Episode 238

full
Published on:

3rd May 2026

▓▒░ How the system protected a predator.

Grab a coffee, or whatever your favorite true-crime drink might be, and let’s get into the details of Christopher Duntsch (aka Dr. Death). I’ve been digging into the details…let’s listen.

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We assume there’s an adult in the room. We assume that when a surgeon walks into an OR, they know what they're doing. We put our lives in their hands.

In a two year time span, Duntsch operated on several patients and 90% of them had terrible consequences. Two of them never even made it out of the hospital alive.

This wasn't just a mistake, this was a man who had sent his girlfriend a letter saying he was ready to become a "cold blooded killer".

And the hospital system? Let him voluntarily resign so that they wouldn't get a stain on their reputation (or be sued) and wouldn't have to report him to the NPDB (think of it like the black book for doctors).

So the next time Duntsch stepped into a job at a new hospital? They had no idea the absolute mess he left behind.

0:00 - You Assume You're Safe

03:36 - Lee and the Spinal Canal Screw

07:03 - Barry and Spinal Bone Fragments

13:29 - Jerry The Best (and now paralyzed) Friend

16:45 - Duntsch and the Drug Test

18:56 - Kelly Never Woke Up

24:02 - Duntsch Drug Test Number 2

25:17 - Let's Make a Deal

33:18 - New Hospital, New Patient, A Stroke and Life Support

35:14 - Mary the Runner - Now in a Wheelchair

43:38 - The Report to the Medical Board

47:38 - Jacqueline and Cut Vocal Cords

51:33 - Jeff and the Surgical Sponge "tumor"

56:50 - The Local Press

59:05 - Who is Christopher Duntsch

1:06:03 - Baylor Hit with a Fine (then dismissed secretly)

1:09:35 - Texas' Tort Reform (aka: Let's limit what we pay to patients)

1:12:09 - The DA Investigates and Doctor's Line up to Testify

1:16:10 - Duntsch is Arrested

1:17:38 - The Trial

1:19:53 - Duntsch is Sentenced

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What Actually Happened. From Start to Finish.
TrueCrime.fm is a weekly true crime podcast focused on one thing—what actually happened.

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About your host

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Kristine W

Hi! Hello! I’m Kristine.
You might know me from Beach House 34, but the podcast/vodcast is evolving. Welcome to TrueCrime.fm.

I’ve always done the heavy lifting and the deep research, but the old name just wasn't cutting it anymore. This new name fits the mission. Don't you think?

No fluff, no theories—just the facts, from start to finish. I’m glad you’re here for the next chapter. I’ll see you soon.