ASHEVILLE, N.C. — What began as a marriage filled with music, travel, and a thriving medical practice ended in a shocking act of violence that stunned the Asheville community. In July 2016, beloved plastic surgeon Dr. Frank “Buddy” McCutcheon Jr. was shot to death while sleeping on the couch in his home — a murder that, according to Oxygen, was carried out by the woman many knew as his “wonderful wife.”
A Respected Surgeon With a Passion for Music
Dr. McCutcheon, 64, ran a successful cosmetic surgery practice alongside his wife of more than 30 years, Brenda McCutcheon, a registered nurse. Friends say Buddy’s greatest passion was music — he played multiple instruments, participated in Civil War reenactments, and enjoyed flying his private plane. The couple lived what appeared to be an enviable life.
The Night of the Murder
On July 15, 2016, after sharing dinner and watching TV, Brenda went to bed upstairs while Buddy stayed on the couch, as was his habit. Around 3 a.m., Brenda claimed she was awakened by a loud bang, rushed downstairs, and found her husband bleeding from a gunshot wound to the head. She told authorities she ran to a neighbor’s house for help, then called 911 when no one answered.
Deputies found no sign of forced entry. The murder weapon — a handgun the couple kept in a kitchen drawer — was later discovered discarded in nearby greenery.
Suspicion Falls on Brenda
Brenda initially cooperated with investigators, even submitting to a gunshot residue test. Lab results showed no residue on her hands and only trace amounts on her clothing, possibly from leaning over her husband. Still, detectives grew suspicious when they caught her throwing practice records into a dumpster just days after the murder.
Financial Crimes Emerge
Investigators uncovered serious financial trouble at the McCutcheon practice. The North Carolina Department of Revenue had launched a criminal investigation into unpaid state taxes, and the IRS found $385,000 in unpaid federal taxes. The practice was years behind on corporate filings, and payroll tax withholdings had not been forwarded to the state.
Buddy reportedly appeared surprised by the revelations, while Brenda — as office manager — was likely aware of them. Detectives believed the impending financial reckoning may have been a motive.
Trial and Conviction
In January 2020, prosecutors presented their case built largely on circumstantial evidence, arguing Brenda feared she would bear sole responsibility for the crimes and resented her role in the office. The jury convicted her of first-degree murder, and she was sentenced to life in prison without parole…