The Banker Behind Murdaugh: Russell Laffitte Sentenced for Fraud & Conspiracy
The Banker Behind Murdaugh: Russell Laffitte Sentenced for Fraud & Conspiracy Russell Laffitte was once the golden boy of South Carolina banking—CEO of Palmetto State Bank, “Independent Banker of the Year,” heir to a century-old family dynasty. Now, he’s headed to federal prison. In this episode of Hidden Killers, host Tony Brueski takes you inside the courtroom and beyond, unpacking the full story behind Laffitte’s five-year federal sentence for bank fraud, conspiracy, and wire fraud—all committed to prop up none other than convicted killer Alex Murdaugh. This isn’t just about dirty money—it’s about the quiet power that makes crimes like Murdaugh’s possible. Laffitte didn’t pull the trigger. But he moved the money. He signed the loans. He drained trust accounts meant for injured clients and grieving families. And for years, he helped Alex Murdaugh steal from the people who needed protection most. We break down how the scheme worked, who got hurt, and why Laffitte finally pleaded guilty—despite originally fighting the charges. We also explore what his downfall says about the toxic loyalty, unchecked privilege, and small-town dynasties that enabled Murdaugh to wreak havoc for over a decade. Was Laffitte a victim of charm and pressure—or was he always this willing to betray the public trust? And how many more accomplices are still hiding in plain sight? With new details from federal documents, court transcripts, and expert analysis, this is the story of what happens when the people who are supposed to protect the system… become part of the rot. 👉 Subscribe for more deep dives into the Murdaugh web of deception—and the enablers who kept it spinning. Hashtags #Murdaugh #RussellLaffitte #TrueCrimePodcast #BankFraud #AlexMurdaugh #PalmettoStateBank #HamptonSC #CrimeNews #HiddenKillers #FinancialCrime Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872
3 Loka 12min
"Too Disturbing to See”: Judge Blocks Graphic Kohberger Crime Scene Photos
"Too Disturbing to See”: Judge Blocks Graphic Kohberger Crime Scene Photos Should the worst moments of someone’s life be public forever? In this gripping episode of Hidden Killers with Tony Brueski, we unpack a powerful new court ruling in the Bryan Kohberger case—one that challenges how far the public’s right to know really goes. Idaho Judge Megan Marshall has officially barred the release of graphic crime scene photos depicting the slain bodies of four University of Idaho students: Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin. Why does this matter? Because we’re living in an age where “transparency” often doubles as clickbait. The photos in question, described by the judge as “incredibly disturbing,” were requested under Idaho’s Public Records Act. But citing emotional trauma to the families and legal precedent around survivor privacy, the court drew a clear line: some truths don’t need to be seen to be known. We break down the legal framework behind the ruling, including the landmark National Archives v. Favish decision and the Ninth Circuit’s recognition of post-mortem privacy. We also explore the tension between legitimate public interest and pure morbid curiosity—especially in the digital age where true crime content gets instantly repurposed, decontextualized, and weaponized online. What gets lost when we treat victim imagery as “just another post”? And what do we actually gain when the system chooses dignity over spectacle? This is not just a legal story—it’s a cultural reckoning. One that asks: Is it justice if the families suffer more after the verdict is in? Watch now as we separate justice from voyeurism—and explain why this ruling may reshape the future of transparency in high-profile true crime cases. Hashtags #BryanKohberger #IdahoMurders #TrueCrimeNews #HiddenKillers #CrimeScenePrivacy #UniversityOfIdaho #KayleeGoncalves #XanaKernodle #EthanChapin #MadisonMogen Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872
3 Loka 13min
Why Hasn’t Anyone Been Charged In D4VD Tesla Death Case? FBI Agent Breaks Down the Gaps
Why Hasn’t Anyone Been Charged In D4VD Tesla Death Case? FBI Agent Breaks Down the Gaps Celeste Rivas Hernandez was found dead in the front trunk of a Tesla that had been marked, cited, and towed — and no one noticed for weeks. One year earlier, she was reported missing. Five months later, she was caught on video near her family’s home. And now, a month after her body was discovered, there’s still no arrest. No charges. No confirmed suspect. This case isn’t closed — but it’s not moving either. In this Hidden Killers segment, retired FBI Special Agent Jennifer Coffindaffer returns to walk us through the critical investigative red flags law enforcement should be acting on right now. She’s not speculating. She’s speaking as someone who’s handled these cases firsthand — when the pressure is high, the evidence is fading, and the public is losing trust. She covers: The tow yard failures — and what investigators may have missed in that 72-hour window How digital evidence from the Tesla or cell phones should be prioritized (and why delays can destroy a case) What the FBI would look for in the family’s timeline gaps if Celeste was known to be back home Whether law enforcement is being too cautious — or just doesn’t have the evidence Why the lack of a crime scene makes this exponentially harder — and what you chase when you have no location, no cause of death, and no murder weapon This is a behind-the-scenes look at how the federal system would handle this investigation, what law enforcement should be doing today — and why they may already be running out of time. HASHTAGS #CelesteRivasHernandez #d4vd #TrueCrime #FBIInvestigation #JenniferCoffindaffer #TeslaFrunk #MissingChildren #HiddenKillers #JusticeForCeleste #FederalCaseBreakdown Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872
3 Loka 31min
D4VD’s Tesla, a Body, and No Arrests: FBI Veteran Unpacks the Investigation
D4VD’s Tesla, a Body, and No Arrests: FBI Veteran Unpacks the Investigation Celeste Rivas Hernandez was just 13 when she was reported missing in April 2024. But five months later, a home surveillance camera caught her outside her house — alive. Then, a year later to the day, her decomposed body was found in the front trunk of a Tesla registered to rising music artist d4vd. No arrests. No suspect. And the LAPD says it’s still “unclear whether there’s any criminal culpability beyond concealment.” So how does this look through federal eyes? In this episode, retired FBI Special Agent Jennifer Coffindaffer joins Hidden Killers to walk us through the investigation — step by step — the way it would be handled by a federal team. She breaks down the real priorities when a child is found dead in a vehicle. What evidence disappears first. What should’ve been locked down within hours. And what law enforcement could still be missing entirely. We dig into: The administrative timeline of the Tesla — marked, ticketed, towed, then searched How the gap between April 2024 and Sept 2025 should’ve been reconstructed Why chain of custody around viral evidence like the Tesla keycard could tank a case How the FBI uses vehicle telemetry, phone records, and location data to build a profile — even when no cause of death is determined And what Jennifer would do right now if this case landed back on her desk If you’ve been asking, Where are the charges? — this is the conversation that finally explains why we might not have them yet. And what it’s going to take to make sure this case doesn’t go cold. 🔖 HASHTAGS #CelesteRivasHernandez #TrueCrime #d4vd #TeslaFrunk #FBIInvestigation #JenniferCoffindaffer #MissingChildren #JusticeForCeleste #HiddenKillers #CrimeSceneAnalysis Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872
3 Loka 30min
