How Could Gilgo Beach Killer Live a Normal Life Amongst Us?

Oct 25, 2023, 11:00 PM

Episode image
Rex Heuermann, a prime suspect in the notorious Gilgo Beach murder case, is once again under scrutiny, and this time, so is his wife. According to fresh allegations, not only did Heuermann have deep ties to the deaths of several sex workers, but he might have led a darker life than anyone imagined. So, what shadows did the walls of the Heuermann household hide, and how much of it was visible to his wife, Asa?
 
 The latest revelations paint a picture of Heuermann as a man deeply involved in a swinger-style sex life dating back to 1996. As discussed on the "Hidden Killers" podcast with Tony Brueski and Forensic Psychologist Joni Johnston, some former sex workers claimed to recognize Heuermann, describing him as an easily distinguishable figure. More chillingly, they described occasions when he would take them to his house, specifically to the basement, for sex parties, while his wife stayed upstairs. As Brueski highlighted, "But the allegations are that she was very aware of what was going on."
 
 Asa Heuermann has thus far claimed ignorance of any sinister activities. Johnston commented on the distinction between knowing of her husband's sexual escapades and associating him with torturing and murdering women. "There is obviously a huge gap between knowing that your husband is a swinger... and then all of a sudden, thinking that your husband is torturing and luring, you know, sex workers and then torturing and murdering them," she remarked. But the continuous waves of allegations are casting a shadow of doubt on Asa's claims.
 
 A significant point of debate is the duration of Rex Heuermann's deviant behavior. The general consensus among many was that his crimes were limited to the 2000-2010 timeframe. However, Johnston expressed skepticism, hinting at the possibility of Heuermann’s activities spanning a much broader timeline. She remarked on the concerning behaviors before and after the known period, indicating that the investigation is still in its early stages.
 
 The role and knowledge of Asa Heuermann are undeniably under the microscope. Yet, connecting the dots between her being aware of her husband's swinger lifestyle to the assumption of her knowledge about his alleged crimes is a leap. Both Brueski and Johnston emphasize the importance of evidence before drawing conclusions, especially in a case as convoluted as this.
 
 But how does someone like Rex Heuermann, if guilty, live such a dual life? He was, after all, a successful architect with a family. Johnston shed light on the psychology of such individuals, comparing it to the different roles people adopt in various situations but amplified manifold. The ability to compartmentalize, rationalize, and dehumanize are traits that potentially allowed him to detach from his alleged heinous crimes.
 
 The revelations surrounding the Heuermanns have caused a ripple in the world of crime investigation. While the evidence will ultimately decide Rex Heuermann's fate, the testimonies and debates provide a disturbing insight into the depths of human nature.
 
 This brings us to the chilling question: In the midst of such revelations, can we ever truly know the people closest to us?
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, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com