Ep 21. With Friends Like These

With Friends Like These is an episode from season 17 of Dateline, the investigative news magazine that explores true crime stories through immersive reporting, interviews, and real-life footage. In this episode, Dateline examines a perplexing case of a missing person, Betty Cloer. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, and community leader in her small town of Murphy, North Carolina. On July 22, 2013, she vanished without a trace.

The episode begins with a brief introduction to Betty's personality and reputation in Murphy. Her family and friends describe her as a kind-hearted person who always put others before herself. She was known for her generosity, her activism in local politics, and her passion for helping the less fortunate. Her disappearance shocked everyone who knew her.

The investigation into Betty's case was a challenging one from the start. The police had no leads and no suspects. They had to rely on interviews with her family, friends, and acquaintances to piece together her last known movements. Dateline takes viewers through the investigation step by step, uncovering new evidence and shedding light on the different theories that emerged over time.

One of the key pieces of evidence was Betty's car, which was found abandoned in a nearby forest. Her purse, cell phone, and other personal belongings were still inside the car. The police searched the woods for days but found no sign of her. They also interviewed several people who had seen Betty on the day she disappeared, including her neighbor, her hairdresser, and a local politician.

As the investigation progressed, the police started to focus on one of Betty's closest friends, Shirley. Shirley had been a friend of Betty's for over 20 years and was one of the last people to see her before she disappeared. She had also been seen driving Betty's car on the day she went missing. Shirley initially denied any involvement in Betty's disappearance but later changed her story.

Dateline interviews Shirley and her family, who provide some insights into her personality and her relationship with Betty. They paint a picture of a troubled woman who had been through several traumatic experiences, including a divorce, a house fire, and a car accident. They also suggest that Shirley had developed an unhealthy attachment to Betty and may have been jealous of her other friends and her relationship with her adult daughter.

The investigation heats up when the police find a clue that could link Shirley to Betty's disappearance. They discover a handwritten note in Betty's house that mentions a debt Shirley owed her. The note raises suspicions that Shirley may have had a motive to harm Betty or steal her money. The police bring Shirley in for questioning, but she maintains her innocence.

The episode concludes with a surprising twist that could change everything. The police receive a tip that leads them to a remote location where they find a body buried in a shallow grave. The body is believed to be Betty's, but it will take some time to confirm the identity. The discovery raises new questions about who might be responsible for Betty's death and what might have motivated them.

With Friends Like These is a gripping episode that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats until the very end. It's a tragic story of betrayal, jealousy, and loss that highlights the complex nature of human relationships. Dateline's thorough investigation and insightful interviews provide a fascinating glimpse into the world of true crime and the challenges of solving a mysterious case.