279: Wrath - The Dead Man’s Switch

279: Wrath - The Dead Man’s Switch

From Seven Deadly Sinners by Rachael O'Brien

January 24, 2026 · 34 min · Episode 279

About this episode

This episode explores the disturbing standoff involving Tony Kiritsis and the themes of obsession, grievance, and pride.

In 1977, inside a quiet mortgage office in Indianapolis, Tony Kiritsis strapped a shotgun to his mortgage broker's neck, rigged it to a dead-man’s switch, and turned a personal grievance into one of the most disturbing standoffs in American history. For hours, police, negotiators, and a stunned public watched as Kiritsis dared anyone to make the wrong move. This week on Seven Deadly Sinners , we dissect the anatomy of obsession, grievance, and pride — how a financial dispute metastasized into a public spectacle fueled by paranoia and control. When a bank takes advantage of a customer, they never expect to end up on the other end of the barrel. From the psychological unraveling to the media circus that amplified every second, this episode explores wrath at its most theatrical—and most tragic.

People in this episode

Host: Rachael O'Brien

Topics covered

  • wrath
  • true crime
  • psychological unraveling
  • media circus
  • financial dispute
  • public spectacle

Keywords

  • wrath
  • Tony Kiritsis
  • Indianapolis
  • standoff
  • true crime
  • psychological unraveling
  • media circus

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Indianapolis

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