Talking Dateline: The Devil Wore White - Update

Sante Kimes, a criminal mastermind who orchestrated a decades-long spree of fraud, murder, and deception with her sons, remains one of true crime’s most chilling figures — not for her violence alone, but for her ability to manipulate reality, charm authorities, and turn her family into a crime syndicate. In this update, Dateline reveals how a cold case from Costa Rica — the disappearance of Elmer Holmgren — was finally solved over two decades later using genealogy DNA, identifying the victim through a distant cousin and confirming that Sante and her son Kenny were behind the murder. The episode explores the psychological grip Sante had on her children, particularly Kenny, who confessed to multiple murders to protect her, and Kent, who broke free but still carries the emotional weight of his brother’s fate. The story raises haunting questions about nature versus nurture, the limits of redemption, and whether someone like Sante could thrive in today’s digital age — where every transaction leaves a trace. Despite her charisma and cunning, the truth is now catching up to her legacy. The episode also unpacks the cultural fascination with true crime, especially among women, who are disproportionately affected by violent crime and thus drawn to its resolution. Viewers are left grappling with the moral ambiguity of Sante’s sons: one a confessed killer, the other a man trying to rebuild his life while haunted by his past.