Dateline NBC: What Happened to Frank ‘Buddy’ McCutcheon?

Dateline NBC: What Happened to Frank ‘Buddy’ McCutcheon?

As a true crime enthusiast who’s spent countless hours poring over court records and binge-watching true crime documentaries, I eagerly await the airing of “The Day the Music Died” on Dateline NBC. The Frank “Buddy” McCutcheon case is one that has intrigued me for years, and I’m excited to see how they delve deeper into this gripping tale of love, greed, and murder.


On Friday, August 16, 2024, at 9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Dateline NBC will delve into the chilling murder case of Frank “Buddy” McCutcheon that occurred in July 2016. The episode, entitled “When the Music Stopped,” offers a gripping account of the violent crime and the tragic fate of an innocent man. Moreover, it provides insights into the investigation process and the capture of the perpetrator. Tune in to NBC for this compelling story on Friday night.

On July 16, 2016, the authorities found the lifeless body of renowned plastic surgeon Frank “Buddy” McCutcheon at his home in Arden, North Carolina. As reported by The Citizen-Times, Brenda McCutcheon, Frank’s wife, phoned emergency services and informed them about her husband’s demise.

Over the phone, Brenda shared a chilling story: someone had broken into our home, and in cold blood, shot her husband. Soon after, the police arrived at the scene, discovering his lifeless body in the TV room on the first floor of their residence. Investigators later revealed that Frank sustained a fatal gunshot wound to his head, and they found the back door left unlocked.

According to Citizen-Times, detectives discovered what they believed was the couple’s handgun during their investigation. During an early interview, Brenda asserted her innocence regarding her husband’s murder.

Who killed Frank ‘Buddy’ McCutcheon?

The investigation by authorities persisted and ultimately uncovered that Frank “Buddy” McCutcheon was under investigation for embezzlement prior to his death. Approximately a year later, police apprehended Brenda McCutcheon for the murder and accused her of first-degree murder (as reported by WXII 12 News). At the trial, it was alleged that Brenda and Frank had a harmonious relationship, with Brenda sacrificing her career to support Frank’s legal practice.

Nevertheless, matters took a turn for the worse when the Department of Revenue accused the McCutcheons for their actions. According to Citizen-Times, they retained the employees’ tax withholdings instead of forwarding them to the Department of Revenue in the state.

Meghan Lock, the Assistant District Attorney, stated that the situation was becoming increasingly tight for their suspect, which could be seen as a motive. Contrarily, the defense argued for their client’s innocence and claimed that Frank “Buddy” McCutcheon had an extramarital affair. Furthermore, they disclosed that Frank took out approximately $300,000 from his retirement savings.

Following a series of presentations of arguments and testimonies, the jury announced their decision: Frank “Buddy” McCutcheon was found guilty for murder, as reported by WLOS News. Consequently, the court imposed a sentence of life imprisonment with no chance of parole on Brenda McCutcheon.

In the forthcoming episode, airing this Friday, August 16th, Dateline NBC will delve into the previously mentioned case.

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2024-08-16 16:10