42: Is Rex Heuermann Responsible For ALL Of The Bodies On Gilgo Beach?

The gruesome discovery of bodies on Gilgo Beach has perplexed
authorities for years. In a recent episode of "Hidden Killers,"
host Tony Brueski sits down with forensic psychologist Joni
Johnston to dissect the enigma surrounding Rex Heuermann and his
potential link to the Gilgo Beach murders.
 
"The fact that the state of the bodies... all very similar... on
the beach when they were found," Brueski starts, referring to the
conditions of the bodies connected to Heuerman due to the
discovery of his and his wife's hair. Yet, there are other
victims whose conditions don't match these, raising the question
of whether Heuermann was responsible for their deaths.
 
Johnston admitted the perplexity of the situation, "You look and
you kind of go, there's no way this could be the same person."
She drew attention to the fact that while some victims were
neatly placed and bound, others were gruesomely dismembered and
scattered in different areas. These stark differences make it
challenging to believe that the same perpetrator committed all
the crimes.
 
However, she emphasized that a serial killer's method of
operation (MO) can evolve based on different situations and over
time. "Is it possible that the same person starting out in their
serial killing career... was very, very concerned about being
caught?" she posed. By suggesting that the serial killer may have
started by dismembering victims to reduce chances of detection
and later evolved to a more "careful" method due to
overconfidence, she offers a fresh perspective to the
investigation.
 
"We don't know... how these other women died," she adds. If the
other victims' death method matches those linked to Heuerman, it
strengthens the possibility of him being responsible for all the
crimes. She discussed the possibility that the killer might have
viewed the location as a private graveyard to suit their
psychological needs, emphasizing that how the killer treated the
bodies post-mortem might be less significant than their actual
killing method.
 
Brueski then brought up a curious piece of evidence: a belt left
at the crime scene with the initials "WH" or "HM". He asked if
this could be a calling card, a signature left intentionally by
the killer. Johnston responded that while some killers have left
'calling cards', "it isn't very often that they leave a calling
card." She explained that in most cases, it's inadvertent, with
the killer possibly dropping something unintentionally in the
rush or the darkness.
 
A critical question posed during their conversation was how
someone, potentially like Heuermann, rationalizes their dark
actions while leading a seemingly normal life. Johnston discussed
the surprising ways some criminals justify their actions, often
blaming the victim and diverting responsibility. "It's not my
fault, it's the victim's fault," she highlighted as a common
theme among many.
 
Addressing the duality of being a family man by day and a
potential killer by night, Johnston pointed out that it's an
"exaggerated version" of the compartmentalization everyone
experiences. Using the example of law enforcement officers, she
explained how people manage to separate their personal and
professional lives. Serial killers, in her view, do the same but
in a much more extreme manner.
 
The conversation provided valuable insights into the psyche of
serial killers and the challenges involved in connecting
seemingly unrelated crimes. As investigations continue, it's
imperative to remain open to all possibilities, understanding
that the minds of criminals can be as complex as the crimes they
commit.
Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe
through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free:
https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases:
https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Chad &
Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan
Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Justice for Harmony
Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline
Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at
https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com