I assumed with Darker being capitalized it was a title. Perhaps the NYTimes editors are no longer native english speakers?
Example from ABC News AU: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-14/missing-australian-hi...
> Brisbane woman Julia-Mary Lane found dead in Canadian wilderness in 'unfortunate hiking accident'
I mean, they capitalized “is” too. Sloppy work, 0/10.