“The Night of the Audition”: Dateline Reports on Shannon Madill Burgess Homicide September 12 2025

NBC’s Dateline will air a powerful and emotionally charged episode titled “The Night of the Audition” on Friday, September 12, 2025, at 10 p.m. ET / 9 p.m. CT. Correspondent Keith Morrison reports on the heartbreaking case of Shannon Madill Burgess, a young aspiring actress from Calgary whose dreams were tragically cut short.

This special hour-long report delves into the life and disappearance of Shannon, the intensive police investigation that followed, and the devastating truth that ultimately emerged. Through interviews with her family and lead investigators, Dateline reveals how what began as a missing persons case unraveled into a haunting tale of betrayal and murder.

Shannon Madill: A Bright Future in the Arts

Shannon Madill was a vibrant 25-year-old with a passion for acting and comedy. She had recently landed a major audition—what many described as the biggest opportunity of her career—and was preparing to relocate to Edmonton for a new job in the arts. Friends and family described her as intelligent, witty, and fiercely determined to build a career in performance.

Despite her outward enthusiasm and ambition, Shannon’s personal life had become complicated. She had married Joshua Burgess after several years of dating, but by late 2014, their relationship had deteriorated. The two had separated and were both seeing other people. Shannon was in the process of packing up her belongings and preparing for a new chapter in her life when everything came to a halt.

The Disappearance That Sparked Alarm

Shannon was last seen alive around 12:30 a.m. on November 27, 2014, at her home on Spiller Road S.E. in Calgary. When she failed to attend a scheduled family gathering on December 1, her loved ones immediately sensed something was wrong. She had been excited about her upcoming move and wouldn’t have disappeared without telling anyone.

Her family contacted police, and the missing persons case quickly drew public attention in Calgary and beyond. A wide-reaching investigation was launched, with searches and appeals for information. At the same time, Shannon’s husband, Joshua Burgess, expressed concern but showed no signs of involvement—at least publicly.

As weeks turned into months, the Madill family remained in limbo, clinging to hope while suspecting the worst. Their heartbreak and anxiety were amplified by the absence of any solid leads.

The Breakthrough and Confession

The case took a dramatic turn on July 2, 2015, when police executed a search warrant at the Madill-Burgess home. There, in the front yard—beneath dirt, branches, and concrete slabs—they found Shannon’s body.

Joshua Burgess immediately confessed to the crime. “I killed Shannon,” he told officers upon their arrival. He was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. According to an agreed statement of facts later read in court, Burgess killed Shannon during an argument after the two had sex on the couch. She told him she regretted their marriage and didn’t need him anymore. In an attempt to silence her, he put his hand over her mouth, then used both hands to strangle her when she resisted.

Burgess stored Shannon’s body in a plastic container on the patio for months before burying her in the spring. Throughout this time, he maintained a façade of innocence, misleading family and investigators alike.

The Trial and Sentencing

Joshua Burgess pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on December 4, 2017, the day his trial was set to begin. The plea spared the Madill family from having to endure a trial with graphic and emotional evidence.

The court accepted a joint recommendation from prosecutors and defense attorneys, sentencing Burgess to life in prison with eligibility for parole after 10 years. Justice Patrick Sullivan noted that the guilty plea spared the family further trauma and acknowledged the harrowing nature of the crime.

In court, Burgess offered a written apology to Shannon’s family. But for many, his words rang hollow. Shannon’s mother, Lisa Madill, said there was a hole in her heart that would never heal. Her brother, Tyler Madill, spoke of the pain of seeing someone who caused such deep suffering pretend to be clueless for seven agonizing months. Her father, David Madill, expressed feelings of betrayal, having once welcomed Burgess into the family.

Lasting Impact and Reflections

The murder of Shannon Madill left a deep scar on her family and community. Her talent, humor, and promise were extinguished by someone who had once been closest to her. The case is a stark reminder that appearances can mask dark realities, and even the most seemingly stable relationships may hide volatility.

Dateline’s The Night of the Audition provides a detailed and respectful retelling of Shannon’s story. With heartfelt interviews from her family and the detectives who worked tirelessly to find the truth, the episode captures both the emotional weight of the tragedy and the unrelenting pursuit of justice.

Through this coverage, Dateline continues its mission to honor victims by bringing their stories into public awareness—ensuring their voices are not forgotten and the lessons from their stories are heard.

Watch “The Night of the Audition” on Friday, September 12, 2025, at 10 p.m. ET / 9 p.m. CT on NBC. The episode will also be available for streaming the following day on Peacock