Residue: A True Crime Podcast

Dead Man's Wire: Tony Kiritsis

In this episode, we unravel the shocking true story of Tony Kiritsis and the 1977 hostage crisis that became known as the "Dead Man's Wire" case. Armed with a sawed-off shotgun connected to a homemade dead man's wire, Kiritsis held mortgage executive Richard Hall hostage for more than 60 hours, turning a personal grievance into one of the most bizarre standoffs in American history. We examine the events that led to the kidnapping, the intense negotiations that played out live on television, and the legal battle that followed. We also compare how the story has been portrayed in the film Dead Man's Wire and documentary Dead Man's Line, exploring what the adaptation gets right, what they change, and how Hollywood interpreted one of America's strangest true crime cases. SOURCES: Dead Man’s Line Dead Man’s Wire https://www.indystar.com/story/entertainment/movies/2018/01/31/tony-kiritsis-story-indys-most-insane-hostage-taker-now-movie/699747001/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=false&gca-epti=z117461u004660e1166xxv117461&gca-ft=220&gca-ds=sophi https://thecinemaholic.com/dead-mans-wire-linda-page-indianapolis-news-now-12/ https://www.aetv.com/articles/tony-kiritsis-kidnapping-dick-hall-1977-journalists-reevaluate-live-coverage https://ibha.indiana.edu/the-tony-kiritsis-hostage-incident-62-hours-that-forever-changed-indiana-broadcasting/ https://variety.com/2025/film/awards/gus-van-sant-dead-mans-wire-river-phoenix-1236561384/ https://indyencyclopedia.org/tony-kiritsis-case/ https://deadmansline.com/richard-hall/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Open Water: The Disappearance of Tom and Eileen Lonergan

Open Water (2003) is a survival thriller inspired by the true story of Tom and Eileen Lonergan. In the film, a married couple is accidentally left behind during a scuba diving trip after the boat crew miscounts the passengers. As they drift alone in the open ocean, they face dehydration, exhaustion, and sharks while waiting for a rescue that never comes. The real events happened in 1998, when Tom and Eileen Lonergan were accidentally abandoned during a dive at Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Their disappearance wasn't discovered for nearly two days, and despite a massive search, they were never found. Months later, some of their dive gear washed ashore, but their bodies were never recovered. Sources: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-faZE1ZJ6Q https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-12/ocean-survival-expert-advice-qld-couple-three-days-at-sea/101848206 https://allthatsinteresting.com/tom-eileen-lonergan Open Water https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/9625524/The-fall-and-rise-of-Milton-Windsor-Harris Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story

In this episode, we uncover the true story behind When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story, the 2017 film inspired by real events. We explore who Falicia Blakely was, the circumstances that shaped her life, and how an abusive and controlling relationship influenced the choices that ultimately led to a series of tragic crimes. Sources: https://tubitv.com/tv-shows/200146223/s01-e09-falicia-blakely-kiesha-smith Snapped: Season 32, episode 11 https://nappythoughts.com/falicia-blakely https://www.oxygen.com/snapped/crime-news/atlanta-stripper-falicia-blakely-kills-robs-3-men https://creativeloafing.com/content-171458-alleged-pimp-accused-of-ordering-killings-is-jailed https://www.oxygen.com/snapped/crime-news/atlanta-stripper-falicia-blakely-kills-robs-3-men Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Girl In the Shed: The Kidnapping of Abby Hernandez

Girl in the Shed: The Kidnapping of Abby Hernandez is based on the true story of Abby Hernandez, a New Hampshire teenager who was abducted in 2013 while walking home from school. Held captive in a concealed shipping container for nine months, Abby endured unimaginable hardship but demonstrated extraordinary courage and resilience. It is ultimately a story of hope, perseverance, and the strength of the human spirit in the face of trauma. Sources: https://abcnews.com/US/kidnapping-survivor-abby-hernandez-details-life-captivity-told/story?id=57599326 https://www.oxygen.com/true-crime-buzz/how-abigail-hernandez-convinced-nathaniel-kibby-to-free-her https://hollywoodlife.com/2022/02/26/girl-in-the-shed-abby-hernandez-lifetime-movie-interview/ Girl In the Shed: The Kidnapping of Abby Hernandez  https://www.kget.com/community/ricks-reviews/abigail-hernandez-tells-her-story-in-girl-in-the-shed/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

136: The Bling Ring

The Bling Ring is based on the true story of a group of Los Angeles teenagers who burglarized the homes of celebrities including Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Audrina Patridge, and Orlando Bloom between 2008 and 2009. Driven by an obsession with fame, fashion, and celebrity culture, they stole millions of dollars' worth of luxury items before eventually being caught by police. Sofia Coppola's 2013 film explores not only the crimes themselves, but the culture of celebrity worship that inspired them.SOURCES:The Real Bling Ring: Hollywood Heist https://nypost.com/2023/09/30/bling-ring-leader-rachel-lee-reveals-what-fueled-celeb-crimes/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/erin-lee-carr-ringleader-case-bling-ring-rachel-lee-1235737937/https://www.etonline.com/rachel-bilson-confronts-bling-ring-member-gabby-neiers-years-after-she-robbed-her-192522 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices