The podcast discusses the mysterious Gilgo Beach killings and the arrest of Rex Heuermann. It explores the disappearance of Shannon Gilbert and the disturbing phone calls she made. The discovery of multiple bodies and the investigation into identifying the victims are also covered. The hosts discuss unusual aspects of the case, such as changing patterns and corrupt police involvement. They delve into the unsettling secrets of Oak Beach and the legal case surrounding Dr. Peter Hackett's potential involvement. The chapter ends with tragic events surrounding Mari's daughter, Sarah, and polygraph tests.
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Quick takeaways
The Gilgo Beach case involved the possibility of multiple killers, raising questions about the true extent of the serial killings.
Chief James 'Jimmy' Burke obstructed the investigation and engaged in various criminal activities, reflecting his abuse of power.
The connection between the Gilgo Beach Four victims suggests the work of one serial killer, while the murders of Peaches, Karen Vergata, Valerie Mack, and Jessica Taylor may be attributed to a separate killer
Deep dives
The Gilgo Beach Murders and the Question of Multiple Killers
The podcast explores the infamous Gilgo Beach case, where 11 bodies were found along a stretch of shoreline on Long Island. While some argue that all the victims were the work of one killer, others suggest the possibility of multiple killers. The police investigation was marred by corruption and cover-ups, with Chief Jimmy Burke obstructing the FBI's involvement. The story delves into Burke's own criminal activities, including his abuse of power and involvement with sex workers. The unresolved question of whether it was one or multiple killers haunts this disturbing case.
Chief James 'Jimmy' Burke: A Corrupt Police Chief
The focus shifts to the notorious Chief James 'Jimmy' Burke, who not only obstructed the investigation but also engaged in a range of criminal activities himself. Burke's corruption, including drug addiction, extortion, and illegal wiretapping, paints a picture of a mob boss-like figure running the Suffolk County Police Department. His involvement in cover-ups and violence against suspects like Christopher Loeb further exposes his abusive power.
The Controversy Surrounding Christopher Loeb's Arrest
Christopher Loeb's theft of a bag belonging to Chief Burke led to a chain of events that exposed Burke's reign of corruption. Loeb claims that the bag contained evidence of sex worker torture and child sexual abuse, but the true contents remain a mystery. The subsequent arrest and interrogation by Burke, with alleged physical abuse and threats, underscored the extent of his power and disregard for the law. Only years later, after an FBI investigation, did Burke acknowledge his violations of Loeb's civil rights.
The Gilgo Beach Four and the Manaville Butcher
The podcast explores the connection between the Gilgo Beach Four, a group of victims who fit a specific pattern in terms of appearance, method of meeting clients, time of year they vanished, and manner of disposal, and theorizes that they were the work of one serial killer. The similarities in victimology, modus operandi, signature, and dump site strongly support the theory that these four victims were killed by the same person. Additionally, the podcast suggests a separate killer, referred to as the Manaville Butcher, responsible for the murders of Peaches, Karen Vergata, Valerie Mack, and Jessica Taylor, as their dismemberment and manner of disposal differ from the Gilgo Beach Four. The podcast also discusses the potential connection between Asian Male and the Gilgo Beach Four due to their proximity and shared search terms found on Rex Huriman's computer.
Shannon Gilbert and the Cover-Up
The podcast raises suspicion regarding the death of Shannon Gilbert, suggesting that her involvement in secretive sex parties held in the exclusive community of Oak Beach may have led to her demise. The podcast highlights the existence of a person of interest, Dr. Peter Hackett, who made a mysterious phone call to Shannon's mother before her disappearance, claiming Shannon had gone to a halfway home and been given medication. The podcast questions whether Shannon's drug use that night was voluntary or potentially coerced, and the possibility of high-profile attendees at the sex parties being involved in her death. Furthermore, the podcast delves into the corrupt actions of former Suffolk County District Attorney Tom Spota and his alliance with James "Jimmy" Burke, chief of police at the time, suggesting their influence hindered the investigation into the Long Island serial killer case.
In 2010, Shannan Gilbert made a series of frantic 911 calls as she ran through the streets of Oak Beach, Long Island, screaming: “They’re trying to kill me”.
Then she vanished.
A few months later a body was found near where Shannan, vanished - but it wasn’t her.
And neither were the next 9 sets of human remains they found along Ocean Parkway.
Now, over a decade later, with the arrest of Rex Heuermann - the police believe they’ve found the elusive Long Island Serial Killer.
But the questions still stand; Why did it take so long to catch him - and was this the work of a lone serial killer, or multiple men using the same dumping ground?