Ret FBI Chief On What We Still Don’t Know About the Charlie Kirk Murder—And Why That’s a Problem

When a public figure is killed, truth doesn’t always win the race. In the days after Charlie Kirk’s assassination, the internet spun into overdrive—producing a blizzard of theories that ranged from suspicious to outlandish: a government setup, faked notes, AI-generated evidence, and even accusations that the shooting never happened at all. But somewhere in the middle of that chaos sits the public—grieving, confused, skeptical, and hungry for answers. In this episode of Hidden Killers, host Tony Brueski is joined by behavioral analyst and former FBI agent Robin Dreeke to discuss what really happens in the aftermath of a high-profile killing. Not just in court—but in the minds of millions of people watching from the outside. Together, they explore: Why we invent stories before the facts arrive How algorithm-fueled media encourages certainty over truth Which conspiracy claims are provably false—and which remain unconfirmed How healthy skepticism can turn toxic What the Kirk case teaches us about how truth struggles to survive in a fractured public square This isn’t about taking the government’s word. It’s about asking better questions—and knowing when the answers don’t hold up. 🔔 Subscribe for intelligent, unsensationalized coverage of the most disturbing crimes in America. #CharlieKirk #MurderConspiracy #RobinDreeke #PsychologyOfConspiracy #HiddenKillersPodcast #Misinformation #AIandCrime #FalseFlags #CriticalThinking #TrueCrimeAnalysis Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

A teenage girl. A viral pop star. A Tesla. A fake 911 call. Is this a murder case—or is it something even more calculated? In this full-length Hidden Killers investigation, we go deep into the death of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas-Hernandez, whose body was discovered in the front trunk of a Tesla registered to singer d4vd. The vehicle sat for weeks on a public street before being impounded. The odor led to the discovery of human remains. Since then, the internet has exploded with speculation, assumptions, and unconfirmed theories—but the LAPD has not made an arrest, and cause and manner of death remain undetermined. So what do we really know? This episode strips away the noise and asks a much sharper question: Is David Burke—better known as d4vd—being framed? We walk you through the timeline, confirmed reporting, and the forensic science behind the case, including a chilling new detail: a voice-changed 911 call sent armed police to the Texas home of d4vd’s parents, just days after the body was found. Was it a prank, or part of a wider effort to harass or implicate him? We speak about the possibilities—from digital footprints to forensic tripwires in the Tesla itself—and how investigators will use science, data, and chain of custody to separate narrative from truth. This is not about defending or accusing—it’s about what the facts actually show, and where those facts haven’t yet caught up to the headlines. If you’re here for real true crime storytelling—fact-first, emotionally grounded, never sensationalized—you’re in the right place. 📍 Featuring verified reporting from ABC, TMZ, The Guardian, LAPD statements, and expert analysis from forensic audio specialists. 📍 Trigger warning: This episode discusses the death of a minor and false emergency reporting (swatting). All content is YouTube-safe and free of graphic language. This is Hidden Killers. And this is the story behind the story. #d4vd #CelesteRivas #TrueCrime #Swatting #VoiceChanger911 #TeslaCrimeScene #HiddenKillers #CrimeInvestigation #FramedOrGuilty #ForensicBreakdown Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

After Charlie Kirk’s shocking assassination, the flood of conspiracy theories hit almost immediately. Claims of false flags. Staged scenes. AI-generated notes. Wrong suspects. Government setups. Everyone had an explanation—but very few were based in verified fact. And while prosecutors have released a detailed charging document, much of the public still doesn’t fully trust what they’re hearing from official sources. So how do we handle that tension—between asking valid questions… and falling into a rabbit hole of speculation? In this episode of Hidden Killers, former FBI Special Agent and behavioral expert Robin Dreeke joins Tony Brueski to break down: Why conspiracy theories form so fast after public tragedies How uncertainty, outrage, and digital noise fuel mass doubt Whether there’s any truth to some of the theories, and which have already been clearly debunked How to stay open-minded without being manipulated by misinformation And what it means to think critically, even when emotions run high This is not about silencing questions. This is about asking the right ones—the ones that lead to truth, not chaos. Because we don’t know everything. But we do know enough to tell which narratives are built on sand… and which are worth watching more closely. 🔔 Subscribe for honest, psychology-informed breakdowns of the most controversial and complex cases in America. #CharlieKirk #MurderConspiracies #RobinDreeke #TrueCrimePodcast #HiddenKillers #PsychologyOfBelief #FalseFlagTheories #Misinformation #CriticalThinking #ConspiracyBreakdown Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

Kevin Franke says redemption is real. He just announced he’s engaged to a new partner, just six months after finalizing his divorce from Ruby Franke — the former “8 Passengers” mommy blogger now serving a possible 30-year sentence for aggravated child abuse. In this episode of Hidden Killers, we’re digging into what this “fresh start” really means — not just for Kevin, but for the children who lived under a camera, inside a home built on discipline, doctrine, and denial. Kevin was never charged in Ruby’s criminal case. The two had separated before her arrest in 2023. But he was there for the rise of the YouTube family empire — a channel that broadcast strict, often disturbing parenting choices as content. And while Ruby ultimately took the fall with her counselor-turned-co-conspirator Jodi Hildebrandt, Kevin’s role in normalizing the platform is still under scrutiny. Now, he’s trying to course-correct. He supported Utah’s new “child influencer” law — requiring that kids in monetized content receive protected earnings and the right to have their footage pulled as adults. His testimony was powerful. But does it erase the years he spent behind the camera? This segment unpacks the psychology of quick re-partnering after trauma, the legal line between enabling and accountability, and why moving on isn’t the same as making it right. We examine the public push for “redemption,” and ask the hard question: is this genuine healing — or a quiet rebranding campaign? It’s not about punishing a man for starting over. It’s about asking what real accountability looks like when the kids didn’t get a choice. #KevinFranke #RubyFranke #8Passengers #TrueCrime #ChildAbuseAwareness #YouTubeFamily #HiddenKillers #FamilyVloggers #PsychologicalAbuse #ParentalAccountability #RedemptionArc #SocialMediaLaw Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

There’s asking questions—and then there’s rejecting every answer. After the assassination of Charlie Kirk, some of the internet’s loudest voices claimed it was a false flag. Others said the note and texts were AI fakes. Some blamed the wrong shooter entirely. Some believed it was all theater. In this episode, Hidden Killers host Tony Brueski teams up with former FBI agent and behavioral expert Robin Dreeke to do what few are doing—actually breaking it down. Which theories fall apart under the weight of facts? Which ones still haven’t been ruled out? And why do some people need to believe there’s more going on—even when the evidence is sitting right in front of them? This isn’t about mocking believers. It’s about separating what’s possible from what’s provable, and making space for real questions without losing the plot. You’ll learn: The structure of conspiracy theory belief How emotion overrides reason in cases like this Where misinformation comes from—and why we believe it And why media literacy is now a survival skill If you’ve been asking yourself what to believe in the wake of this case… this is the episode for you. 🔔 Subscribe for sharp, forensic analysis without sensational spin. #CharlieKirk #ConspiracyBreakdown #RobinDreeke #HiddenKillers #TrueCrimePodcast #FalseFlagMyths #AIandDeepfakes #PublicMistrust #CriticalSkepticism #TonyBrueski Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

In this gripping psychological breakdown, we go beyond the headlines and into the behavioral blueprint of Bryan Kohberger—the man convicted of murdering four University of Idaho students. Was he a psychopath? A narcissist? Or something more complicated? Join Tony Brueski on Hidden Killers as we pull apart the clinical language behind the internet’s most overused labels. “Psychopath” and “narcissist” aren’t just insults—they’re technical profiles, rooted in years of forensic and psychological study. And in Kohberger’s case, the question isn’t just what he did… but why. What does his academic obsession with criminology reveal? What do prosecutors say about his movements before and after the crime? And what does his eerie silence in court actually mean—remorselessness or just legal strategy? We examine documented facts from court filings, affidavits, and verified reporting: • The infamous knife sheath with DNA • Cell phone records showing surveillance and signal gaps • Prosecutors’ theory of forensic planning • Kohberger’s alleged superiority complex and behavioral coldness Through the lens of expert frameworks—including the Hare Psychopathy Checklist and diagnostic criteria for Narcissistic Personality Disorder—we’ll explore the traits the public finds chilling, and what they really mean. This isn’t a character assassination. It’s a forensic dissection of behavior, motive, and risk—delivered in Tony’s signature style: fact-driven, emotionally grounded, and built for audiences who want more than just true crime drama. No speculation. No sensationalism. Just what the public record shows—and what psychology helps us understand. 🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into the darkest minds and most disturbing cases on Hidden Killers with Tony Brueski. #BryanKohberger #PsychopathOrNarcissist #HiddenKillers #TrueCrimePsychology #KohbergerProfile #IdahoMurders #ForensicPsychology #CriminologyBreakdown #TrueCrimePodcast #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

In this episode of Hidden Killers with Tony Brueski, we go deep inside the courtroom drama unfolding in Utah—the state’s capital murder case against Tyler James Robinson, the man accused of assassinating political figure Charlie Kirk during a public event at Utah Valley University. Robinson, just 22 years old, now faces aggravated murder and six additional felony charges. According to prosecutors, he left a note, allegedly confessed via text, and was tied to the weapon with forensic evidence. The state has made it clear: they’re seeking the death penalty. But here’s where the story shifts from headlines to process. Robinson is being represented by Kathryn Nester, a former federal public defender appointed by Utah County after Robinson was found indigent. According to multiple reports, Nester may be joined by nationally recognized capital attorneys Michael Burt and Richard Novak—though official court records haven’t yet confirmed their formal entry. This isn’t about politics. It’s about law. In this video, we examine: Why the Constitution requires a strong defense—even in emotionally charged, politically volatile cases. What makes a capital case different from a regular murder trial. How the prosecution plans to prove premeditation and political motivation. What the defense will likely challenge, from forensic chains to digital records. The next legal steps: preliminary hearings, motions, jury selection, and a possible penalty phase. This isn’t just about guilt or innocence. It’s a test of the entire justice system under maximum pressure. Whether you support the prosecution or are simply watching for truth, this is the story behind the story—where law meets reality. Subscribe for full coverage of the Robinson trial, including analysis from legal experts, forensic breakdowns, and behind-the-scenes strategy. #CharlieKirk #TylerRobinson #TrueCrime #DeathPenaltyCase #LegalAnalysis #JusticeSystem #CapitalMurder #CourtroomDrama #HiddenKillers #DueProcess 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

There’s asking questions—and then there’s rejecting every answer. After the assassination of Charlie Kirk, some of the internet’s loudest voices claimed it was a false flag. Others said the note and texts were AI fakes. Some blamed the wrong shooter entirely. Some believed it was all theater. In this episode, Hidden Killers host Tony Brueski teams up with former FBI agent and behavioral expert Robin Dreeke to do what few are doing—actually breaking it down. Which theories fall apart under the weight of facts? Which ones still haven’t been ruled out? And why do some people need to believe there’s more going on—even when the evidence is sitting right in front of them? This isn’t about mocking believers. It’s about separating what’s possible from what’s provable, and making space for real questions without losing the plot. You’ll learn: The structure of conspiracy theory belief How emotion overrides reason in cases like this Where misinformation comes from—and why we believe it And why media literacy is now a survival skill If you’ve been asking yourself what to believe in the wake of this case… this is the episode for you. 🔔 Subscribe for sharp, forensic analysis without sensational spin. #CharlieKirk #ConspiracyBreakdown #RobinDreeke #HiddenKillers #TrueCrimePodcast #FalseFlagMyths #AIandDeepfakes #PublicMistrust #CriticalSkepticism #TonyBrueski Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

Imagine being told you resemble one of America’s most infamous serial killers—and then being asked to play him. That’s the exact crossroads actor Michael Chernus found himself at when he was cast in Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy, Peacock’s powerful reimagining of a case we thought we knew. In this episode, Chernus opens up about the weight of portraying Gacy—not the tabloid version, but the eerily “normal” man who blended into his suburban community while carrying out unimaginable crimes. He listened to Gacy’s real voice on tapes passed down from attorney Bob Motta Sr., relayed through Bob Motta Jr., our guest and legal expert on the case. We talk about the toll this kind of character work takes, how the series avoids gratuitous violence, and why refusing to show murder on screen actually makes the series more disturbing—and more respectful. If you think you’ve seen every Gacy documentary, think again. This is the one that focuses not on the myth, but on the victims, the failures, and the masks we all miss.  #MichaelChernus #JohnWayneGacy #GacyTapes #DevilInDisguise #PeacockSeries #DefenseDiaries #TrueCrimeActing #PortrayingEvil #VictimFocusedTrueCrime #HiddenKillersPodcast Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

For decades, the story of John Wayne Gacy has been sensationalized, flattened into caricature, and spun into horror tropes. But in Peacock’s new limited series Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy, that mask is coming off—and in this interview, we go behind the scenes with the team responsible for flipping the true crime genre on its head. Joining us are series showrunner and executive producer Patrick McManus, actor Michael Chernus—who portrays Gacy with terrifying subtlety—and criminal defense attorney Bob Motta, whose father was on Gacy’s original legal team. Together, we dissect how the show avoids glorifying the killer and instead places the focus exactly where it belongs: on the victims, their families, and the systemic failures that allowed Gacy to operate in plain sight. This isn’t a glorified biopic. There are no salacious murder scenes. No glamorizing evil. What you get is a chilling, grounded retelling that treats its subject matter—and its audience—with respect. We also dig into what it takes to play a predator without slipping into caricature, what it’s like to listen to Gacy’s original defense tapes, and why true crime needs to evolve beyond its fascination with monsters and lean into the wreckage they leave behind. If you care about accuracy, nuance, and storytelling with a conscience, this episode is essential.  #JohnWayneGacy #DevilInDisguise #PeacockOriginals #TrueCrimeSeries #MichaelChernus #BobMotta #HiddenKillersPodcast #TrueCrimeInterview #GacySeries #VictimCenteredStorytelling Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872