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This case isn't just tragic — it's claustrophobic. A cabin. A blended family. A teenager found hidden under a bed. And every adult involved spiraling in a different direction while the FBI tries to reconstruct what happened in those critical early moments. Tonight on Hidden Killers, retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke joins me to break down one of the most complex psychological environments we've seen in a long time: the death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner on board a cruise ship returning to Miami. We start with the concealment. Not found in a hallway. Not found collapsed. Hidden. Wrapped. Placed under a bed. Robin explains what concealment commonly signals in juveniles and why — contrary to popular belief — it doesn't automatically equate to malicious intent. Panic can look like guilt. Shock can look like deception. Fear can fuel catastrophic decisions. Then there's the 16-year-old stepsibling — the one now labeled a suspect — and his reported claim that he “doesn't remember what happened” and was an “emotional wreck.” Robin walks us through the behavioral possibilities behind that statement: trauma, dissociation, avoidance, overwhelm, or genuine blackout under stress. Next, we dismantle the family chaos that erupted online: the biological mother melting down on TikTok, the grandmother calling it murder, the father staying silent, relatives sniping at each other publicly. Robin explains how investigators sift through emotional noise, identify authentic behavior patterns, and avoid being pulled into the whirlpool of family dysfunction. Finally, we look at what matters next: timeline consistency, nonverbal cues from the juvenile, whether stories shift, and what the autopsy reveals about intent, panic, or something in between. This is a conversation about behavior, not blame — and it may be the clearest breakdown of this case you'll hear anywhere. #HiddenKillers #AnnaKepner #TrueCrimeAnalysis #RobinDreeke #BehavioralScience #FBIProfiler #CruiseCase #FamilyDynamics #CrimeInvestigation #JuvenileBehavior 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
As part of our Hidden Killers 2025 Year in Review series, we're revisiting the question that haunts this case — can studying crime actually teach someone how to commit it? When Bryan Kohberger, a Ph.D. student in criminology, was arrested for the brutal murders of four University of Idaho students, the irony was inescapable. The man studying the psychology of killers was suddenly accused of becoming one. But what makes this case so disturbing isn't just the alleged crime — it's the meticulous planning prosecutors say went into it. In this two-part deep dive, Tony Brueski is joined by former felony prosecutor Eric Faddis and retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke to dissect the chilling contradictions of Kohberger's mind and methods. Faddis unpacks the mountain of circumstantial evidence: Amazon receipts for a combat knife, face mask, and sheath bought months before the murders; a phone that conveniently “went dark” the night of the killings; license plates swapped just days after; and trash runs in gloves at four in the morning. The prosecution says this wasn't just murder — it was an attempt at the perfect one. But can a defense argument of social awkwardness or autism spectrum behavior humanize a suspect accused of such precise brutality? Then, Dreeke dives into the psychology. What happens when curiosity about crime becomes a compulsion to control? Was Kohberger's alleged “research” into how criminals feel during their acts a window into his own fascination? From eerily timed online posts to that infamous mirror selfie that mirrors American Psycho and Psycho, Dreeke and Brueski explore how fantasy, narcissism, and obsession may have fused into something monstrous. And what about those alleged rap lyrics and digital “breadcrumb trails”? Were they bravado, confession, or taunt? When someone studies the mechanics of murder for years, do they start to believe they can outsmart the system that taught them?
Hidden Killers With Tony Brueski | True Crime News & Commentary
As part of our Hidden Killers 2025 Year in Review series, we're revisiting the question that haunts this case — can studying crime actually teach someone how to commit it? When Bryan Kohberger, a Ph.D. student in criminology, was arrested for the brutal murders of four University of Idaho students, the irony was inescapable. The man studying the psychology of killers was suddenly accused of becoming one. But what makes this case so disturbing isn't just the alleged crime — it's the meticulous planning prosecutors say went into it. In this two-part deep dive, Tony Brueski is joined by former felony prosecutor Eric Faddis and retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke to dissect the chilling contradictions of Kohberger's mind and methods. Faddis unpacks the mountain of circumstantial evidence: Amazon receipts for a combat knife, face mask, and sheath bought months before the murders; a phone that conveniently “went dark” the night of the killings; license plates swapped just days after; and trash runs in gloves at four in the morning. The prosecution says this wasn't just murder — it was an attempt at the perfect one. But can a defense argument of social awkwardness or autism spectrum behavior humanize a suspect accused of such precise brutality? Then, Dreeke dives into the psychology. What happens when curiosity about crime becomes a compulsion to control? Was Kohberger's alleged “research” into how criminals feel during their acts a window into his own fascination? From eerily timed online posts to that infamous mirror selfie that mirrors American Psycho and Psycho, Dreeke and Brueski explore how fantasy, narcissism, and obsession may have fused into something monstrous. And what about those alleged rap lyrics and digital “breadcrumb trails”? Were they bravado, confession, or taunt? When someone studies the mechanics of murder for years, do they start to believe they can outsmart the system that taught them?
Hidden Killers With Tony Brueski | True Crime News & Commentary
This case isn't just tragic — it's claustrophobic. A cabin. A blended family. A teenager found hidden under a bed. And every adult involved spiraling in a different direction while the FBI tries to reconstruct what happened in those critical early moments. Tonight on Hidden Killers, retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke joins me to break down one of the most complex psychological environments we've seen in a long time: the death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner on board a cruise ship returning to Miami. We start with the concealment. Not found in a hallway. Not found collapsed. Hidden. Wrapped. Placed under a bed. Robin explains what concealment commonly signals in juveniles and why — contrary to popular belief — it doesn't automatically equate to malicious intent. Panic can look like guilt. Shock can look like deception. Fear can fuel catastrophic decisions. Then there's the 16-year-old stepsibling — the one now labeled a suspect — and his reported claim that he “doesn't remember what happened” and was an “emotional wreck.” Robin walks us through the behavioral possibilities behind that statement: trauma, dissociation, avoidance, overwhelm, or genuine blackout under stress. Next, we dismantle the family chaos that erupted online: the biological mother melting down on TikTok, the grandmother calling it murder, the father staying silent, relatives sniping at each other publicly. Robin explains how investigators sift through emotional noise, identify authentic behavior patterns, and avoid being pulled into the whirlpool of family dysfunction. Finally, we look at what matters next: timeline consistency, nonverbal cues from the juvenile, whether stories shift, and what the autopsy reveals about intent, panic, or something in between. This is a conversation about behavior, not blame — and it may be the clearest breakdown of this case you'll hear anywhere. #HiddenKillers #AnnaKepner #TrueCrimeAnalysis #RobinDreeke #BehavioralScience #FBIProfiler #CruiseCase #FamilyDynamics #CrimeInvestigation #JuvenileBehavior 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
As part of our Hidden Killers 2025 Year in Review series, we're revisiting the question that haunts this case — can studying crime actually teach someone how to commit it? When Bryan Kohberger, a Ph.D. student in criminology, was arrested for the brutal murders of four University of Idaho students, the irony was inescapable. The man studying the psychology of killers was suddenly accused of becoming one. But what makes this case so disturbing isn't just the alleged crime — it's the meticulous planning prosecutors say went into it. In this two-part deep dive, Tony Brueski is joined by former felony prosecutor Eric Faddis and retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke to dissect the chilling contradictions of Kohberger's mind and methods. Faddis unpacks the mountain of circumstantial evidence: Amazon receipts for a combat knife, face mask, and sheath bought months before the murders; a phone that conveniently “went dark” the night of the killings; license plates swapped just days after; and trash runs in gloves at four in the morning. The prosecution says this wasn't just murder — it was an attempt at the perfect one. But can a defense argument of social awkwardness or autism spectrum behavior humanize a suspect accused of such precise brutality? Then, Dreeke dives into the psychology. What happens when curiosity about crime becomes a compulsion to control? Was Kohberger's alleged “research” into how criminals feel during their acts a window into his own fascination? From eerily timed online posts to that infamous mirror selfie that mirrors American Psycho and Psycho, Dreeke and Brueski explore how fantasy, narcissism, and obsession may have fused into something monstrous. And what about those alleged rap lyrics and digital “breadcrumb trails”? Were they bravado, confession, or taunt? When someone studies the mechanics of murder for years, do they start to believe they can outsmart the system that taught them?
As part of our Hidden Killers 2025 Year in Review series, we're revisiting the question that haunts this case — can studying crime actually teach someone how to commit it? When Bryan Kohberger, a Ph.D. student in criminology, was arrested for the brutal murders of four University of Idaho students, the irony was inescapable. The man studying the psychology of killers was suddenly accused of becoming one. But what makes this case so disturbing isn't just the alleged crime — it's the meticulous planning prosecutors say went into it. In this two-part deep dive, Tony Brueski is joined by former felony prosecutor Eric Faddis and retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke to dissect the chilling contradictions of Kohberger's mind and methods. Faddis unpacks the mountain of circumstantial evidence: Amazon receipts for a combat knife, face mask, and sheath bought months before the murders; a phone that conveniently “went dark” the night of the killings; license plates swapped just days after; and trash runs in gloves at four in the morning. The prosecution says this wasn't just murder — it was an attempt at the perfect one. But can a defense argument of social awkwardness or autism spectrum behavior humanize a suspect accused of such precise brutality? Then, Dreeke dives into the psychology. What happens when curiosity about crime becomes a compulsion to control? Was Kohberger's alleged “research” into how criminals feel during their acts a window into his own fascination? From eerily timed online posts to that infamous mirror selfie that mirrors American Psycho and Psycho, Dreeke and Brueski explore how fantasy, narcissism, and obsession may have fused into something monstrous. And what about those alleged rap lyrics and digital “breadcrumb trails”? Were they bravado, confession, or taunt? When someone studies the mechanics of murder for years, do they start to believe they can outsmart the system that taught them?
This case isn't just tragic — it's claustrophobic. A cabin. A blended family. A teenager found hidden under a bed. And every adult involved spiraling in a different direction while the FBI tries to reconstruct what happened in those critical early moments. Tonight on Hidden Killers, retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke joins me to break down one of the most complex psychological environments we've seen in a long time: the death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner on board a cruise ship returning to Miami. We start with the concealment. Not found in a hallway. Not found collapsed. Hidden. Wrapped. Placed under a bed. Robin explains what concealment commonly signals in juveniles and why — contrary to popular belief — it doesn't automatically equate to malicious intent. Panic can look like guilt. Shock can look like deception. Fear can fuel catastrophic decisions. Then there's the 16-year-old stepsibling — the one now labeled a suspect — and his reported claim that he “doesn't remember what happened” and was an “emotional wreck.” Robin walks us through the behavioral possibilities behind that statement: trauma, dissociation, avoidance, overwhelm, or genuine blackout under stress. Next, we dismantle the family chaos that erupted online: the biological mother melting down on TikTok, the grandmother calling it murder, the father staying silent, relatives sniping at each other publicly. Robin explains how investigators sift through emotional noise, identify authentic behavior patterns, and avoid being pulled into the whirlpool of family dysfunction. Finally, we look at what matters next: timeline consistency, nonverbal cues from the juvenile, whether stories shift, and what the autopsy reveals about intent, panic, or something in between. This is a conversation about behavior, not blame — and it may be the clearest breakdown of this case you'll hear anywhere. #HiddenKillers #AnnaKepner #TrueCrimeAnalysis #RobinDreeke #BehavioralScience #FBIProfiler #CruiseCase #FamilyDynamics #CrimeInvestigation #JuvenileBehavior 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
As part of our Hidden Killers 2025 Year in Review series, we're diving into one of the most disturbing intersections of true crime and psychology yet — the family of Rex Heuermann, the accused Gilgo Beach serial killer, and their shocking public defense of a man prosecutors call one of the most prolific murderers in modern history. In this powerful two-part special, Tony Brueski unpacks the emotional, psychological, and ethical fallout from Peacock's new documentary The Gilgo Beach Killer: House of Secrets — including Asa Ellerup's chilling confession that she still calls her accused killer husband her “hero.” Heuermann's family — wife Asa, daughter Victoria, and son Christopher — sit down for the first time on camera, describing their life before and after the 2023 arrest that turned their world upside down. Despite overwhelming forensic evidence — including DNA links, hair fibers from family members found on victims, and a manifesto allegedly detailing murder methods — Asa insists on her husband's innocence, calling prison visits their “first dates.” Tony Brueski explores how denial, trauma bonding, and cognitive dissonance shape these responses — and why victims' families are calling the documentary “a slap in the face.” Legal experts weigh in on the $1 million payday allegedly tied to the family's cooperation and how this could spark an expansion of New York's Son of Sam laws to block profiting from criminal notoriety. Then, retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke joins Tony to analyze how killers like Heuermann hide in plain sight — and how families miss the signs. Dreeke explains the “truth-default state,” why spouses detect lies only about half the time, and how suburban normalcy becomes the perfect camouflage for horror. The conversation delves into the terrifying psychology of compartmentalization, exploring how someone can live a double life so convincing that even their loved ones see only the mask. From Heuermann's alleged burner phones to his meticulous planning during family trips, it's a case study in deception — and the human mind's desperate need to believe what feels safe.
Hidden Killers With Tony Brueski | True Crime News & Commentary
As part of our Hidden Killers 2025 Year in Review series, we're diving into one of the most disturbing intersections of true crime and psychology yet — the family of Rex Heuermann, the accused Gilgo Beach serial killer, and their shocking public defense of a man prosecutors call one of the most prolific murderers in modern history. In this powerful two-part special, Tony Brueski unpacks the emotional, psychological, and ethical fallout from Peacock's new documentary The Gilgo Beach Killer: House of Secrets — including Asa Ellerup's chilling confession that she still calls her accused killer husband her “hero.” Heuermann's family — wife Asa, daughter Victoria, and son Christopher — sit down for the first time on camera, describing their life before and after the 2023 arrest that turned their world upside down. Despite overwhelming forensic evidence — including DNA links, hair fibers from family members found on victims, and a manifesto allegedly detailing murder methods — Asa insists on her husband's innocence, calling prison visits their “first dates.” Tony Brueski explores how denial, trauma bonding, and cognitive dissonance shape these responses — and why victims' families are calling the documentary “a slap in the face.” Legal experts weigh in on the $1 million payday allegedly tied to the family's cooperation and how this could spark an expansion of New York's Son of Sam laws to block profiting from criminal notoriety. Then, retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke joins Tony to analyze how killers like Heuermann hide in plain sight — and how families miss the signs. Dreeke explains the “truth-default state,” why spouses detect lies only about half the time, and how suburban normalcy becomes the perfect camouflage for horror. The conversation delves into the terrifying psychology of compartmentalization, exploring how someone can live a double life so convincing that even their loved ones see only the mask. From Heuermann's alleged burner phones to his meticulous planning during family trips, it's a case study in deception — and the human mind's desperate need to believe what feels safe.
As part of our Hidden Killers 2025 Year in Review series, we're diving into one of the most disturbing intersections of true crime and psychology yet — the family of Rex Heuermann, the accused Gilgo Beach serial killer, and their shocking public defense of a man prosecutors call one of the most prolific murderers in modern history. In this powerful two-part special, Tony Brueski unpacks the emotional, psychological, and ethical fallout from Peacock's new documentary The Gilgo Beach Killer: House of Secrets — including Asa Ellerup's chilling confession that she still calls her accused killer husband her “hero.” Heuermann's family — wife Asa, daughter Victoria, and son Christopher — sit down for the first time on camera, describing their life before and after the 2023 arrest that turned their world upside down. Despite overwhelming forensic evidence — including DNA links, hair fibers from family members found on victims, and a manifesto allegedly detailing murder methods — Asa insists on her husband's innocence, calling prison visits their “first dates.” Tony Brueski explores how denial, trauma bonding, and cognitive dissonance shape these responses — and why victims' families are calling the documentary “a slap in the face.” Legal experts weigh in on the $1 million payday allegedly tied to the family's cooperation and how this could spark an expansion of New York's Son of Sam laws to block profiting from criminal notoriety. Then, retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke joins Tony to analyze how killers like Heuermann hide in plain sight — and how families miss the signs. Dreeke explains the “truth-default state,” why spouses detect lies only about half the time, and how suburban normalcy becomes the perfect camouflage for horror. The conversation delves into the terrifying psychology of compartmentalization, exploring how someone can live a double life so convincing that even their loved ones see only the mask. From Heuermann's alleged burner phones to his meticulous planning during family trips, it's a case study in deception — and the human mind's desperate need to believe what feels safe.
As part of our Hidden Killers 2025 Year in Review series, we're diving into one of the most disturbing intersections of true crime and psychology yet — the family of Rex Heuermann, the accused Gilgo Beach serial killer, and their shocking public defense of a man prosecutors call one of the most prolific murderers in modern history. In this powerful two-part special, Tony Brueski unpacks the emotional, psychological, and ethical fallout from Peacock's new documentary The Gilgo Beach Killer: House of Secrets — including Asa Ellerup's chilling confession that she still calls her accused killer husband her “hero.” Heuermann's family — wife Asa, daughter Victoria, and son Christopher — sit down for the first time on camera, describing their life before and after the 2023 arrest that turned their world upside down. Despite overwhelming forensic evidence — including DNA links, hair fibers from family members found on victims, and a manifesto allegedly detailing murder methods — Asa insists on her husband's innocence, calling prison visits their “first dates.” Tony Brueski explores how denial, trauma bonding, and cognitive dissonance shape these responses — and why victims' families are calling the documentary “a slap in the face.” Legal experts weigh in on the $1 million payday allegedly tied to the family's cooperation and how this could spark an expansion of New York's Son of Sam laws to block profiting from criminal notoriety. Then, retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke joins Tony to analyze how killers like Heuermann hide in plain sight — and how families miss the signs. Dreeke explains the “truth-default state,” why spouses detect lies only about half the time, and how suburban normalcy becomes the perfect camouflage for horror. The conversation delves into the terrifying psychology of compartmentalization, exploring how someone can live a double life so convincing that even their loved ones see only the mask. From Heuermann's alleged burner phones to his meticulous planning during family trips, it's a case study in deception — and the human mind's desperate need to believe what feels safe.
As part of our Hidden Killers 2025 Year in Review series, we revisit one of the most jaw-dropping chapters in the ongoing Bryan Kohberger case — the digital trail that may have done what he allegedly couldn't avoid in person: exposing him completely. Investigators say Kohberger, the Ph.D. criminology student accused of killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022, may have left behind more than DNA on a knife sheath — he may have left a shopping list. A damning set of online purchases allegedly includes a K-Bar knife, matching sheath, and sharpening tool — all conveniently ordered from Amazon. In this Hidden Killers breakdown, Tony Brueski teams up with retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke and defense attorney Bob Motta (Defense Diaries) to dissect the chilling implications of the so-called “Amazon Evidence.” If true, this isn't just forensic coincidence — it's a psychological signature. Dreeke dives into what these purchases reveal about a possible obsessive, methodical mindset: someone fascinated by control, process, and precision. But in his precision, perhaps also arrogant — believing intellect could outsmart technology. Then, Motta joins Tony to examine how this alleged evidence fits into the broader defense battle. Could the prosecution argue that Kohberger's shopping habits show premeditation? Or can the defense spin it as circumstantial — just a “collector's curiosity” in military blades? And yes — that infamous thumbs-up shower selfie allegedly taken hours after the murders makes its appearance. Motta and Brueski unpack the surreal combination of vanity, detachment, and potential trophy-taking behavior. It's the kind of moment that would be laughable, if it weren't so horrifying. Together, they explore the haunting question that lingers behind every piece of evidence: Was this a one-time act of obsession, or a rehearsal for something darker?
As part of our Hidden Killers 2025 Year in Review series, we're revisiting one of the darkest and most complex cases in modern true crime — the alleged double life of Rex Heuermann, the accused Gilgo Beach serial killer who managed to live a picture-perfect suburban existence while allegedly committing unthinkable crimes. In this gripping two-part special, Tony Brueski and retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke unravel how Heuermann allegedly concealed a predatory world behind the mask of a mild-mannered architect. Dreeke dissects the psychological mechanics of deception — how a man can manipulate his own family into overlooking chaos, maintain the illusion of normalcy, and exploit society's indifference toward marginalized victims. How do you hide something this horrifying in plain sight? By preying on a culture that doesn't look too closely. The conversation dives deep into the psychology of incremental abnormality — how small behavioral shifts go unnoticed until the monster is fully formed. From the quiet control of his household to the alleged targeting of sex trafficking victims society ignored, Dreeke exposes the chilling behavioral blueprint of a man who thrived in the shadows of neglect. Then, the focus turns to Suffolk County's corruption problem — one that may have allowed this case to fester for over a decade. Enter James Burke, the disgraced former police chief whose own scandals — including beating a suspect over stolen porn and sex toys — helped derail the Gilgo investigation for years. With former DA Thomas Spota later indicted for obstruction and witness tampering, the question becomes unavoidable: Did law enforcement's rot give a serial killer room to operate? The episode also examines Asa Ellerup's new public comments following Netflix's Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer. Heuermann's ex-wife isn't pushing conspiracy theories — but she's asking questions. Could her husband be a fall guy for a broken system? With DNA evidence hinging on a controversial technique called whole genome sequencing, the courts now face a precedent-setting decision that could make or break the case.
As part of our Hidden Killers 2025 Year in Review series, we revisit one of the most shocking and psychologically revealing cases of the year — the federal trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs, where allegations of manipulation, coercive control, and psychological abuse have redefined how power, fame, and fear intertwine. In this full-length special, Tony Brueski sits down with psychotherapist Shavaun Scott and retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke for a two-part deep dive into the disturbing behavioral patterns emerging from the trial — and the psychology of a man accused of wielding control like a weapon. Shavaun Scott breaks down ten key psychological tactics allegedly used by Combs against Cassie Ventura, as detailed in testimony and filings: covert manipulation, emotional isolation, threats, intimidation, extortion through explicit material, and the gradual dismantling of personal autonomy. She explains how high-profile abusers create invisible cages — systems of dependence and fear that trap victims even under the public eye. Then, Robin Dreeke analyzes the case from a behavioral intelligence perspective — mapping how powerful figures maintain a dual identity: adored in public, feared in private. From the alleged use of surveillance and financial control to the orchestration of silence among inner-circle members, Dreeke exposes how a “high-functioning predator” can operate unchecked for decades. The discussion also explores the psychology of complicity — how enablers and bystanders become part of the abuse cycle, whether through fear, loyalty, or career survival. Both experts highlight the chilling consistency between Combs' alleged conduct and established behavioral profiles of coercive narcissists and organized abusers. This is more than a celebrity scandal. It's a clinical case study in power addiction, psychological dominance, and the systemic failures that allow fame to mask abuse.
Hidden Killers With Tony Brueski | True Crime News & Commentary
As part of our Hidden Killers 2025 Year in Review series, we revisit one of the most shocking and psychologically revealing cases of the year — the federal trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs, where allegations of manipulation, coercive control, and psychological abuse have redefined how power, fame, and fear intertwine. In this full-length special, Tony Brueski sits down with psychotherapist Shavaun Scott and retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke for a two-part deep dive into the disturbing behavioral patterns emerging from the trial — and the psychology of a man accused of wielding control like a weapon. Shavaun Scott breaks down ten key psychological tactics allegedly used by Combs against Cassie Ventura, as detailed in testimony and filings: covert manipulation, emotional isolation, threats, intimidation, extortion through explicit material, and the gradual dismantling of personal autonomy. She explains how high-profile abusers create invisible cages — systems of dependence and fear that trap victims even under the public eye. Then, Robin Dreeke analyzes the case from a behavioral intelligence perspective — mapping how powerful figures maintain a dual identity: adored in public, feared in private. From the alleged use of surveillance and financial control to the orchestration of silence among inner-circle members, Dreeke exposes how a “high-functioning predator” can operate unchecked for decades. The discussion also explores the psychology of complicity — how enablers and bystanders become part of the abuse cycle, whether through fear, loyalty, or career survival. Both experts highlight the chilling consistency between Combs' alleged conduct and established behavioral profiles of coercive narcissists and organized abusers. This is more than a celebrity scandal. It's a clinical case study in power addiction, psychological dominance, and the systemic failures that allow fame to mask abuse.
Hidden Killers With Tony Brueski | True Crime News & Commentary
As part of our Hidden Killers 2025 Year in Review series, we're revisiting one of the darkest and most complex cases in modern true crime — the alleged double life of Rex Heuermann, the accused Gilgo Beach serial killer who managed to live a picture-perfect suburban existence while allegedly committing unthinkable crimes. In this gripping two-part special, Tony Brueski and retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke unravel how Heuermann allegedly concealed a predatory world behind the mask of a mild-mannered architect. Dreeke dissects the psychological mechanics of deception — how a man can manipulate his own family into overlooking chaos, maintain the illusion of normalcy, and exploit society's indifference toward marginalized victims. How do you hide something this horrifying in plain sight? By preying on a culture that doesn't look too closely. The conversation dives deep into the psychology of incremental abnormality — how small behavioral shifts go unnoticed until the monster is fully formed. From the quiet control of his household to the alleged targeting of sex trafficking victims society ignored, Dreeke exposes the chilling behavioral blueprint of a man who thrived in the shadows of neglect. Then, the focus turns to Suffolk County's corruption problem — one that may have allowed this case to fester for over a decade. Enter James Burke, the disgraced former police chief whose own scandals — including beating a suspect over stolen porn and sex toys — helped derail the Gilgo investigation for years. With former DA Thomas Spota later indicted for obstruction and witness tampering, the question becomes unavoidable: Did law enforcement's rot give a serial killer room to operate? The episode also examines Asa Ellerup's new public comments following Netflix's Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer. Heuermann's ex-wife isn't pushing conspiracy theories — but she's asking questions. Could her husband be a fall guy for a broken system? With DNA evidence hinging on a controversial technique called whole genome sequencing, the courts now face a precedent-setting decision that could make or break the case.
Hidden Killers With Tony Brueski | True Crime News & Commentary
As part of our Hidden Killers 2025 Year in Review series, we revisit one of the most jaw-dropping chapters in the ongoing Bryan Kohberger case — the digital trail that may have done what he allegedly couldn't avoid in person: exposing him completely. Investigators say Kohberger, the Ph.D. criminology student accused of killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022, may have left behind more than DNA on a knife sheath — he may have left a shopping list. A damning set of online purchases allegedly includes a K-Bar knife, matching sheath, and sharpening tool — all conveniently ordered from Amazon. In this Hidden Killers breakdown, Tony Brueski teams up with retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke and defense attorney Bob Motta (Defense Diaries) to dissect the chilling implications of the so-called “Amazon Evidence.” If true, this isn't just forensic coincidence — it's a psychological signature. Dreeke dives into what these purchases reveal about a possible obsessive, methodical mindset: someone fascinated by control, process, and precision. But in his precision, perhaps also arrogant — believing intellect could outsmart technology. Then, Motta joins Tony to examine how this alleged evidence fits into the broader defense battle. Could the prosecution argue that Kohberger's shopping habits show premeditation? Or can the defense spin it as circumstantial — just a “collector's curiosity” in military blades? And yes — that infamous thumbs-up shower selfie allegedly taken hours after the murders makes its appearance. Motta and Brueski unpack the surreal combination of vanity, detachment, and potential trophy-taking behavior. It's the kind of moment that would be laughable, if it weren't so horrifying. Together, they explore the haunting question that lingers behind every piece of evidence: Was this a one-time act of obsession, or a rehearsal for something darker?
As part of our Hidden Killers 2025 Year in Review series, we revisit one of the most jaw-dropping chapters in the ongoing Bryan Kohberger case — the digital trail that may have done what he allegedly couldn't avoid in person: exposing him completely. Investigators say Kohberger, the Ph.D. criminology student accused of killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022, may have left behind more than DNA on a knife sheath — he may have left a shopping list. A damning set of online purchases allegedly includes a K-Bar knife, matching sheath, and sharpening tool — all conveniently ordered from Amazon. In this Hidden Killers breakdown, Tony Brueski teams up with retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke and defense attorney Bob Motta (Defense Diaries) to dissect the chilling implications of the so-called “Amazon Evidence.” If true, this isn't just forensic coincidence — it's a psychological signature. Dreeke dives into what these purchases reveal about a possible obsessive, methodical mindset: someone fascinated by control, process, and precision. But in his precision, perhaps also arrogant — believing intellect could outsmart technology. Then, Motta joins Tony to examine how this alleged evidence fits into the broader defense battle. Could the prosecution argue that Kohberger's shopping habits show premeditation? Or can the defense spin it as circumstantial — just a “collector's curiosity” in military blades? And yes — that infamous thumbs-up shower selfie allegedly taken hours after the murders makes its appearance. Motta and Brueski unpack the surreal combination of vanity, detachment, and potential trophy-taking behavior. It's the kind of moment that would be laughable, if it weren't so horrifying. Together, they explore the haunting question that lingers behind every piece of evidence: Was this a one-time act of obsession, or a rehearsal for something darker?
As part of our Hidden Killers 2025 Year in Review series, we're revisiting one of the darkest and most complex cases in modern true crime — the alleged double life of Rex Heuermann, the accused Gilgo Beach serial killer who managed to live a picture-perfect suburban existence while allegedly committing unthinkable crimes. In this gripping two-part special, Tony Brueski and retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke unravel how Heuermann allegedly concealed a predatory world behind the mask of a mild-mannered architect. Dreeke dissects the psychological mechanics of deception — how a man can manipulate his own family into overlooking chaos, maintain the illusion of normalcy, and exploit society's indifference toward marginalized victims. How do you hide something this horrifying in plain sight? By preying on a culture that doesn't look too closely. The conversation dives deep into the psychology of incremental abnormality — how small behavioral shifts go unnoticed until the monster is fully formed. From the quiet control of his household to the alleged targeting of sex trafficking victims society ignored, Dreeke exposes the chilling behavioral blueprint of a man who thrived in the shadows of neglect. Then, the focus turns to Suffolk County's corruption problem — one that may have allowed this case to fester for over a decade. Enter James Burke, the disgraced former police chief whose own scandals — including beating a suspect over stolen porn and sex toys — helped derail the Gilgo investigation for years. With former DA Thomas Spota later indicted for obstruction and witness tampering, the question becomes unavoidable: Did law enforcement's rot give a serial killer room to operate? The episode also examines Asa Ellerup's new public comments following Netflix's Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer. Heuermann's ex-wife isn't pushing conspiracy theories — but she's asking questions. Could her husband be a fall guy for a broken system? With DNA evidence hinging on a controversial technique called whole genome sequencing, the courts now face a precedent-setting decision that could make or break the case.
The Downfall Of Diddy | The Case Against Sean 'Puffy P Diddy' Combs
As part of our Hidden Killers 2025 Year in Review series, we revisit one of the most shocking and psychologically revealing cases of the year — the federal trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs, where allegations of manipulation, coercive control, and psychological abuse have redefined how power, fame, and fear intertwine. In this full-length special, Tony Brueski sits down with psychotherapist Shavaun Scott and retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke for a two-part deep dive into the disturbing behavioral patterns emerging from the trial — and the psychology of a man accused of wielding control like a weapon. Shavaun Scott breaks down ten key psychological tactics allegedly used by Combs against Cassie Ventura, as detailed in testimony and filings: covert manipulation, emotional isolation, threats, intimidation, extortion through explicit material, and the gradual dismantling of personal autonomy. She explains how high-profile abusers create invisible cages — systems of dependence and fear that trap victims even under the public eye. Then, Robin Dreeke analyzes the case from a behavioral intelligence perspective — mapping how powerful figures maintain a dual identity: adored in public, feared in private. From the alleged use of surveillance and financial control to the orchestration of silence among inner-circle members, Dreeke exposes how a “high-functioning predator” can operate unchecked for decades. The discussion also explores the psychology of complicity — how enablers and bystanders become part of the abuse cycle, whether through fear, loyalty, or career survival. Both experts highlight the chilling consistency between Combs' alleged conduct and established behavioral profiles of coercive narcissists and organized abusers. This is more than a celebrity scandal. It's a clinical case study in power addiction, psychological dominance, and the systemic failures that allow fame to mask abuse.
As part of our Hidden Killers 2025 Year in Review series, we're revisiting one of the darkest and most complex cases in modern true crime — the alleged double life of Rex Heuermann, the accused Gilgo Beach serial killer who managed to live a picture-perfect suburban existence while allegedly committing unthinkable crimes. In this gripping two-part special, Tony Brueski and retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke unravel how Heuermann allegedly concealed a predatory world behind the mask of a mild-mannered architect. Dreeke dissects the psychological mechanics of deception — how a man can manipulate his own family into overlooking chaos, maintain the illusion of normalcy, and exploit society's indifference toward marginalized victims. How do you hide something this horrifying in plain sight? By preying on a culture that doesn't look too closely. The conversation dives deep into the psychology of incremental abnormality — how small behavioral shifts go unnoticed until the monster is fully formed. From the quiet control of his household to the alleged targeting of sex trafficking victims society ignored, Dreeke exposes the chilling behavioral blueprint of a man who thrived in the shadows of neglect. Then, the focus turns to Suffolk County's corruption problem — one that may have allowed this case to fester for over a decade. Enter James Burke, the disgraced former police chief whose own scandals — including beating a suspect over stolen porn and sex toys — helped derail the Gilgo investigation for years. With former DA Thomas Spota later indicted for obstruction and witness tampering, the question becomes unavoidable: Did law enforcement's rot give a serial killer room to operate? The episode also examines Asa Ellerup's new public comments following Netflix's Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer. Heuermann's ex-wife isn't pushing conspiracy theories — but she's asking questions. Could her husband be a fall guy for a broken system? With DNA evidence hinging on a controversial technique called whole genome sequencing, the courts now face a precedent-setting decision that could make or break the case.
As part of our Hidden Killers 2025 Year in Review series, we revisit one of the most shocking and psychologically revealing cases of the year — the federal trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs, where allegations of manipulation, coercive control, and psychological abuse have redefined how power, fame, and fear intertwine. In this full-length special, Tony Brueski sits down with psychotherapist Shavaun Scott and retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke for a two-part deep dive into the disturbing behavioral patterns emerging from the trial — and the psychology of a man accused of wielding control like a weapon. Shavaun Scott breaks down ten key psychological tactics allegedly used by Combs against Cassie Ventura, as detailed in testimony and filings: covert manipulation, emotional isolation, threats, intimidation, extortion through explicit material, and the gradual dismantling of personal autonomy. She explains how high-profile abusers create invisible cages — systems of dependence and fear that trap victims even under the public eye. Then, Robin Dreeke analyzes the case from a behavioral intelligence perspective — mapping how powerful figures maintain a dual identity: adored in public, feared in private. From the alleged use of surveillance and financial control to the orchestration of silence among inner-circle members, Dreeke exposes how a “high-functioning predator” can operate unchecked for decades. The discussion also explores the psychology of complicity — how enablers and bystanders become part of the abuse cycle, whether through fear, loyalty, or career survival. Both experts highlight the chilling consistency between Combs' alleged conduct and established behavioral profiles of coercive narcissists and organized abusers. This is more than a celebrity scandal. It's a clinical case study in power addiction, psychological dominance, and the systemic failures that allow fame to mask abuse.
As part of our Hidden Killers 2025 Year in Review series, we revisit one of the most jaw-dropping chapters in the ongoing Bryan Kohberger case — the digital trail that may have done what he allegedly couldn't avoid in person: exposing him completely. Investigators say Kohberger, the Ph.D. criminology student accused of killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022, may have left behind more than DNA on a knife sheath — he may have left a shopping list. A damning set of online purchases allegedly includes a K-Bar knife, matching sheath, and sharpening tool — all conveniently ordered from Amazon. In this Hidden Killers breakdown, Tony Brueski teams up with retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke and defense attorney Bob Motta (Defense Diaries) to dissect the chilling implications of the so-called “Amazon Evidence.” If true, this isn't just forensic coincidence — it's a psychological signature. Dreeke dives into what these purchases reveal about a possible obsessive, methodical mindset: someone fascinated by control, process, and precision. But in his precision, perhaps also arrogant — believing intellect could outsmart technology. Then, Motta joins Tony to examine how this alleged evidence fits into the broader defense battle. Could the prosecution argue that Kohberger's shopping habits show premeditation? Or can the defense spin it as circumstantial — just a “collector's curiosity” in military blades? And yes — that infamous thumbs-up shower selfie allegedly taken hours after the murders makes its appearance. Motta and Brueski unpack the surreal combination of vanity, detachment, and potential trophy-taking behavior. It's the kind of moment that would be laughable, if it weren't so horrifying. Together, they explore the haunting question that lingers behind every piece of evidence: Was this a one-time act of obsession, or a rehearsal for something darker?
As part of our Hidden Killers 2025 Year in Review series, we revisit one of the most shocking and psychologically revealing cases of the year — the federal trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs, where allegations of manipulation, coercive control, and psychological abuse have redefined how power, fame, and fear intertwine. In this full-length special, Tony Brueski sits down with psychotherapist Shavaun Scott and retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke for a two-part deep dive into the disturbing behavioral patterns emerging from the trial — and the psychology of a man accused of wielding control like a weapon. Shavaun Scott breaks down ten key psychological tactics allegedly used by Combs against Cassie Ventura, as detailed in testimony and filings: covert manipulation, emotional isolation, threats, intimidation, extortion through explicit material, and the gradual dismantling of personal autonomy. She explains how high-profile abusers create invisible cages — systems of dependence and fear that trap victims even under the public eye. Then, Robin Dreeke analyzes the case from a behavioral intelligence perspective — mapping how powerful figures maintain a dual identity: adored in public, feared in private. From the alleged use of surveillance and financial control to the orchestration of silence among inner-circle members, Dreeke exposes how a “high-functioning predator” can operate unchecked for decades. The discussion also explores the psychology of complicity — how enablers and bystanders become part of the abuse cycle, whether through fear, loyalty, or career survival. Both experts highlight the chilling consistency between Combs' alleged conduct and established behavioral profiles of coercive narcissists and organized abusers. This is more than a celebrity scandal. It's a clinical case study in power addiction, psychological dominance, and the systemic failures that allow fame to mask abuse.
Tonight on Hidden Killers, we dive into one of the most emotionally volatile, psychologically tangled cases we've seen this year — the death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner, found hidden under a bed in a cruise ship cabin that was occupied only by members of her own blended family. No strangers. No intruders. No mystery figures in the hallway. Just a tight, enclosed space… and a family that's now exploding in every direction. There's a 16-year-old stepsibling publicly labeled a suspect. A stepmother invoking the Fifth Amendment. A biological mother unraveling publicly on TikTok. A grandmother claiming the teen “doesn't remember” what happened and was an “emotional wreck.” And a father saying nearly nothing at all. This is where behavior becomes the story. So tonight, we're joined by retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke — not to talk law, not to assign guilt, but to break down the human behavior inside that cabin, inside that chaos, and inside the minds of everyone involved. Because concealment is a behavior. Panic is a behavior. “I don't remember” is a behavior. And when the environment is a confined cruise cabin shared by teenagers and stepsiblings, the decisions made in those first minutes after a crisis are often far more revealing than the noise coming later on social media. We're unpacking how investigators interpret concealment. How they distinguish panic from intent. How juveniles process fear, guilt, and confusion. Why a chaotic family can cloud a case — or inadvertently expose truths. And how the FBI cuts through emotional wildfire to focus on evidence, timelines, and authentic human reaction. If you want a breakdown of what behavior actually means in a case like this, this is the interview you don't want to miss. #HiddenKillers #AnnaKepner #TrueCrimeNews #BehavioralAnalysis #RobinDreeke #FBIInsights #CrimeInvestigation #FamilyDynamics #JuvenileBehavior #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
The death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner is not just another tragic case — it's a collision of panic, secrecy, and a blended family imploding in real time. Found hidden under a bed on a cruise ship, wrapped and concealed, Anna's final moments are surrounded by unanswered questions and emotionally charged reactions from nearly every member of her family. Tonight on Hidden Killers, I sit down with retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke to cut through the noise and focus on the behavioral reality inside that small cabin. Because cases like this aren't just about evidence — they're about human choices under pressure. We look at the concealment: Why was Anna hidden? What does that typically signal in juvenile behavior? Where is the line between immaturity-driven panic and intentional wrongdoing? We examine the claim from the grandmother that the 16-year-old “doesn't remember what happened.” Is that trauma? Dissociation? Avoidance? Or something investigators hear when the truth is too overwhelming to say out loud? We explore what happens when adults make catastrophic decisions — like placing teenagers with known tension in the same sleeping quarters — and how that shapes what happens next. And then there's the public chaos: the stepmother pleading the Fifth, the biological mother spiraling on social media, relatives accusing each other, all while a teen girl is gone. Robin breaks down how investigators filter useful behavior from emotional theater and why public performance can sometimes be a clue in itself. This is the interview that strips away the speculation and digs into the actual human behavior behind the headlines. If you want clarity instead of noise, depth instead of rumor — you're in the right place. #HiddenKillers #AnnaKepnerCase #CruiseShipInvestigation #RobinDreeke #BehaviorAnalysis #TrueCrimeBreakdown #CrimePsychology #FBIExpert #JuvenileInvestigation #FamilyChaos 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
Hidden Killers With Tony Brueski | True Crime News & Commentary
The death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner is not just another tragic case — it's a collision of panic, secrecy, and a blended family imploding in real time. Found hidden under a bed on a cruise ship, wrapped and concealed, Anna's final moments are surrounded by unanswered questions and emotionally charged reactions from nearly every member of her family. Tonight on Hidden Killers, I sit down with retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke to cut through the noise and focus on the behavioral reality inside that small cabin. Because cases like this aren't just about evidence — they're about human choices under pressure. We look at the concealment: Why was Anna hidden? What does that typically signal in juvenile behavior? Where is the line between immaturity-driven panic and intentional wrongdoing? We examine the claim from the grandmother that the 16-year-old “doesn't remember what happened.” Is that trauma? Dissociation? Avoidance? Or something investigators hear when the truth is too overwhelming to say out loud? We explore what happens when adults make catastrophic decisions — like placing teenagers with known tension in the same sleeping quarters — and how that shapes what happens next. And then there's the public chaos: the stepmother pleading the Fifth, the biological mother spiraling on social media, relatives accusing each other, all while a teen girl is gone. Robin breaks down how investigators filter useful behavior from emotional theater and why public performance can sometimes be a clue in itself. This is the interview that strips away the speculation and digs into the actual human behavior behind the headlines. If you want clarity instead of noise, depth instead of rumor — you're in the right place. #HiddenKillers #AnnaKepnerCase #CruiseShipInvestigation #RobinDreeke #BehaviorAnalysis #TrueCrimeBreakdown #CrimePsychology #FBIExpert #JuvenileInvestigation #FamilyChaos 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
Hidden Killers With Tony Brueski | True Crime News & Commentary
Tonight on Hidden Killers, we dive into one of the most emotionally volatile, psychologically tangled cases we've seen this year — the death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner, found hidden under a bed in a cruise ship cabin that was occupied only by members of her own blended family. No strangers. No intruders. No mystery figures in the hallway. Just a tight, enclosed space… and a family that's now exploding in every direction. There's a 16-year-old stepsibling publicly labeled a suspect. A stepmother invoking the Fifth Amendment. A biological mother unraveling publicly on TikTok. A grandmother claiming the teen “doesn't remember” what happened and was an “emotional wreck.” And a father saying nearly nothing at all. This is where behavior becomes the story. So tonight, we're joined by retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke — not to talk law, not to assign guilt, but to break down the human behavior inside that cabin, inside that chaos, and inside the minds of everyone involved. Because concealment is a behavior. Panic is a behavior. “I don't remember” is a behavior. And when the environment is a confined cruise cabin shared by teenagers and stepsiblings, the decisions made in those first minutes after a crisis are often far more revealing than the noise coming later on social media. We're unpacking how investigators interpret concealment. How they distinguish panic from intent. How juveniles process fear, guilt, and confusion. Why a chaotic family can cloud a case — or inadvertently expose truths. And how the FBI cuts through emotional wildfire to focus on evidence, timelines, and authentic human reaction. If you want a breakdown of what behavior actually means in a case like this, this is the interview you don't want to miss. #HiddenKillers #AnnaKepner #TrueCrimeNews #BehavioralAnalysis #RobinDreeke #FBIInsights #CrimeInvestigation #FamilyDynamics #JuvenileBehavior #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
Tonight on Hidden Killers, we dive into one of the most emotionally volatile, psychologically tangled cases we've seen this year — the death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner, found hidden under a bed in a cruise ship cabin that was occupied only by members of her own blended family. No strangers. No intruders. No mystery figures in the hallway. Just a tight, enclosed space… and a family that's now exploding in every direction. There's a 16-year-old stepsibling publicly labeled a suspect. A stepmother invoking the Fifth Amendment. A biological mother unraveling publicly on TikTok. A grandmother claiming the teen “doesn't remember” what happened and was an “emotional wreck.” And a father saying nearly nothing at all. This is where behavior becomes the story. So tonight, we're joined by retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke — not to talk law, not to assign guilt, but to break down the human behavior inside that cabin, inside that chaos, and inside the minds of everyone involved. Because concealment is a behavior. Panic is a behavior. “I don't remember” is a behavior. And when the environment is a confined cruise cabin shared by teenagers and stepsiblings, the decisions made in those first minutes after a crisis are often far more revealing than the noise coming later on social media. We're unpacking how investigators interpret concealment. How they distinguish panic from intent. How juveniles process fear, guilt, and confusion. Why a chaotic family can cloud a case — or inadvertently expose truths. And how the FBI cuts through emotional wildfire to focus on evidence, timelines, and authentic human reaction. If you want a breakdown of what behavior actually means in a case like this, this is the interview you don't want to miss. #HiddenKillers #AnnaKepner #TrueCrimeNews #BehavioralAnalysis #RobinDreeke #FBIInsights #CrimeInvestigation #FamilyDynamics #JuvenileBehavior #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
The death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner is not just another tragic case — it's a collision of panic, secrecy, and a blended family imploding in real time. Found hidden under a bed on a cruise ship, wrapped and concealed, Anna's final moments are surrounded by unanswered questions and emotionally charged reactions from nearly every member of her family. Tonight on Hidden Killers, I sit down with retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke to cut through the noise and focus on the behavioral reality inside that small cabin. Because cases like this aren't just about evidence — they're about human choices under pressure. We look at the concealment: Why was Anna hidden? What does that typically signal in juvenile behavior? Where is the line between immaturity-driven panic and intentional wrongdoing? We examine the claim from the grandmother that the 16-year-old “doesn't remember what happened.” Is that trauma? Dissociation? Avoidance? Or something investigators hear when the truth is too overwhelming to say out loud? We explore what happens when adults make catastrophic decisions — like placing teenagers with known tension in the same sleeping quarters — and how that shapes what happens next. And then there's the public chaos: the stepmother pleading the Fifth, the biological mother spiraling on social media, relatives accusing each other, all while a teen girl is gone. Robin breaks down how investigators filter useful behavior from emotional theater and why public performance can sometimes be a clue in itself. This is the interview that strips away the speculation and digs into the actual human behavior behind the headlines. If you want clarity instead of noise, depth instead of rumor — you're in the right place. #HiddenKillers #AnnaKepnerCase #CruiseShipInvestigation #RobinDreeke #BehaviorAnalysis #TrueCrimeBreakdown #CrimePsychology #FBIExpert #JuvenileInvestigation #FamilyChaos 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
Tonight on Hidden Killers Live, we're cutting straight through the fog that has surrounded Washington State University's handling of Bryan Kohberger's behavioral complaints — and we're doing it with retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke, one of the most respected behavioral experts in the country. This isn't about blaming people who didn't have a crystal ball. This is about understanding what behavioral red flags actually are. Before a single crime is committed, before there's a police report, before anyone can articulate what's wrong — humans pick up patterns. They feel unsafe. They sense boundary-violating behavior. They feel instincts firing long before the conscious mind can put language to it. And that's not “overreacting.” It's evolution. WSU had multiple complaints, private warnings between women, faculty concerns, documentation, meetings, and a mandatory behavioral intervention. Yet the university treated it all like an HR issue instead of a threat-assessment problem. Tonight, Robin breaks down why that distinction matters — and how institutions all over the country make this same mistake. We explore why academia is uniquely vulnerable to minimizing threat indicators, why “but he's never been violent” is a meaningless metric when evaluating patterned behavior, and why institutions often freeze instead of act. Stacy brings in insights from The Gift of Fear, examining the neuroscience behind the “gut feeling” that so many women reported. And then we tackle the paradox: how do you protect a community when the person at the center hasn't committed a crime? Where's the line between rights and risk? And what should universities be trained to recognize that they currently aren't? This is one of the most important conversations we've had — not about predicting crime, but about seeing what institutions are terrified to acknowledge. Subscribe for more deep-dive analysis — only on Hidden Killers. #HiddenKillers #RobinDreeke #WSU #BryanKohberger #BehavioralAnalysis #ThreatAssessment #CampusSafety #TrueCrimeLive #TonyBrueski #RedFlags 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
In tonight's Hidden Killers Live, we're unpacking one of the most uncomfortable realities about modern institutions: people show concerning behavior long before they cross a legal line — and institutions rarely know what to do with that space in between. Joining us is retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke, who has spent his career studying that gap. Washington State University found itself exactly in that space. Multiple women reported disturbing interactions. Faculty documented repeated issues. A mandatory meeting was held because of one TA. And yet, without a criminal act, the system froze. This is where human behavior, risk-assessment, civil liberties, and collective avoidance all collide. Robin walks us through the difference between awkward behavior, socially atypical behavior, and genuine threat indicators. We dig into pattern recognition — the difference between one strange moment and a pattern that should raise alarms. We explore why people inside institutions often sense danger before they can justify it, and why ignoring intuition is not only dismissive but dangerous. Stacy joins with insights from The Gift of Fear, explaining why women's nervous systems often pick up on danger faster than conscious thought. We examine how that instinct was repeatedly ignored at WSU — and why “he's never been violent” is not proof of safety but a misunderstanding of how violence escalates. Finally, we go deep into the civil liberties paradox. How do you assess risk when the person hasn't done anything illegal? How do you avoid mistaking neurodivergence for danger? And what should real threat-assessment training look like on a modern college campus? If you want a clearer understanding of what WSU missed — and what every institution should learn from this — this episode is essential. Subscribe for more real-time analysis and expert insight. #HiddenKillers #RobinDreeke #WSU #ThreatAssessment #BryanKohberger #CampusSafety #BehavioralScience #TonyBrueski #CivilLiberties #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
Hidden Killers With Tony Brueski | True Crime News & Commentary
In tonight's Hidden Killers Live, we're unpacking one of the most uncomfortable realities about modern institutions: people show concerning behavior long before they cross a legal line — and institutions rarely know what to do with that space in between. Joining us is retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke, who has spent his career studying that gap. Washington State University found itself exactly in that space. Multiple women reported disturbing interactions. Faculty documented repeated issues. A mandatory meeting was held because of one TA. And yet, without a criminal act, the system froze. This is where human behavior, risk-assessment, civil liberties, and collective avoidance all collide. Robin walks us through the difference between awkward behavior, socially atypical behavior, and genuine threat indicators. We dig into pattern recognition — the difference between one strange moment and a pattern that should raise alarms. We explore why people inside institutions often sense danger before they can justify it, and why ignoring intuition is not only dismissive but dangerous. Stacy joins with insights from The Gift of Fear, explaining why women's nervous systems often pick up on danger faster than conscious thought. We examine how that instinct was repeatedly ignored at WSU — and why “he's never been violent” is not proof of safety but a misunderstanding of how violence escalates. Finally, we go deep into the civil liberties paradox. How do you assess risk when the person hasn't done anything illegal? How do you avoid mistaking neurodivergence for danger? And what should real threat-assessment training look like on a modern college campus? If you want a clearer understanding of what WSU missed — and what every institution should learn from this — this episode is essential. Subscribe for more real-time analysis and expert insight. #HiddenKillers #RobinDreeke #WSU #ThreatAssessment #BryanKohberger #CampusSafety #BehavioralScience #TonyBrueski #CivilLiberties #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
Hidden Killers With Tony Brueski | True Crime News & Commentary
Tonight on Hidden Killers Live, we're cutting straight through the fog that has surrounded Washington State University's handling of Bryan Kohberger's behavioral complaints — and we're doing it with retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke, one of the most respected behavioral experts in the country. This isn't about blaming people who didn't have a crystal ball. This is about understanding what behavioral red flags actually are. Before a single crime is committed, before there's a police report, before anyone can articulate what's wrong — humans pick up patterns. They feel unsafe. They sense boundary-violating behavior. They feel instincts firing long before the conscious mind can put language to it. And that's not “overreacting.” It's evolution. WSU had multiple complaints, private warnings between women, faculty concerns, documentation, meetings, and a mandatory behavioral intervention. Yet the university treated it all like an HR issue instead of a threat-assessment problem. Tonight, Robin breaks down why that distinction matters — and how institutions all over the country make this same mistake. We explore why academia is uniquely vulnerable to minimizing threat indicators, why “but he's never been violent” is a meaningless metric when evaluating patterned behavior, and why institutions often freeze instead of act. Stacy brings in insights from The Gift of Fear, examining the neuroscience behind the “gut feeling” that so many women reported. And then we tackle the paradox: how do you protect a community when the person at the center hasn't committed a crime? Where's the line between rights and risk? And what should universities be trained to recognize that they currently aren't? This is one of the most important conversations we've had — not about predicting crime, but about seeing what institutions are terrified to acknowledge. Subscribe for more deep-dive analysis — only on Hidden Killers. #HiddenKillers #RobinDreeke #WSU #BryanKohberger #BehavioralAnalysis #ThreatAssessment #CampusSafety #TrueCrimeLive #TonyBrueski #RedFlags 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
In tonight's Hidden Killers Live, we're unpacking one of the most uncomfortable realities about modern institutions: people show concerning behavior long before they cross a legal line — and institutions rarely know what to do with that space in between. Joining us is retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke, who has spent his career studying that gap. Washington State University found itself exactly in that space. Multiple women reported disturbing interactions. Faculty documented repeated issues. A mandatory meeting was held because of one TA. And yet, without a criminal act, the system froze. This is where human behavior, risk-assessment, civil liberties, and collective avoidance all collide. Robin walks us through the difference between awkward behavior, socially atypical behavior, and genuine threat indicators. We dig into pattern recognition — the difference between one strange moment and a pattern that should raise alarms. We explore why people inside institutions often sense danger before they can justify it, and why ignoring intuition is not only dismissive but dangerous. Stacy joins with insights from The Gift of Fear, explaining why women's nervous systems often pick up on danger faster than conscious thought. We examine how that instinct was repeatedly ignored at WSU — and why “he's never been violent” is not proof of safety but a misunderstanding of how violence escalates. Finally, we go deep into the civil liberties paradox. How do you assess risk when the person hasn't done anything illegal? How do you avoid mistaking neurodivergence for danger? And what should real threat-assessment training look like on a modern college campus? If you want a clearer understanding of what WSU missed — and what every institution should learn from this — this episode is essential. Subscribe for more real-time analysis and expert insight. #HiddenKillers #RobinDreeke #WSU #ThreatAssessment #BryanKohberger #CampusSafety #BehavioralScience #TonyBrueski #CivilLiberties #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
Tonight on Hidden Killers Live, we're cutting straight through the fog that has surrounded Washington State University's handling of Bryan Kohberger's behavioral complaints — and we're doing it with retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke, one of the most respected behavioral experts in the country. This isn't about blaming people who didn't have a crystal ball. This is about understanding what behavioral red flags actually are. Before a single crime is committed, before there's a police report, before anyone can articulate what's wrong — humans pick up patterns. They feel unsafe. They sense boundary-violating behavior. They feel instincts firing long before the conscious mind can put language to it. And that's not “overreacting.” It's evolution. WSU had multiple complaints, private warnings between women, faculty concerns, documentation, meetings, and a mandatory behavioral intervention. Yet the university treated it all like an HR issue instead of a threat-assessment problem. Tonight, Robin breaks down why that distinction matters — and how institutions all over the country make this same mistake. We explore why academia is uniquely vulnerable to minimizing threat indicators, why “but he's never been violent” is a meaningless metric when evaluating patterned behavior, and why institutions often freeze instead of act. Stacy brings in insights from The Gift of Fear, examining the neuroscience behind the “gut feeling” that so many women reported. And then we tackle the paradox: how do you protect a community when the person at the center hasn't committed a crime? Where's the line between rights and risk? And what should universities be trained to recognize that they currently aren't? This is one of the most important conversations we've had — not about predicting crime, but about seeing what institutions are terrified to acknowledge. Subscribe for more deep-dive analysis — only on Hidden Killers. #HiddenKillers #RobinDreeke #WSU #BryanKohberger #BehavioralAnalysis #ThreatAssessment #CampusSafety #TrueCrimeLive #TonyBrueski #RedFlags 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
Tonight on Hidden Killers Live, we're cutting straight through the fog that has surrounded Washington State University's handling of Bryan Kohberger's behavioral complaints — and we're doing it with retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke, one of the most respected behavioral experts in the country. This isn't about blaming people who didn't have a crystal ball. This is about understanding what behavioral red flags actually are. Before a single crime is committed, before there's a police report, before anyone can articulate what's wrong — humans pick up patterns. They feel unsafe. They sense boundary-violating behavior. They feel instincts firing long before the conscious mind can put language to it. And that's not “overreacting.” It's evolution. WSU had multiple complaints, private warnings between women, faculty concerns, documentation, meetings, and a mandatory behavioral intervention. Yet the university treated it all like an HR issue instead of a threat-assessment problem. Tonight, Robin breaks down why that distinction matters — and how institutions all over the country make this same mistake. We explore why academia is uniquely vulnerable to minimizing threat indicators, why “but he's never been violent” is a meaningless metric when evaluating patterned behavior, and why institutions often freeze instead of act. Stacy brings in insights from The Gift of Fear, examining the neuroscience behind the “gut feeling” that so many women reported. And then we tackle the paradox: how do you protect a community when the person at the center hasn't committed a crime? Where's the line between rights and risk? And what should universities be trained to recognize that they currently aren't? This is one of the most important conversations we've had — not about predicting crime, but about seeing what institutions are terrified to acknowledge. Subscribe for more deep-dive analysis — only on Hidden Killers. #HiddenKillers #RobinDreeke #WSU #BryanKohberger #BehavioralAnalysis #ThreatAssessment #CampusSafety #TrueCrimeLive #TonyBrueski #RedFlags 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
In tonight's Hidden Killers Live, we're unpacking one of the most uncomfortable realities about modern institutions: people show concerning behavior long before they cross a legal line — and institutions rarely know what to do with that space in between. Joining us is retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke, who has spent his career studying that gap. Washington State University found itself exactly in that space. Multiple women reported disturbing interactions. Faculty documented repeated issues. A mandatory meeting was held because of one TA. And yet, without a criminal act, the system froze. This is where human behavior, risk-assessment, civil liberties, and collective avoidance all collide. Robin walks us through the difference between awkward behavior, socially atypical behavior, and genuine threat indicators. We dig into pattern recognition — the difference between one strange moment and a pattern that should raise alarms. We explore why people inside institutions often sense danger before they can justify it, and why ignoring intuition is not only dismissive but dangerous. Stacy joins with insights from The Gift of Fear, explaining why women's nervous systems often pick up on danger faster than conscious thought. We examine how that instinct was repeatedly ignored at WSU — and why “he's never been violent” is not proof of safety but a misunderstanding of how violence escalates. Finally, we go deep into the civil liberties paradox. How do you assess risk when the person hasn't done anything illegal? How do you avoid mistaking neurodivergence for danger? And what should real threat-assessment training look like on a modern college campus? If you want a clearer understanding of what WSU missed — and what every institution should learn from this — this episode is essential. Subscribe for more real-time analysis and expert insight. #HiddenKillers #RobinDreeke #WSU #ThreatAssessment #BryanKohberger #CampusSafety #BehavioralScience #TonyBrueski #CivilLiberties #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
In tonight's Hidden Killers Live, we're unpacking one of the most uncomfortable realities about modern institutions: people show concerning behavior long before they cross a legal line — and institutions rarely know what to do with that space in between. Joining us is retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke, who has spent his career studying that gap. Washington State University found itself exactly in that space. Multiple women reported disturbing interactions. Faculty documented repeated issues. A mandatory meeting was held because of one TA. And yet, without a criminal act, the system froze. This is where human behavior, risk-assessment, civil liberties, and collective avoidance all collide. Robin walks us through the difference between awkward behavior, socially atypical behavior, and genuine threat indicators. We dig into pattern recognition — the difference between one strange moment and a pattern that should raise alarms. We explore why people inside institutions often sense danger before they can justify it, and why ignoring intuition is not only dismissive but dangerous. Stacy joins with insights from The Gift of Fear, explaining why women's nervous systems often pick up on danger faster than conscious thought. We examine how that instinct was repeatedly ignored at WSU — and why “he's never been violent” is not proof of safety but a misunderstanding of how violence escalates. Finally, we go deep into the civil liberties paradox. How do you assess risk when the person hasn't done anything illegal? How do you avoid mistaking neurodivergence for danger? And what should real threat-assessment training look like on a modern college campus? If you want a clearer understanding of what WSU missed — and what every institution should learn from this — this episode is essential. Subscribe for more real-time analysis and expert insight. #HiddenKillers #RobinDreeke #WSU #ThreatAssessment #BryanKohberger #CampusSafety #BehavioralScience #TonyBrueski #CivilLiberties #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
Tonight on Hidden Killers Live, we're cutting straight through the fog that has surrounded Washington State University's handling of Bryan Kohberger's behavioral complaints — and we're doing it with retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke, one of the most respected behavioral experts in the country. This isn't about blaming people who didn't have a crystal ball. This is about understanding what behavioral red flags actually are. Before a single crime is committed, before there's a police report, before anyone can articulate what's wrong — humans pick up patterns. They feel unsafe. They sense boundary-violating behavior. They feel instincts firing long before the conscious mind can put language to it. And that's not “overreacting.” It's evolution. WSU had multiple complaints, private warnings between women, faculty concerns, documentation, meetings, and a mandatory behavioral intervention. Yet the university treated it all like an HR issue instead of a threat-assessment problem. Tonight, Robin breaks down why that distinction matters — and how institutions all over the country make this same mistake. We explore why academia is uniquely vulnerable to minimizing threat indicators, why “but he's never been violent” is a meaningless metric when evaluating patterned behavior, and why institutions often freeze instead of act. Stacy brings in insights from The Gift of Fear, examining the neuroscience behind the “gut feeling” that so many women reported. And then we tackle the paradox: how do you protect a community when the person at the center hasn't committed a crime? Where's the line between rights and risk? And what should universities be trained to recognize that they currently aren't? This is one of the most important conversations we've had — not about predicting crime, but about seeing what institutions are terrified to acknowledge. Subscribe for more deep-dive analysis — only on Hidden Killers. #HiddenKillers #RobinDreeke #WSU #BryanKohberger #BehavioralAnalysis #ThreatAssessment #CampusSafety #TrueCrimeLive #TonyBrueski #RedFlags 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
When a system built to uncover truth suddenly goes dark, you have to ask: what are they protecting — and from whom? In this episode of Hidden Killers, former FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke takes us inside the psychology of institutional cover-ups. From decades in counterintelligence and behavioral analysis, he's seen how fear, ambition, and loyalty can twist good people into silent accomplices. We break down the psychological anatomy of the DOJ's shutdown of the Epstein investigation — how an active federal probe into sex trafficking, money trails, and co-conspirators was quietly transferred, muted, and declared finished with a single memo. Robin explains how “strategic ignorance” becomes the easiest form of protection — and how the need for career safety can override the mission of justice itself. We talk about the banality of evil inside institutions: not cartoon villains, but intelligent professionals who rationalize betrayal as policy. This is not a partisan story — it's a psychological one. It's about how systems lose their moral reflection, how denial becomes doctrine, and why credibility is always the first casualty when power feels cornered. Join us as we dissect the psychology of silence, and what it takes to rebuild integrity inside the agencies meant to protect us. #EpsteinCase #DOJ #RobinDreeke #InstitutionalBetrayal #BehavioralAnalysis #HiddenKillers #CoverUpPsychology #JusticeSystem #FBI #PsychologyOfPower 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
Hidden Killers With Tony Brueski | True Crime News & Commentary
When a system built to uncover truth suddenly goes dark, you have to ask: what are they protecting — and from whom? In this episode of Hidden Killers, former FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke takes us inside the psychology of institutional cover-ups. From decades in counterintelligence and behavioral analysis, he's seen how fear, ambition, and loyalty can twist good people into silent accomplices. We break down the psychological anatomy of the DOJ's shutdown of the Epstein investigation — how an active federal probe into sex trafficking, money trails, and co-conspirators was quietly transferred, muted, and declared finished with a single memo. Robin explains how “strategic ignorance” becomes the easiest form of protection — and how the need for career safety can override the mission of justice itself. We talk about the banality of evil inside institutions: not cartoon villains, but intelligent professionals who rationalize betrayal as policy. This is not a partisan story — it's a psychological one. It's about how systems lose their moral reflection, how denial becomes doctrine, and why credibility is always the first casualty when power feels cornered. Join us as we dissect the psychology of silence, and what it takes to rebuild integrity inside the agencies meant to protect us. #EpsteinCase #DOJ #RobinDreeke #InstitutionalBetrayal #BehavioralAnalysis #HiddenKillers #CoverUpPsychology #JusticeSystem #FBI #PsychologyOfPower 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
When a system built to uncover truth suddenly goes dark, you have to ask: what are they protecting — and from whom? In this episode of Hidden Killers, former FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke takes us inside the psychology of institutional cover-ups. From decades in counterintelligence and behavioral analysis, he's seen how fear, ambition, and loyalty can twist good people into silent accomplices. We break down the psychological anatomy of the DOJ's shutdown of the Epstein investigation — how an active federal probe into sex trafficking, money trails, and co-conspirators was quietly transferred, muted, and declared finished with a single memo. Robin explains how “strategic ignorance” becomes the easiest form of protection — and how the need for career safety can override the mission of justice itself. We talk about the banality of evil inside institutions: not cartoon villains, but intelligent professionals who rationalize betrayal as policy. This is not a partisan story — it's a psychological one. It's about how systems lose their moral reflection, how denial becomes doctrine, and why credibility is always the first casualty when power feels cornered. Join us as we dissect the psychology of silence, and what it takes to rebuild integrity inside the agencies meant to protect us. #EpsteinCase #DOJ #RobinDreeke #InstitutionalBetrayal #BehavioralAnalysis #HiddenKillers #CoverUpPsychology #JusticeSystem #FBI #PsychologyOfPower 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
When an admitted violent offender walks free after 11 felony charges, something in the system is broken. In this episode of Hidden Killers with Tony Brueski, we expose how Oklahoma's Youthful Offender Act was used to spare 18-year-old Jesse Mack Butler from prison time after pleading no contest to multiple felony charges — including rape, attempted rape, sexual battery, and strangulation. Police say they found partial phone video of one attack. Medical reports confirmed that one victim required neck surgery after being choked to the edge of death. Despite the brutality, Butler's case was reclassified from adult felony to Youthful Offender — effectively suspending a 78-year sentence and replacing it with a single year of supervision. Joined by Ret. FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke, Tony breaks down: The timeline of failures that let it happen. The family and community privilege surrounding the case. The behavioral patterns of predators — and those who protect them. Why “no-contest” pleas let defendants avoid public accountability. This is a story about systems that choose reputation over justice, mercy over morality, and silence over truth.
Hidden Killers With Tony Brueski | True Crime News & Commentary
When an admitted violent offender walks free after 11 felony charges, something in the system is broken. In this episode of Hidden Killers with Tony Brueski, we expose how Oklahoma's Youthful Offender Act was used to spare 18-year-old Jesse Mack Butler from prison time after pleading no contest to multiple felony charges — including rape, attempted rape, sexual battery, and strangulation. Police say they found partial phone video of one attack. Medical reports confirmed that one victim required neck surgery after being choked to the edge of death. Despite the brutality, Butler's case was reclassified from adult felony to Youthful Offender — effectively suspending a 78-year sentence and replacing it with a single year of supervision. Joined by Ret. FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke, Tony breaks down: The timeline of failures that let it happen. The family and community privilege surrounding the case. The behavioral patterns of predators — and those who protect them. Why “no-contest” pleas let defendants avoid public accountability. This is a story about systems that choose reputation over justice, mercy over morality, and silence over truth.
Two girls nearly lost their lives. Eleven felonies were filed. And yet, 18-year-old Jesse Mack Butler will never spend a day in prison. In this explosive episode, Hidden Killers host Tony Brueski and retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke break down how Oklahoma's Youthful Offender loophole turned a brutal sexual-assault case into a year of “rehabilitation.” Court records show Butler was accused of rape, attempted rape, sexual battery, and strangulation — one victim choked to the point of unconsciousness, another requiring neck surgery. Investigators recovered phone video evidence supporting the assaults. Despite this, prosecutors and the judge approved Youthful Offender status because Butler was 17 at the time. He pled no contest — not admitting guilt, but accepting conviction — and received supervised freedom instead of prison. Tony and Robin unpack the psychological, legal, and cultural forces behind the ruling: How community influence bends justice in small towns. Why parental protection turns into moral blindness. How empathy for offenders replaces compassion for survivors. And most importantly — what this means for future victims in Oklahoma and beyond. This is not mercy. It's the breakdown of accountability — live on the record. #HiddenKillers #JesseButler #StillwaterScandal #YouthfulOffender #TrueCrimePodcast #OklahomaJustice #RobinDreeke #TonyBrueski #JusticeSystem #PredatorProtection 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
Hidden Killers With Tony Brueski | True Crime News & Commentary
Two girls nearly lost their lives. Eleven felonies were filed. And yet, 18-year-old Jesse Mack Butler will never spend a day in prison. In this explosive episode, Hidden Killers host Tony Brueski and retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke break down how Oklahoma's Youthful Offender loophole turned a brutal sexual-assault case into a year of “rehabilitation.” Court records show Butler was accused of rape, attempted rape, sexual battery, and strangulation — one victim choked to the point of unconsciousness, another requiring neck surgery. Investigators recovered phone video evidence supporting the assaults. Despite this, prosecutors and the judge approved Youthful Offender status because Butler was 17 at the time. He pled no contest — not admitting guilt, but accepting conviction — and received supervised freedom instead of prison. Tony and Robin unpack the psychological, legal, and cultural forces behind the ruling: How community influence bends justice in small towns. Why parental protection turns into moral blindness. How empathy for offenders replaces compassion for survivors. And most importantly — what this means for future victims in Oklahoma and beyond. This is not mercy. It's the breakdown of accountability — live on the record. #HiddenKillers #JesseButler #StillwaterScandal #YouthfulOffender #TrueCrimePodcast #OklahomaJustice #RobinDreeke #TonyBrueski #JusticeSystem #PredatorProtection 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
Eleven felony charges. Two teenage victims. One nearly strangled to death. And somehow — not a single day in prison. This episode of Hidden Killers with Tony Brueski exposes how Oklahoma's justice system transformed a violent felony case into a “rehabilitation” story. Eighteen-year-old Jesse Mack Butler, originally charged with rape, attempted rape, sexual battery, and strangulation, faced decades behind bars. But when the court reclassified him as a Youthful Offender, everything changed. We break down the timeline: ⚖️ February 2024 — Police file 11 felonies.
Hidden Killers With Tony Brueski | True Crime News & Commentary
Eleven felony charges. Two teenage victims. One nearly strangled to death. And somehow — not a single day in prison. This episode of Hidden Killers with Tony Brueski exposes how Oklahoma's justice system transformed a violent felony case into a “rehabilitation” story. Eighteen-year-old Jesse Mack Butler, originally charged with rape, attempted rape, sexual battery, and strangulation, faced decades behind bars. But when the court reclassified him as a Youthful Offender, everything changed. We break down the timeline: ⚖️ February 2024 — Police file 11 felonies.
Virginia Giuffre's posthumous memoir Nobody's Girl isn't just another Epstein chapter—it's a psychological case study in how fear becomes control. In this raw episode of Hidden Killers Live, Tony Brueski sits down with retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke, the former Chief of the Counterintelligence Behavioral Analysis Program, to unpack how predators like Epstein and Maxwell systematically identify and break their targets. Giuffre's memoir lays bare every step—from her father's early betrayal to the moment she realized fear, not freedom, ruled her life. Dreeke explains how Epstein's network weaponized shame, isolation, and manipulation to create compliant victims—and why trauma's distortion of memory doesn't discredit survivors. This is not tabloid talk. It's an anatomy of exploitation told through behavioral science, human vulnerability, and institutional failure. Together, Tony and Robin dig into the core question: why did so many powerful people stay silent? #VirginiaGiuffre #JeffreyEpstein #RobinDreeke #HiddenKillers #GhislaineMaxwell #BehavioralAnalysis #Trafficking #SurvivorPsychology #FBI #TrueCrimePodcast #AbuseDynamics #NobodyGirl #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