Unlawful Acts

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, and countless victims whose stories shocked the world. We’ll explore his disturbing crimes, the chilling evidence that finally brought him to justice, and how he became forever known as “The Dating Game Killer.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 football player to serial predator, the multi-state investigation that ultimately captured him, and the dark legacy he left behind. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 meticulously, and left behind far more questions than answers. From his chilling FBI interviews to the trail of victims he hinted at but never revealed, this is the terrifying story of a killer who treated the entire country as his hunting ground. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 courtroom confessions to the lasting impact on his victims’ families, this episode reveals the final chapter of how one of America’s most calculating killers was finally stopped. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 to police, and the shocking way he was finally caught after 30 years. This is the story of how one man’s cruelty hid in plain sight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 claimed to have killed more than 100 people—by methods as varied as his motives. We’ll explore his rise from petty criminal to one of the most feared killers in the nation, the twisted psychology that drove him, and the final act that sealed his fate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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, leaving a trail of missing persons across multiple states. We’ll uncover how he used the anonymity of the early internet to prey on victims, the chilling discoveries that led to his arrest, and how his case became a landmark in the history of cybercrime and serial murder. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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, leaving a trail of fear that stretched far beyond Anchorage. We’ll explore how he evaded capture for years, the survivors who bravely came forward, and the investigation that finally stopped one of America’s most sadistic killers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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, and murders that left law enforcement racing against time. We’ll trace Wilder’s life, his escalating violence, and the nationwide manhunt that finally brought his reign of terror to an end. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 investigators. We’ll uncover the gruesome details of their rituals, the hunt that brought them down, and the lingering questions that still haunt the case. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 over 90 murders, many of which remained unsolved for years. We’ll examine how he evaded justice for so long, the painstaking work that finally linked him to his victims, and the haunting legacy he left behind. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 of terror that finally led investigators to uncover the truth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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, the courageous escape that brought him down, and the unanswered questions that still haunt this case. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 fact and fiction. We’ll examine his time on the police force, the chilling evidence that tied him to multiple disappearances, and the manipulative charm that allowed him to evade suspicion for far too long. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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, offering condensed yet compelling storytelling that dives deep into some of the world’s most fascinating criminal cases. From elusive serial killers to decades-old mysteries, each episode peels back the layers to uncover the 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, and the overlooked patterns hiding in plain sight. If you’re captivated by human behavior, drawn to detail, and short on time—but still want the full story—Unlawful Acts invites you to dig deeper and discover what they didn’t want you to know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices