Ep 42. House of Secrets

In Dateline season 24 episode 42, titled "House of Secrets", the show delves into a haunting case of a seemingly perfect family torn apart by a shocking crime. The episode centers around the case of Joseph Elledge, a Missouri man who was charged with murder and child endangerment after his wife, Mengqi Ji, went missing in October 2019.

Dateline takes viewers through the timeline of events surrounding Mengqi's disappearance, beginning with the moment she was last seen alive by her mother-in-law. As the investigation unfolds, detectives discover that Joseph had been physically violent towards Mengqi in the past and had even consulted with a divorce attorney just weeks before her disappearance.

The episode also includes interviews with family members and friends of both Joseph and Mengqi, as well as law enforcement officials who worked on the case. Viewers learn of the extensive search efforts undertaken by authorities, including the use of search dogs and drones, and the heartbreaking moment when Mengqi's body was eventually found in a lake, miles from her home.

As the trial approaches, Dateline explores the evidence against Joseph, including a series of disturbing online searches and internet activity that investigators believe point to his involvement in Mengqi's disappearance. Despite his erratic behavior and questionable actions, Joseph maintains his innocence throughout the trial, leaving both the jury and viewers to question the truth behind Mengqi's tragic fate.

Through interviews with those closest to the case and detailed analysis of the evidence presented in court, Dateline seeks to uncover the secrets behind this shocking crime and the family torn apart by its aftermath. "House of Secrets" is a gripping and emotional episode that highlights the devastating impact of deception and the lengths people will go to protect their own secrets.