Talking Dateline: In a Lonely Place

Dateline NBC

  • Aug 20, 2025
  • 19:34
  • Full Episode
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Blayne Alexander sits down with Keith Morrison to talk about his episode, "In a Lonely Place,” about the disappearance of Chris Smith, a California entrepreneur who vanished in June 2010. For months, his family believed he was traveling the world, thanks to a series of convincing emails. But what a sharp-eyed investigator eventually uncovered led to the truth: Chris had been murdered by his business partner, Ed Shin. Blayne and Keith discuss how the case slowly unraveled, and how Keith’s sit-down with Shin behind bars got testy. Keith also shares an extra clip from his interview with investigator Joe Dalu, whose instincts led him to a critical discovery. Have a question for Talking Dateline? DM us on social @DatelineNBC or leave a voicemail at (212) 413-5252. Your message might be featured in an upcoming episode.

Listen to the full episode In a Lonely Place on Apple: https://apple.co/4mUiPCM

Listen to the full episode on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4iZOGhLs4h6XEJoc4ysSPj?si=8221d39ac645491d

Listen to the episode “Body of Evidence” Keith mentions as another unusual interview with a killer here on Apple: https://apple.co/4mpEL8Z

Listen to “Body of Evidence” on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6xym79PJkeiO5oMzZ8x8w1?si=0fa4d6d5fabd402e

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Brief Summary

Chris Smith's murder by Ed Shin reveals dark truths behind a charismatic entrepreneur's disappearance.

Key points

  • In a Lonely Place. The story of Chris Smith, a charismatic entrepreneur who vanished, revealing a darker truth.
  • The Dark Side of Ed Shin. Ed Shin, Chris's business partner, had a hidden life that led to murder.
  • The Role of Family. The family's determination was crucial in pushing the investigation forward.

Tension

75/ 100High tension

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