Unlawful Acts
Unlawful Acts is a weekly true crime podcast hosted by Susan Davis and Jocelyn Frankhuizen. It delivers gripping, condensed storytelling that dives deep into some of history's most fascinating criminal cases, from elusive serial killers and unsolved disappearances to organized crime and corruption. Each episode peels back the layers to uncover truths often left untold, focusing not just on the crimes but on the people involved—the families, detectives, and hidden patterns. With sharp analysis and compelling narrative, the podcast explores what happened and why, appealing to fans of criminal psychology and detailed storytelling.
Episodes
The Railroad Killer: The True Story of Ángel Reséndiz
For years, freight trains carried one of America's most terrifying serial killers from state to state without anyone realizing it.
Known as The Railroad Killer, Ángel Maturino Reséndiz used the nation's rail system to move undetected, committing brutal murders across Texas, Kentucky, Florida, Illinois, and beyond. Living off the rails and operating under multiple aliases, he evaded authorities fo
Introducing the Jordan Harbinger Show
In this brief segment, we recommend The Jordan Harbinger Show. Jordan has some amazing guests on his show, and he has a gift for making complex ideas accessible. We have become regular listeners, and hope you check it out too.
When Divorce Turned Deadly: The Michael McKee Case
What happens when a relationship ends, but one person refuses to let go?
In this episode of Unlawful Acts, we examine the case of Michael David McKee and the murder of his ex-wife, Amy McKee. What began as a troubled relationship eventually escalated into a tragedy that left a family devastated and investigators searching for answers.
Through witness testimony, forensic evidence, and courtroom p
She Looked Like a Sweet Grandma... Until They Found the Bodies
Dorothea Puente appeared to be the last person anyone would suspect of murder.
In 1980s Sacramento, she was known as a kind, grandmotherly woman who opened her home to society's most vulnerable people—elderly residents, disabled individuals, and those with nowhere else to go. To neighbors, she seemed caring and generous. To the people living under her roof, she offered shelter, meals, and support
The Man Forced to Rob a Bank With a Bomb Around His Neck
On August 28, 2003, a pizza delivery driver walked into a bank in Erie, Pennsylvania carrying a cane gun, a handwritten demand note, and a metal collar locked around his neck. Minutes later, he was surrounded by police in a parking lot, desperately claiming that the bomb attached to him was real.
Then it exploded.
What followed became one of the most bizarre and disturbing criminal investigation
The Brink’s Robbery That Turned Into a Deadly Manhunt
October 20, 1981. What began as a carefully planned armored truck robbery outside a shopping center in Rockland County, New York quickly became one of the most infamous crimes in American history.
Armed members of the Black Liberation Army and Weather Underground ambushed a Brink’s armored truck, stealing $1.6 million in cash. Within minutes, the robbery erupted into deadly gunfire that left a Br
Ted Bundy: America’s Most Dangerous Serial Killer
America, 1974. Young women begin disappearing from college campuses across multiple states. Witnesses describe the same man over and over — charming, clean-cut, injured, and asking for help before victims vanished without a trace.
In this episode of Unlawful Acts, we uncover the terrifying rise of Ted Bundy, one of the most infamous serial killers in American history. From his manipulative tactic
Frank Sinatra Jr. Kidnapped: The Crime That Shocked Hollywood
In this episode of Unlawful Acts, Susan Davis and Jocelyn Frankhuizen examine the shocking 1963 kidnapping of Frank Sinatra Jr., the son of legendary singer Frank Sinatra.
What began as a quiet night at a Lake Tahoe hotel quickly became one of the most infamous celebrity crimes in American history. Armed kidnappers abducted the 19-year-old at gunpoint, launching a nationwide manhunt filled with r
Gilgo Beach Murders: Rex Heuermann Finally Caught
In this episode of Unlawful Acts, Susan Davis and Jocelyn Frankhuizen break down the horrifying case of the Gilgo Beach murders and the arrest of alleged serial killer Rex Heuermann.
For years, the discovery of multiple victims along a remote stretch of Long Island left investigators and the public searching for answers. The case became one of the most infamous unsolved serial killer investigatio
The Versace Murder: Inside Andrew Cunanan’s Deadly Rampage
In this episode of Unlawful Acts, Susan Davis and Jocelyn Frankhuizen examine the shocking murder of fashion icon Gianni Versace and the nationwide manhunt for serial killer Andrew Cunanan.
Before the world knew his name, Cunanan had already left a trail of violence across multiple states. But on July 15, 1997, everything changed when Versace was gunned down outside his Miami Beach mansion in one
The Wonderland Murders: Did John Holmes Set Up the Brutal Killings?
In the premiere episode of Unlawful Acts, Susan Davis and Jocelyn Frankhuizen dive into one of Los Angeles’ most infamous and brutal crime scenes — The Wonderland Murders.
In 1981, four people were found bludgeoned to death inside a small house on Wonderland Avenue, launching an investigation filled with cocaine, organized crime, betrayal, and one name that kept surfacing: John Holmes.
Was Holme
Killed for Her Fortune? The Chilling Irene Silverman Murder Case
In this episode of Unlawful Acts, Susan Davis and Jocelyn Frankhuizen examine the chilling murder of New York socialite Irene Silverman, a case involving deception, greed, stolen identities, and an alleged mother-son murder plot.
What began as a room rental arrangement turned into one of Manhattan’s most disturbing true crime cases when Silverman vanished without a trace. Investigators soon uncov
Trailer
Unlawful Acts is a weekly true crime podcast hosted by Susan Davis and Jocelyn Frankhuizen, delivering gripping, condensed storytelling that dives deep into some of history’s most fascinating criminal cases. From elusive serial killers and unsolved disappearances to organized crime, corruption, and decades-old mysteries, each episode peels back the layers to uncover truths often left untold.
But
The Billionaire Murders - Honey & Barry Sherman
In this episode of Unlawful Acts, we examine one of the most chilling and mysterious cases in modern true crime — the deaths of billionaire pharmaceutical executive Barry Sherman and his wife Honey Sherman.
In December 2017, the couple was found dead inside their Toronto mansion under circumstances investigators quickly determined were suspicious. Barry Sherman was the founder of Apotex, one of t
Dr. Death - Dr. Harold Shipman
In this episode of Unlawful Acts, we examine one of the most disturbing cases in modern criminal history — Dr. Harold Shipman, a trusted physician who became one of the most prolific serial killers the world has ever seen.
For years, Shipman was seen as a respected family doctor in England. Patients trusted him with their lives, families relied on his guidance, and his reputation within the medic
The Truck Stop Killer - Robert Rhoades
In this episode of Unlawful Acts, we examine the disturbing crimes of Robert Ben Rhoades, a long-haul truck driver who used America’s interstate system as his hunting ground. Known as the Truck Stop Killer, Rhoades spent years traveling across the country while secretly abducting and torturing victims inside a specially modified sleeper cab designed for captivity.
Authorities believe Rhoades may
The Gainesville Ripper - Danny Rolling
In the late summer of 1990, the quiet college town of Gainesville, Florida became the center of a nightmare that would shock the entire country. Over the course of just a few days, five University of Florida students were brutally murdered in their own apartments, sending waves of fear through the campus and beyond.
In this episode of Unlawful Acts, we break down the horrifying crimes of the man
The Mailroom Murderer - Robert Shulman
In this episode of Unlawful Acts, we examine the chilling case of Robert Shulman — the Brooklyn mailroom worker who lived a quiet double life as a serial killer.
Known as the “Mailroom Murderer,” Shulman targeted vulnerable women in New York during the mid-1990s, evading detection while maintaining the appearance of an ordinary family man. But when investigators began connecting the dots, the tru
The Green River Killer - Gary Ridgway
For nearly two decades, women began disappearing along the Green River in Washington State. Many were young, vulnerable, and living on the margins of society. Their cases were overlooked, their names forgotten—until investigators uncovered a pattern that would lead to one of the most prolific serial killers in American history.
In this episode of Unlawful Acts, we break down the crimes of the Gre
The Machete Murders - Juan Corona
In this episode of Unlawful Acts, we dive into one of the most shocking mass murder cases in California history. Juan Corona was a quiet farm labor contractor in the small town of Yuba City—until authorities uncovered a gruesome secret buried in the orchards. Between 1970 and 1971, Corona lured vulnerable migrant workers to their deaths, leaving behind a trail of violence that stunned the nation.
The Day Trader Massacre - Mark Barton
On this episode of Unlawful Acts, we examine the disturbing case of Mark Barton, the day trader whose financial losses and unraveling personal life culminated in one of the most shocking mass shootings in Atlanta history.
In July 1999, Barton carried out a brutal series of attacks that began inside his own home and ended in two brokerage offices, leaving multiple victims and a city searching for
The Base Commander — Russell Williams
In this episode of Unlawful Acts, we examine the case of Russell Williams, a man trusted with national security, elite power, and absolute authority — who was living a violent double life in plain sight.
Known publicly as “The Base Commander,” Williams was a decorated colonel in the Canadian Air Force, commanding one of the country’s most important military bases. Privately, he was committing a s
The Grim Sleeper - Lonnie Franklin Jr.
For more than two decades, Los Angeles was haunted by a predator hiding in plain sight. Known as the Grim Sleeper, Lonnie Franklin Jr. murdered women across South Los Angeles while living a seemingly ordinary life as a father, neighbor, and friend.
In this episode of Unlawful Acts, we examine the full scope of Franklin’s crimes — from the earliest victims to the long gaps that earned him his chil
America’s First Female Serial Killer - Aileen Wuornos
Aileen Wuornos shocked the world when she was arrested for killing seven men along Florida highways in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Branded by the media as a monster and sensationalized as a femme fatale, Wuornos quickly became one of the most infamous figures in true-crime history.
But behind the headlines lies a far more complex and disturbing story—one shaped by severe childhood abuse, aban
The Golden State Killer - Joseph DeAngelo
For more than 40 years, Joseph DeAngelo terrorized California — committing dozens of home invasions, sexual assaults, and murders while evading every attempt to stop him.
Known to the public as The Golden State Killer, DeAngelo operated across multiple jurisdictions, constantly evolving his methods. He stalked neighborhoods, studied victims, taunted law enforcement, and vanished without leaving e
The DC Snipers (Part 2) - John Allen Muhammad & Lee Boyd Malvo
In Part 2 of our DC Snipers series, Unlawful Acts shifts deeper into the heart of Washington, D.C., as the attacks escalate and the city descends into fear. With the nation’s capital on edge, random shootings continue to strike gas stations, sidewalks, schools, and parking lots—turning everyday routines into calculated risks. Investigators scramble to connect the dots as conflicting witness accoun
The DC Snipers (Part 1) - John Allen Muhammad & Lee Boyd Malvo
In Part 1 of our deep dive into the DC Snipers, we trace the origins of the killers long before the terror began. This episode uncovers John Allen Muhammad’s troubled past, his descent into instability, and the events that set the stage for his deadly partnership with 17-year-old Lee Boyd Malvo. We explore their early connection, the psychological grip Muhammad held over Malvo, and the twisted fat
The Unabomber - Ted Kaczynski
n this explosive episode of Unlawful Acts, we examine the chilling manifesto, secret life, and deadly crimes of Ted Kaczynski—the Harvard-educated mathematics genius who became one of America’s most infamous domestic terrorists, known to the world as The Unabomber.
From a remote Montana cabin, Kaczynski mailed homemade bombs to universities, airlines, and tech leaders—killing three and injuring d
The Iceman - Richard Kuklinski
In this icy cold episode of Unlawful Acts, we dive into the chilling world of Richard Kuklinski, the notorious contract killer known as The Iceman. For decades, Kuklinski led a double life—devoted family man at home, and ruthless assassin for the mob by night. His nickname came not only from his emotionless demeanor, but from his method of freezing bodies to obscure time of death.
With over 100 s
The Fox Hollow Farm Killer - Herb Baumeister (Part 2)
In the gripping conclusion of Unlawful Acts: The Fox Hollow Farm Killer, investigators close in on Herb Baumeister, unraveling a web of lies that stretches from suburban Indianapolis to the chilling discovery buried beneath his property.
As authorities uncover bones scattered across the wooded estate, the horrifying scale of Baumeister’s crimes finally comes to light. Through forensic revelations
The Fox Hollow Farm Killer - Herb Baumeister (Part 1)
In this first part of a two-episode special, Unlawful Acts unearths the beginnings of one of America’s most chilling true-crime cases — the story of Herb Baumeister, the wealthy Indiana businessman who hid a horrifying secret behind the gates of his estate, Fox Hollow Farm.
Beneath the surface of suburban success, Baumeister lived a double life — one of control, deception, and deadly obsession. A
The Torso Killer – Richard Cottingham
In this haunting episode of Unlawful Acts, we unravel the terrifying case of Richard Cottingham, better known as The Torso Killer—a man whose crimes shocked even the most seasoned investigators. Operating throughout the 1970s and 80s in New Jersey and New York, Cottingham targeted women in a spree of sadistic violence that included torture, mutilation, and dismemberment.
Known for leaving behind
The Chessboard Killer – Alexander Pichushkin
In this deeply unsettling episode of Unlawful Acts, we investigate the cold and calculated crimes of Alexander Pichushkin, infamously known as The Chessboard Killer. Operating in Moscow’s Bitsa Park, Pichushkin set out to murder one person for every square on a chessboard—64 victims in total.
What began with a single act of revenge spiraled into a horrifying spree targeting the elderly, the vulne
America’s Most Evil Clown - John Wayne Gacy
In this nightmarish episode of Unlawful Acts, we investigate the chilling double life of John Wayne Gacy—beloved community member by day, sadistic serial killer by night. Known as the “Killer Clown” for performing at children's parties as Pogo the Clown, Gacy used charm, status, and manipulation to lure young men and boys into his suburban Chicago home—never to be seen again.
We retrace the horri
The Co-Ed Killer - Edmund Kemper
In this disturbing episode of Unlawful Acts, we delve into the terrifying mind of Edmund Kemper—one of America’s most calculating serial killers, known as the Co-Ed Killer. Towering at 6’9” with an IQ of 145, Kemper used his intelligence, charm, and sheer physical power to manipulate and murder with chilling precision.
We explore his troubled childhood, his early killings at just 15, and the brut
The Butcher of Plainfield – Ed Gein
On this episode of Unlawful Acts, we descend into the nightmarish world of Ed Gein—the killer and grave robber whose twisted crimes inspired horror legends like Psycho and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. From his isolated farmhouse in Plainfield, Wisconsin, Gein dug up corpses, crafted grotesque trophies, and ultimately turned to murder. Join us as we unravel the disturbing psychology of a man whose
The Shoe Fetish Killer – Jerry Brudos
On this episode of Unlawful Acts, we uncover the twisted story of Jerry Brudos—the “Shoe Fetish Killer.” Behind closed doors, his obsession with women’s shoes and lingerie escalated into abduction, murder, and grotesque trophies. What began as a strange fixation turned into a string of brutal killings that shocked the nation. Join us as we expose the double life of a man whose darkest desires left
The Man Who Slept with Corpses - Dennis Nilsen
Known as the Muswell Hill Murderer, Dennis Nilsen is one of Britain’s most chilling serial killers. Between 1978 and 1983, Nilsen lured young men into his London flats, where he carried out brutal murders — often keeping the bodies for days, sometimes longer.
In this episode of Unlawful Acts, we uncover:
How Nilsen evaded police for years while killing at least 15 men
The disturbing de
The Dating Game Killer – Rodney Alcala
In this episode of Unlawful Acts, we expose the twisted double life of Rodney Alcala, a charming photographer who hid his identity as a ruthless predator. Alcala earned national attention when he appeared on the hit TV show The Dating Game in the middle of his murder spree, smiling on camera while living as a serial killer off-screen. Behind his charisma lay a history of manipulation, brutality, a
The NFL Player Turned I-5 Killer – Randall Woodfield
In this episode of Unlawful Acts, we dive into the shocking story of Randall Woodfield, a former NFL player whose athletic promise hid a terrifying secret. Known as the I-5 Killer, Woodfield stalked and murdered women along the West Coast during the late 1970s and early 1980s, using his charm and physical prowess to gain their trust before committing brutal crimes. We explore his rise from footbal
The Nation’s Kill Kit Killer – Israel Keyes
In this chilling episode of Unlawful Acts, we uncover the disturbing crimes of Israel Keyes, a man who turned murder into method. Keyes buried weapons and tools across the United States, creating hidden caches that allowed him to strike whenever and wherever he traveled. Outwardly a quiet father and business owner, he lived a secret double life as a predator who stalked strangers, planned meticulo
Bind, Torture, Kill - Dennis Rader (Part 2)
In Part Two of Unlawful Acts’ deep dive into Dennis Rader, the “BTK Killer,” we pick up with the chilling aftermath of his crimes and the decades-long hunt to bring him to justice. We’ll examine how Rader managed to elude capture for so long, the evolving investigation that struggled to piece together his taunting clues, and the technological break that finally unmasked him. From his cold courtroo
Bind, Torture, Kill - Dennis Rader (Part 1)
In this chilling episode of Unlawful Acts, we dive into the twisted mind of Dennis Rader, the man who terrorized Kansas for decades under the name “BTK”—short for Bind, Torture, Kill. Rader lived a double life: devoted family man and church leader by day, cold-blooded serial killer by night. We’ll explore his early life, the brutal murders that earned him his infamous moniker, his taunting letters
The Meanest Man in America - Donald Henry Gaskins
In this episode of Unlawful Acts, we confront the violent legacy of Donald Henry Gaskins, a man whose sadistic crimes earned him the title “The Meanest Man in America.” From a troubled childhood in rural South Carolina to a lifetime of theft, assault, and murder, Gaskins left a trail of death that spanned decades. Known for his chilling confessions and unflinching pride in his brutality, he claime
The Internet's First Serial Killer - John Edward Robinson
In this episode of Unlawful Acts, we expose the twisted crimes of John Edward Robinson, a seemingly ordinary Kansas businessman who became known as “The Internet’s First Serial Killer.” Using early online chat rooms and personal ads, Robinson lured vulnerable women with promises of love, jobs, or stability—only to exploit, torture, and murder them. His calculated manipulation spanned decades, leav
The Butcher Baker's Alaskan Hunting Games - Robert Hansen
In this chilling episode of Unlawful Acts, we step into the frozen wilderness of Alaska to uncover the horrifying crimes of Robert Hansen, the so-called “Butcher Baker.” By day, Hansen was a quiet family man and respected baker—but in the shadows, he kidnapped women, flew them into remote areas, and hunted them for sport. For over a decade, he used Alaska’s vast wilderness as his killing ground, l
The Cross-Country Crimes of The Beauty Queen Killer - Christopher Wilder
In this episode of Unlawful Acts, we follow the deadly trail of Christopher Wilder, a charming yet sadistic predator who earned the nickname “The Beauty Queen Killer.” In 1984, Wilder embarked on a cross-country murder spree, luring young women—often aspiring models or beauty pageant contestants—into his trap with promises of fame. What followed was a horrifying series of kidnappings, assaults, an
Satanic Rituals & a City in Terror - The Chicago Ripper Crew
In this horrifying episode of Unlawful Acts, we revisit the reign of terror unleashed by the Chicago Ripper Crew—a sadistic group of men driven by satanic rituals and unimaginable cruelty. Between 1981 and 1982, they abducted, tortured, and murdered women across the Chicago area, leaving the city gripped with fear. Led by the depraved Robin Gecht, the crew’s crimes shocked even the most seasoned i
America’s Deadliest Serial Killer - Samuel Little
In this episode of Unlawful Acts, we confront the staggering crimes of Samuel Little, the man the FBI has called the most prolific serial killer in U.S. history. Over four decades, Little preyed on society’s most vulnerable—often targeting women whose disappearances went unnoticed. With a photographic memory for his victims and chillingly detailed confessions, Little claimed responsibility for ove
Charming Neighbor, Cold-Blooded Killer - Michael Gargiulo
In this gripping episode of Unlawful Acts, host Susan Davis unravels the chilling story of Michael Gargiulo, known as “The Boy Next Door Killer.” Outwardly charming and seemingly ordinary, Gargiulo concealed a dark obsession—methodically stalking, attacking, and murdering women who thought they could trust him. We’ll explore his calculated methods, the chilling pattern of his crimes, and the trail
The Twisted Secrets of the Toybox Killer - David Parker Ray
In this disturbing episode of Unlawful Acts, we delve into the dark world of David Parker Ray, a man suspected of torturing and killing dozens of women inside a soundproof trailer he chillingly called his “Toybox.” Ray’s sadistic methods, recorded confessions, and disturbing collection of tools paint the portrait of a predator unlike any other. We’ll explore the evidence that shocked investigators
Cop By Day & Killer By Night - Gerard Schaefer
On this episode of Unlawful Acts, we uncover the horrifying double life of Gerard Schaefer—a Florida law enforcement officer who used his badge to lure victims into deadly traps. By day, Schaefer upheld the law; by night, he committed some of the most sadistic murders in American history. Known for his calculated cruelty and disturbing written confessions, Schaefer’s crimes blur the line between f
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