How Connected Was James Burke to Rex Heuermann?

Aug 31, 2023, 01:00 AM

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In a recent episode of the podcast "Hidden Killers," Tony Brueski delved deep into the murky waters of police corruption and unsolved crimes, specifically focusing on former Suffolk County Police Chief James Burke. Brueski's special guest was Susan Constantine, a recognized body language expert and trial consultant. Their discussion centered on the halted progress in the case against Rex Heuermann and the involvement of James Burke.
 
 Burke, who was already incarcerated for unrelated crimes and corruption, is now facing allegations of engaging with sex workers. Brueski raised an alarming concern, questioning the extent to which Burke’s tenure as the chief may have hindered investigations, particularly the Gilgo Beach killer case. Commenting on the hidden layers of crime networks, Constantine remarked, “You kind of wonder what is underground that we're not aware of. There's something bigger than what sometimes we see on the surface and there is police corruption."
 
 Delving further into the clandestine nature of such cases, Constantine drew parallels with her experience as an expert consultant in the Jeffrey Epstein case. “When you think about just that whole underground thing there... there's a lot going on that I don't know that we all know everything," she shared, emphasizing that such cover-ups often have connections that extend beyond what meets the eye. The question that looms large is whether Burke’s alleged involvement with sex workers was a mere personal vice, or if it masked deeper connections and potential cover-ups, potentially involving Heuermann and other suspects linked to a spree of unsolved murders.
 
 Drawing a parallel with the convoluted intricacies of the Jeffrey Epstein case, Brueski expressed the challenge of accepting the potential involvement of high-profile individuals in such clandestine affairs. "I think the same thing kind of goes for something like this where you have faith in your police chief, you have faith in the people who are supposed to be protecting and serving," he said, emphasizing the trust deficit that incidents like these create in the community.
 
 Constantine emphasized the hidden layers of corruption that often go unnoticed. She stressed that certain individuals often position themselves strategically in high offices to exert control and influence. “The individuals that are in charge of those investigating... have strategically put themselves in high positions. So they can block it," she revealed.
 
 One of the more unsettling revelations from Constantine alluded to a local case she’s privy to. “I have knowledge of a psychologist... that becomes the head of the department of Children and Families being the psychologist where everybody goes to for the courts approved as being the court-appointed," she disclosed. Such strategic placements allow these individuals to control narratives, evidence, and outcomes, ensuring their secrets remain buried.
 
 Brueski and Constantine further theorized how individuals, like Rex in this situation, might strategize their moves. If one wanted to suppress information or control what comes out, they would likely position themselves in influential places, form connections with decision-makers, and ensure that every step taken by investigators or opponents has to go through them. It’s a haunting game of chess, with real lives at stake.
 
 Towards the end of their conversation, both Brueski and Constantine expressed apprehension about the future findings in the case against Burke and his potential connections. The discussion painted a grim picture of the depths of corruption and how deep-seated networks can influence and control criminal investigations. With the lines between protectors and perpetrators increasingly blurred, one can only wonder: how many more hidden killers are lurking in the shadows?
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