The Psychology of a Killer Clown: John Wayne Gacy’s Split Reality
How does a person live two completely different lives—one as a smiling neighbor, volunteer, and businessman, and the other as one of the most prolific serial killers in American history? In this special episode of Hidden Killers with Tony Brueski, we go beyond the crimes of John Wayne Gacy and into the psychology that made his double life possible. Gacy wasn’t just a murderer—he was a master manipulator who weaponized charm, denial, and narcissism to create a version of himself the world would trust. We break down how Gacy’s brain allowed him to compartmentalize—keeping the “good guy” identity separate from the predator underneath. Through psychological insight and documented facts, Tony explores how cognitive dissonance, moral disengagement, and grandiose narcissism all collided to form the mask that fooled Chicago for years. You’ll hear how his early childhood trauma shaped a lifelong need for control, why he sought validation through community status, and how that craving for power morphed into something monstrous. This isn’t a story about body counts or brutality—it’s a psychological autopsy of deceit, denial, and domination. From his carefully crafted public persona to the chilling calm he maintained during his arrest, this episode dissects what happens when self-deception becomes a survival mechanism—and how even the most convincing façade eventually cracks. If you’ve ever wondered how someone like John Wayne Gacy could laugh with cops at a barbecue one day and bury a victim beneath his house the next—this is the story that finally explains it. Listen, reflect, and remember: evil doesn’t always look like a monster. Sometimes, it looks like your neighbor in a clown suit. #JohnWayneGacy #HiddenKillers #TrueCrimePodcast #PsychologyOfEvil #SerialKillerMind #CriminalPsychology #Narcissism #TrueCrimeAnalysis #TonyBrueski #RealCrimeStories 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
13 Okt 15min
Donna Sentencing - Inside Donna Adelson’s Sentencing: Tears, Denial, and Zero Remorse
Donna Adelson’s story ends where it always seemed destined to — in control until the very last breath she could muster. At 75 years old, the matriarch of the family that orchestrated the 2014 murder-for-hire of FSU law professor Dan Markel was officially sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in a Tallahassee courtroom today. Judge Stephen Everett declined her attorneys’ plea for leniency, rejecting what they called a “downward departure.” He told the court he would not exercise discretion to reduce her punishment. Adelson will serve life for first-degree murder, plus two concurrent 30-year sentences for conspiracy and solicitation — meaning she will die behind bars. In this special episode of Hidden Killers with Tony Brueski, retired FBI Special Agent and former Chief of the Counterintelligence Behavioral Analysis Program Robin Dreeke joins Tony to dissect the full sentencing: the courtroom dynamics, the failed bid for sympathy, and what her words — and body language — really revealed. Adelson, sobbing as she addressed the court, maintained her innocence. “I had no knowledge of this plan,” she said. “I swear to you on my life I was not involved.” Judge Everett interrupted twice, citing her “utter lack of remorse.” Her husband Dr. Harvey Adelson followed, lashing out at prosecutors and the Markel family before being cut off by the judge. Robin and Tony break down every layer — how the matriarch tried to frame herself as victim, how her denial fits classic behavioral patterns of control and narcissism, and why her demeanor failed to sway the bench. From a life of status in Miami’s upper circle to a prison cell in Florida, Donna Adelson’s fall is total. And the ripple effect continues — with the looming question: Will others in the Adelson family face consequences next? #HiddenKillers #DonnaAdelson #DanMarkel #RobinDreeke #TonyBrueski #TrueCrime #AdelsonFamily #LifeSentence #BehavioralAnalysis #JusticeServed #CourtroomDrama #FloridaCrime #FSULaw 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
13 Okt 2h 11min
FBI or LAPD? Jennifer Coffindaffer Breaks Down Who’s Really Investigating Celeste’s Death
In this gripping episode of Break the Case, retired FBI Special Agent Jennifer Coffindaffer tackles one of the most haunting and confusing cases of the year—the death of teenager Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose body was discovered in the front trunk of a Tesla registered to musician David “D4VD” Burke. With social media ablaze over the lack of arrests or official updates, Coffindaffer steps in to separate fact from speculation and offer a law enforcement insider’s perspective on what’s really happening behind the scenes. She begins by dismantling a viral rumor: the claim that the FBI is leading the investigation. Drawing from decades of experience, Coffindaffer explains why the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)—with its elite forensics division—is more than capable of handling the case independently. While the FBI may assist in rare, highly specific circumstances, this is not one of them. The LAPD’s digital forensic experts, many of whom are trained at the Bureau’s own Quantico facility, possess the tools and experience needed to process devices, extract data, and build a case without outside help. The conversation then turns to the most disturbing details: Celeste’s history of running away, her complicated relationship with D4VD, and the grim logistics of how her body could fit into the Tesla’s compact front trunk. Despite her being labeled a runaway in the past, videos and sightings show that she was often “missing in plain sight”—appearing in public alongside D4VD. With no declared cause of death, investigators face an enormous challenge: how to prove homicide without knowing exactly how Celeste died. Coffindaffer’s analysis underscores a chilling truth—behind the silence lies a case that may take months to unravel, with forensic science holding the only key to justice for Celeste Rivas. #CelesteRivas #D4VD #JenniferCoffindaffer #TrueCrime #TeslaCase #LAPD #HiddenKillers #BreakTheCase #CrimeNews #JusticeForCeleste 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
13 Okt 35min
Charlie Kirk Assassin or Scapegoat? Breaking Down the Tyler Robinson Conspiracies
Was Charlie Kirk’s assassination part of a larger conspiracy? Or is the truth far more grounded—and far more chilling? In this episode, we cut through the noise to examine what’s real and what’s recklessly imagined in the case of Tyler Robinson, the man charged with killing political commentator Charlie Kirk during a Utah Valley University event. While conspiracy theories continue to flood the internet—claims of planted evidence, faked texts, missing body cam footage, and even “false flag” accusations—what does the actual evidence say? The rifle wasn’t just found near the scene—it had Robinson’s DNA on the trigger and on the towel used to conceal it. A note expressing intent to “take out Charlie Kirk” was confirmed by the FBI, even after it was destroyed by the suspect’s father. And the now-infamous texts and Discord messages? They weren’t internet rumors. They’re cited directly in court filings and verified by digital platforms. We also break down the moments that do raise real questions: the body cam gap during Robinson’s alleged return to the scene, the FBI’s premature “we got him” tweet, and how the defense may use timeline precision and digital chain of custody to challenge the case—not to prove a conspiracy, but to create reasonable doubt. With a defense team stacked with high-profile capital trial attorneys and a prosecution pushing for the death penalty, this case isn’t just about guilt or innocence—it’s about the weaponization of narrative in a hyper-polarized America. No speculation. No theory-spinning. Just facts, hard analysis, and the uncomfortable truth that the more viral a conspiracy gets, the easier it is to bury what really happened. #CharlieKirk #TylerRobinson #TrueCrimeDebunked #PoliticalAssassination #ConspiracyTheories #DigitalEvidence #FBI #DeathPenaltyCase #HiddenKillers #TrueCrimePodcast 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
13 Okt 15min
Ret FBI Chief On What We Still Don’t Know About the Charlie Kirk Murder—And Why That’s a Problem
When a public figure is killed, truth doesn’t always win the race. In the days after Charlie Kirk’s assassination, the internet spun into overdrive—producing a blizzard of theories that ranged from suspicious to outlandish: a government setup, faked notes, AI-generated evidence, and even accusations that the shooting never happened at all. But somewhere in the middle of that chaos sits the public—grieving, confused, skeptical, and hungry for answers. In this episode of Hidden Killers, host Tony Brueski is joined by behavioral analyst and former FBI agent Robin Dreeke to discuss what really happens in the aftermath of a high-profile killing. Not just in court—but in the minds of millions of people watching from the outside. Together, they explore: Why we invent stories before the facts arrive How algorithm-fueled media encourages certainty over truth Which conspiracy claims are provably false—and which remain unconfirmed How healthy skepticism can turn toxic What the Kirk case teaches us about how truth struggles to survive in a fractured public square This isn’t about taking the government’s word. It’s about asking better questions—and knowing when the answers don’t hold up. 🔔 Subscribe for intelligent, unsensationalized coverage of the most disturbing crimes in America. #CharlieKirk #MurderConspiracy #RobinDreeke #PsychologyOfConspiracy #HiddenKillersPodcast #Misinformation #AIandCrime #FalseFlags #CriticalThinking #TrueCrimeAnalysis 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
13 Okt 22min
Is d4vd Being Framed? Inside the Celeste Rivas Case and the Swatting Twist
A teenage girl. A viral pop star. A Tesla. A fake 911 call. Is this a murder case—or is it something even more calculated? In this full-length Hidden Killers investigation, we go deep into the death of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas-Hernandez, whose body was discovered in the front trunk of a Tesla registered to singer d4vd. The vehicle sat for weeks on a public street before being impounded. The odor led to the discovery of human remains. Since then, the internet has exploded with speculation, assumptions, and unconfirmed theories—but the LAPD has not made an arrest, and cause and manner of death remain undetermined. So what do we really know? This episode strips away the noise and asks a much sharper question: Is David Burke—better known as d4vd—being framed? We walk you through the timeline, confirmed reporting, and the forensic science behind the case, including a chilling new detail: a voice-changed 911 call sent armed police to the Texas home of d4vd’s parents, just days after the body was found. Was it a prank, or part of a wider effort to harass or implicate him? We speak about the possibilities—from digital footprints to forensic tripwires in the Tesla itself—and how investigators will use science, data, and chain of custody to separate narrative from truth. This is not about defending or accusing—it’s about what the facts actually show, and where those facts haven’t yet caught up to the headlines. If you’re here for real true crime storytelling—fact-first, emotionally grounded, never sensationalized—you’re in the right place. 📍 Featuring verified reporting from ABC, TMZ, The Guardian, LAPD statements, and expert analysis from forensic audio specialists. 📍 Trigger warning: This episode discusses the death of a minor and false emergency reporting (swatting). All content is YouTube-safe and free of graphic language. This is Hidden Killers. And this is the story behind the story. #d4vd #CelesteRivas #TrueCrime #Swatting #VoiceChanger911 #TeslaCrimeScene #HiddenKillers #CrimeInvestigation #FramedOrGuilty #ForensicBreakdown 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
13 Okt 17min
Inside the Conspiracy Storm After Charlie Kirk’s Death With Ret FBI Chief: Sorting Fact From Fiction
After Charlie Kirk’s shocking assassination, the flood of conspiracy theories hit almost immediately. Claims of false flags. Staged scenes. AI-generated notes. Wrong suspects. Government setups. Everyone had an explanation—but very few were based in verified fact. And while prosecutors have released a detailed charging document, much of the public still doesn’t fully trust what they’re hearing from official sources. So how do we handle that tension—between asking valid questions… and falling into a rabbit hole of speculation? In this episode of Hidden Killers, former FBI Special Agent and behavioral expert Robin Dreeke joins Tony Brueski to break down: Why conspiracy theories form so fast after public tragedies How uncertainty, outrage, and digital noise fuel mass doubt Whether there’s any truth to some of the theories, and which have already been clearly debunked How to stay open-minded without being manipulated by misinformation And what it means to think critically, even when emotions run high This is not about silencing questions. This is about asking the right ones—the ones that lead to truth, not chaos. Because we don’t know everything. But we do know enough to tell which narratives are built on sand… and which are worth watching more closely. 🔔 Subscribe for honest, psychology-informed breakdowns of the most controversial and complex cases in America. #CharlieKirk #MurderConspiracies #RobinDreeke #TrueCrimePodcast #HiddenKillers #PsychologyOfBelief #FalseFlagTheories #Misinformation #CriticalThinking #ConspiracyBreakdown 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
13 Okt 32min
Engaged Already? Kevin Franke’s Fresh Start After Ruby’s Prison Sentence
Kevin Franke says redemption is real. He just announced he’s engaged to a new partner, just six months after finalizing his divorce from Ruby Franke — the former “8 Passengers” mommy blogger now serving a possible 30-year sentence for aggravated child abuse. In this episode of Hidden Killers, we’re digging into what this “fresh start” really means — not just for Kevin, but for the children who lived under a camera, inside a home built on discipline, doctrine, and denial. Kevin was never charged in Ruby’s criminal case. The two had separated before her arrest in 2023. But he was there for the rise of the YouTube family empire — a channel that broadcast strict, often disturbing parenting choices as content. And while Ruby ultimately took the fall with her counselor-turned-co-conspirator Jodi Hildebrandt, Kevin’s role in normalizing the platform is still under scrutiny. Now, he’s trying to course-correct. He supported Utah’s new “child influencer” law — requiring that kids in monetized content receive protected earnings and the right to have their footage pulled as adults. His testimony was powerful. But does it erase the years he spent behind the camera? This segment unpacks the psychology of quick re-partnering after trauma, the legal line between enabling and accountability, and why moving on isn’t the same as making it right. We examine the public push for “redemption,” and ask the hard question: is this genuine healing — or a quiet rebranding campaign? It’s not about punishing a man for starting over. It’s about asking what real accountability looks like when the kids didn’t get a choice. #KevinFranke #RubyFranke #8Passengers #TrueCrime #ChildAbuseAwareness #YouTubeFamily #HiddenKillers #FamilyVloggers #PsychologicalAbuse #ParentalAccountability #RedemptionArc #SocialMediaLaw 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
13 Okt 14min
