Unlawful Acts
- Episodes
- 72
- Released
- weekly
- Latest episode
- Nov 12, 2026
About the podcast
Every story has two sides — the version we hear, and the version buried beneath the surface. 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.
Episodes 72
Arthur Shawcross: The Genesee River Killer Who Was Released and Killed Again
He was convicted of murdering two children, sent to prison, and released after serving approximately 15 years. But instead of leaving his violent past behind, Arthur Shawcross would go on to become one of New …
Show notes
He was convicted of murdering two children, sent to prison, and released after serving approximately 15 years. But instead of leaving his violent past behind, Arthur Shawcross would go on to become one of New York's most notorious serial killers.
In this episode of Unlawful Acts, Susan and Jocelyn investigate the disturbing case of Arthur Shawcross, also known as the Genesee River Killer, whose crimes terrorized Rochester, New York, during the late 1980s.
In the early 1970s, Shawcross murdered two children in Watertown, New York. Despite the severity of his crimes, he was released on parole in 1987 and eventually settled in Rochester, where a new series of murders would soon begin.
Between 1988 and 1989, women began disappearing from the Rochester area, with several victims' bodies discovered near the Genesee River and surrounding locations. As investigators worked to connect the killings, Shawcross continued to evade detection, leaving a growing number of victims and a community gripped by fear.
The investigation eventually led authorities to Shawcross, exposing the horrifying reality that a man already convicted of murder had been given the opportunity to kill again.
How was Arthur Shawcross released after murdering two children? What warning signs were missed? How did investigators finally connect him to the Rochester murders? And could these additional deaths have been prevented?
This is the story of Arthur Shawcross, the Genesee River Killer, and the criminal justice decisions that allowed a convicted murderer to return to society and kill again.
Everyone lies. The evidence doesn't.
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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 …
Show notes
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.Craig Petties: The Memphis Drug Kingpin Who Built a Criminal Empire
From the streets of Memphis to the heart of Mexico's drug trafficking networks, Craig Petties built a criminal empire that generated enormous wealth, violence, and fear. What began as a local drug operation …
Show notes
From the streets of Memphis to the heart of Mexico's drug trafficking networks, Craig Petties built a criminal empire that generated enormous wealth, violence, and fear. What began as a local drug operation evolved into an international organization with connections to one of the world's most powerful drug cartels.
In this episode of Unlawful Acts, Susan and Jocelyn examine the rise and fall of Craig Petties, the notorious Memphis drug kingpin who became one of the FBI's most wanted fugitives.
Petties transformed his operation into a sophisticated trafficking network responsible for distributing massive quantities of cocaine and marijuana throughout the United States. With connections to Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel, his organization used intimidation, violence, and murder to protect its territory and maintain control.
As federal investigators closed in, Petties fled to Mexico, where he continued directing his criminal enterprise while evading American authorities. For years, he lived as a fugitive, overseeing an operation that stretched across international borders.
But behind the money, luxury, and influence was a trail of violence. Federal investigators eventually uncovered an extensive criminal conspiracy involving drug trafficking, money laundering, and multiple murders, leading to Petties' capture and prosecution.
How did Craig Petties rise from a Memphis street dealer to an international drug kingpin? How did he maintain control of his organization while hiding in Mexico? And what ultimately brought his criminal empire crashing down?
This is the story of Craig Petties, the Memphis drug empire, and the federal investigation that exposed one of the most notorious criminal organizations in Tennessee history.
Everyone lies. The evidence doesn't.
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The Cult of Matamoros: Adolfo Constanzo and the Ritual Murders
In 1989, the disappearance of an American college student in Mexico would expose one of the most disturbing murder investigations in modern history. What authorities uncovered at a remote ranch outside …
Show notes
In 1989, the disappearance of an American college student in Mexico would expose one of the most disturbing murder investigations in modern history. What authorities uncovered at a remote ranch outside Matamoros revealed a deadly cult, ritual killings, and a leader who believed supernatural forces could protect him from the law.
In this episode of Unlawful Acts, Connie and Jocelyn investigate the case of Adolfo Constanzo, the self-proclaimed spiritual leader and criminal mastermind known as the Godfather of Matamoros.
Constanzo built a following through a violent distortion of spiritual traditions, convincing drug traffickers and members of his inner circle that his rituals could provide protection, wealth, and immunity from law enforcement. Alongside Sara Aldrete, known as La Madrina, he established a dangerous organization whose practices escalated into kidnapping and murder.
The case began to unravel when 21-year-old University of Texas student Mark Kilroy disappeared during spring break in Matamoros. His disappearance sparked an investigation that eventually led authorities to Rancho Santa Elena, where they discovered human remains and evidence of ritual killings.
As investigators closed in, Constanzo and his followers fled, setting off a manhunt that would end in a deadly confrontation in Mexico City.
Who was Adolfo Constanzo? How did he convince his followers to participate in such horrific crimes? What role did Sara Aldrete play in the cult? And how did the disappearance of Mark Kilroy finally expose the organization?
This is the story of Adolfo Constanzo, the Cult of Matamoros, and the investigation that uncovered a terrifying intersection of manipulation, organized crime, and ritual murder.
Everyone lies. The evidence doesn't.
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Gary Heidnik: The Basement Killer of Philadelphia
Inside an ordinary Philadelphia home, six women were held captive in a basement, hidden from the outside world. For months, the horrifying reality of what was happening behind those walls remained a secret. In …
Show notes
Inside an ordinary Philadelphia home, six women were held captive in a basement, hidden from the outside world. For months, the horrifying reality of what was happening behind those walls remained a secret.
In this episode of Unlawful Acts, Susan and Jocelyn examine the disturbing case of Gary Heidnik, a self-proclaimed religious leader whose crimes shocked Philadelphia and the nation in 1987.
Behind his public persona, Heidnik kidnapped and imprisoned six women inside his home. Two of the women were murdered, while the others endured months of captivity under terrifying conditions.
The case took a dramatic turn when Josefina Rivera, one of the surviving women, convinced Heidnik to allow her outside the home. She seized the opportunity to contact police, leading investigators to the house and exposing the crimes that had remained hidden inside.
How did Gary Heidnik manage to conceal his crimes for so long? What happened inside the Philadelphia home? And how did Josefina Rivera's courage ultimately bring an end to the nightmare?
This is the story of Gary Heidnik, the Philadelphia basement murders, and the survivors whose determination helped bring a killer to justice.
Everyone lies. The evidence doesn't.
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The Liske Family Murders: A Halloween Nightmare
On Halloween afternoon in 2010, a 16-year-old boy returned to his family's home in rural Ohio and discovered a horrifying scene. At first, he thought it was an elaborate Halloween prank. But what he found was …
Show notes
On Halloween afternoon in 2010, a 16-year-old boy returned to his family's home in rural Ohio and discovered a horrifying scene. At first, he thought it was an elaborate Halloween prank. But what he found was no decoration. Three members of his family had been murdered.
In this episode of Unlawful Acts, Susan and Jocelyn examine the Liske Family Murders, a shocking triple homicide that devastated a family and stunned the small community of Martin, Ohio.
On October 31, 2010, William Liske Jr., Susan Liske, and Derek Griffin were found murdered inside their home. Susan's youngest son, Devon Griffin, made the devastating discovery.
Investigators quickly focused on William "B.J." Liske Jr., whose history of family conflict and serious mental health struggles became central to understanding the events leading up to the murders.
As authorities pieced together the timeline, they uncovered troubling details about the family's relationships, the events of that Halloween morning, and the search that ultimately led to B.J. Liske's arrest.
What happened inside the Liske family home? What drove a son to turn against his own family? And how did a day associated with costumes and make-believe become the setting for a real-life nightmare?
This is the story of the Liske Family Murders, a Halloween tragedy that left three people dead, a family shattered, and a community searching for answers.
Everyone lies. The evidence doesn't.
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The Hillside Stranglers: Kenneth Bianchi & Angelo Buono
Los Angeles thought it was hunting a single serial killer. The truth was even more disturbing: there were two—and they were cousins. In this episode of Unlawful Acts, Susan and Jocelyn examine the crimes of …
Show notes
Los Angeles thought it was hunting a single serial killer. The truth was even more disturbing: there were two—and they were cousins.
In this episode of Unlawful Acts, Susan and Jocelyn examine the crimes of Kenneth Bianchi and Angelo Buono, the two men who became known as the Hillside Stranglers.
During the late 1970s, women and girls were murdered across the Los Angeles area, with several victims' bodies discovered on hillsides. The similarities between the cases led investigators and the press to initially believe one killer was responsible. Instead, the investigation would eventually expose a deadly partnership between Bianchi and Buono.
The case took another turn after Bianchi moved to Washington state, where two more women were murdered. When investigators closed in, Bianchi claimed to suffer from multiple personality disorder as part of an elaborate insanity defense. But under scrutiny, his performance began to unravel.
How did two cousins become partners in murder? How were investigators able to connect them to the Hillside Strangler killings? And how did Bianchi's failed insanity defense ultimately become part of the case against them?
This is the story of Kenneth Bianchi and Angelo Buono—the Hillside Stranglers—and the investigation that revealed Los Angeles wasn't searching for one killer, but two.
Everyone lies. The evidence doesn't.
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Eric Copple: The Napa Valley Murders
On Halloween night in 2004, three roommates in Napa, California, returned home after an evening together. By morning, two of them—Leslie Mazzara and Adriane Insogna—had been brutally murdered inside their home …
Show notes
On Halloween night in 2004, three roommates in Napa, California, returned home after an evening together. By morning, two of them—Leslie Mazzara and Adriane Insogna—had been brutally murdered inside their home. Their third roommate survived, but investigators were left with a terrifying question: who entered the house that night, and why?
In this episode of Unlawful Acts, Connie and Jocelyn examine the Napa Valley murders and the investigation that eventually led authorities to Eric Copple.
With no obvious suspect and seemingly little explanation for the attack, investigators worked through physical evidence, interviews, and DNA while the case remained unsolved for months. The breakthrough would ultimately come from an unexpected connection to the victims and evidence that pointed directly toward Copple.
What drove him to enter the home that night? How did investigators finally identify him? And what happened when the killer realized authorities were closing in?
This is the story of Leslie Mazzara, Adriane Insogna, and the Napa Valley murders—a case that shattered a seemingly peaceful California community and revealed that the person responsible was closer than investigators initially knew.
Everyone lies. The evidence doesn't.
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Joseph Naso: The Alphabet Killer
For decades, the murders of four women in Northern California remained separated by time, geography, and unanswered questions. But investigators would eventually uncover a disturbing connection—and a suspect …
Show notes
For decades, the murders of four women in Northern California remained separated by time, geography, and unanswered questions. But investigators would eventually uncover a disturbing connection—and a suspect hiding in plain sight.
In this episode of Unlawful Acts, Susan and Jocelyn examine the case of Joseph Naso, the convicted serial killer whose victims included Roxene Roggasch, Carmen Colon, Pamela Parsons, and Tracy Tafoya. Investigators noticed an eerie pattern: each victim's first and last names began with the same letter, earning Naso the nickname “The Alphabet Killer.”
The investigation took an extraordinary turn when authorities searching Naso's home discovered photographs, handwritten writings, and a cryptic list containing references to women and locations. Prosecutors would use evidence accumulated over decades to build the case against him.
How did investigators finally connect Naso to murders committed years apart? What did the writings and photographs discovered among his possessions reveal? And could the mysterious list point to additional crimes beyond the four murders for which he was convicted?
This is the story of Joseph Naso and the Alphabet Killer case—a decades-long investigation involving cold cases, forensic evidence, disturbing records, and questions that remain long after his conviction.
Everyone lies. The evidence doesn't.
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Fred & Rose West: Inside the House of Horrors
Behind the doors of 25 Cromwell Street in Gloucester, England, investigators uncovered one of the most disturbing crime scenes in British history. Human remains were discovered buried beneath the garden …
Show notes
Behind the doors of 25 Cromwell Street in Gloucester, England, investigators uncovered one of the most disturbing crime scenes in British history. Human remains were discovered buried beneath the garden, cellar, and floors of the home shared by Fred and Rose West. What appeared from the outside to be an ordinary family home would become infamous as the “House of Horrors.” But finding the victims was only the beginning. As investigators reconstructed what happened inside 25 Cromwell Street, they began uncovering the disturbing story of Fred and Rose West—and faced the difficult task of determining who was responsible for what happened inside the home. In this episode of Unlawful Acts, we examine Fred and Rose West, the investigation of 25 Cromwell Street, and the evidence surrounding one of Britain's most notorious serial killer cases.
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The Sunset Strip Killers: The Couple Who Turned Hollywood Into a Hunting Ground
Behind the glamour of Hollywood and the neon lights of the Sunset Strip, a terrifying series of murders was unfolding. In this episode of Unlawful Acts, Susan and Jocelyn examine the disturbing case of the …
Show notes
Behind the glamour of Hollywood and the neon lights of the Sunset Strip, a terrifying series of murders was unfolding. In this episode of Unlawful Acts, Susan and Jocelyn examine the disturbing case of the Sunset Strip Killers, Douglas Clark and Carol Bundy, whose crimes terrorized Los Angeles in 1980. What began as a relationship between two seemingly ordinary people descended into a dark world of obsession, violence, and murder. As victims began turning up across Los Angeles, investigators were faced with a horrifying case—and a pair whose relationship became increasingly twisted. Who were Douglas Clark and Carol Bundy? How did they become connected to the murders? And what finally brought their killing spree to an end? This is the story behind one of Los Angeles' most notorious true-crime cases and the two people who became known as the Sunset Strip Killers. Everyone lies. The evidence doesn't.
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Michael Wayne Devaughn: The Labor Day Murders That Haunted Starkville
Labor Day weekend in 1990 turned into a nightmare in Starkville, Mississippi, when a brutal attack left a community searching for answers. For years, the case remained unresolved. Then, decades later, advances …
Show notes
Labor Day weekend in 1990 turned into a nightmare in Starkville, Mississippi, when a brutal attack left a community searching for answers.
For years, the case remained unresolved. Then, decades later, advances in DNA evidence would lead investigators to Michael Wayne Devaughn—and finally provide a breakthrough in a crime that had haunted Starkville for years.
In this episode of Unlawful Acts, Susan and Jocelyn examine the 1990 Labor Day murders, the investigation that followed, the evidence left behind, and the long road that eventually led authorities to Devaughn.
How did the case remain unsolved for so long? What finally connected Devaughn to the crime? And what did investigators uncover when modern forensic technology was applied to evidence collected decades earlier?
This is the story of a horrific Labor Day crime, a decades-long investigation, and the evidence that ultimately brought investigators to Michael Wayne Devaughn.
Everyone lies. The evidence doesn't.
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The Snowtown Murders: The Horrifying Story of the Bodies in the Barrels
The Snowtown Murders became one of the most disturbing serial murder cases in Australian history. What investigators eventually discovered inside barrels stored in a former bank building would expose a …
Show notes
The Snowtown Murders became one of the most disturbing serial murder cases in Australian history. What investigators eventually discovered inside barrels stored in a former bank building would expose a years-long killing spree built around manipulation, torture, murder, and fear. In this episode of Unlawful Acts, Connie and Jocelyn examine the shocking story of the Snowtown murders, also known as the Bodies in the Barrels murders, and the group of killers led by John Bunting. Between 1992 and 1999, Bunting and his accomplices targeted a series of victims in South Australia. But it was the discovery of human remains hidden inside barrels that would ultimately reveal the horrifying scale of the crimes. How did the murders continue for years? Who were the people drawn into Bunting's circle? And how did investigators finally uncover what had happened? This is the disturbing true story behind the Snowtown Killers and the case that became known around the world as the Bodies in the Barrels murders. Everyone lies. The evidence doesn't.
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Introducing "What Happened to the McStays?"
Today we’re sharing something a little different: it’s the first episode of a new podcast from our friends at ABC Audio and 20/20 called “What Happened to the McStays?” In 2010, in a quiet suburb of San Diego …
Show notes
Today we’re sharing something a little different: it’s the first episode of a new podcast from our friends at ABC Audio and 20/20 called “What Happened to the McStays?” In 2010, in a quiet suburb of San Diego, a family of four seemingly vanished into thin air. When investigators searched their home, they found the family’s two beloved dogs unattended outside, rotting food left around the house and clothes strewn across the floor. The nation was left to wonder: Did the McStays leave of their own accord, or did something more sinister happen?
To hear the whole story, follow “What Happened to the McStays?” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen – or listen ad-free and get the whole series before anyone else by subscribing to 20/20 True Crime+ on Apple Podcasts.
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Audrey Marie Hilley: The Black Widow Poisoner
Audrey Marie Hilley appeared to be a devoted wife and mother. But when members of her own family began suffering from mysterious illnesses, investigators uncovered a disturbing pattern of poisoning, deception …
Show notes
Audrey Marie Hilley appeared to be a devoted wife and mother. But when members of her own family began suffering from mysterious illnesses, investigators uncovered a disturbing pattern of poisoning, deception, and murder.
In this episode of Unlawful Acts, Susan and Jocelyn examine the bizarre story of Audrey Marie Hilley, the Alabama woman who poisoned her husband, Frank Hilley, and later attempted to poison her daughter, Carol.
But Hilley's story didn't end with her arrest. She escaped custody, disappeared, assumed a new identity, and constructed an entirely new life before authorities finally tracked her down. Even after her conviction, Hilley's story had one more extraordinary chapter involving another escape and a desperate attempt to survive.
From arsenic poisoning and murder to false identities, disappearances, and one of the strangest endings in true-crime history, this is the story of the woman who became known as the Black Widow.
Everyone lies. The evidence doesn't.
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Richard Farley: The Office Shooting That Left 7 Dead
On February 16, 1988, former ESL Incorporated employee Richard Farley entered his former workplace in Sunnyvale, California, heavily armed. By the time the attack ended, seven people had been killed and four …
Show notes
On February 16, 1988, former ESL Incorporated employee Richard Farley entered his former workplace in Sunnyvale, California, heavily armed. By the time the attack ended, seven people had been killed and four others injured.
In this episode of Unlawful Acts, we examine the Richard Farley case, the years of stalking and harassment of coworker Laura Black that preceded the attack, and the events that ultimately led to one of California's most notorious workplace shootings.
We break down Farley's obsession with Black, his termination from ESL, the terrifying attack inside the company's offices, Black's remarkable survival, and the investigation and trial that followed.
How did years of escalating behavior culminate in mass murder—and were there warning signs along the way?
Everyone lies. The evidence doesn't.
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Simon Leviev: The Tinder Swindler Who Faked Everything
Simon Leviev convinced women around the world that he was the billionaire heir to a diamond empire. Private jets, luxury hotels, designer clothes, security teams, and seemingly unlimited wealth helped create …
Show notes
Simon Leviev convinced women around the world that he was the billionaire heir to a diamond empire. Private jets, luxury hotels, designer clothes, security teams, and seemingly unlimited wealth helped create the perfect illusion—but almost everything was fake.
In this episode of Unlawful Acts, Susan and Jocelyn break down the extraordinary rise of the man known as the Tinder Swindler. They explore how Simon Leviev gained his victims' trust, built a carefully crafted lifestyle of deception, and persuaded women to send him hundreds of thousands of dollars while staying one step ahead of authorities.
From fake identities and fabricated emergencies to international investigations and the Netflix documentary that made his story famous, this episode examines one of the most sophisticated romance fraud schemes in recent history—and the warning signs that were hidden in plain sight.
Everyone lies. The evidence doesn't.
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Randy Kraft: The Scorecard Killer
A routine traffic stop became one of the most disturbing serial killer investigations in American history. When police pulled over Randy Kraft in 1983, they weren't looking for a serial killer. But what they …
Show notes
A routine traffic stop became one of the most disturbing serial killer investigations in American history.
When police pulled over Randy Kraft in 1983, they weren't looking for a serial killer. But what they discovered inside his car would unravel a decade of brutal murders and expose a cryptic "scorecard" believed to document dozens of victims.
Known today as The Scorecard Killer, Kraft is suspected of murdering more than 60 young men across California, Oregon, and Michigan. Many of his victims remained unidentified for years, leaving investigators to piece together one of the most complex serial murder cases in U.S. history.
In this episode of Unlawful Acts, Connie and Jocelyn examine the evidence, the investigation, and the disturbing clues that helped expose one of America's most calculating serial killers.
In this episode:
- The traffic stop that changed everything
- Who was Randy Kraft?
- The mysterious "scorecard"
- How investigators linked the murders
- The victims and the evidence
- The trial and conviction
- Unanswered questions that remain today
Every crime has a story—but not every story gets told accurately.
Hosted by Connie and Jocelyn, Unlawful Acts explores some of history's most notorious criminal cases through evidence, investigative records, and the people behind the headlines. From serial killers and organized crime to kidnappings, corruption, and unsolved mysteries, each episode separates fact from fiction.
Everyone lies.
The evidence doesn't.
Subscribe to Unlawful Acts for new episodes every week.
About Unlawful Acts
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The Toolbox Killers: The True Story of Lawrence Bittaker & Roy Norris
In the late 1970s, two men traveled the highways of Southern California in a battered van they called the "Murder Mac." To those who crossed their path, Lawrence Bittaker and Roy Norris appeared unremarkable …
Show notes
In the late 1970s, two men traveled the highways of Southern California in a battered van they called the "Murder Mac." To those who crossed their path, Lawrence Bittaker and Roy Norris appeared unremarkable. In reality, they were responsible for one of the most infamous serial murder cases in American history.
Known as the Toolbox Killers, Bittaker and Norris targeted teenage girls, carrying out a series of calculated abductions and murders that shocked investigators and forever changed the detectives who worked the case. The evidence uncovered inside their van—and the testimony that followed—revealed crimes so disturbing they continue to be studied decades later.
In this episode of Unlawful Acts, Susan and Jocelyn examine the complete case, from how the two men met and planned their crimes to the investigation that ultimately brought them to justice. Along the way, they explore the evidence, the courtroom proceedings, and the lasting impact this case has had on law enforcement, criminal investigations, and the victims' families.
Unlawful Acts is a weekly true crime podcast that goes beyond the headlines, exploring the people, evidence, and investigations behind some of history's most notorious criminal cases.
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Amil Dinsio, Jimmy Hoffa & the California Vault Heist | America's Boldest Bank Robbery
What do Amil Dinsio, Jimmy Hoffa, Richard Nixon, and one of the most audacious bank vault burglaries in American history have in common? In this episode of Unlawful Acts, Susan and Jocelyn examine the …
Show notes
What do Amil Dinsio, Jimmy Hoffa, Richard Nixon, and one of the most audacious bank vault burglaries in American history have in common?
In this episode of Unlawful Acts, Susan and Jocelyn examine the remarkable California vault heist that stunned investigators in 1972. While America was consumed by the Nixon administration, political turmoil, and the growing influence of organized crime, a crew of professional thieves quietly carried out one of the most sophisticated bank burglaries ever attempted.
Authorities soon focused on Amil Dinsio, a legendary bank burglar whose reputation for planning impossible vault jobs made him one of the FBI's most notorious fugitives. As investigators followed the evidence, rumors of organized crime involvement fueled speculation during an era when Jimmy Hoffa, the Mafia, and political corruption dominated headlines.
Together, they explore the planning, execution, investigation, and lasting legacy of the heist while separating documented facts from decades of myth.
If you enjoy true crime, criminal history, organized crime, FBI investigations, famous robberies, and deep dives into America's most fascinating criminal cases, subscribe to Unlawful Acts for new episodes every week.
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The Briley Brothers: Richmond's Deadly Family of Serial Killers
The summer of 1979 turned Richmond, Virginia into a city living in fear. What began as isolated acts of violence quickly escalated into one of the most brutal murder sprees in American history. The killers …
Show notes
The summer of 1979 turned Richmond, Virginia into a city living in fear.
What began as isolated acts of violence quickly escalated into one of the most brutal murder sprees in American history. The killers weren't strangers or drifters—they were brothers. Linwood, James "J.B.," and Anthony Briley hunted victims across Richmond with a level of violence that shocked investigators and terrified an entire community. By the time authorities finally stopped them, dozens of lives had been shattered, and the true number of victims remains part of the case's lasting legacy.
In this episode of Unlawful Acts, we examine the rise of the Briley Brothers, the fear that spread throughout Richmond, the investigation that brought them down, and the shocking death row escape that cemented their place in true crime history.
Everyone lies. The evidence doesn't.
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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 …
Show notes
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 for years while leaving behind a trail of victims and unanswered questions. Investigators struggled to connect crimes occurring hundreds of miles apart until a nationwide manhunt finally revealed the truth.
In this episode of Unlawful Acts, Connie and Jocelyn examine the life, crimes, and psychology of one of the most prolific serial killers in modern American history. From the attack that left survivor Holly Dunn alive to tell her story, to the FBI's pursuit and Reséndiz's eventual surrender, this is the complete story of the man who turned America's railways into his escape route.
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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 …
Show notes
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 proceedings, prosecutors pieced together a case they believed was fueled by resentment, control, and an inability to accept the end of a marriage. As detectives unraveled the timeline, a disturbing picture emerged of the events leading up to the killing and the aftermath that followed. Join us as we break down the investigation, the evidence, the trial, and the pursuit of justice in a case that shocked everyone involved. This is Unlawful Acts. Everyone Lies. The Evidence Doesn't.
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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 …
Show notes
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.
But one by one, her tenants began disappearing.
Friends and family were told they had moved away. Social workers were given excuses. Questions were asked, but the answers always seemed to satisfy investigators—until one missing person case led police to her Victorian boarding house.
What they discovered beneath the backyard would expose one of California's most disturbing serial murder cases.
In this episode of Unlawful Acts, Connie and Jocelyn unravel the shocking crimes of Dorothea Puente, the woman who turned a place of refuge into a killing ground. From forged checks and stolen benefits to multiple murders hidden beneath her property, this is the chilling story of how a seemingly harmless grandmother became one of America's most notorious serial killers.
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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 …
Show notes
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 investigations in FBI history. Was Brian Wells a willing participant in a carefully planned bank robbery? Or was he an innocent man forced into a deadly plot he could never escape?
In this episode of Unlawful Acts, Connie and Jocelyn unravel the shocking story behind the infamous Pizza Bomber case—a twisted conspiracy involving scavenger hunt clues, homemade explosives, conflicting confessions, and a cast of eccentric suspects whose stories only became stranger as investigators dug deeper.
More than two decades later, one question still fuels debate:
Who was really responsible for Brian Wells' death?
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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 …
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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 Brink’s guard dead and sparked a violent confrontation with police. By the end of the day, two Nyack police officers had also been killed, launching one of the largest manhunts in FBI history.
In this episode of Unlawful Acts, Connie and Jocelyn break down the planning, execution, investigation, arrests, and lasting impact of the Brink’s Robbery—a crime that blurred the lines between political extremism, terrorism, and organized robbery.
What really happened that day? Who was behind the attack? And how did this case reshape law enforcement's approach to domestic extremist groups?
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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 …
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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 tactics and shocking crimes to the nationwide manhunt, courtroom chaos, prison escapes, and final downfall, this is the story that changed how America viewed serial killers forever. Bundy didn’t look like a monster. That’s what made him so dangerous. Subscribe for more true crime stories, unsolved mysteries, kidnappings, serial killer cases, and infamous criminal investigations.
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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 …
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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.
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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 …
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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.
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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 …
Show notes
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.
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