As part of our Hidden Killers 2025 Year in Review series, we’re revisiting two defining moments in the unraveling of the Adelson family empire — moments that exposed not only the legal chaos behind the Dan Markel murder case, but the chilling psychology that fueled it.

In this special combined episode, Tony Brueski dissects Donna Adelson’s courtroom performance of a lifetime — a bond hearing turned one-woman show where the alleged murder-for-hire mastermind painted herself as the real victim. Frail, misunderstood, and oh-so-tragically sleepless behind bars, Donna leaned hard into self-pity, deflection, and emotional theater. But beneath the trembling voice and the laundry list of ailments was something far more dangerous: covert narcissism in action.

We break down the key moments from her testimony — from her evasive answers to her complete absence of remorse — and unpack how her manipulative tactics mirror the textbook behaviors of covert narcissists. Victim-playing. Reality-twisting. Emotional control disguised as vulnerability. It’s not just courtroom drama — it’s psychological warfare.

Then, we turn to the legal front lines, where Donna’s defense team fought to block over 560 pages of divorce records between her daughter Wendi Adelson and slain law professor Dan Markel. The argument? That the bitter custody battle fueling years of tension was “irrelevant.” Prosecutors, however, say it’s the very foundation of motive — the powder keg that led to murder.

While Donna’s attorneys tried to keep the narrative tidy, the state saw through it — reminding the court that this “frail grandmother” once tried to board a one-way international flight. And as motions pile up and family ties fracture, it’s becoming clear: this isn’t just about one murder. It’s about a legacy of manipulation, control, and denial finally colliding with accountability.

From psychological breakdowns to legal takedowns, this Year in Review episode captures the full scope of the Adelson implosion — a story where justice, narcissism, and family loyalty all share the same DNA.

🎙️ Hidden Killers with Tony Brueski — 2025 Year in Review: The Crimes, the Lies, and the Consequences That Defined the Year.

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