Criminally Obsessed
Episode: What Will the Suspected Long Island Serial Killer Admit To? Inside Rex Heuermann's Guilty Plea
Date: March 31, 2026
Host: Ann Emerson
Featured Guest: Kristin Thorne (investigative reporter who has followed the Gilgo Beach case for over a decade)

Episode Overview

This episode delves into the dramatic recent developments in the Long Island Serial Killer (LISK) case, focusing on the arrest and pending guilty plea of Rex Heuermann. Host Ann Emerson and investigative reporter Kristin Thorne discuss the ongoing investigation, Rex Heuermann’s persona, details of the crimes, the role of DNA and digital evidence, and the broader implications for other missing persons cases potentially linked to the suspect.

The Break in the Gilgo Beach Case

• Background on the Case:
  Kristin Thorne has reported on the Gilgo Beach murders for more than a decade, with victims' remains found dumped along Gilgo Beach, Long Island.
• The Arrest of Rex Heuermann
  • In July (2023), Kristin recounts the adrenaline of learning about a major break — the police presence at a Massapequa Park house, heavy media, and crime scene tape ([00:09-01:37]).
  • Initial caution before naming Heuermann as the suspect:
    • “We didn’t broadcast [his name] at first … you have to be very careful with that.” (Kristin Thorne, 01:37)

First Impressions: Rex Heuermann’s Courtroom Presence

• Heuermann described as physically imposing, “ogre”-like:
  • “I think someone had … described him as like ogre. Like he’s so huge, and his features are kind of bulbous.” (Ann Emerson, 02:19)
  • “He is a very big man. I mean, he towers over even some of the court officers.” (Kristin, 02:35)
  • Victims’ stature noted for contrast — many under 5'1”, while Heuermann is about 6'6" or 6'7" (03:54)
• Noted lack of overt “evil” aura in court:
  • “I’ve certainly been in courtrooms where you feel this, like, incredible evil, like, fill the room … I didn’t get that … more struck by his stature.” (Kristin, 03:26)

Disturbing Digital Evidence and Search History

• Graphic Online Searches:
  • Heuermann had searched for violent torture, sex worker-related queries, and specifically small/petite women:
    • “Some of his searches … Medieval torture of women, New York City escorts, How I was raped, audio.” (Kristin, 04:33)
  • Most pornography found was “extremely violent … torture, torture porn, women being killed. You know, really violent, scary stuff.” (Kristin, 05:29)

The Police Investigation and DNA Breakthrough (06:09-09:36)

• How Heuermann Was Caught:
  • Old-fashioned surveillance on his Midtown office
  • Police collected thrown-away pizza crust for DNA ([06:09])
  • DNA from victims matched to Heuermann using advanced forensics
  • Similar method with family members; daughter’s discarded drink revealed Asa Ellerup’s (Heuermann’s wife/ex-wife) hair on victim remains
• Explained: Hair transfer can occur without direct involvement; police do not suspect Asa Ellerup was involved ([09:20-09:36])

The Basement Theory: Maureen Brainard Barnes (09:36-11:41)

• Victim Evidence:
  • One victim, Maureen Brainard Barnes, possibly held captive before death
  • Cell phone activity after her disappearance suggests someone checked her voicemail, possibly requiring her alive to relay the code
    • “Her phone is going on and off and on and off, and then someone is getting a passcode to check her email … she would have had to relay that information.” (Kristin, 11:19)

Heuermann’s Notes and Digital Documents (12:06-15:22)

• Self-Recorded Instructions:
  • Written notes on “how to do things like this … hit her over the head, make sure she’s quiet, cover your tracks, tarps, bleach” ([12:06-12:28])
  • Some notes reference specific crime scene locations, such as the 1993 murder of Sandra Castilla ([13:34])
• Digital Evidence Links Crimes Across Time and Geography:
  • Devices contained violent bondage/torture material dating back to at least 1994
  • “His devices showed his, quote, significant collection of violent bondage and torture pornography.” (Ann Emerson, 14:47)
  • Evolution of methods noted in self-documenting (Kristin, 15:17)

Geographic Scope and Ongoing Investigations (15:44-18:36)

• Linked and Suspected Cases:
  • Heuermann owned properties in South Carolina, Las Vegas — raising concerns of additional victims
  • Women missing in the vicinity of these properties, but no definitive links yet
• Properties Detailed:
  • SC property rural and “sketchy”; Vegas condo in area known for sex work ([16:54])
• Hope for Full Disclosure:
  • “I just hope that if there is a plea deal … that the Suffolk DA really opens up everything … so the public should finally have … access to what was done all these years.” (Kristin, 17:17)

Encounter with Nicole Brass: "A Woman Who Escaped" (18:36-21:29)

• Nicole Brass’s Account:
  • Met Heuermann as an escort in 2015; he abruptly brought up the Gilgo Beach murders
    • “He asked if I was a true crime fan. And I am … so we got on the topic of a couple different serial killers. The one he focused on the most … was Robert Hansen.” (Nicole Brass, 19:10)
  • Noted creepy change in demeanor when discussing Gilgo murders—he seemed to “relive” the crimes ([20:15-20:56])
  • She quickly extricated herself from the situation

Advances and Controversies in DNA Technology (21:29-23:53)

• Old Crime Scene Evidence:
  • Decades-old remains yielded teeny amounts of DNA, “almost non-existent, but the technology is getting better and better.” (Kristin, 22:00)
  • Importance of careful evidence collection by detectives at the time
• Legal Battles:
  • Defense’s attempts to suppress DNA evidence (unsuccessful, causing trial delays)
  • “Mike Brown, Rex Herman’s defense attorney, has tried relentlessly to get this DNA thrown out. … the judge said absolutely not.” (Kristin, 23:19)

Reflections on a Plea Deal vs. Public Trial (24:14-27:41)

• Mixed Emotions:
  • Journalistic desire to see the full trial vs. the emotional toll on victims’ families
    • “I sort of really wanted to see this go to trial … but I know how hard that would be for the family.” (Kristin, 24:14)
  • Never thought the case would be solved: “I honestly never thought that this person would be caught.” (Kristin, 24:40)
• Cross-Jurisdictional Challenges:
  • Even if there’s a conviction, prosecuting/hearing cases in SC and Vegas won’t be “as easy as you think for prosecutors” due to legal hurdles ([25:22])

Final Thoughts and Future Hopes

• Unanswered Questions:
  • Will plea deal include full disclosure to help bring closure to more families?
  • “We don’t even … know if the suspect is going to want to, to offer up any details to … bring closure either, especially with the plea deal.” (Ann, 26:39)
• Hope for Accountability:
  • “I would love for those families to have some closure as well. … I want any missing person, whoever was responsible … to be held accountable.” (Kristin, 26:22)
• Potential for Statement at Plea Deal:
  • Judge might require suspect to publicly address the court and families ([27:07])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [04:17] A: “That's like a foot and a half at least, or maybe almost two feet shorter than him.”
• [06:09] C: “This is good old fashioned police work, right?...they waited...he dropped...a pizza box...they take that and then they end up doing their DNA analysis…”
• [10:01] C: “...I really do believe that Maureen had been held for a period of [time]...Her phone is going on and off...someone is getting a passcode to check her email and she would have had to relay that information.”
• [20:56] D: “[When] he brought up [the murders]...his whole demeanor changed...he seemed almost, like, too excited to talk about it...it didn’t seem like a true crime fan...it seemed like somebody who was reliving it.”
• [24:40] C: “I honestly never thought that this person would be caught. I never, you know, I just thought that this was going to be a thing that would haunt Suffolk county for really forever.”

Important Timestamps

• [01:37] — Kristin Thorne describes being at the scene of the arrest
• [04:00] — Discussion of physical contrast between suspect and victims
• [06:09] — Detailed recounting of how police used discarded pizza for DNA evidence
• [09:36] — Introduction of the theory that a victim was held captive
• [12:06] — Description of digital “notes to self” found on suspect’s devices
• [13:34] — Linking the murder of Sandra Castilla (1993) to Heuermann via digital evidence
• [16:54] — Properties in SC and Vegas raised as possible linked crime sites
• [19:05] — Nicole Brass describes her creepy dinner with Heuermann
• [21:29] — Advances and controversies in DNA identification
• [24:14] — Reflection on implications of a potential plea deal

Summary for New Listeners

This episode provides a detailed, emotionally gripping exploration of the break in the Gilgo Beach case. With behind-the-scenes reporting from Kristin Thorne, listeners learn how old-school surveillance, advancing DNA technology, digital breadcrumbs, and years of painstaking detective work aligned to bring a suspect before court after decades of fear and mystery. The conversation underscores empathy for victims and families while laying out the unresolved questions and challenges ahead — especially if, as anticipated, Rex Heuermann pleads guilty and the true extent of his crimes may never be fully revealed.