Ep 5. In the Dead of Night

In the Dead of Night is the fifth episode of Dateline’s 23rd season. The show follows the harrowing tale of a mother’s fear when her daughter goes missing in the middle of the night. The story of Heather Elvis's disappearance in the small town of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, serves as a warning of how easily a peaceful existence can quickly unravel.

Heather Elvis, a 20-year-old hostess at a local restaurant, had her whole life ahead of her. But on December 18, 2013, she vanished into thin air. Her parents called her phone repeatedly but it went straight to voicemail. Her car was found abandoned at a boat ramp nearby. Heather was missing, and no one had any idea where she could be.

Soon after, police discovered that Heather had a tumultuous love life, which included a married man, named Sidney Moorer. They found out that Heather was involved with the married man, but he denied any involvement in her disappearance.

The authorities of Horry County launched an extensive investigation to locate Heather and find out what happened to her. They dug into her relationship with Sidney and uncovered some alarming information. Sidney's wife Tammy was not happy about her husband's involvement with Heather. She discovered explicit texts in her husband's phone and confronted Heather over the phone. She was devastated and angry.

The investigation took a shocking turn when one of Sidney's employees contacted the police. The suspicious individual said that he saw Sidney and Tammy driving in the area where Heather's car was found. The employee also said that Sidney used his phone constantly, even at work, which was strange behavior.

The police began investigating Sidney and Tammy by tapping the couple's phone. The authorities listen to their conversations and quickly found incriminating evidence. They heard and recorded Tammy giving instructions to Sidney about what to do with Heather's phone, urging him to throw it away.

Sidney was eventually arrested for the obstruction of justice. He was not charged with murder as there wasn't enough evidence. Tammy was also arrested, but both were released on bail. Another individual was eventually brought in and charged with being involved in the disappearance of Heather Elvis.

Dateline’s In the Dead of Night episode investigates all the ins and outs of the case, the leads that went nowhere, and the tireless efforts of the police to bring justice for Heather Elvis. Combining interviews with the authorities and family members close to the case, the episode brings viewers up to date about the shocking case.

The episode showcases how Dateline’s skilled journalists find ways to present a complex story that is gripping, informative, and touches upon the human emotional aspect of the case. The episode is an emotional rollercoaster ride that keeps viewers engaged from beginning to end. The mystery of what happened to Heather holds attention throughout the episode.

This riveting episode is a must-watch for true-crime enthusiasts who love to know every detail about a case but also enjoy a solid and entertaining narrative. Dateline season 23 episode 5, In the Dead of Night, is a standout release that demonstrates how Dateline continues to impress with their honest and in-depth reporting.