Ep 24. The Valentine's Day Mystery

In the Dateline season 18 episode titled "The Valentine's Day Mystery," viewers are taken on a journey of love and suspense as they explore the mysterious death of a beloved son and brother. The episode features the case of 31-year-old Kevin Mengel Jr., who was found dead in his Pennsylvania home in 2010.

On the day he died, Kevin's parents, Kevin Sr. and Ann, received a strange text message from their son's phone that read "I Love You." Concerned, they immediately called Kevin's employer and asked them to check on him. When they arrived at his home a few hours later, they found him dead in his bed, with no signs of foul play. The cause of death was initially found to be natural, with the coroner citing heart disease as the cause.

However, as the investigation continued, it became clear that there were many more questions than answers in Kevin's death. His parents began to suspect foul play when they discovered that Kevin's phone and computer were missing from his home. They also found strange marks on Kevin's neck that they believed were bruises.

The episode explores the investigation that followed and the many twists and turns that the case took over the years. With the help of forensic evidence and witness testimony, investigators were eventually able to piece together what happened to Kevin on the night of his death.

One of the main suspects in the case was Kevin's ex-girlfriend, Emily, who had broken up with him a few months before his death. Emily had a history of stalking Kevin and had even gone so far as to install a GPS tracker on his car. She also had a violent past, having been arrested for assault in the past.

As the investigation continued, Emily's behavior became more and more suspicious. She refused to take a lie detector test and was caught lying to investigators on several occasions. She also made a number of strange comments about Kevin and his death, leading many to believe that she had something to do with it.

Despite the mounting evidence against her, Emily continued to deny any involvement in Kevin's death. The episode reveals the dramatic conclusion to the case and the impact that it had on Kevin's family and friends.

Overall, "The Valentine's Day Mystery" is a gripping episode of Dateline that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. With its combination of love, betrayal, and suspense, it's sure to be a memorable addition to the show's season 18 lineup.