The Devil Wore White - Update

Dateline NBC1h 22mJune 2, 2026
AI-Generated Summary

The story of Sante Kimes, a woman so mesmerizingly manipulative and criminally prolific that she orchestrated a decades-long crime spree across the U.S. and Caribbean, culminating in the murder of wealthy widow Irene Silverman. Once a con artist who stole identities and forged documents, Sante transformed her life into a masterclass in deception—marrying a millionaire, faking ambassadorships, and burning down her own home for insurance. Her son Kenny, groomed from childhood to be her accomplice, carried out her orders with chilling precision, including the execution-style killing of David Kasdan and the abduction and murder of Irene Silverman. Despite being arrested just hours after Silverman vanished, Sante remained defiant, charming investigators and even appearing on national TV to plead innocence. Her son Kenny’s eventual confession—detailing how he drowned Silverman in a bathtub and dumped her body in New Jersey—sealed their fate. But the story doesn’t end there: decades later, a cold case breakthrough revealed that Sante likely murdered a lawyer, Elmer Holmgren, in a dumpster near LAX, finally bringing closure to a family long haunted by the unsolved disappearance. Now in prison, Kenny Kimes seeks redemption through a bold plan to raise a million dollars for education, while his brother Kent, who escaped her grasp, remains haunted by guilt and skepticism about his brother’s remorse.

Key Takeaways
1

Sante Kimes orchestrated a 35-year crime spree using identity theft, arson, and murder, targeting wealthy victims across the U.S. and Caribbean.

2

Her son Kenny was trained from childhood to be a criminal accomplice, and confessed to murdering Irene Silverman, David Kasdan, and possibly a missing lawyer in a dumpster near LAX.

3

The murder of Irene Silverman was planned in detail: Sante used a stun gun, drowned her in a bathtub, and dumped her body in New Jersey before being arrested.

4

Kenny Kimes’ confession, given under pressure and with the promise of avoiding the death penalty, revealed the full extent of his mother’s control and his own complicity.

5

Sante’s death in 2014 brought relief to some, but not to her sons—Kent still feels guilt, and Kenny seeks redemption through a prison-based education initiative.

…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus

Chapters
0:00
2 min

The Rise of the Femme Fatale

Craig Melvin introduces the theme of optimism, but the episode quickly shifts to the chilling story of Sante Kimes, a woman whose charm masked a lifetime of deception and violence.

2:19
2 min

The Disappearance of Irene Silverman

On July 4th, 1998, the glamorous widow Irene Silverman vanishes from her Upper East Side mansion, sparking a massive investigation that leads detectives to a suspicious tenant named Manny Guerin.

4:19
3 min

The Arrest That Changed Everything

Detectives discover that Manny Guerin is actually Kenny Kimes, a known car thief, and that he and his mother Sante were arrested just hours after Silverman disappeared.

6:51
2 min

The Kimes Crime Family Revealed

Kent Walker, Sante’s firstborn son, recounts growing up under her manipulative rule—stealing, lying, and being trained as a criminal from childhood.

9:04
2 min

The Murder of David Kasdan

Sante and Kenny are linked to the murder of David Kasdan, a businessman who discovered their fraud and was killed with a single gunshot to the head.

High-Impact Quotes
Before God, I love my mom and dad. And have those positive feelings toward them even though your mother was the one who instructed you to kill people.
Kenny Kimes80:59
She had to be dead. There are many kinds of villains. This is the story of a mother and two sons at all kinds of trouble.
Lester Holt3:10
I knew I was the only person on this planet that would feel pain from it.
Kent Walker77:45
Speakers

Host

Lester Holt

Guests

Kent WalkerKenny KimesCece McNairMaria ZoneKen Holmgren
Topics Discussed
sante kimes95%irene silverman murder92%kenny kimes90%mother son crime duo88%cold case investigation85%identity theft crimes80%emotional manipulation78%prison redemption75%
People & Brands

Sante Kimes

person

127xNegative

Kenny Kimes

person

98xNeutral

Irene Silverman

person

45xNeutral

Kent Walker

person

42xNeutral

David Kasdan

person

22xNegative

NYPD

organization

20xNeutral

Cece McNair

person

18xNeutral

Elmer Holmgren

person

15xNegative

LAPD

organization

14xNeutral

Rhonda Martin

person

12xNeutral

Start discovering podcast insights today

Start with a 7-day trial and explore a growing catalog of popular podcasts. No credit card required.

No credit card required • 7-day trial • Cancel anytime