Dateline Friday: "Secrets in the Ashes" January 23 2026

Dateline January 23 2026: “Secrets in the Ashes”

This Friday, Dateline NBC presents a chilling new episode titled Secrets in the Ashes, airing January 23 at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT. Reported by Andrea Canning, the story unfolds in the quiet South Texas town of Goliad, where a deadly house fire claims the life of Patricia Leigh Mills—but it’s the events that follow that ignite suspicions and uncover a tangled web of secrets.

When firefighters arrived at the Mills’ home, the blaze had already consumed much of the structure. Patricia Leigh Mills was found dead inside, while her young son had somehow managed to survive. Though the fire initially appeared tragic but accidental, Patricia’s family soon began to question what really happened—especially after her husband, Delbert Mills, remarried just weeks later.

Delbert’s rapid move forward raised eyebrows. Less than three months after Patricia’s death, he wed Allison Salinas. The family’s suspicions intensified when Allison was later arrested in a separate murder-for-hire plot. Investigators and Patricia’s loved ones began asking: did Delbert know more than he admitted? And could Allison’s actions be tied to the past?

Dateline digs into this complicated and emotional case with interviews from key figures including Delbert Mills himself, Allison and Patrick Salinas, and others closely connected to the investigation. Andrea Canning explores how a tragic fire evolved into a high-stakes investigation filled with unexpected twists, leading to a dramatic courtroom showdown and lingering questions of guilt, motive, and betrayal.

Set against the backdrop of rural Texas, Secrets in the Ashes is a story of loss, fast-moving suspicion, and the dangerous consequences of secrets that refuse to stay buried.

Tune in to Dateline NBC this Friday for the full story, or stream the episode the next day on Peacock.

About Dateline NBC

Since its debut in 1992, Dateline has become a trusted name in investigative journalism and true crime storytelling. Anchored by Lester Holt, the program also features correspondents including Keith Morrison, Andrea Canning, Josh Mankiewicz, and Dennis Murphy. Their unique reporting styles and narrative voices have made the series iconic.

Episodes often cover criminal cases, missing persons investigations, wrongful convictions, and other real-life mysteries. The blend of investigative journalism and dramatic storytelling makes Dateline a must-watch for true crime fans.

Dateline Weekly Schedule

Dateline NBC typically airs new episodes on Friday nights at 9/8c on NBC. Additional encore presentations often air on Saturday nights, Sunday evenings, and across cable and streaming platforms such as Peacock, Oxygen, and Dateline 24/7 channels.

The weekly schedule highlights upcoming episodes, whether they are brand-new investigations or encore broadcasts of fan favorites. Each week brings a mix of current true crime cases and revisits to past episodes with new updates.

Why Follow the Dateline Schedule?

Unlike scripted dramas, Dateline episodes are rooted in real cases that evolve over time. Following the schedule ensures viewers never miss the latest investigations, exclusive interviews, or breaking updates.

Encore presentations also give fans the opportunity to revisit classic episodes or catch up on stories they may have missed. With new installments almost every week, staying up to date with the schedule is essential for true crime enthusiasts.