Dateline NBC’s “On the Outskirts of Town,” dives into the tragic true‑crime story of 20‑year‑old Halee Rathgeber, a nursing student found dead in the parking lot of the Alcoa Soccer Complex in Indiana. The episode narrates the investigation into her death, the eventual arrest and conviction of Isaiah Hagan, and his sentencing to 60 years in prison .
In April 2017, investigators discovered Rathgeber had suffered a single gunshot wound to the back of her head, with no belongings or obvious motive at the crime scene . Initial suspicion shifted among several acquaintances before evidence—including cell‑phone tracking, forensic analysis, and testimony from Hagan’s mother—led to his arrest. After a mistrial in early 2018, a second trial convicted him. Hagan’s legal appeals persisted into late 2024 .
The episode features original music by Cody Westheimer, with additional contributions by Cathleen Flynn, Thomas Kandziora, and Mark MacTaggart. The score underscores the emotional tension, heightening both the community’s grief and the investigative suspense. Subtle instrumental cues accompany interview segments and scene transitions, creating a mood that draws viewers into the unfolding human tragedy and procedural unraveling.
On the Outskirts of Town is a compelling blend of methodical true‑crime reporting and human storytelling, elevated by understated yet effective musical composition that reinforces the episode’s sombre tone and investigative intensity.