About this episode

This episode explores the true story of Tony Kiritsis and the 1977 hostage crisis known as the 'Dead Man's Wire' case.

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/…

People in this episode

Host: Residue: A True Crime Podcast

Topics covered

• hostage crisis
• true crime
• negotiation
• media coverage
• film adaptation

Keywords

• Tony Kiritsis
• hostage crisis
• Dead Man's Wire
• true crime
• 1977

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: IndyStar, A&E, Variety, Indiana Encyclopedia

Books & works: Dead Man's Wire, Dead Man's Line

More episodes of Residue: A True Crime Podcast

• Open Water: The Disappearance of Tom and Eileen Lonergan · July 14, 2026 · 38 min
• When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story · July 7, 2026 · 41 min
• Girl In the Shed: The Kidnapping of Abby Hernandez · June 30, 2026 · 46 min
• 136: The Bling Ring · June 23, 2026 · 51 min
• 135: Boys Don't Cry: The Brandon Teena Story · June 16, 2026 · 57 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Residue: A True Crime Podcast podcast page.