Unlawful Acts

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 ransom demands, FBI investigations, and nonstop media attention. Who were the kidnappers? How did they pull it off? And how did one of the world’s biggest entertainers respond when his son vanished? Through timelines, evidence, criminal psychology, and expert analysis, Unlawful Acts breaks down the crime that captivated Hollywood and shocked the nation. New true crime episodes every week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 investigations in America — until a shocking arrest changed everything. Who is Rex Heuermann? How did investigators finally identify him? And what evidence connected him to the victims found near Gilgo Beach? Through timelines, criminal psychology, investigative mistakes, and the evidence that led to the arrest, Unlawful Acts dives deep into one of the most disturbing true crime cases in modern history. Subscribe for new true crime episodes every week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 of the most infamous murders of the decade. Who was Andrew Cunanan? What drove his killing spree? And how did one of America’s most wanted fugitives evade capture for so long? Through evidence, timelines, criminal psychology, and expert analysis, Unlawful Acts breaks down the case that captivated the world. Subscribe for new true crime episodes every week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Holmes a witness, a pawn, or something far darker? With expert analysis and deep case breakdowns, we examine the timeline, the evidence, the theories, and the lingering questions that still surround this notorious unsolved crime. Subscribe for new true crime episodes every week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 uncovered forged documents, financial motives, and a scheme prosecutors said ended in murder. Who were the masterminds behind the plot — and how did they nearly get away with it? Through expert analysis and case breakdown, we explore the evidence, the psychology, and the unanswered questions surrounding a case that shocked New York. Subscribe for new true crime episodes weekly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 this isn’t just about the crimes — it’s about the people. The families who never stopped searching. The detectives who chased justice across years and continents. The hidden patterns and overlooked clues hiding in plain sight. With sharp analysis, compelling narrative, and a passion for uncovering what others miss, Susan and Jocelyn explore not just what happened — but why. If you’re fascinated by criminal psychology, drawn to detail, and want the full story without the filler, Unlawful Acts invites you to dig deeper and discover what they didn’t want you to know. New episodes weekly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 the largest generic drug companies in the world, and the Shermans were among the wealthiest families in Canada. What initially appeared confusing soon became even more disturbing as police ruled the deaths a targeted double homicide. Despite international attention, multiple theories, and years of investigation, the case remains unsolved. Who would want two prominent philanthropists dead? Was it business rivalry, personal betrayal, or something far more calculated? In this episode of Unlawful Acts, we break down the timeline, the evidence, and the unanswered questions surrounding one of the most baffling unsolved murders involving billionaire wealth and power. 🔎 Topics Covered: • The timeline of the Shermans’ final days • The crime scene and investigation • Barry Sherman’s powerful business empire • Theories behind the murders • Why the case remains unsolved Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 medical community appeared spotless. But behind the image of a caring physician was a horrifying reality. Investigators would eventually uncover that Shipman had been secretly murdering his own patients, many of them elderly women under his care. Using his medical authority to avoid suspicion, he was able to operate undetected for years. When the truth finally surfaced, the scale of the crimes shocked the world. Authorities would later determine that Dr. Harold Shipman may have killed over 200 people, making him one of the most prolific serial killers in recorded history. In this episode, we break down: • How Shipman gained the trust of an entire community • The subtle warning signs that were missed for years • The investigation that finally exposed the truth • How he manipulated medical systems to cover his crimes • The lasting changes to the healthcare system after his case Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 be connected to dozens of disappearances across multiple states throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. His crimes came to light after a routine traffic stop revealed a horrifying scene inside his truck — one that exposed a hidden world of violence, manipulation, and calculated cruelty. In this episode, we break down how Rhoades operated, how he evaded detection for years, and the moment law enforcement finally uncovered the truth behind one of the most chilling serial killer cases connected to America’s highways. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 who would become known as the Gainesville Ripper. We examine how the killings unfolded, the investigative mistakes and breakthroughs that followed, and how one of Florida’s most notorious serial killers was finally identified. We also explore the psychology behind the crimes, the atmosphere of panic that gripped the university community, and the lasting impact these murders had on law enforcement and campus safety across the country. This is the story of a case that paralyzed a city, terrified a generation of students, and ultimately exposed the dark reality hiding in plain sight. If you enjoy deep dives into the minds behind the crimes and the systems built to stop them, Unlawful Acts takes you inside the investigation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 truth behind his crimes unraveled quickly. We break down the timeline of the murders, the investigative breakthroughs that led to his arrest, and the disturbing psychology behind a man who hid in plain sight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Green River Killer, the massive investigation that spanned decades, and the man at the center of it all: Gary Ridgway. From his early life and disturbing psychology to the forensic breakthroughs that finally brought him to justice, this is the full story behind the case that haunted a generation. Who were the victims? How did he avoid capture for so long? And what finally stopped him? This is the true story of the Green River Killer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. As investigators began to dig, the scale of the horror came into focus. Body after body was discovered, many brutally attacked with a machete, turning the rural farmland into a chilling crime scene. Questions quickly arose about Corona’s mental health, his past, and whether warning signs had been missed. In this episode, we explore the investigation, the disturbing evidence, the courtroom battles, and the legacy of one of America’s deadliest serial killers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 answers. What appeared to be a story about money and market losses quickly revealed a much darker past—one filled with violence, deception, and earlier suspicious deaths. This episode explores Barton’s troubled history, the warning signs that went unnoticed, and the events that led to the tragic shootings. We break down the timeline, the psychology behind the crimes, and how this case continues to be remembered as one of the most chilling examples of financial desperation turning into mass violence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 series of escalating crimes fueled by control, secrecy, and compulsion — burglaries, sexual violence, and murder — all while maintaining the image of discipline and honor. This episode traces how unchecked authority, entitlement, and secrecy allowed Williams to operate undetected, how investigators finally connected the dots, and why his calm demeanor during interrogation remains one of the most chilling aspects of the case. Unlawful Acts explores not just what he did — but how someone so trusted was able to become so dangerous, and what this case reveals about power, blind spots, and the lies we accept when someone wears a uniform. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 chilling nickname. We explore how systemic failures, overlooked victims, and advances in forensic genealogy ultimately led to his arrest, and what this case reveals about serial offenders who evade capture for decades. This is not just the story of a killer — it’s an examination of how violence persists in the shadows, how communities are failed, and how justice can arrive far too late. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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, abandonment, mental illness, and life on the margins of society. As a sex worker living on the road, Wuornos claimed her killings were acts of self-defense. Prosecutors argued they were calculated murders driven by rage and desperation. In this episode of Unlawful Acts, we examine the full arc of Aileen Wuornos’ life—from her traumatic upbringing to her crimes, trials, and eventual execution—while unpacking how gender, media narratives, and public fear influenced the way her story was told. We ask the uncomfortable questions: Was Wuornos purely a predator, a victim of circumstance, or something far more complicated? This is not just the story of a killer—it’s a deeper look at how society decides who is beyond redemption. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 evidence strong enough to identify him. Investigators suspected he was highly trained — possibly law enforcement or military — but the case went cold for decades. On this episode of Unlawful Acts, we break down: Who Joseph DeAngelo really was The timeline of crimes spanning Northern and Southern California How his behavior escalated from burglary to rape to murder The psychological profile behind his need for control and fear Why law enforcement failed to catch him for so long How genetic genealogy finally exposed the man hiding in plain sight This case reshaped criminal investigations forever and proved that time does not protect predators. Justice didn’t come quickly — but it came. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 accounts, misleading clues, and mounting political pressure complicate the manhunt. This episode focuses on the DC-area crimes themselves: the victims’ stories, the psychological warfare created by the randomness of the attacks, and the massive law enforcement response that still struggled to stop the violence. As John Allen Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo refine their methods, the pattern becomes clearer—but only in hindsight. Part 2 exposes how close authorities were to the truth, how far off they sometimes were, and how an entire region lived under the shadow of an unseen sniper. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 father-son dynamic that fueled their path toward violence. From their movements across the country to the planning that would later paralyze an entire region, Part 1 lays the groundwork for understanding how two lives converged into one of the most chilling criminal collaborations in American history. This is the story before the shots — the making of the DC Snipers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices