Upon learning of the affair and the pregnancy, Ben Jr. confesses to strangling his wife in a fit of jealous rage—completely unaware that his own father was the man his wife had been seeing. Ripped From the Headlines: The Hillsdale College Scandal
George Roche III, the long-time president of the highly conservative Hillsdale College in Michigan, was embroiled in a scandal involving his daughter-in-law, Lissa Roche. MisleaderLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit : Se...
This episode marked the final appearance of Leslie Hendrix as Medical Examiner Dr. Elizabeth Rodgers on Special Victims Unit , though she continued the role for years on the original Law & Order and other spin-offs. Special Victims Unit" Misleader (TV Episode 2000) - IMDb Upon learning of the affair and the pregnancy, Ben Jr
While the TV episode centers on a murder, the real-life case concluded that Lissa Roche’s death was a suicide. Furthermore, while both involved an affair between a college president and his daughter-in-law, the pregnancy plot point was a fictional addition for the show. Behind the Scenes and Trivia This episode marked the final appearance of Leslie
The episode begins with the discovery of a pregnant woman's body in a New York hotel room. Detectives Benson and Stabler soon identify her as the daughter-in-law of Dr. Ben Hadley, the ultra-conservative president of Midville College. Initially, the investigation leans toward a random robbery-homicide, but the detectives quickly pivot to the victim's personal life after discovering she had been having a long-term affair. The investigation reveals a shocking web of deceit:
The episode is notable for its guest stars and its place in the franchise's history:
" Misleader ," the 17th episode of 's debut season, remains one of the series' most unsettling explorations of hypocrisy, power, and familial betrayal. Airing on March 31, 2000, it stands out for its "ripped from the headlines" inspiration and its stark portrayal of a high-profile family unraveling under the weight of its own secrets. The Plot: A Murder in the Midville Family