18: The Unsettling Similarities Between Rex Heuermann and BTK Killer

In a recent episode of the “Hidden Killers” podcast, Tony Brueski
engages in an enlightening conversation with Robin Dreeke,
retired FBI Special Agent and former Chief of the
Counterintelligence Behavioral Analysis Program. Their discussion
unravels around Rex Heuermann, the alleged Gilgo Beach killer,
analyzing Heuermann’s reactions upon arrest, the intriguing
commentary by Dennis Rader, the BTK killer, and questioning
whether Heuermann could have been better profiled.
 
On being asked about Heuermann’s reaction upon arrest, Dreeke
pointed to a character trait common amongst individuals with
psychopathy, “It's all about grandiosity and how big a name am
I...”. He interpreted Heuermann’s curiosity about the media
coverage as an indication of his grandiose sense of
self-importance and as a way to gauge the extent of his
infamy.
 
The conversation was particularly interesting when Brueski
brought up Dennis Rader, who spoke out about Heuermann. Rader,
also known as BTK killer, has somehow emerged as a voice in the
true crime community. While the thought of gaining insights from
someone familiar with the inner workings of a murderer’s mind
might seem appealing, it also raises the question of whether
Rader should be granted a platform to voice his opinions.
 
In response, Dreeke admitted to the conundrum, emphasizing the
need to serve the victims and their families by uncovering as
much as possible. Dreeke revealed that Rader, like many with
psychopathy, could be motivated by notoriety, which could be used
as a ‘carrot’ to obtain crucial information.
 
The retired FBI agent also shared the intriguing concept of using
one-upmanship, a form of rivalry, to get these individuals to
disclose more information. He explained, “...you know, with the
one-upmanship, you could probably get a lot of information that
could bring some solutions”.
 
On profiling Heuermann, Dreeke admitted that profiling such a
meticulous individual with a high intellect like Heuermann was
challenging. He mentioned, “Everyone has something they're
ashamed of and does a decent job of hiding it. He knew what he
was doing was wrong, and I think he had a lot of life skills and
repetitions of hiding that secret place very effectively”.
 
This conversation offers intriguing insights into the mind of a
suspected serial killer and the complexities of investigating
such individuals. It underscores the need for continued vigilance
in solving such crimes and providing closure for the victims and
their families
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