

The Gilgo Beach Murders: The Case Against Rex Heuermann
True Crime Today
For nearly two decades, the remains of young women kept turning up along the desolate stretches of Long Island — in the scrub brush off Ocean Parkway, in wooded areas out east, in places no one was supposed to find them. And for most of that time, no one was held accountable. I'm Tony Brueski, and this podcast is my deep dive into one of the most chilling serial murder cases in modern American history — the Gilgo Beach murders and the case against Rex Heuermann, the New York architect now charged with the killing of seven women spanning from 1993 to 2010.
This isn't a case summary. It's the full picture — the women who were allegedly targeted and discarded, the investigative failures that let a suspected killer allegedly operate in plain sight for decades, and the forensic breakthroughs that finally led to an arrest in July 2023. I break down the evidence prosecutors have built — DNA analysis, cellphone data, digital files allegedly recovered from Heuermann's own computer — and the defense strategy aimed at dismantling it. I cover the courtroom battles, the rulings on evidence admissibility, and every development as this case moves toward its next chapter.
But more than anything, this podcast is about the women at the center of it all. Sandra Costilla. Valerie Mack. Jessica Taylor. Maureen Brainard-Barnes. Melissa Barthelemy. Megan Waterman. Amber Costello. They had names. They had people who loved them. And they deserve more than a headline.
New episodes drop regularly as the case develops. If you want to understand the Gilgo Beach murders — the facts, the failures, and what justice actually looks like when it finally shows up — you're in the right place.
Join Our SubStack For AD-FREE ADVANCE EPISODES & EXTRAS!: https://hiddenkillers.substack.com/
Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8-vxmbhTxxG10sO1izODJg?sub_confirmation=1
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/
Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod
X Twitter https://x.com/TrueCrimePod
This publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 8, 2025 • 19min
Why the Rex Heuermann Trial Is STILL Delayed: Inside the Legal War Behind Gilgo Beach-WEEK IN REVIEW
The Gilgo Beach murders shocked the nation. The arrest of Rex Heuermann — the quiet Long Island architect accused of being a serial killer — was supposed to bring answers. Instead, it’s brought more questions.Two years later, there’s still no trial date. Why? Because behind the headlines, the justice system is waging a silent war. In this episode of Hidden Killers with Tony Brueski, we dig into the real reasons justice has stalled.Prosecutors are relying on cutting-edge DNA pulled from rootless hairs — a first for New York courts. Defense attorneys call it “junk science.” The judge allowed it, but that ruling unleashed months of follow-up litigation: new motions, new hearings, new expert reports. Every microscopic detail is being challenged to make sure the case can survive appeal.Then there’s the consolidation — seven murders, one trial. That decision means every chain of custody, every test, every autopsy from 1993 to 2010 has to hold up together. Add old phone records, outdated forensics, and a DA’s office desperate to restore its credibility, and you get one of the most complicated homicide prosecutions in modern history.This isn’t justice delayed. It’s justice under construction — a slow, grinding fight between science, law, and time itself.Tony Brueski breaks down the psychology, the strategy, and the human toll of a case that refuses to move fast. Why is the state taking its time? What’s happening behind the scenes? And what happens if the science fails?Watch now to understand why the waiting matters.#RexHeuermann #GilgoBeach #HiddenKillers #TrueCrime #DNAEvidence #JusticeDelayed #TonyBrueski #CrimePodcast #SerialKillerCase #ForensicScienceWant to comment and watch this podcast as a video?Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspodInstagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspodX Twitter https://x.com/tonybpodListen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

Nov 4, 2025 • 19min
Why the Rex Heuermann Trial Is STILL Delayed: Inside the Legal War Behind Gilgo Beach
The Gilgo Beach murders shocked the nation. The arrest of Rex Heuermann — the quiet Long Island architect accused of being a serial killer — was supposed to bring answers. Instead, it’s brought more questions.Two years later, there’s still no trial date. Why? Because behind the headlines, the justice system is waging a silent war. In this episode of Hidden Killers with Tony Brueski, we dig into the real reasons justice has stalled.Prosecutors are relying on cutting-edge DNA pulled from rootless hairs — a first for New York courts. Defense attorneys call it “junk science.” The judge allowed it, but that ruling unleashed months of follow-up litigation: new motions, new hearings, new expert reports. Every microscopic detail is being challenged to make sure the case can survive appeal.Then there’s the consolidation — seven murders, one trial. That decision means every chain of custody, every test, every autopsy from 1993 to 2010 has to hold up together. Add old phone records, outdated forensics, and a DA’s office desperate to restore its credibility, and you get one of the most complicated homicide prosecutions in modern history.This isn’t justice delayed. It’s justice under construction — a slow, grinding fight between science, law, and time itself.Tony Brueski breaks down the psychology, the strategy, and the human toll of a case that refuses to move fast. Why is the state taking its time? What’s happening behind the scenes? And what happens if the science fails?Watch now to understand why the waiting matters.#RexHeuermann #GilgoBeach #HiddenKillers #TrueCrime #DNAEvidence #JusticeDelayed #TonyBrueski #CrimePodcast #SerialKillerCase #ForensicScienceWant to comment and watch this podcast as a video?Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspodInstagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspodX Twitter https://x.com/tonybpodListen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

Oct 25, 2025 • 16min
Inside the Mind of Rex Heuermann: The Gilgo Beach Killer Psychology-WEEK IN REVIEW
He looked like the guy next door — an architect, a husband, a father. But prosecutors say Rex Heuermann was also the man behind the Gilgo Beach murders, one of the most disturbing serial-killer cases in recent memory.In this psychological deep dive, Hidden Killers host Tony Brueski takes you inside the mind of control, exploring how a man can design blueprints by day and allegedly engineer horror by night. Through the lens of behavioral science, Tony examines compartmentalization, high-functioning psychopathy, and sadistic dominance — the traits that allow someone to live a double life so convincingly it fools everyone around them.From the soundproof basement to the meticulous planning, Heuermann’s world wasn’t chaos — it was choreography. This episode unpacks how his architecture mirrored his pathology and why the façade of normalcy is often the perfect camouflage for the worst kind of predator.Because monsters don’t always hide in the dark. Sometimes they wave from the driveway.#RexHeuermann #GilgoBeach #HiddenKillers #TonyBrueski #TrueCrimePodcast #SerialKillerPsychology #CriminalMind #FBIProfile #LongIslandMurders #BehavioralAnalysisWant to comment and watch this podcast as a video?Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspodInstagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspodX Twitter https://x.com/tonybpodListen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

Oct 21, 2025 • 16min
Inside the Mind of Rex Heuermann: The Gilgo Beach Killer Psychology
He looked like the guy next door — an architect, a husband, a father. But prosecutors say Rex Heuermann was also the man behind the Gilgo Beach murders, one of the most disturbing serial-killer cases in recent memory.In this psychological deep dive, Hidden Killers host Tony Brueski takes you inside the mind of control, exploring how a man can design blueprints by day and allegedly engineer horror by night. Through the lens of behavioral science, Tony examines compartmentalization, high-functioning psychopathy, and sadistic dominance — the traits that allow someone to live a double life so convincingly it fools everyone around them.From the soundproof basement to the meticulous planning, Heuermann’s world wasn’t chaos — it was choreography. This episode unpacks how his architecture mirrored his pathology and why the façade of normalcy is often the perfect camouflage for the worst kind of predator.Because monsters don’t always hide in the dark. Sometimes they wave from the driveway.#RexHeuermann #GilgoBeach #HiddenKillers #TonyBrueski #TrueCrimePodcast #SerialKillerPsychology #CriminalMind #FBIProfile #LongIslandMurders #BehavioralAnalysisWant to comment and watch this podcast as a video?Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspodInstagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspodX Twitter https://x.com/tonybpodListen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

Sep 28, 2025 • 25min
Rex Heuermann Gilgo Evidence Tour Doll, Cage, DNA, and Hair-WEEK IN REVIEW
Welcome to the "Week in Review," where we delve into the true stories behind this week's headlines. Your host, Tony Brueski, joins hands with a rotating roster of guests, sharing their insights and analysis on a collection of intriguing, perplexing, and often chilling stories that made the news. This is not your average news recap. With the sharp investigative lens of Tony and his guests, the show uncovers layers beneath the headlines, offering a comprehensive perspective that traditional news can often miss. From high-profile criminal trials to in-depth examinations of ongoing investigations, this podcast takes listeners on a fascinating journey through the world of true crime and current events. Each episode navigates through multiple stories, illuminating their details with factual reporting, expert commentary, and engaging conversation. Tony and his guests discuss each case's nuances, complexities, and human elements, delivering a multi-dimensional understanding to their audience. Whether you are a dedicated follower of true crime, or an everyday listener interested in the stories shaping our world, the "Week in Review" brings you the perfect balance of intrigue, information, and intelligent conversation. Expect thoughtful analysis, informed opinions, and thought-provoking discussions beyond the 24-hour news cycle.Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspodInstagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspodX Twitter https://x.com/tonybpodListen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

Sep 28, 2025 • 1h 56min
Wendi Adelson in the Hot Seat, Jeff Lacasse Speaks | D4vd Scandal & Gilgo Beach Trial-WEEK IN REVIEW
Welcome to the "Week in Review," where we delve into the true stories behind this week's headlines. Your host, Tony Brueski, joins hands with a rotating roster of guests, sharing their insights and analysis on a collection of intriguing, perplexing, and often chilling stories that made the news. This is not your average news recap. With the sharp investigative lens of Tony and his guests, the show uncovers layers beneath the headlines, offering a comprehensive perspective that traditional news can often miss. From high-profile criminal trials to in-depth examinations of ongoing investigations, this podcast takes listeners on a fascinating journey through the world of true crime and current events. Each episode navigates through multiple stories, illuminating their details with factual reporting, expert commentary, and engaging conversation. Tony and his guests discuss each case's nuances, complexities, and human elements, delivering a multi-dimensional understanding to their audience. Whether you are a dedicated follower of true crime, or an everyday listener interested in the stories shaping our world, the "Week in Review" brings you the perfect balance of intrigue, information, and intelligent conversation. Expect thoughtful analysis, informed opinions, and thought-provoking discussions beyond the 24-hour news cycle.Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspodInstagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspodX Twitter https://x.com/tonybpodListen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

Sep 27, 2025 • 25min
Rex Heuermann Gilgo Evidence Tour: Doll, Cage, DNA, and Hair
Rex Heuermann Gilgo Evidence Tour: Doll, Cage, DNA, and HairStrategy, science, stakes—start to finish. With Jennifer Coffindaffer, we unpack the joinder ruling (seven counts, one jury), what the state gains, and where the defense will press “prejudice.” Then we walk the evidence story jurors are likely to hear: the search-warrant haul (yes, including the secret room, the large doll, the cage) and why seized items aren’t guilt until they’re tied to time, transfer, and corroboration.We dig into the science. Hair genome sequencing is “new to this courtroom,” not “new to the planet.” The defense will call it junk; the state will lean on validation and careful conclusions. We also talk family witnesses: could the daughter testify? Would Asa sit out or take the stand? How those choices land with jurors matters as much as the words themselves.Finally, timing. Between discovery battles, expert disclosures, and potential added counts, 2027 is a practical horizon—not a scare tactic. Joinder gives prosecutors a narrative runway; landing the plane requires clean science, credible witnesses, and pacing that respects the jury’s patience and skepticism.Hashtags #HiddenKillers #GilgoBeach #RexHeuermann #DNA #ForensicScience #Court #LongIsland #TrueCrime #TonyBrueski #JenniferCoffindaffer Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video?Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspodInstagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspodX Twitter https://x.com/tonybpodListen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

Sep 26, 2025 • 13min
Can Asa Ellerup Save Rex Heuermann? Family Fallout at Trial
Can Asa Ellerup Save Rex Heuermann? Family Fallout at TrialAs Rex Heuermann prepares to face trial, his family’s role becomes a potential turning point. Could his ex-wife Asa Ellerup testify? Would their daughter take the stand? And what about documentary footage that could be subpoenaed, dragging private conversations into the courtroom?Tony and Eric unpack the risks of family testimony, the near-impossible task of seating an impartial jury in New York, and the emotional toll of putting loved ones under oath. With the public spotlight burning hot, the Gilgo Beach case isn’t just about DNA and evidence bags — it’s about families torn apart, jurors swayed by headlines, and the challenge of finding justice in a case everyone already thinks they know.Hashtags: #RexHeuermann #GilgoBeach #HiddenKillersLive #TrueCrimePodcast #AsaEllerup #FamilyTestimony #FairTrial #TrueCrimeNews #SerialKillerCase #JusticeWant to comment and watch this podcast as a video?Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspodInstagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspodX Twitter https://x.com/tonybpodListen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

Sep 26, 2025 • 12min
Inside the Heuermann Gilgo Killer’s Home Search: Secret Room, Cage, and the Eerie Doll
Inside the Heuermann Gilgo Killer’s Home Search: Secret Room, Cage, and the Eerie DollBig procedural swing: one jury hears all seven counts. With Jennifer Coffindaffer we break down why prosecutors pushed for joinder and why the defense is already circling “prejudice” in red ink. The state’s pitch is pattern—victim type, geography, MO—one coherent story. The defense counters: decades apart, different methods, and the danger of letting weaker counts draft behind stronger ones.We also cut through the “creepy” optics of the search haul—secret room, large doll, cage. Creepy is not the standard. Agents don’t cart off curios for sport; they seize what they believe they can justify in court. Those items matter only when tied to timelines, transfer, and corroboration that shrink alternatives.There’s a trust problem too. This investigation lived under a cloud for a long time. Jurors will want clean lines, not shortcuts. That’s why joinder is both rocket fuel and a tripwire—the narrative has to stay tight. This segment lays out the rules of engagement: what gets in, what’s risky, and how you tell a decades-long story without losing a 12-person audience in the first act.Hashtags #HiddenKillers #GilgoBeach #RexHeuermann #Court #Joinder #Evidence #LongIsland #TrueCrime #TonyBrueski #JenniferCoffindafferWant to comment and watch this podcast as a video?Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspodInstagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspodX Twitter https://x.com/tonybpodListen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

Sep 26, 2025 • 14min
One Giant Trial: Rex Heuermann Faces 7 Gilgo Beach Murder Charges Together
One Giant Trial: Rex Heuermann Faces 7 Gilgo Beach Murder Charges TogetherThe Gilgo Beach case just changed forever. A judge ruled that seven murder charges against Rex Heuermann will be combined into one massive trial — a decision that could define justice for the victims and their families.Tony and Eric Faddis dissect what this means for the prosecution, the defense, and the jury. Does combining the cases give the state overwhelming power, or does it create unfair prejudice against the accused? How will jurors weigh a pattern of killings spread across decades? And what role will advanced DNA techniques play in sealing Heuermann’s fate?This is more than a legal technicality — it’s a move that reshapes one of the biggest serial killer cases in America.Hashtags: #RexHeuermann #GilgoBeach #HiddenKillersLive #TrueCrimePodcast #SerialKillerCase #DNAEvidence #TrueCrimeNews #LongIslandMurders #EricFaddis #JusticeWant to comment and watch this podcast as a video?Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspodInstagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspodX Twitter https://x.com/tonybpodListen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872


