John Hinckley Jr. and the Disturbing Obsession That Nearly Killed a President

On March 30, 1981, chaos erupted outside the Washington Hilton. Six shots rang out in less than two seconds, sending Secret Service agents scrambling and leaving President Ronald Reagan moments from death. The footage is iconic — replayed for decades — but the real question behind the shooting has always remained unsettlingly unclear:

Why did John Hinckley Jr. do it?

You’ll also learn how the verdict of Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity reshaped the legal system, why the public was outraged, and what Hinckley’s life looks like today after decades in psychiatric care.

This isn’t a sensationalized retelling.

It’s a psychological autopsy of a man who mistook delusion for destiny — and a reminder of how dangerous loneliness, untreated mental illness, and obsession can become when they blend together.

If you’re into deep-dive true crime, historical analysis, or cases where psychology and national events collide, this episode is absolutely for you.

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