Ep 25. The Woman at the Bar

The Woman at the Bar is the 25th episode of the 29th season of Dateline. This episode takes a closer look at the unsolved murder of Mary Costa, who was found dead in a hotel room 25 years ago.

Costa was a single mother who worked hard to support her son. She was known for being friendly and outgoing, which made it easy for her to strike up a conversation with anyone she met. On the night she was murdered, Costa had been out at a bar with some friends. At some point during the night, she struck up a conversation with a man who was sitting next to her.

The man's identity was never discovered, but he remains a person of interest in the case. Costa left the bar with the man, and it was the last time she was seen alive. Her body was discovered several hours later in a hotel room nearby, where she had apparently been strangled to death.

Over the years, investigators have struggled to piece together the events of that night. There were no eyewitnesses to the crime, and there was no physical evidence that could tie anyone to the murder. The man seen talking to Costa at the bar was never identified, and he remains the central mystery in the case.

The episode features interviews with Costa's friends and family, as well as with law enforcement officials who worked on the case. They discuss the difficulties they faced in trying to solve the crime and how it has impacted their lives since.

In addition to examining the events of that fateful night, the episode also delves into the broader issues of violence against women. It highlights the fact that Costa's story is unfortunately not unique and that many women have been the victim of crimes like this one.

Ultimately, The Woman at the Bar is a gripping and emotional episode that sheds light on a tragic case that has gone unsolved for far too long. It serves as a reminder that justice is not always easy to come by, and that there are countless families out there who are still waiting for answers about the deaths of their loved ones. Through it all, the episode maintains a sense of empathy and respect for Costa and her family, who continue to grieve for her loss.