Crime Stories with Nancy Grace
Episode: REX HEUERMANN'S SECRET COMMUNICATIONS
Original Air Date: May 9, 2026
Episode Overview
In this gripping episode, Nancy Grace and her panel of experts dissect the latest bombshell developments in the Long Island Serial Killer (LISK) case. The main focus lies on the shocking secret communications and digital footprint of Rex Heuermann, his recent guilty plea, what it reveals—and conceals—about his crimes, and the controversial involvement of his family in a new reality show. The episode unravels the chilling details of Heuermann’s methods, the trauma experienced by the victims and their families, and the ongoing issues of justice, complicity, and sensationalism in the aftermath.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Guilty Plea and Its Aftermath
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Rex Heuermann, accused Long Island Serial Killer, changed his plea to guilty, creating uproar in the courtroom. (07:20)
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With no trial, many facts remain shrouded. Unlike Idaho’s Brian Kohberger, whose case might have exposed more through trial, Heuermann’s jurisdiction lacks the death penalty. (05:38)
"Just as we saw in the Idaho case...like in Kohberger, we will never really know the facts because there is no trial."
— Nancy Grace, (05:38)
2. Heuermann's Communications and Digital Trail
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Used multiple fake names (e.g., Andrew Roberts, Thomas Hawke) and burner phones, contacting sex workers over 500 times. (02:49)
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Conducted over 100 internet searches about the investigation, serial killers, and disturbing pornographic content depicting torture and murder. (17:19)
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Maintained a chilling "Hunt and Kill Planning Document" and hoarded over 100,000 incriminating photos and digital mementos.
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His digital sloppiness ultimately exposed him, despite efforts at secrecy, with the planning document recovered from his computer. (56:15)
"What’s amazing is this guy took all these precautions, yet still, this was all sitting on his computer."
— Josh Zieman, (56:15)
3. Number and Nature of the Victims
- Over 56 sex workers, with more victims feared but not yet identified. (02:49, 09:25)
- Many victims were kept alive for days, tortured, and murdered in Heuermann’s basement while his wife was away. Some evidence points to even more undiscovered victims on the beach. (09:18, 11:08)
- Law enforcement believes others are still missing:
"There are still bodies on that beach. There are still bodies in Suffolk County."
— Ray Tierney, Suffolk County DA, (04:53)
4. Role and Complicity of Asa Ellerup and Family
- Asa Ellerup (Heuermann's wife) and daughter Victoria are participating in a reality/docuseries “Gilgo Beach Killer: House of Secrets,” reportedly profiting around $1 million (though payment is framed as "licensing fees" to skirt Son of Sam laws). (32:18, 37:09)
- Intense scrutiny and skepticism about Asa’s claim of ignorance regarding the murders, especially given circumstantial evidence of her awareness and physical traces linking her to the victims. (29:01–41:29)
- Civil lawsuits filed by victims’ families, including one by the son of Valerie Mack, seeking to prevent Heuermann’s family from profiting off the crimes. (42:57)
5. Expert Explanations and Law Enforcement Challenges
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Cadaver Dogs: While essential in finding victims so far, limitations exist due to the area’s vastness and terrain, hindering recovery of all remains. (12:35, 18:35)
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Heuermann’s “Double Life”: Experts discuss how high-functioning sociopaths can convincingly hide monstrous crimes behind a "normal" persona. (28:26–36:04)
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Planning and Escalation: Heuermann meticulously followed detailed lists—improving techniques for abduction, murder, body disposal, and evidence destruction. (50:55)
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Chilling Evidence: Lists included instructions like “remove hands and head,” “destroy books/computer files,” and “use heavy rope for neck.” Electric clips found, theorized to be used in torture. (50:55–52:03)
“Thinking about the context...What’s your purpose for doing that, Rex? To secure these individuals so he could work out these sick fantasies.”
— Joseph Scott Morgan, (51:11)
6. The Sensationalization and Ethical Dilemmas
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Exploitation of the case for entertainment (reality shows, documentaries) raises questions about justice, morality, and secondary victimization.
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The Son of Sam laws are circumvented by paying licensing fees for exclusive photos, not direct interview payments. (37:09)
“It’s a way that we get around it...And it’s gross. And you’re absolutely right.”
— Josh Zieman, (37:09)
7. Victims’ Families and Enduring Trauma
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Emotional devastation for families, many of whom spent years believing loved ones had abandoned them.
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Ongoing lawsuits seek not only compensation but possibly additional revelations about what really happened.
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Experts urge families to seek support groups and counseling to cope with the unthinkable trauma. (62:05–63:25)
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Repeated concern that history will remember the killer’s name, not the victims.
“The names of these victims will be forgotten. And I hate to say that—it’s very callous, but his name will trump everything else.”
— Joseph Scott Morgan, (45:36)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On Heuermann’s Persona:
"This defendant walked among us play acting as a normal suburban dad, when in reality all along he was obsessively targeting innocent women for death."
— Ray Tierney (Suffolk Co. DA), (27:10)
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On the Area Where Victims are Found:
"By day, it’s a beautiful recreational area. At night, it’s a haunting, haunting, dark, desolate area.”
— Mike Gould, (11:08)
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On Asa Ellerup’s Claims of Ignorance:
“You want to tell me Asa Ellerup never noticed anything in the basement where women were stripped, raped, tortured, and murdered? No way.”
— Nancy Grace, (40:11)
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On the Morality of Media Profit:
“Blood money. How do you think that makes the families of these dead women feel?”
— Nancy Grace, (29:25)
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On Heuermann’s Notebooks & Evidence:
“Now that son and all the victims families have to think about how tightly ropes were cinched around their mother's neck.”
— Nancy Grace, (50:55)
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On the Hidden Threat:
"He could be at your next dinner party...That’s what’s the most troubling to me, is you never know the evil that lurks in anybody’s mind."
— Mike Gould, (58:17)
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Segment | Timestamp (MM:SS) |
|-----------------------------------------------------|-----------------------|
| Heuermann’s digital life and burner phones | 02:49—04:53 |
| Court appearance, guilty plea, smirking | 07:20—09:18 |
| Law enforcement on the search and serial killer profile | 11:08—12:35 |
| Detailed coverage of Asa Ellerup and reality show | 29:01—37:09 |
| Discussion of evidence, planning, and torture lists | 50:55—53:08 |
| Psychological effects and trauma to victims’ families| 62:05—63:25 |
Final Thoughts and Call to Justice
The episode closes with a somber contemplation of justice—how, even with a guilty plea, many truths will never be told in open court, and how the pain and questions for the victims’ families may never be fully resolved. Nancy Grace issues a call to action for society to remember the victims, not just the killer, and to support those left behind as the case continues to unfold.
"It's not over yet. And we wait as justice unfolds."
— Nancy Grace, (63:25)