Dateline NBC Tonight April 20 2025: “Part of the Plan”

This Sunday, April 20, 2025, at 10/9c, Dateline NBC will air “Part of the Plan,” a shocking story about a cold-hearted plot to murder an Air Force sergeant for insurance money.

In December 2010, Nathan Paet, a 28-year-old staff sergeant in the Air Force, was gunned down in his garage in Henderson, Nevada, just before heading to work. Initially, his wife Michelle seemed to be a distraught and cooperative witness, but investigators quickly uncovered a disturbing trail of text messages between Michelle and her lover, Michael Rodriguez, which pointed to a sinister plot. The messages hinted at premeditation and spoke of a “contract” to murder Nathan in order to collect on his $650,000 life insurance policies.

As the investigation unfolded, Michelle confessed to orchestrating the murder with Rodriguez, enlisting his friend Corey Hawkins to carry out the killing. Despite Michelle’s initial claims of innocence, mounting evidence—such as the texts and Rodriguez’s shifting alibi—led to her confession. She was charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy and ultimately took a plea deal to avoid the death penalty, receiving a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

Michael Rodriguez, the shooter, was convicted and sentenced to life in prison as well. The case devastated Nathan’s family, especially his four young children, who lost both their parents. However, they showed mercy by not pursuing the death penalty. The investigation and trial shed light on the horrific betrayal of a spouse motivated by greed and the tragic consequences it had on an entire family.

Tune in this Sunday at 10/9c for “Part of the Plan” on Dateline NBC to learn more about the twisted scheme that took Nathan Pyatt’s life and the shocking betrayal by those closest to him.

See Also:

Dateline Saturday: “The End of the Affair” April 12 2025