Talking Dateline: The Mushroom Mystery
- Jul 29, 2026
- 27:42
- Full Episode
<p>Josh Mankiewicz sits down with Blayne Alexander to discuss her episode, “The Mushroom Mystery.” In April 2020, the body of beloved cyclist David Fouts was found in a ditch in Hamilton County, Indiana. The autopsy was inconclusive, but did reveal David had consumed toxic mushrooms, just not the lethal kind. Detectives pieced together a case against David’s widow, Katrina Fouts, accusing her of devising an elaborate plot to kill her husband with the help of her friend, retired police officer Terry Hopkins. The two were charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder. While awaiting trial, Terry told investigators he’d strangled David. He died a few months later. In 2022, a jury acquitted Katrina of murder but found her guilty on the conspiracy charge. Blayne shares a podcast-exclusive clip from her interview with Terry’s ex-wife. Plus, Blayne and Josh swap stories from their time starting out as local news reporters, and answer your questions from social media.</p> <p>Have a question for Talking Dateline? Send us a DM @DatelineNBC or leave a voicemail at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">(212) 413-5252</a>. Your question could be featured in an upcoming episode.<br><br> Listen to the full episode of “The Mushroom Mystery”: <a href="https://swap.fm/l/dl_themushroommystery" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://swap.fm/l/dl_themushroommystery</a></p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>
Brief Summary
Katrina Fouts plotted to poison her husband, leading to his murder by her friend Terry, who later confessed.
Key points
- The Mushroom Mystery. A woman plotted to poison her husband, leading to a shocking murder.
- Deb's Painful Reflection. Deb shares her emotional journey after her husband's transformation and involvement in murder.
- The Mystery of the Dog Collar. A viewer questions the significance of a dog collar found on a victim.
- Asphyxiation Uncertainty. A viewer raises a critical question about the autopsy results and cause of death.
- Choosing Dateline Over Parties. A viewer shares her commitment to watching Dateline instead of attending a party.
Episode highlights
- The Mushroom MysteryA woman plotted to poison her husband, leading to a shocking murder.“Katrina plotted to poison her husband using mushrooms.”0:20Jul 29, 2026
- Deb's Painful ReflectionDeb shares her emotional journey after her husband's transformation and involvement in murder.“I can't imagine how she grapples with all that in her mind.”18:39Jul 29, 2026
- The Mystery of the Dog CollarA viewer questions the significance of a dog collar found on a victim.“Did they ever explain the dog collar around his neck?”22:27Jul 29, 2026
- Asphyxiation UncertaintyA viewer raises a critical question about the autopsy results and cause of death.“If they're saying he was asphyxiated, why didn't the autopsy reveal that?”23:11Jul 29, 2026
- Choosing Dateline Over PartiesA viewer shares her commitment to watching Dateline instead of attending a party.“I'm about to miss this party just so I can stay home and watch Dateline.”24:44Jul 29, 2026
