The Moment Donna Adelson Broke: Narcissistic Control Meets Real-World Consequences

There’s asking questions—and then there’s rejecting every answer. After the assassination of Charlie Kirk, some of the internet’s loudest voices claimed it was a false flag. Others said the note and texts were AI fakes. Some blamed the wrong shooter entirely. Some believed it was all theater. In this episode, Hidden Killers host Tony Brueski teams up with former FBI agent and behavioral expert Robin Dreeke to do what few are doing—actually breaking it down. Which theories fall apart under the weight of facts? Which ones still haven’t been ruled out? And why do some people need to believe there’s more going on—even when the evidence is sitting right in front of them? This isn’t about mocking believers. It’s about separating what’s possible from what’s provable, and making space for real questions without losing the plot. You’ll learn: The structure of conspiracy theory belief How emotion overrides reason in cases like this Where misinformation comes from—and why we believe it And why media literacy is now a survival skill If you’ve been asking yourself what to believe in the wake of this case… this is the episode for you. 🔔 Subscribe for sharp, forensic analysis without sensational spin. #CharlieKirk #ConspiracyBreakdown #RobinDreeke #HiddenKillers #TrueCrimePodcast #FalseFlagMyths #AIandDeepfakes #PublicMistrust #CriticalSkepticism #TonyBrueski 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

12 Loka 55min

Imagine being told you resemble one of America’s most infamous serial killers—and then being asked to play him. That’s the exact crossroads actor Michael Chernus found himself at when he was cast in Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy, Peacock’s powerful reimagining of a case we thought we knew. In this episode, Chernus opens up about the weight of portraying Gacy—not the tabloid version, but the eerily “normal” man who blended into his suburban community while carrying out unimaginable crimes. He listened to Gacy’s real voice on tapes passed down from attorney Bob Motta Sr., relayed through Bob Motta Jr., our guest and legal expert on the case. We talk about the toll this kind of character work takes, how the series avoids gratuitous violence, and why refusing to show murder on screen actually makes the series more disturbing—and more respectful. If you think you’ve seen every Gacy documentary, think again. This is the one that focuses not on the myth, but on the victims, the failures, and the masks we all miss.  #MichaelChernus #JohnWayneGacy #GacyTapes #DevilInDisguise #PeacockSeries #DefenseDiaries #TrueCrimeActing #PortrayingEvil #VictimFocusedTrueCrime #HiddenKillersPodcast 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

12 Loka 19min

For decades, the story of John Wayne Gacy has been sensationalized, flattened into caricature, and spun into horror tropes. But in Peacock’s new limited series Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy, that mask is coming off—and in this interview, we go behind the scenes with the team responsible for flipping the true crime genre on its head. Joining us are series showrunner and executive producer Patrick McManus, actor Michael Chernus—who portrays Gacy with terrifying subtlety—and criminal defense attorney Bob Motta, whose father was on Gacy’s original legal team. Together, we dissect how the show avoids glorifying the killer and instead places the focus exactly where it belongs: on the victims, their families, and the systemic failures that allowed Gacy to operate in plain sight. This isn’t a glorified biopic. There are no salacious murder scenes. No glamorizing evil. What you get is a chilling, grounded retelling that treats its subject matter—and its audience—with respect. We also dig into what it takes to play a predator without slipping into caricature, what it’s like to listen to Gacy’s original defense tapes, and why true crime needs to evolve beyond its fascination with monsters and lean into the wreckage they leave behind. If you care about accuracy, nuance, and storytelling with a conscience, this episode is essential.  #JohnWayneGacy #DevilInDisguise #PeacockOriginals #TrueCrimeSeries #MichaelChernus #BobMotta #HiddenKillersPodcast #TrueCrimeInterview #GacySeries #VictimCenteredStorytelling 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

12 Loka 25min

A rooftop sniper and a poisoned cocktail. One case headed for the death penalty. Another hanging by a thread. In this special longform segment, criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor Eric Faddis joins us for a double-case breakdown: the capital murder prosecution of Tyler James Robinson for the alleged politically motivated assassination of Charlie Kirk—and the bombshell developments in the Kouri Richins case, where the state’s star witness has just recanted. In the Robinson case, we explore how a note, a long gun, and alleged political targeting created one of the most watched capital “Political Assassination & Poison Plot Unraveling – Eric Faddis Breaks Down the Two Biggest Criminal Cases in America” Two of the most high-stakes criminal cases in America are barreling toward trial—and both could implode for very different reasons. First, there’s Tyler James Robinson, accused of assassinating Charlie Kirk in a public, calculated ambush. A rooftop. A rifle. A note. A political-enhancement charge. And now, the state is seeking the death penalty. Eric Faddis, former prosecutor and current defense attorney, walks us through what happens when prosecutors go all-in on a capital case—from how the defense gears up, to the legal impact of charging political motivation, to the suppression wars coming around DNA, digital evidence, and jury selection. This is a legal war machine, slow by design and brutal in execution. We break it down from both sides. Then, we turn to the latest twist in the Kouri Richins case—where the state’s theory of how she got the fentanyl that allegedly killed her husband just took a major hit. The prosecution’s key witness, Robert Crozier, has now recanted—saying he never sold fentanyl to the housekeeper they claim passed it to Kouri. With no recovered drugs, a five-times-lethal tox report, and 11 terabytes of jumbled discovery, Faddis breaks down whether this case still has legs—or if it’s spiraling into Brady violation territory. What happens when a case built on motive and suspicion suddenly loses its foundation? From a possible death sentence to a crumbling narrative, this episode dives deep into what happens when courtroom drama meets real-world stakes. Justice isn’t just about guilt or innocence—it’s about what can be proven, what’s admissible, and what survives the gauntlet of American criminal procedure. If you want more than headlines—if you want to understand how this system actually works—this conversation is essential viewing. #TylerRobinson #KouriRichins #EricFaddis #TrueCrimePodcast #DeathPenalty #FentanylCase #CharlieKirk #LegalAnalysis #PoliticalTargeting #CriminalJustice 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

12 Loka 54min

With Donna Adelson in prison and Charlie Adelson serving a life sentence, the question on every legal watcher's mind is: could Wendi Adelson be next to face charges in the Dan Markel murder-for-hire plot? In this detailed Hidden Killers commentary, we break down the top five reasons legal experts are speculating about her potential future indictment. Wendi has long been referred to as an "unindicted co-conspirator," a legal term with serious implications that we'll fully explain. We'll examine her potential motive, her alleged benefit from the crime, and the subtle but powerful behavioral evidence that has come to light. With new pressure mounting, Donna's guilty plea on the record, and public scrutiny intensifying, this segment digs into the evidence that makes Wendi's role in this complex legal saga impossible to ignore. Join us as we analyze the twists and turns of this high-profile case and consider the question of who might still be held accountable. Hashtags: #WendiAdelson #DanMarkel #AdelsonFamily #TrueCrime #MurderForHire #HiddenKillers #JusticeForDan #LegalBreakdown #UnindictedCoConspirator #DonnaAdelson #LegalAnalysis #CourtCase #TrueCrimeCommunity #CrimePodcast 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

12 Loka 15min

This wasn’t an outburst. It was, according to prosecutors, a deliberate, public execution. A bolt-action rifle. A rooftop. A single shot aimed at a political figure speaking to a crowd of thousands. Prosecutors say Tyler James Robinson left a note, sent texts, and planned every detail. In this gripping and unsettling episode of Hidden Killers, Tony Brueski and psychotherapist Shavaun Scott unravel the deeper psychology of targeted violence—and how some killers don’t just act, they perform. From the alleged planning to the engraving on the bullets, the post-crime concealment, and the so-called “energy burst” of activity right after the shot—this wasn’t just about killing. It was about control. Symbolism. Message. In this interview, we explore: How violent actors create their own mythology around the act The psychology of public spectacle and performance-driven violence Why some shooters choose rooftops, long guns, and high-attention moments What happens psychologically after the act: the crash, the clean-up, and the final justification We also examine how obsession, identity, and a need for significance play into the creation of what some perpetrators see as a necessary act of violence. If you’ve ever wondered what turns someone from angry to armed—and what mental framework allows a person to believe they’re righteous in doing so—this is the episode to watch. 🎯 Subscribe for more deeply researched true crime conversations and psychological deep dives into the minds behind the headlines. #CharlieKirk #TargetedKilling #TylerRobinson #PublicExecution #RitualizedViolence #TrueCrimeInterview #PsychologyOfKillers #ShavaunScott #ForensicPsychology #HiddenKillers 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

11 Loka 54min

In the face of unthinkable tragedy, Stacy Chapin, the mother of slain University of Idaho student Ethan Chapin, chose a path of grace over vengeance. This deeply moving commentary from Hidden Killers explores her powerful decision to not let Bryan Kohberger—the accused killer—define her or her family's story. Instead of focusing on the crime, Stacy and her family have channeled their grief into a powerful legacy, establishing scholarships and writing a book to honor Ethan's life. This episode is a tribute to the strength of the human spirit. It's about what happens after the crime—the difficult journey of healing, the importance of reclaiming a victim’s memory, and the radical act of choosing peace in a world that demands outrage. We'll examine this unique approach to grieving and the profound impact it can have on survivors. This is a story of resilience, love, and the enduring power of a family's legacy. Hashtags: #EthanChapin #StacyChapin #IdahoMurders #TrueCrime #BryanKohberger #GriefAndHealing #HiddenKillers #JusticeForEthan #LegacyOfLove #TrueCrimeStories #SurvivorsVoice #InspirationalStories #CrimeCommentary #JusticeSystem 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

11 Loka 14min

Forget the chainsaw and the slasher mask. The true story of Ed Gein, a lonely man in Plainfield, Wisconsin, is more unsettling than any fictional horror. This true crime commentary from Hidden Killers explores the psychological profile of the man behind the infamous "Psycho" and "Leatherface" inspirations. We delve into the grotesque discoveries police made at his isolated farmhouse, focusing on the quiet, obsessive nature of his crimes and the chilling reality of his grave robbing. This isn't about gore; it's a deep dive into the psychological horror and the twisted mindset that led to the desecration of the dead. We'll discuss his profound mother fixation and analyze why this case remains so disturbing to this day. This is the real-life horror story of an individual who didn't commit a massive body count but instead became a legend of American terror through his morbid obsessions. Tune in for a respectful, detailed breakdown of one of history's most compelling and misunderstood criminal cases. Hashtags: #EdGein #TrueCrime #SerialKiller #HorrorHistory #RealLifeHorror #HiddenKillers #TrueCrimePodcast #GraveRobber #PsychologicalHorror #AmericanHistory #TrueCrimeStories #CrimeCommentary #CriminalPsychology #HorrorLegends 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

11 Loka 15min