Dateline Friday: "Secrets Unmasked" June 19 2026

Dateline NBC presents “Secrets Unmasked” on Friday, June 19, 2026, at 10/9c, with Keith Morrison reporting on the long-unsolved murder of Regina Hicks. The episode revisits a haunting Ohio cold case that began in 2001, when the 25-year-old mother vanished on her way to pick up her young son and was later found dead inside her submerged Camaro.

Regina Hicks disappeared on October 18, 2001, after leaving her boyfriend’s home to collect her 4-year-old son from a property connected to her estranged husband, Paul Hicks. Four days later, investigators found her white Chevrolet Camaro in a pond in Willard, Ohio. Regina’s body was inside the vehicle, and authorities later determined she had suffered blunt force trauma to the head.

For years, the case remained unsolved. Detectives questioned Paul Hicks early in the investigation, but there was not enough evidence at the time to bring charges. The case went cold, leaving Regina’s family to fight for answers for more than two decades.

The investigation gained new momentum when a cold case team from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office Bureau of Criminal Investigation reopened the file and re-interviewed key witnesses. One of the most important breakthroughs came from Steve Gates, a friend of Paul Hicks, who was granted immunity in exchange for testimony about what he said happened the night Regina disappeared.

According to Gates, Regina and Paul argued when she arrived to pick up their son. Gates later told investigators that Paul knocked Regina unconscious, placed her in the passenger seat of her car, then drove the vehicle into the pond and escaped, leaving Regina behind.

In 2025, Paul Hicks was indicted on murder and kidnapping charges. After a trial, he was found guilty on three counts of murder and one count of kidnapping. In January 2026, he was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. He is appealing the conviction.

“Secrets Unmasked” explores how investigators finally pieced together the case after 24 years, the role of witness testimony in breaking the case open, and the pain Regina’s family carried while waiting for justice. The episode airs Friday night on NBC, with streaming available 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.