26: Could Rex Heuermann Have Been Stopped Sooner?

"Hidden Killers" with Tony Brueski recently engaged retired FBI
Special Agent Jennifer Coffindaffer in an intense conversation
about the disturbing profile of Rex Heuermann, a man believed to
have evolved from a childhood victim of bullying to a violent
adult criminal.
 
Coffindaffer shared, "It makes a lot of sense. There have been so
many individuals who exercise control they've maybe been able to
find in their life in this horrible, reckless, and evil manner."
Brueski and Coffindaffer agreed that many individuals bullied in
childhood often either grow up and use that as a strength or seek
revenge. In Heuermann's case, it seems the latter was true.
 
The conversation turned to Heuermann's family, especially the
surprising decision his wife and two adult children made to
return to the "House of Horrors" following a police raid. As
Coffindaffer noted, they had lived there since 1994, and due to
monetary issues, including tax liens, they may have had no other
choice. Brueski hypothesized that the family may have had little
support due to their isolation by Heuermann during his "reign of
terror."
 
"Heuermann's wife and children are truly victims, and their life
is forever changed in such a negative and horrible way,"
Coffindaffer empathized. While the wife's nonchalant statement to
reporters, "It is what it is", raised eyebrows, both hosts agreed
that her life was upended, and she likely wasn't prepared for
such media attention.
 
The conversation then shifted to the apparent loopholes in the
system for victims of individuals like Heuermann. Brueski
questioned the lack of safeguards for women who claim to have
survived an encounter with Heuermann, particularly those in the
sex industry. Coffindaffer acknowledged that while this
profession is illegal, a mechanism should be in place for
reporting dangerous clients, similar to the amnesty in many
states for drug users seeking medical help.
 
Coffindaffer explained, "I do believe that there isn't any sort
of crime they would be charged with if they went in and did such
a reporting. I just don't think that they want to report." She
suggested the idea of a hotline for sex workers to report
suspicious activity without fear of legal repercussions.
 
Brueski added, "This seems like it's a ripe area for people like
Rex to thrive in." Heuermann, a well-educated architect, was an
example of a perpetrator hiding in plain sight. His choice of
victims, often women who wouldn't be quickly missed, further
illustrates the cruel tactics used by individuals like him to
exploit society's vulnerabilities.
 
The chilling conversation revealed a grim picture of the social
and systemic issues that allowed Heuermann to continue his reign
of terror allegedly. The hosts concluded that prevention
mechanisms must be improved to protect those most at risk from
such predators.

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