Who killed Dr Frank McCutcheon? 'Dateline NBC’ explores wife’s dark secret that led to doc's brutal death
ARDEN, NORTH CAROLINA: The murder of Dr Frank 'Buddy' McCutcheon, a respected plastic surgeon from North Carolina, shocked the community and left many questioning how such a brutal act could occur in a seemingly happy home. As details of the case emerged, it became clear that Dr McCutcheon's death was not a random act of violence but the result of a dark secret harbored by his wife, Brenda McCutcheon.
What began as an investigation into a tragic loss quickly unraveled into a story of deception, financial fraud, and a desperate attempt to cover up a looming crisis. 'Dateline NBC' dives deep into this chilling case, exploring the events leading up to the murder, the hidden truth behind Brenda’s actions, and how a trusted partner became the prime suspect in a shocking crime.
Who was Dr Frank McCutcheon?
Dr Frank 'Buddy' McCutcheon was a well-known plastic and cosmetic surgeon from Asheville, North Carolina. Originally from Arkansas, he was a beloved figure in his community, known for his friendly demeanor and passion for his work. Dr McCutcheon graduated from the University of Arkansas Medical School in 1978, where he completed his medical training before specializing in plastic and reconstructive surgery.
He eventually moved to North Carolina, where he established his practice, Cosmetic Surgery of Asheville. Dr McCutcheon had over 30 years of experience in his field and was highly respected by his patients and peers. Outside of his medical career, he was also a history enthusiast, particularly interested in the Civil War, and he had a deep love for music, often playing the piano in his free time.
Despite his successful career, Dr McCutcheon’s life took a tragic turn when he was shot dead in his home on July 16, 2016. The case drew widespread attention, particularly because of the shocking circumstances surrounding his death and the subsequent investigation.
What happened on the night of the Dr Frank McCutcheon’s murder?
On the night of Dr Frank 'Buddy' McCutcheon's murder, the events unfolded in a chilling and unexpected way. It was the early hours of July 16, 2016, in their Arden, North Carolina home. Brenda McCutcheon, Frank's wife, later claimed that she was asleep when she was awakened by what she thought was the sound of thunder around 3.30 am. However, when she went to investigate, she discovered her husband lying on the couch in the first-floor TV room, where he often slept after watching television late into the night.
Dr McCutcheon had been shot in the head at close range while he slept, a fatal wound that left him dead at the scene. Brenda immediately called 911, reporting that she had found her husband unresponsive, but she didn’t mention hearing a gunshot. When emergency responders and law enforcement arrived, they found Dr McCutcheon's body on the couch and quickly realized that this was not an accidental death but a homicide.
As the investigation began, police found a handgun in the ivy outside the home, which was believed to be the murder weapon. Despite the circumstances, Brenda claimed she had nothing to do with her husband's death. However, as the investigation continued, more details emerged, including the discovery that Brenda had been involved in significant financial fraud, which prosecutors argued was the motive behind the murder.
Dr Frank McCutcheon’s wife Brenda becomes prime suspect
After Dr Frank "Buddy" McCutcheon was found murdered in their home, his wife, Brenda McCutcheon, quickly became the prime suspect.
The investigation into Dr McCutcheon's death revealed several troubling details that pointed to Brenda as the main suspect. For one, the murder weapon, a handgun, was found outside in the ivy near their home, and although Brenda denied any involvement, the evidence began to stack up against her.
As the investigation continued, it was uncovered that Brenda had been involved in serious financial fraud. She was responsible for handling the finances of her husband's medical practice, Cosmetic Surgery of Asheville. Authorities found out that Brenda had been embezzling money by failing to pay payroll taxes that were supposed to come out of the staff's salaries. This was a significant crime, and she feared that her husband, Dr McCutcheon, was about to discover her illegal activities. Prosecutors argued that Brenda’s fear of her husband's reaction and the potential fallout from her fraudulent actions gave her a strong motive to kill him.
Additionally, in the days following her husband's death, Brenda was seen engaging in suspicious behavior, such as attempting to destroy incriminating documents. She rented a storage unit where she kept boxes of financial records and insurance claims, and shortly after her husband's death, she contacted a shredding company to destroy the contents of these boxes.
All of these factors—her financial crimes, her odd behavior after the murder, and the lack of any other plausible suspects—led authorities to believe that Brenda McCutcheon was responsible for her husband's death.
Brenda McCutcheon was convicted of first-degree murder in 2020
In 2020, Brenda McCutcheon was convicted of first-degree murder for the killing of her husband, Dr Frank "Buddy" McCutcheon. In July 2016, Brenda learned that the authorities were closing in on her financial misdeeds. Fearing that her husband would discover her crimes and that she would face severe punishment, Brenda decided to take drastic action.
The prosecution argued that Brenda killed her husband to prevent him from finding out about the tax fraud and the legal trouble she was about to face. They also presented evidence that, in the days after the murder, Brenda tried to destroy incriminating financial records by having them shredded.
Despite her claims of innocence, the evidence against Brenda was overwhelming. The jury found her guilty of first-degree murder, concluding that she had deliberately killed Dr McCutcheon to cover up her financial crimes. As a result, Brenda McCutcheon was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Brenda’s appeal for a reduced sentence was denied
After being convicted of first-degree murder in 2020, Brenda McCutcheon tried to appeal her life sentence. She hoped that a higher court might reduce her sentence or overturn the conviction. However, her appeal was denied.
Brenda argued that there were issues during her trial that could have affected the jury’s decision. Her defense team pointed to various factors, such as the lack of direct physical evidence linking her to the murder and possible errors made during the trial. They believed these issues could be grounds for reducing her sentence or getting a new trial.
Despite these arguments, a three-judge panel reviewed her case and found that the original trial had been conducted fairly. The judges determined that there was enough evidence to support the conviction and that Brenda's claims didn’t justify changing the outcome. As a result, her life sentence for the murder of her husband, Dr Frank "Buddy" McCutcheon, remained in place, and Brenda remains in prison without the possibility of parole.
