38: Rex Heuermann: Business By Day, Murder By Night?

In a riveting episode of the "Hidden Killers" podcast, host Tony
Brueski engaged in a thought-provoking discussion with
psychotherapist and author Shavaun Scott. They delved into the
intricate psychological workings of individuals with criminal
tendencies, offering insights into how these minds operate and
the subsequent implications for law enforcement.
 
Scott highlighted one of the most pressing concerns for law
enforcement: the balance between safeguarding society and
infringing on personal freedoms. "You know, because it gets into
how much can we monitor people in this society?... other than
really careful monitoring once someone has committed a sex
crime," Scott remarked. She went on to emphasize the importance
of stringent post-crime supervision, particularly for those not
incarcerated, underscoring the challenges law enforcement faces
when a person hasn't been charged.
 
The topic then transitioned to the disturbing findings at Gilgo
Beach, where from 1996 to 2011, remains of nearly two dozen
victims were discovered. Brueski questioned the likelihood of
different murderers dumping bodies at the same site. Scott
responded, "I think they've got to be looking really closely at
how they can tie [Rex] if he can be connected to the other ones,
because it seems statistically very odd." The mysterious scenario
paints a harrowing backdrop, illuminating the dark underbelly of
certain locales.
 
Brueski further inquired about certain objects potentially linked
to criminal acts, particularly the intriguing discovery of a belt
with the letters "w h" or "hm". Scott suggested that leaving
behind such objects can sometimes be a deliberate "signature", a
testament to the criminal's grandiosity. "It's almost this need
to prove themselves as 'I'm smarter than you are and look what I
can do and you can't get me'", she elaborated.
 
One of the most chilling aspects discussed was the ability of
such individuals to compartmentalize their illicit activities.
Scott shed light on this perplexing behavior: "That's one of the
weirdest qualities that I see in folks like this…they just don't
leak. Most normal people would leak when they're thinking about
something a lot... And guys like this just really keep secrets
well."
 
Brueski also delved into the practice of criminals keeping
"trophies" from their heinous acts. Scott explained that this
seemingly counterintuitive behavior stems from a complex
interplay of grandiosity, narcissism, and addiction. "Even though
this is poor judgment to keep this item, they do it anyway
because they get such a sense of power from it," she
asserted.
 
Scott's perspectives provide a unique window into the mind of
criminals, revealing not only the twisted logic behind their
actions but also the challenges faced by those who seek to bring
them to justice. This episode underscores the need for ongoing
research and dialogue in criminal psychology. The revelations
within it serve as a stark reminder of the complexities inherent
in ensuring society's safety without compromising individual
freedoms.
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