Dateline NBC to Air Story of Pekin Woman’s Murder-for-Hire Scheme
A disturbing case of domestic intrigue will take center stage on Dateline NBC this January 23rd. The episode will delve into the attempted murder plot orchestrated by Allison Salinas, a 48-year-old Pekin, Illinois resident, and her subsequent arrest for solicitation of murder.
The episode, airing at 8 p.m. on WEEK-TV, will detail how Salinas allegedly attempted to either commit the act herself or hire someone to eliminate her husband. The story will also be available for streaming the following day on Peacock.
The Investigation Unfolds
The Pekin Police Department launched an investigation last July after receiving allegations from Salinas’s ex-boyfriend. He claimed she had solicited his help, or the help of others, to kill her husband. According to court documents obtained by the Journal Star, the ex-boyfriend initially contacted police in February 2024, but the investigation stalled until a crucial piece of evidence surfaced on July 9, 2025 – a Facebook video discussing the plot.
Detectives learned that Salinas and her ex-boyfriend had a history, dating as teenagers and maintaining a long-distance relationship since 2021. Prosecutors allege that Salinas’s motives stemmed from her discovery of an inheritance received by her ex-boyfriend, leading her to attempt manipulation for financial gain. She reportedly discussed leaving her husband while simultaneously trying to protect her marital assets.
Escalating Discussions and Covert Recordings
Discussions about murder began in late 2023, but the ex-boyfriend firmly rejected any involvement. He then began secretly recording their phone conversations, prompted by his initial contact with the Pekin police. Salinas repeatedly pressed him about hiring a hitman, leading him to falsely claim he had contacted the U.S. Secret Service regarding the plot.
In a desperate attempt to bring attention to the case, the ex-boyfriend posted about the situation on Facebook on July 9th. Pekin police obtained the recorded phone conversations and screenshots of text messages exchanged between Salinas and her former partner.
Damning Evidence: Texts and Witness Testimony
The text messages revealed a chilling intent. Salinas allegedly suggested using her ex-boyfriend’s father’s acquaintances to carry out the murder, stating she was relying on him to make it happen. One message from May 27, 2024, included a picture of her husband accompanied by the directive, “Take care of this.” A subsequent message detailed a dispute over a shared business, ending with the plea, “please make him go away.”
Further evidence included Salinas’s Google search history, specifically a query about spousal immunity in criminal cases. A friend of the pair also came forward, recounting a phone call where Salinas discussed finding a “ghost” – slang for a hitman – to kill her husband. She even considered causing an allergic reaction by adding shellfish to his food.
Salinas’s Account and Guilty Plea
During police questioning, Salinas claimed her ex-boyfriend wouldn’t understand her seriousness and that she learned about spousal immunity from a previous husband, Delbert Mills, who was convicted of murdering his wife in Texas in 2003. She maintained she had no involvement in that earlier crime, stating she only learned of it after marrying Mills, who she claimed pressured her into marriage to avoid testifying in court.
Salinas eventually admitted to sending the incriminating text messages, acknowledging their context. She was taken into custody and subsequently pleaded guilty to the charges.
This case highlights the dark side of marital discord and the lengths to which some individuals will go. The full story will be revealed on Dateline NBC, offering a gripping account of this shocking crime. You can learn more about similar cases and legal implications at the U.S. Department of Justice Criminal Division website.
