Bad Acts: A True Crime Podcast

Danielle Blinka

Twisted true crime tales of dark deeds and despicable people. New episodes every Thursday. Join our Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes here: https://www.patreon.com/badactspod

  1. 1d ago

    Ep. 289 — The Multiple Lives of Serial Killer Kenneth McDuff, Part Two

    Send us Fan Mail At 20-years-old, Kenneth McDuff committed a brutal triple murder that earned him the death penalty. But the fates were on his side, and his sentence was commuted to life. After serving 23 years, Texas released him to an unsuspecting public. Almost immediately, he began killing again. Bodies piled up, but McDuff was somehow one step ahead of law enforcement.  Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_McDuff  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badactspod PodMoth: https://podmoth.network/ Ad: Rowan & Pine — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rowan-pine-a-feminist-folklore-mythology-podcast/id1632401774   Ad: Caffeinated Conspiracies — https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/caffeinated-conspiracies/id1454287363  Episode Source List: https://law.justia.com/cases/texas/court-of-criminal-appeals/1997/71872-4.html  https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/unpub/98/98-51022.0.wpd.pdf  https://law.justia.com/cases/texas/court-of-criminal-appeals/1968/40966-3.html  https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/death_row/dr_info/mcduffkennethlast.html  https://www.texasmonthly.com/true-crime/free-to-kill-2/  https://www.texasmonthly.com/articles/the-end/  https://web.archive.org/web/19970526074211/http://www.lubbockonline.com/news/112496/mcduff.htm  https://web.archive.org/web/20220118182921/https://hometownbyhandlebar.com/?p=32284  Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lk-xZa0nYFo  Crime Reporter Rebecca Lopez: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56QGYU2dLTI  https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/crime/crime-reporters-notebook/kenneth-mcduff-how-texas-freed-a-killer-three-times-dozens-paid-with-their-lives/287-08521f38-6df3-4780-ab33-247155b23bb3  https://www.oxygen.com/prosecuting-evil-with-kelly-siegler/crime-news/serial-killer-kenneth-mcduff-victims-what-to-know  https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/specialcollections_startelegram1960s/6873/

  2. Jul 23

    Ep. 288 — The Multiple Lives of Serial Killer Kenneth McDuff, Part One

    Send us Fan Mail At 20-years-old, Kenneth McDuff committed a brutal triple murder that earned him the death penalty. But the fates were on his side, and his sentence was commuted to life. After serving 23 years, Texas released him to an unsuspecting public. Almost immediately, he began killing again. Bodies piled up, but McDuff was somehow one step ahead of law enforcement.  *Part Two will be posted on Patreon as soon as it’s ready.  Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_McDuff  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badactspod PodMoth: https://podmoth.network/ Ad: Rowan & Pine — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rowan-pine-a-feminist-folklore-mythology-podcast/id1632401774   Episode Source List: https://law.justia.com/cases/texas/court-of-criminal-appeals/1997/71872-4.html  https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/unpub/98/98-51022.0.wpd.pdf  https://law.justia.com/cases/texas/court-of-criminal-appeals/1968/40966-3.html  https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/death_row/dr_info/mcduffkennethlast.html  https://www.texasmonthly.com/true-crime/free-to-kill-2/  https://www.texasmonthly.com/articles/the-end/  https://web.archive.org/web/19970526074211/http://www.lubbockonline.com/news/112496/mcduff.htm  https://web.archive.org/web/20220118182921/https://hometownbyhandlebar.com/?p=32284  Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lk-xZa0nYFo  Crime Reporter Rebecca Lopez: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56QGYU2dLTI  https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/crime/crime-reporters-notebook/kenneth-mcduff-how-texas-freed-a-killer-three-times-dozens-paid-with-their-lives/287-08521f38-6df3-4780-ab33-247155b23bb3  https://www.oxygen.com/prosecuting-evil-with-kelly-siegler/crime-news/serial-killer-kenneth-mcduff-victims-what-to-know  https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/specialcollections_startelegram1960s/6873/

  3. Jul 16

    Ep. 287 — The Murder of Ashley Young

    Send us Fan Mail 31-year-old Ashley Young never returned from meeting up with an old friend. Days later, her torso was discovered in a basement. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badactspod PodMoth: https://podmoth.network/ Ad: The ODDentity Podcast — https://linktr.ee/oddentitypod  Episode Source List: https://law.justia.com/cases/michigan/court-of-appeals-unpublished/2021/351400.html  Court TV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bj-WsPxzRpc  “Can’t Find Her.” A Body in the Basement. Season 2, Episode 6. 2025.  https://midmichigannow.com/news/state/chance-sentenced-to-100-to-200-years-for-second-degree-murder  https://www.wbaltv.com/article/grieving-mother-screams-at-daughter-s-killer-i-want-to-rip-you-limb-from-limb/29438153  https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/trial-continues-for-father-of-convicted-killer/  https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2019/01/father-of-slaying-mutilation-suspect-tried-to-help-son-avoid-arrest-prosecutor-says.html  https://wwmt.com/news/local/brother-of-jared-chance-testifies-during-murder-trial  https://www.woodtv.com/news/grand-rapids/murder-dismemberment-trial-goes-to-jury/ https://wwmt.com/news/local/neighbor-testifies-that-jared-chance-bragged-of-knowing-how-to-get-away-with-murder  https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/community/ashley-young-vigil-death-anniversary/69-ee1118c5-e340-4f09-ab48-497a2f1c0115  https://wwmt.com/news/local/mother-of-slain-kalamazoo-woman-testifies-about-her-daughters-giving-character  https://wwmt.com/news/local/jared-chance-trial-testimony-crime-scene-technicians-describe-finding-body-parts-in-bags https://wwmt.com/news/local/jury-finds-jared-chance-guilty-of-four-counts-including-2nd-degree-murder https://wwmt.com/news/local/ashley-youngs-family-demands-location-of-missing-remains-be-revealed  https://www.woodtv.com/news/ottawa-county/police-reports-history-of-bizarre-behavior-at-chance-home/ https://www.wilx.com/content/news/Mom-pleads-no-contest-to-helping-son-in-body-parts-case-566752541.html  https://www.woodtv.com/news/grand-rapids/deliberations-resume-in-trial-of-convicted-killers-dad/  https://www.legalnews.com/Home/Articles?DataId=1488868  https://people.com/crime/man-allegedly-murdered-woman-found-dismembered-basement-neighbor-noticed-strange-smell/

  4. Jul 10

    Ep. 286 — The Murder of Scott MacFarland

    Send us Fan Mail In October 2023, Richard “Scott” MacFarland invited a friend of his to live with him. Meghan Macklin had fallen on hard times, and she needed a place to crash. Scott was a widower who liked to help people, but he should never have trusted Meghan Macklin.  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badactspod PodMoth: https://podmoth.network/ Ad: Brutal, Bizarre, and Boozy https://open.spotify.com/show/44Z9VDxjEVGpbPBkYzQorh?si=0556a1a9b65048bd&nd=1&dlsi=7e42cb75c47e4fc4  Episode Source List: https://www.buckscounty.gov/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/1560  The Criminal Complaint: https://crimewatch.net/sites/default/files/29567/post/2024/03/meghan_macklin_criminal_complaint.pdf  https://crimewatch.net/us/pa/bucks/da/29567/post/woman-ordered-stand-trial-murder-wrightstown-man  https://crimewatch.net/us/pa/bucks/da/29567/post/woman-charged-killing-wrightstown-township-man-october  https://crimewatch.net/us/pa/bucks/da/29567/post/district-attorney-jennifer-schorn-concludes-26-years-service-will-lead-statewide-cold  https://www.buckscountyherald.com/news/police/woman-gets-up-to-50-years-for-2023-murder-of-wrightstown-man/article_26c8dc94-b49c-4c69-bef7-81eaaaa39e84.html  https://www.phillyburbs.com/story/news/crime/2026/06/24/richard-macfarland-meghan-macklin-wrightstown-murder-bucks-county-sentencing-stabbing/89749560007/  https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/woman-charged-in-slaying-bucks-man/3795475/

  5. Jul 2

    Ep. 285 — Apt 19A: The Murder of Nadia Vitels

    Send us Fan Mail In 2024, Nadia Vitels was finally getting a chance to focus on herself after years of caregiving. She planned to move into a luxury NYC apartment she inherited from her mother. Unbeknownst to her, two squatters were already living in the apartment, and they had no intention of leaving peacefully.  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badactspod  PodMoth: https://podmoth.network/  Ad: Getting Down & Wordy Podcast — https://linktr.ee/gettingdownandwordy    Episode Source List: https://manhattanda.org/d-a-bragg-announces-sentencings-in-the-murder-of-nadia-vitels/ https://manhattanda.org/d-a-bragg-announces-indictments-in-the-murder-of-nadia-vitels/  https://www.usmarshals.gov/news/press-release/us-marshals-service-fugitive-task-force-arrests-manhattan-murder-suspects-york  https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/man-convicted-murder-stuffing-body-duffel-bag-nyc-apartment-sentencing/  https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/murder-stuffing-body-duffel-bag-nyc-apartment-sentencing/  https://local21news.com/news/local/squatters-halley-tejada-kensly-alston-nadia-vitels-new-york-city-apartment-spain-duffel-bag-murder-lawsuit-broken-elevator-cameras-floor-key-manhattan-york-city-county-pennsylvania  https://abc7ny.com/post/womans-body-found-manhattan-apartment-in-duffel-bag-nyc-crime/14530334/  https://people.com/squatter-who-murdered-robbed-woman-sentenced-20-to-life-11950086  https://www.nydailynews.com/2026/06/26/second-squatter-killed-woman-stuffed-duffel-bag-sentenced/  https://nypost.com/2026/04/14/us-news/devastated-son-blasts-animal-squatter-who-stomped-nyc-mom-to-death-as-she-planned-fresh-start/  https://people.com/motorcycle-killed-kite-string-glue-12011318

  6. Jun 25

    Ep. 284 — The First Fetal Abduction by Caesarian: The Murder of Margaret Sweeney

    Send us Fan Mail In 1974, 26-year-old Margaret Sweeney was expecting her fourth baby. When she met Winifred Ransom, she thought she’d made a new friend. But Ransom was a devil in disguise, whose unbelievable crime shocked everyone.  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badactspod PodMoth: https://podmoth.network/ Ad: Thick Thighs and Creepy Vibes — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thick-thighs-and-creepy-vibes/id1736179086  Episode Source List: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34739916/  https://journals.healio.com/doi/10.3928/02793695-20161024-07  https://dl.astm.org/jofs/article-abstract/47/4/1/24030/Newborn-Kidnapping-by-Cesarean-Section?redirectedFrom=fulltext  https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shadow-boxing/202101/the-fetal-snatcher-desperate-to-be-a-mom  https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-news-winifred-ransommargaret/128923114/?locale=en-US  https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-winifred-ranso/166304936/  https://www.newspapers.com/article/public-opinion-winifred-ransommargaret/166293614/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-danville-news-winifred-ransommargar/166292580/?locale=en-US  https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-winifred-ranso/166304753/  https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/191307822/margaret_a-sweeney#view-photo=319920047  https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/fetal-abduction-maternal-instinct-1235580383/

  7. Jun 18

    Ep. 283 – The Bolduc Family Murders

    Send us Fan Mail In 2008, firefighters responded to a fire at the Bolduc home to find three family members murdered, including parents, Carol and Christopher Bolduc, and son, Josh Bolduc. When police tracked down elder son Matthew Cushing, investigators immediately noticed a bunch of red flags.  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badactspod PodMoth: https://podmoth.network/ Ad: The ODDentity Podcast – https://linktr.ee/oddentitypod  Episode Source List: https://www.southcoasttoday.com/story/news/state/2008/02/26/man-makes-court-appearance-on/52596065007/  https://lcnme.com/currentnews/cushing-pleads-guilty-to-murder-and-arson/ https://lcnme.com/currentnews/breaking-news-cushing-sentenced-to-life-in-prison/  https://lcnme.com/currentnews/family-members-gather-to-dedicate-monument-to-murder-victims /   https://www.fosters.com/story/news/local/2009/03/26/maine-man-who-killed-family/52051108007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z116130e002900v116130d--61--b--61--&gca-ft=160&gca-ds=sophi  https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/news/local/york-star/2009/03/26/maine-man-who-killed-family/52051006007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z116813e002300v116813d--76--b--76--&gca-ft=278&gca-ds=sophi  “Urge to Kill.” Mind of a Murderer. Season 2, Episode 1. 17 October 2016. https://www.pomc.org/murder-wall/christopher-scott-bolduc-42-years-old/  https://www.pomc.org/murder-wall/joshua-richard-bolduc-joshie-15-years-old/  https://www.fosters.com/story/news/local/2008/11/05/suspect-in-old-orchard-beach/52206790007/  https://murderpedia.org/male.C/c/cushing-matthew.htm

  8. Jun 11

    Ep. 282 — The Murder of Mel Kernena Cotton

    Send us Fan Mail 31-year-old Mel Cotton helped her friend escape a violent relationship. About two weeks later, her sister arrived to babysit Mel’s son to find the boy injured and Mel dead. Her murder was an escalation that anyone could see coming, and her attacker shouldn’t have been free to kill her.    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badactspod PodMoth: https://podmoth.network/ Ad: Brutal, Bizarre, and Boozy — https://open.spotify.com/show/44Z9VDxjEVGpbPBkYzQorh?si=0556a1a9b65048bd&nd=1&dlsi=7e42cb75c47e4fc4  Episode Source List: https://law.justia.com/cases/texas/court-of-criminal-appeals/2011/ap-76-345.html  https://www.supremecourt.gov/search.aspx?filename=/docket/docketfiles/html/public/23-6139.html  https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/tx-court-of-appeals/1104863.html  https://tcadp.org/2010/03/12/travis-county-sentences-man-to-death/ https://www.txcourts.gov/All_Archived_Documents/JudicialInformation/oca/pdf/jchgs/Travis031010JChg.pdf  https://abc7chicago.com/archive/7341178/ https://archive.gosanangelo.com/news/one-final-outburst-former-abilenian-to-die-for-murder-ep-440943875-357343071.html  https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/death_row/dr_info/gobertmilton.html  https://www.owensandbrumley.com/obituary/5042637  https://www.safeaustin.org/the-violent-reality-of-strangulation/  “Blind Rage.” The Mind of a Murderer. Season Two, Episode 3. 24 October 2016.

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About

Twisted true crime tales of dark deeds and despicable people. New episodes every Thursday. Join our Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes here: https://www.patreon.com/badactspod

Information

  • Creator
    Danielle Blinka
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    297
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Bad Acts: A True Crime Podcast
  • Show Website
    Bad Acts: A True Crime Podcast

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