Podcast Summary: "Snapped: Women Who Murder" – Episode: Patricia McMillion

Introduction The episode of "Snapped: Women Who Murder," hosted by Oxygen and released on June 29, 2025, delves into the perplexing case of Kenneth McMillian, a hardworking family man whose sudden disappearance led to a shocking investigation and eventual conviction of his ex-wife, Patricia McMillian. This detailed recounting explores the timeline, relationships, and pivotal moments that culminated in Patricia's life-altering actions.

Background of Kenneth and Patricia McMillian

Kenneth McMillian was born on June 20, 1954, in Sherman, Texas, growing up in a small-town environment where he excelled in his work at a local machine shop, renowned for metal fabrication for Texas Instruments programs. Described by Sebastian Maniscalco, an award-winning comedian and actor, Kenneth was "very well mannered, shy, slow to speak" ([04:37]).

In the late 1970s, Kenneth met Patricia Dunlap (later McMillian), born on June 19, 1959, in Missouri. Their relationship blossomed into marriage in 1981 after three years together. The couple built a life together, purchasing 15 acres of land and constructing a "big beautiful home" ([06:14]). They welcomed a daughter in 1988, and Patricia launched her own seamstress business, balancing family life with entrepreneurial pursuits.

Quotes:

• Sebastian Maniscalco: “He would do just about anything to make her happy. I don't know of anything that he wouldn't have done for her.” ([05:56])

Deterioration of the Marriage and Divorce

By 2007, after 27 years of marriage, the McMillian family dynamic began to shift. As their daughter reached adulthood and they became empty nesters, tensions arose. Kenneth's increasing night shifts strained their relationship, leading him to file for divorce in August 2007. Following the divorce, Patricia reconnected with a former colleague, Harold Ballard, sparking a new romantic involvement.

Quotes:

• Sebastian Maniscalco: “He was trying to figure out what he could do to not have to go through a divorce. But when he started working night shift, then he was gone all night. It pushed him further apart because she didn't want nothing to do with him anymore.” ([07:49])

Kenneth McMillian’s Disappearance

On June 16, 2008, at around 6:30 PM in Louella, Texas, Rhonda Hudson, a friend of Kenneth's, reported his disappearance to the Grayson County Sheriff's Department. Rhonda expressed concern as Kenneth had not returned from meeting Patricia at their former shared home and had missed his shift at the Raytheon manufacturing plant ([06:41]).

Initial Police Response: Deputies arrived at the McMillian residence the same morning and encountered a tense situation between Patricia and Harold Ballard. Kenneth had approached Deputy chairs, accusing Patricia and Harold of stealing a trailer. Authorities escorted Harold off the property but noted Kenneth's unusual behavior ([10:00]–[12:30]).

Quotes:

• Sebastian Maniscalco: “I would never guess that I went undercover to solve a murder. I'm not going to get any sleep tonight. I need to know is there anything.” ([02:17])

Investigation Unfolds

As investigators probed deeper, they discovered that Rhonda Hudson, who reported Kenneth missing, was romantically involved with him despite being married to Phil Hudson. This revelation raised suspicions about Rhonda's motives and truthfulness ([14:17]).

Through GPS tracking, authorities located Kenneth’s vehicle in Dallas at the Million Dollar Saloon, a gentleman's club. However, surveillance footage showed no sign of Kenneth, deepening the mystery surrounding his disappearance ([17:17]–[18:38]).

Interviews and Leads: Patricia failed to attend a scheduled interview initially, leading investigators to discover her activities at a local storage unit. Under continued questioning, Patricia remained evasive until critical information surfaced ([19:52]–[21:25]).

Harold Ballard’s Involvement and Arrest

Harold Ballard became a key suspect, especially after inconsistencies in his alibi were uncovered. Phone records placed him near the crime scene in Louisiana on the night of Kenneth’s death, contradicting his claim of being in Oklahoma ([28:53]–[30:03]).

Patricia’s lack of emotional response upon hearing of her ex-husband’s death further aroused suspicion. Concurrently, Harold confessed to assisting Patricia in disposing of Kenneth’s body, revealing their complicity in the crime ([31:04]–[35:51]).

Quotes:

• Sebastian Maniscalco: "Harold's phone was pinging off a tower 20 miles away from where the body was found. We had his statements, his phone records, the fact that he had had conflict with Kenneth and the fact that he was one of the last persons to see Mr. McMillan alive." ([28:53])

Trial and Conviction

In June 2009, the case proceeded to trial where prosecutors portrayed Patricia as a woman consumed by anger and rage post-divorce. Patricia countered by alleging severe abuse by Kenneth, claiming self-defense during their fatal altercation. However, the prosecution dismantled her narrative, presenting evidence of premeditation and the implausibility of her self-defense claims.

Key Trial Moments:

• Patricia demonstrated a fake gun manipulation, attempting to recreate the murder scenario, which appeared "unconvincing" ([43:14]).
• Testimonies from the daughter and lack of evidence supporting Patricia’s abuse claims undermined her defense ([43:58]–[44:37]).

Ultimately, on June 10, 2009, the jury convicted Patricia McMillian of Kenneth’s murder, sentencing her to 80 years in prison. Harold Ballard received a plea deal, serving reduced probation in exchange for his cooperation ([44:42]–[45:05]).

Quotes:

• Sebastian Maniscalco: “We were concerned that he just didn't want to be found. People, sometimes they're unpredictable.” ([21:09])

Aftermath and Reflections

For Kenneth’s family and friends, the trial's conclusion provided no true closure. Patricia’s actions not only ended Kenneth’s life but also devastated their daughter, leaving an enduring scar on the family. Patricia McMillian now serves her sentence at Carroll Young Complex in Texas, while Harold Ballard reflects on his misguided choices, expressing regret over his involvement ([45:33]–[46:50]).

Final Remarks:

• Sebastian Maniscalco emphasized the tragedy of losing a good person and the ripple effects on the family, highlighting the loss of "goodness" in the world ([46:50]).

Conclusion

The "Snapped: Women Who Murder" episode on Patricia McMillian offers a comprehensive exploration of a seemingly stable marriage that crumbled, leading to an orchestrated murder fueled by unresolved anger and betrayal. Through meticulous investigation and the unraveling of deceitful alibis, justice was ultimately served, albeit leaving a trail of heartbreak and loss in its wake.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Sebastian Maniscalco ([04:37]): “He was very well mannered, shy, slow to speak. He just took things and did his job and was good at his job.”
• Sebastian Maniscalco ([07:49]): “He was trying to figure out what he could do to not have to go through a divorce. But when he started working night shift, then he was gone all night. It pushed him further apart because she didn't want nothing to do with him anymore.”
• Sebastian Maniscalco ([28:53]): “Harold's phone was pinging off a tower 20 miles away from where the body was found. We had his statements, his phone records, the fact that he had had conflict with Kenneth and the fact that he was one of the last persons to see Mr. McMillan alive.”
• Sebastian Maniscalco ([43:14]): “I had a toy gun that I had bought and I gave her the toy gun and got her down off the stand. So I want you to take the jury through how this murder went down.”
• Sebastian Maniscalco ([46:50]): “So the world could be much better with more people like him in the world.”

This summary encapsulates the key elements of the episode, providing a coherent narrative that outlines the tragic events leading to Patricia McMillian’s conviction, supported by direct quotes and timestamps for authenticity and engagement.