meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
REDRUM true crime

The Dead Man’s Line: The Tony Kiritsis Hostage Case

REDRUM true crime

redrumpodcast

History, True Crime

4.6532 Ratings

🗓️ 25 May 2026

⏱️ 31 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In February 1977, a routine morning at a mortgage office in downtown Indianapolis would erupt into one of the most chilling hostage situations ever captured on camera.


What began as a dispute over land, debt, and frustration between a borrower and a mortgage company quickly spiralled into something far more dangerous… when Tony Kiritsis walked into Meridian Mortgage armed, prepared, and carrying something he called a “Dead Man’s Line.”


What followed was a 63-hour standoff that unfolded in plain sight. Through office hallways, across city streets, and eventually into the heart of downtown Indianapolis - all while a terrified hostage was forced to stay inches away from a loaded weapon rigged with a homemade trigger mechanism designed to fire if anything went wrong.


Police followed closely behind, but every attempt to intervene risked turning a hostage situation into an instant execution. News crews arrived quickly, and what they captured would turn this case into something almost unthinkable… a real-time crisis broadcast as it unfolded.


As negotiations broke down and demands escalated, the situation stretched far beyond a simple hostage crisis. It became a moving standoff across the city, with escalating tension, public confrontation, and moments where one wrong step could have changed everything in an instant...


Sign up for the free REDRUM newsletter, full of all things true crime, as well as a run down of all the latest REDRUM cases. This will only ever come to you once a month... I'm no fan of spam. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/W79H87S


Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redrumtruecrime/



Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redrumtruecrime/


Twitter: https://twitter.com/redrumtruecrime



You can email me: redrumtruecrimepodcast@gmail.com


SHOP MERCH: redrumtruecrime.myshopify.com







Podcast versions of all episodes if you prefer to listen on the go:



https://open.spotify.com/show/1FCoeRZQeDkEJ5i8bGuFpy?si=ec5c7c4c945c4952






Sources & Accuracy: Information in these videos is gathered from publicly available sources such as news reports, interviews, court documents, and online discussions. While I do my best to present accurate and up-to-date information, some details may be incomplete, outdated, or disputed. Statements made by individuals are presented as claims or allegations unless officially confirmed.

Opinion & Commentary: All content is created for informational and commentary purposes. The views expressed are my own and should not be taken as fact. This content is not intended to harm, accuse, or misrepresent any individual or group. Viewers are encouraged to do their own research and form their own conclusions.

No Professional Advice: Nothing in this content should be considered legal, professional, or expert advice. Duhh guys I'm no lawyer.

Fair Use Notice: This content may include clips, images, or references used under fair use for commentary, criticism, and educational purposes.

Liability: I make no guarantees about the completeness or accuracy of the information presented and accept no liability for any errors, omissions, or outcomes related to its use. All information is provided “as is,” and it is your responsibility to verify any details independently.






If you're able, please support me on Patreon/buymeacoffee/YouTube membership to continue bringing REDRUM content to YouTube. Thanks, Grace x















Patreon monthly subscription- www.patreon.com/redrumtruecrime







A one off donation- www.buymeacoffee.com/redrumhumans







Youtube monthly membership levels- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvGzDaluex7D_hPe7exgKhQ/join















Thanks,







Grace x



See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

This is a paid message from GoFundMe. My name is Laura Price and I'm the host of the Breast Cancer Now podcast.

0:07.4

I live with stage four breast cancer, but I am thriving, living life. My advice to anyone wanting to

0:14.7

start a GoFund me would be to write the story of who you're raising the money for, whether it's your story or someone you love story.

0:23.9

Fundraising with GoFundMe has helped me feel connected because you get people donating who you would

0:31.1

just not expect to donate. You might receive a donation from a complete stranger and they share their

0:37.3

story with you.

0:38.8

Millions have used GoFundMe to raise money for things like medical expenses, education or

0:44.4

causes they care about. Ready to join them? Start your GoFundMe today at gofundme.com. That's gofundme

0:52.4

dot com. Gofundme.com. This message reflects one person's experience.

1:00.6

February 1977, broad daylight, downtown Indianapolis, and a man is walking through the middle of

1:08.6

the city, holding a loaded shotgun wired to another man's

1:13.2

neck. Police are following behind him, absolutely terrified to intervene. News crews are rolling

1:19.4

cameras and the situation kind of spills out into the streets in real time. And across America,

1:26.1

people begin watching one of the most shocking hostage situations

1:30.0

ever captured on film. This is Red Rum, stories about the true victims of crime. I upload

1:37.5

episodes on Mondays and Thursdays. Make sure you're subscribed so you never miss an episode.

1:46.3

February 8, 1977, it's a cold winter's morning in Indianapolis.

1:52.5

It's 8am and staff at Meridian Mortgage are opening the doors on the fourth floor of 129

1:58.4

East Market Street.

2:00.0

They're ready for a day of customers. And right outside

2:03.3

those doors stands Tony Kiritsis. A man the staff know and have dealt with a lot. He's holding

2:11.1

a box in one arm and he has a sling on the other arm and a blueprint in that arm. And immediately,

...

Transcript will be available on the free plan in 17 days. Upgrade to see the full transcript now.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from redrumpodcast, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of redrumpodcast and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.