Dateline NBC’s episode “Ghosts Can’t Talk,” airing on Friday, January 2, 2026, unpacks one of the most chilling domestic betrayals in recent memory. Andrea Canning reports from Austin, Texas, where a respected jeweler is murdered in his own home and his wife narrowly survives a barrage of gunfire. What initially appears to be a botched robbery soon unfolds into a murder-for-hire plot masterminded by someone no one would have suspected — the couple’s own son.
- Who Was Ted Shaughnessy & What Happened to Him? 2026 Update & Background
- Who Is Corey Shaughnessy & What Happened to Her? 2026 Update & Background
- Who Is Nick Shaughnessy & Where Is He Now? 2026 Update & Background
- Who Is Jaclyn Edison & Where Is She Now? 2026 Update & Background
- Who Is Johnny Leon & Where Is He Now? 2026 Update & Background
- Who Is Arieon Smith & Where Is He Now? 2026 Update & Background
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A Violent Night in Austin
On March 2, 2018, Ted and Corey Shaughnessy were asleep in their suburban Austin home when intruders broke in. Corey awoke to the sound of barking dogs and gunshots. She reached for a .357 revolver and fired back at the attackers. Her husband, Ted, armed himself but was gunned down before he could return fire. Investigators later found his body near the kitchen, riddled with bullets.
The scene was chaotic. Glass was shattered, multiple calibers of bullet casings were found, and one of the couple’s Rottweilers had also been shot dead. With two types of ammunition present, authorities quickly determined that more than one shooter had been involved. One clue stood out — an open window in the bedroom once used by their son, Nick. Inside a drawer was an empty gun case, matching the caliber of one weapon used in the murder.
A Son’s Odd Behavior and Rising Suspicion
Nicolas Shaughnessy, then 19, was away in College Station with his wife, Jackie Edison. He rushed to the scene when informed of the shooting. But detectives noted strange behavior. Without being told about the window, Nick approached it directly — something only someone with inside knowledge would have done. He also seemed more eager to speak with reporters than detectives, and his concern about whether his father had “suffered” struck investigators as oddly rehearsed.
Corey, in a state of shock, invited Nick and Jackie to stay with her in the aftermath. They moved into the same home they had allegedly plotted to have her murdered in. As police followed up on leads, the inconsistencies in Nick’s timeline, surveillance footage from his College Station home, and concerning texts between him and Jackie began to paint a darker picture.
The Hidden Marriage and Mounting Evidence
As detectives dug deeper, they discovered that Nick and Jackie had secretly married months earlier. Corey had been unaware, only learning about it after the murder. She even began planning a proper wedding for them while they lived under her roof. Meanwhile, investigators executed a search warrant on their apartment and found ammunition matching what was found at the crime scene.
Further damning was a message history showing Nick owed his mother money. He had also been discussing life insurance payouts totaling millions. Text exchanges showed discussions about payments to unidentified parties, including a cryptic “do they want 50K or not?” and a $1,000 withdrawal by Jackie days before the murder. These clues confirmed for investigators that this was a premeditated act, driven by greed and desperation.
Arrests, Confessions, and a Shocking Turn
In May 2018, surveillance footage led detectives to Johnny Leon and Arieon Smith, two men who had been on Nick’s porch days before the killing. Leon confessed that Nick offered him $100,000 to carry out the murders. Smith admitted to being the shooter and even led police to the murder weapon — a gun stolen from Nick’s old room.
With these testimonies, Nick and Jackie were arrested. Nick eventually confessed, admitting that he and Jackie had planned to kill his parents to gain control of their assets. He cited financial pressure and a toxic relationship with Jackie as contributing factors, though he took full responsibility.
Trials and Outcomes: Justice and Controversy
In 2021, Nick Shaughnessy, Johnny Leon, and Arieon Smith were each sentenced to 35 years in prison after accepting plea deals. Jackie Edison also took a plea deal — but her sentence shocked many. In exchange for pleading guilty to conspiracy, she received 120 days in jail and 10 years’ probation. Additionally, she was ordered to spend one night in jail each year on the anniversary of Ted’s death.
Corey Shaughnessy, who had once defended her son, was devastated. She had provided shelter to both Nick and Jackie after the attack, unaware of their betrayal. The sentencing disparity between Jackie and the others became a flashpoint. Corey declined to attend Jackie’s sentencing, opting instead to submit a searing video statement that was played in court.
A Mother’s Grief and a Family Shattered
Corey now lives out of state under a new name. She has cut off contact with her son, though she admits she still loves the child she once knew. The man who orchestrated her husband’s murder and plotted her own death is a stranger to her. In multiple interviews, she expressed disbelief over the outcome of the justice system, especially Jackie’s lenient sentence.
Nick, speaking from prison, says he regrets everything and takes responsibility, yet blames the toxic nature of his relationship with Jackie for clouding his judgment. Jackie, in contrast, has denied deep involvement and claimed she tried to stop Nick — a statement investigators refute based on available evidence.
A Tragic Reminder
The Dateline episode “Ghosts Can’t Talk” lays bare a grim reality — sometimes, the greatest danger comes from those closest to us. This was not a random crime. It was a calculated, cold-blooded betrayal for money and status. Ted Shaughnessy, a beloved husband and jeweler, was murdered in his own home. His wife survived not just a physical attack but the emotional wreckage of discovering that her only son had orchestrated it all.
In telling her story, Corey reminds viewers that even in moments of despair, survival can offer purpose. “I’ve been given life,” she said. “And I need to do something with it.” Her strength in the face of staggering betrayal is both haunting and heroic — and serves as the heart of this unforgettable case.