise Valencia after his death.
The story from Columbia, Missouri is reported by Keith Morrison.
The episode features interviews with Jesse’s mother, officer Steven Rios, detective John Short, and more.
Click here to read about Sunday’s Dateline episode “The Window“.
Click here to read about Friday’s 20/20 episode “A Model Murder“.
Click here to read about Saturday’s 48 Hours episode “The Brighton Ax Murder“.
Click here to read about Sunday’s 60 Minute’s episode.
Is Tonight’s Episode New or a Repeat?
Tonight’s “Before Daylight” episode of “Dateline NBC” is a repeat.
What Time is Dateline’s Before Daylight Episode On?
Tonight’s “Before Daylight” episode will be broadcast on NBC at 9:00PM ET.
Dateline “Before Daylight” Episode Video Preview
Jesse’s awful prediction came true…
Jesse’s mom had a funny feeling that fateful day…
It was quite obvious to the medical examiner that this was a deliberate, determined, killing…
Watch Tonight’s “Before Daylight” Episode Online
You can find episodes on the NBC website and watch full episodes on Peacock TV.
Dateline NBC Series Information
Dateline is NBC’s signature newsmagazine, bringing viewers storytelling at its best. Our stories range from compelling mysteries to powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. When major news breaks, we go to the scene, putting the pieces together to bring you the full picture. And in every story we tell, we help the real people who lived the events share their journeys with you. On the air since 1992, Dateline is the longest-running prime-time program on NBC. Our work has been honored time and again with broadcast journalism’s highest awards. Lester Holt is the principal anchor, joined by correspondents Andrea Canning, Josh Mankiewicz, Natalie Morales, Keith Morrison and Dennis Murphy.