Rex Heuermann's Burlap, Hair, and Pizza: The Forensic Breaks That Nailed the Gilgo Suspect

Donna Adelson & Betty Broderick Parallels in Narcissistic Courtroom Theater In the Trial of Donna Adelson, many courtroom observers can’t help but notice echoes of infamous cases from the past. One of the most striking comparisons? Betty Broderick, the once “perfect wife and mother” who shocked America in 1989 when she murdered her ex-husband and his new wife. Just like Donna Adelson, Betty positioned herself as the victim — rewriting the narrative to justify her actions and refusing to show remorse. This segment from Hidden Killers Live with Tony Bruski, Stacy Cole, and Todd Michaels takes viewers back to Betty Broderick’s testimony, dissecting her chilling cadence and matter-of-fact storytelling. The panel explores how Betty framed her double murder not as a crime but as an act of “self-preservation.” They note how narcissistic defendants often try to control perception — a trait now being scrutinized in Donna Adelson’s own demeanor in court. The conversation also highlights the performative aspect of these trials: the calculated facial expressions, the selective memory lapses, and the unsettling calm in recounting horrific acts. Betty’s testimony, at times almost rehearsed, feels eerily familiar when placed alongside Donna’s tightly controlled courtroom posture. Why does this matter? Because jurors don’t just weigh evidence — they watch behavior. The Adelson family matriarch’s strategy to present herself as the protector of her children is undermined by a long trail of wiretaps, coded conversations, and now, the shadow of cases like Betty Broderick’s. History shows that narcissists often overestimate their ability to manipulate a jury. This true crime analysis doesn’t just revisit Betty Broderick — it uses her story as a psychological mirror to understand Donna Adelson, offering a deeper look into how narcissism and courtroom theatrics collide in high-stakes trials. 🏷 Hashtags #DonnaAdelson #BettyBroderick #DanMarkel #TrueCrimeAnalysis #CourtroomDrama #NarcissismOnTrial #HiddenKillers #AlecMurdoch #CrimeDocumentary #TrialCoverage 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 Sep 29min

Bryan Kohberger’s Creepiest Moments: Seven Witnesses Speak Out Before Bryan Kohberger was arrested for the brutal murders of four University of Idaho students, there were warnings—unsettling, personal, and deeply chilling. In this gripping episode, we uncover the stories of seven individuals who encountered Kohberger in the months leading up to the crime. They didn’t know what he was capable of—but they all walked away with the same haunting feeling: Something wasn’t right. From a barista who was stunned when Kohberger said her name without ever being told… To a hotel clerk who watched him explode with rage, then flirt, then casually talk about knives… To classmates who heard him ask in a study group: “What do you think goes through someone’s mind while they’re stabbing someone?” These aren’t vague red flags. They’re first-person accounts—now backed by police interviews, unsealed documents, and new investigative reporting. Each one offers a chilling window into Kohberger’s escalating behavior and his quiet obsession with control, violence, and fear. He wasn’t just hiding in plain sight. He was rehearsing. This episode explores the full timeline of these encounters—what they saw, what they missed, and why none of them added up until it was far too late. If you're interested in the psychology of a killer, missed warning signs, or the unraveling of one of the most disturbing true crime cases in recent history—this is the episode to watch. Subscribe for more in-depth, emotionally grounded analysis of high-profile true crime cases. New episodes daily from Hidden Killers with Tony Brueski. #BryanKohberger #IdahoMurders #TrueCrime #HiddenKillers #KohbergerTrial #CrimePsychology #CreepyEncounters #StalkingBehavior #MoscowMurders #TrueCrimeCommunity 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 Sep 12min

The FULL Donna Adelson Extravaganza: FBI Profiler Robin Dreeke Dissects Donna, Wendy & Charlie Adelson’s Narcissistic Lives In this explosive deep dive, retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke, former head of the Counterintelligence Behavioral Analysis Program, joins Hidden Killers Live to unravel the tangled psychology of the Adelson family. At the center of this discussion: Donna Adelson’s obsessive control, Charlie Adelson’s dangerous insecurities, and Wendy Adelson’s revealing slip-ups that pointed investigators toward a murder-for-hire plot. The episode begins with comparisons between Jackie Fulford, Donna’s so-called “doppelgänger attorney,” and the broader Adelson pattern of surrounding themselves with mirrors of their own self-image. Dreeke describes this as the classic “echo chamber” — a family environment where validation replaces reality, breeding narcissism, paranoia, and control. From there, the conversation turns to the police interrogation of Dr. Jeffrey Lacoste, Wendy Adelson’s ex-boyfriend. His testimony is not only haunting but also deeply telling. Lacoste recalls Wendy confiding that her brother Charlie had “looked into options” for getting rid of Dan Markel. He describes Charlie openly talking about money, hitmen, and how much it would cost — chilling disclosures that made Charlie the first suspect to enter his mind when news of Dan’s murder broke. Robin Dreeke dissects Lacoste’s credibility, noting his remarkable memory for dates, his consistent disclosure tempo, and his vulnerability as a man still under Wendy’s spell. Dreeke explains how narcissistic family systems thrive on manipulation, impulsivity, and a desperate need for external validation — traits seen across Donna, Wendy, and Charlie. The discussion also explores Charlie Adelson’s bizarre associations with Green Berets, criminal circles, and the Latin Kings, questioning why a wealthy dentist would gravitate toward such company. Dreeke suggests this was Charlie’s way of masking insecurity, rebelling against his mother’s dominance, and fabricating an image of power. This is not just a story of one murder — it’s a case study in how toxic family dynamics, unchecked narcissism, and impulsive decisions can escalate into tragedy. Hashtags #DanMarkel #AdelsonFamily #WendyAdelson #CharlieAdelson #DonnaAdelson #TrueCrime #MurderForHire #FBIProfiler #RobinDreeke #CourtCase 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 Sep 1h 56min

Donna Adelson Trial: Private Investigators Tarana Kahn & Eddie Varnes The Trial of Donna Adelson pressed forward today with testimony from two private investigators, Tarana Kahn and Eddie Varnes, who each offered critical insight into the defense’s strategy and the timeline of events surrounding the 2014 murder of law professor Dan Markel. Kahn and Varnes were brought in as part of the defense team’s efforts to reframe the investigation and sow doubt about the Adelson family’s alleged role in the murder-for-hire plot. Their testimony zeroed in on investigative procedure, evidence handling, and the reliability of witnesses who tied the Adelsons to the crime. Both investigators suggested there were gaps in how law enforcement gathered and interpreted information, raising questions about whether the narrative against Donna Adelson had been too narrowly focused from the start. But the prosecution was ready. They used cross-examination to underscore that while private investigators can surface alternative theories, they do not operate under the same legal standards or evidentiary safeguards as state investigators. Jurors watched as the credibility of these defense witnesses was tested in real time. Were they uncovering genuine blind spots in the case—or simply muddying the waters for Donna Adelson? What made this testimony particularly compelling is how it speaks to the broader defense playbook. Instead of outright denying the mountain of wiretaps and coded conversations implicating the Adelson family, the strategy appears aimed at creating just enough uncertainty that one or two jurors might hesitate. Kahn and Varnes are crucial to that approach, providing the “alternative story” Donna’s attorneys desperately need the jury to consider. This segment highlights the delicate dance between defense-hired experts and prosecutors determined to expose bias. With each exchange, jurors are left to decide: Are these investigators uncovering truths, or simply performing damage control for a family accused of orchestrating murder? 🏷 Hashtags #DonnaAdelson #DanMarkel #TrueCrime #TrialCoverage #HiddenKillers #PrivateInvestigator #CourtroomDrama #MurderForHire #JusticeForDan #AdelsonTrial 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

2 Sep 21min

Barista’s Kohberger NIGHTMARE: “He Watched Me. He Knew My Shifts. Then He Said My Name.” Before Bryan Kohberger was arrested for the brutal murders of four University of Idaho students, there were warning signs—quiet, subtle, and deeply chilling. In this true crime episode, we dive into a newly unsealed police report revealing one of the most unsettling pre-crime encounters yet: Kohberger’s obsessive behavior toward a local barista. She never wore a name tag. Never introduced herself. And yet, Kohberger said her name like he’d always known it. This wasn’t just a creepy moment—it was the final crack in a pattern she’d been noticing for weeks. Kohberger came in almost daily, often right before closing. He never made small talk with other baristas. He only spoke to her. He asked about her psychology program. Referenced things she hadn’t shared. And he seemed to know exactly when she’d be working. Then came the comment that confirmed everything. After bringing in a female friend and prompting her to guess where the barista was from, Kohberger turned and said, “See, I told you she was smart.” A joke? Maybe. Or a glimpse into something far more sinister. In hindsight, she was being watched. Studied. Tracked. This episode walks you through the entire encounter—from routine coffee orders to a terrifying realization—layered with psychological analysis and forensic context. If you want to understand the mind of Kohberger before the crimes, this is where the mask first slipped. Subscribe now for more firsthand accounts, behavioral breakdowns, and exclusive access to hidden red flags that went unnoticed until it was too late. #BryanKohberger #IdahoMurders #TrueCrime #HiddenKillers #KohbergerTrial #TrueCrimePodcast #StalkingBehavior #BaristaStory #PsychologicalProfiling #CrimeBeforeTheCrime 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

2 Sep 12min

Donna Adelson Trial: Legal Expert Richard Shagrin Testifies on Donna’s Words and Intent In the Trial of Donna Adelson, the defense called Richard Shagrin, a seasoned legal expert, to the stand. His role wasn’t to rehash facts, but to lend the jury a professional lens through which to interpret Donna’s words, actions, and state of mind in the aftermath of Dan Markel’s murder. Shagrin, a respected criminal defense attorney with decades of courtroom experience, carefully walked jurors through how conversations and recorded statements might be understood in context. His testimony sought to counter the prosecution’s framing of Donna’s remarks on wiretaps and jailhouse communications—remarks that prosecutors argue show her involvement in the conspiracy. By presenting Shagrin, the defense aimed to show that the same words could be seen not as coded admissions of guilt, but as ambiguous phrases open to interpretation. Why does this testimony matter? In a case built largely on circumstantial evidence and conversations, intent is everything. If jurors accept the prosecution’s interpretation, Donna is cast as the matriarch who helped orchestrate her former son-in-law’s murder. But if they believe Shagrin’s framing, those same words could look more like the ramblings of a distressed mother reacting under pressure. His testimony didn’t just provide expert commentary—it gave the jury permission to question whether the state’s reading of Donna’s statements is the only reasonable one. This clip captures Shagrin’s full courtroom appearance, where law, language, and perception collide. His testimony underscores how critical context is in determining guilt or innocence—and how the defense is fighting to keep doubt alive in one of Florida’s most closely watched trials.  #DonnaAdelsonTrial #RichardShagrin #LegalExpert #CourtroomTestimony #TrueCrime #DanMarkelCase #MurderForHire #DefenseWitness #AdelsonFamily #JusticeForDan 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

2 Sep 11min

Donna Adelson Trial: Digital Forensics Expert Breaks Down Donna & Charlie’s Call Records In this pivotal moment from the Trial of Donna Adelson, the defense introduced testimony from digital forensics expert Kelsey Guay, a former investigator with the Portland Police Bureau who has logged more than 400 hours of training in digital analysis, including 100 hours on cell-site location evidence. Her role was to take jurors deep into the world of call logs, data records, and phone analysis, giving the courtroom a technical yet critical perspective on Donna’s communications with her son, Charlie Adelson. The heart of her testimony revolved around Donna’s call patterns with Charlie, the son already convicted of orchestrating Dan Markel’s murder-for-hire. Prosecutors have long argued that suspicious timing and frequency of calls between mother and son reflect coordination, while the defense countered with Guay’s expert lens to suggest alternative explanations or reasonable doubt. Why does this testimony matter? Because in the absence of a smoking gun, the state leans heavily on circumstantial evidence—particularly Donna’s phone activity. Guay’s testimony potentially reshapes how jurors interpret that digital trail: were Donna’s calls a sign of conspiracy, or the normal communication of a worried mother deeply entangled in family stress? Her credentials lent weight to her analysis, but the cross-examination loomed large, pressing the question of whether forensics can truly capture intent. The result: a layered and technical testimony that left jurors with more to consider about the role Donna’s conversations with Charlie played in this tragic saga. This raw courtroom footage captures Guay’s testimony in full—watch closely as the digital breadcrumbs of the case are laid bare for the jury, piece by piece, in a trial where every call, text, and connection could sway the final verdict. #DonnaAdelsonTrial #DigitalForensics #CallRecords #CharlieAdelson #DanMarkelCase #TrueCrime #CourtroomDrama #ExpertWitness #MurderForHire #JusticeForDan 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

2 Sep 56min

Donna Adelson Trial: Judge Denies Motion for Acquittal, Case Moves Forward In a critical moment in the Trial of Donna Adelson, defense attorney Josh Zelman filed a motion for judgment of acquittal, arguing that prosecutors had failed to provide direct evidence linking Donna Adelson to the murder-for-hire plot that took the life of law professor Dan Markel. It was a bold move—one that, if granted, would have ended the trial immediately and cleared Donna of the charges. But Judge Stephen Everett was quick to shut that door, ruling that the state had provided enough evidence for a reasonable jury to consider. In courtroom terms, this was a decisive victory for the prosecution, ensuring the trial would move into the defense’s case rather than collapsing midstream. Why does this moment matter? Motions for acquittal are standard procedure, but they often signal the defense’s strategy and confidence in poking holes in the state’s case. The denial reinforces the fact that prosecutors have laid enough groundwork—through wiretaps, financial records, and family dynamics—to justify moving forward. For jurors, it underscores that the evidence, though circumstantial, is still strong enough to be weighed carefully. The clip captures the judge’s ruling in real time, marking a turning point in the trial. The defense may continue to argue that the evidence is too thin, but as of now, the jury will hear their side fully—and Donna Adelson will remain squarely in the hot seat as her fate hangs in the balance. #DonnaAdelsonTrial #DanMarkelCase #JudgeEverett #CourtroomDrama #TrueCrime #AdelsonFamily #MurderForHire #TrialUpdates #JusticeForDan #LegalDrama 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

2 Sep 10min