Rex Heuermann has been charged with three of the four Gilgo Beach murders, and evidence linking him to the victims includes location data from burner phones, DNA analysis of hairs found on the victims, and surveillance footage.
Despite the arrest of Rex Heuermann, there are still unanswered questions and potential leads in the Long Island serial killer case, including the possibility of other perpetrators and connections to other victims found on Long Island.
Deep dives
The Long Island Serial Killer Case Unraveled
This episode provides an update on the Long Island serial killer case, focusing on the arrest of Rex Heurman. Heurman has been charged with three of the four Gilgo Beach murders, with one victim, Maureen Brainerd Barnes, still being considered a prime suspect. The episode delves into the investigation, which uncovered evidence linking Heurman to the victims, including location data from burner phones, DNA analysis of hairs found on the victims, and surveillance footage. The episode also highlights the corruption within the police department that hindered the investigation and addresses the potential connections between Heurman and other unsolved cases, such as the victims found in Atlantic City and the West Mesa bone collector case. The search of Heurman's home and storage units revealed a significant amount of potentially incriminating evidence, including a soundproof, gun-filled vault. However, the full extent of his crimes and any potential accomplices remains unknown.
Unanswered Questions and Potential Leads
Despite the arrest of Rex Heurman, there are still unanswered questions and potential leads in the Long Island serial killer case. The episode explores the possibility of other perpetrators and raises the question of whether Heurman is connected to other victims found along the parkway on Long Island. The case of Shannon Gilbert, whose mysterious death in 2010 is considered the catalyst for the investigation, is reexamined, with experts questioning the official cause of death and suggesting the possibility of homicidal strangulation. The episode also discusses the discovery of potentially significant evidence during the search of Heurman's home, including a creepy doll, a painting depicting a beaten woman, and a soundproof room filled with guns.
The Hunt for Justice Continues
With the arrest of Rex Heurman, the Long Island serial killer case is entering a new phase, but the hunt for justice is far from over. The episode highlights the ongoing efforts of authorities to search for possible connections to other cases and explores the role of DNA evidence in linking Heurman to the victims. It delves into the distinction between souvenirs and trophies in relation to serial killers and speculates on the potential involvement of other individuals in the crimes. The episode also mentions the taunting phone calls received by Shannon Gilbert's family and the potential significance of the information shared by Shannon's family lawyer. Overall, the case is characterized by a complex web of connections and a need for further investigation to uncover the full extent of the crimes and potential accomplices.
The Legacy of Corruption and the Road to Justice
The Long Island serial killer case is not only about the arrest of Rex Heurman, but also the legacy of corruption within the police department that hindered the investigation. The episode discusses the actions of former Suffolk County Police Chief James Burke and the resultant cover-up that delayed progress in the case. It emphasizes the importance of holding those responsible accountable and highlights the efforts of the task force to overcome the obstacles created by corruption. The episode concludes with a call to learn from this case and strive for transparency and integrity within law enforcement agencies. It emphasizes the need to continue the pursuit of justice for the victims and addresses the potential future developments in the case.
The update episode you all have been waiting for! On July 13th, 2023, Suffolk County ended the search for their Gilgo murder suspect and charged 59-year-old Rex Heuermann for the murders of Amber Costello, Melissa Barthelemy, and Megan Waterman.
You can go check out our original episode on the Long Island Serial Killer case: SERIAL KILLER: L.I.S.K.
And if you want to dig into Rex Heuermann’s bail application yourself, you can view it HERE.
Shannan’s autopsy report, as well as the second opinion by Dr. Baden and the JJM Cold Case Consulting analysis were provided to our team by Micheal Whelan of the Unresolved Podcast.
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