Rex Heuermann: The Psychology of Asa Ellerup’s Denial & the Gilgo Beach Nightmare | 2025 Year in Review

Rex Heuermann: The Psychology of Asa Ellerup’s Denial & the Gilgo Beach Nightmare | 2025 Year in Review

As part of our Hidden Killers 2025 Year in Review series, we’re unpacking one of the most haunting psychological stories to emerge from the Gilgo Beach murders — the steadfast denial of Asa Ellerup, estranged wife of accused serial killer Rex Heuermann.

Even as prosecutors present a mountain of evidence — DNA matches, hair fibers from family members found on victims, burner phones, and a detailed murder planning document — Asa still calls her husband her “hero.” She describes visiting him in jail as feeling like “a first date.” She smiles when she hears his voice. She insists their home — where police say the murders were plotted — could never be a crime scene.

In this gripping psychological breakdown, retired FBI Behavioral Analyst Robin Dreeke joins Tony Brueski to dissect how trauma, denial, and love can merge into something that looks like loyalty but is really self-preservation. Dreeke explains how 27 years of marriage built what he calls a “truth infrastructure” — a psychological foundation so powerful that admitting betrayal feels more dangerous than believing the lie.

He unpacks the mechanics of trauma bonding, cognitive dissonance, and protective blindness, explaining how the human brain often rejects unbearable truth to preserve emotional stability. Dreeke also explores how financial stress, illness, and media exploitation may amplify Asa’s denial — especially as she battles cancer, navigates public scrutiny, and faces criticism for participating in the Peacock documentary The Gilgo Beach Killer: House of Secrets.

Then, psychotherapist Shavaun Scott joins Tony to analyze the most disturbing moments captured on camera — including Rex’s recorded jail calls and Asa’s telling body language. Why does she close her eyes when confronted with evidence? Why does she describe love as something that would “hurt him”? Scott reveals how guilt, dependency, and unresolved trauma often trap partners of predators in cycles of emotional paralysis.

Together, Dreeke and Scott piece together a portrait not just of denial — but of the psychological collateral damage left behind when a family’s reality is shattered by unimaginable truth.

🎙️ Hidden Killers with Tony Brueski — 2025 Year in Review: The Crimes, The Psychology, and The Human Blind Spots That Defined the Year.

#AsaEllerup #RexHeuermann #GilgoBeachMurders #HiddenKillers #TonyBrueski #RobinDreeke #ShavaunScott #TraumaBonding #SerialKillerPsychology #Denial #CognitiveDissonance #TrueCrimePodcast #LongIslandSerialKiller #YearInReview #TrueCrimeToday #JusticeForVictims


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Paul Caneiro Trial: Did He Stab His 8-Year-Old Niece 17 Times or Did Police Get the Wrong Brother?

Paul Caneiro Trial: Did He Stab His 8-Year-Old Niece 17 Times or Did Police Get the Wrong Brother?

The Paul Caneiro quadruple murder trial is underway in Monmouth County, New Jersey. Prosecutors allege Caneiro shot his brother Keith, stabbed his sister-in-law Jennifer, and brutally killed his 11-year-old nephew Jesse and 8-year-old niece Sophia inside their Colts Neck mansion on November 20, 2018 — then set the house on fire to cover his tracks. According to autopsy findings cited in a civil lawsuit, Sophia survived for nine hours after being stabbed 17 times, ultimately dying from smoke inhalation.The State's case includes bloody jeans and gloves with the children's DNA found in Paul's basement, ballistics linking a gun in his home to the murder weapon, and security footage showing him disconnecting his cameras at 1:28 AM. Hours later, Paul's own Ocean Township home caught fire — allegedly another arson he committed to make it look like his family was being targeted.The defense says police had tunnel vision. They're pointing at Corey Caneiro, the third brother, who was never investigated and whose DNA was never collected — despite standing to inherit $1.5 million from the same life insurance policy. A civil lawsuit alleges Corey took control of the insurance proceeds and bought a $1.8 million home within a year of the murders.Paul Caneiro has maintained his innocence for seven years. He faces life without parole if convicted. We have full trial coverage and analysis. #PaulCaneiro #ColtsNeckMurders #MansionMurders #TrueCrimeToday #NewJerseyTrial #CanerioTrial #QuadrupleMurder #CourtTV #TrueCrime #BreakingNewsJoin 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/@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/id1705422872This 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.

16 Jan 34min

Nick Reiner Case: Psychotherapist Breaks Down His Mind, His Family's Trap & Why 18 Rehabs Failed

Nick Reiner Case: Psychotherapist Breaks Down His Mind, His Family's Trap & Why 18 Rehabs Failed

Psychotherapist Shavaun Scott delivers a complete three-part psychological analysis of the Nick Reiner case—examining what was happening in Nick's mind, how the Reiner family became trapped in a 30-year cycle, and why the mental health system failed despite unlimited resources.Nick was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder around 2020. His medication was changed one month before the murders after he complained about weight gain. Sources say he now admits killing his parents but believes his incarceration is a conspiracy. His meds still aren't stabilized.The Reiners had "grown used to" Nick's behavior. They brought him to parties because they were afraid to leave him alone. They paid for 18-plus rehab stays. Michele reportedly said "we've tried everything."Dr. Drew said 30-day programs were "almost meaningless" for Nick. He needed permanent custodial care. Patient autonomy laws let him refuse. The Reiners did everything families are told to do—and it still ended in tragedy. Shavaun explains what went wrong at every level and what other families need to understand.#NickReiner #RobReiner #TrueCrimeToday #MentalHealth #Psychology #FamilyDynamics #ShavaunScott #SystemFailure #SchizoaffectiveJoin 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/@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/id1705422872This 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.

16 Jan 59min

Banfield Trial: FBI Behavioral Analyst Robin Dreeke Examines The Accused | What His Actions Really Reveal

Banfield Trial: FBI Behavioral Analyst Robin Dreeke Examines The Accused | What His Actions Really Reveal

True Crime Today brings you an exclusive behavioral analysis of Brendan Banfield from retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke. Dreeke led the FBI's Counterintelligence Behavioral Analysis Program and has spent over three decades reading people. His question for this case: does the prosecution's theory actually make behavioral sense?Brendan Banfield was an IRS criminal investigator — a federal agent who built cases for a living. Prosecutors say he used that expertise to plan an elaborate double murder: creating fake FetLife profiles, luring a stranger to his home, coordinating with his au pair mistress, staging the crime scene as self-defense. But if that's true, why did Banfield leave a framed photo of himself and Juliana on his nightstand for police to find? Why did he call 911 and give a detailed statement?Dreeke breaks down what deception looks like in real time — and whether Banfield's post-offense behavior fits the profile of a calculated killer. He examines the gun purchase prosecutors call premeditation. He analyzes the McDonald's detail where Banfield allegedly waited nearby. He explains what the 911 call should reveal about whether Banfield was telling the truth.The affair is central to the motive theory. But affairs happen constantly without murder. Dreeke identifies the escalation factors that would need to be present for someone to go from infidelity to allegedly orchestrating a double homicide — and whether they appear in this case.This is behavioral analysis you won't hear in the courtroom. Dreeke gives his expert read on what Brendan Banfield's actions actually tell us.#BrendanBanfield #RobinDreeke #TrueCrimeToday #FBI #BehavioralAnalysis #ChristineBanfield #AuPairMurder #MurderTrial #Psychology #DeceptionJoin Our SubStack For AD-FREE ADVANCE EPISDOES & EXTRAS!: https://hiddenkillers.substack.com/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/id1705422872This 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.

16 Jan 17min

The Reiners Did EVERYTHING Right — Therapist Explains Why the System Still Failed Them

The Reiners Did EVERYTHING Right — Therapist Explains Why the System Still Failed Them

Psychotherapist Shavaun Scott reveals why 18-plus rehab stays, unlimited resources, and decades of intervention couldn't prevent Rob and Michele Reiner's deaths at the hands of their son Nick.The Reiners paid for the best dual-diagnosis treatment facilities in the country. They kept Nick close. They supported him financially. They did everything families are told to do. And still, sources say Nick would stay only 30 days—long enough to detox—then leave before any psychiatric care could take hold. Patient autonomy laws meant he could refuse treatment and walk away.Shavaun breaks down why the private treatment industry fails people with severe mental illness, why doctors reportedly didn't pursue a psychiatric hold during Nick's dangerous medication transition, and what "permanent custodial care" would actually look like for someone with schizoaffective disorder. The Reiners couldn't save their son. Could anyone?#NickReiner #RobReiner #TrueCrimeToday #MentalHealth #Rehab #Treatment #ShavaunScott #SystemFailure #ReinerCaseJoin 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/@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/id1705422872This 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.

15 Jan 12min

Madeline Crowley Testifies in Brendan Banfield Trial — The "Au Pair Affair Murder Trial"

Madeline Crowley Testifies in Brendan Banfield Trial — The "Au Pair Affair Murder Trial"

Madeline Crowley, Senior DNA Analyst, took the stand in the murder trial of Brendan Banfield, the former IRS agent charged with four counts of aggravated murder in the deaths of his wife Christine Banfield and Joseph Ryan. Prosecutors allege Banfield and the family's au pair, Juliana Peres Magalhães, lured Ryan to their Herndon home through a fetish website and staged the killings as a home invasion.The defense argues digital forensics contradict the catfishing theory and that investigators who disagreed were reassigned. Banfield faces life without parole if convicted. The four-week trial continues in Fairfax County.#TrueCrimeToday #BrendanBanfield #AuPairAffair #MurderTrial #ChristineBanfield #JosephRyan #FairfaxCounty #JulianaMagalhaes #Justice #BreakingJoin 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/@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/id1705422872This 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.

15 Jan 12min

Susan Greenspoon Testifies in Brendan Banfield Trial — The "Au Pair Affair Murder Trial"

Susan Greenspoon Testifies in Brendan Banfield Trial — The "Au Pair Affair Murder Trial"

Susan Greenspoon, Forensics Molecular Biologist at the Virginia Dept. of Forensic Science, took the stand in the murder trial of Brendan Banfield, the former IRS agent charged with four counts of aggravated murder in the deaths of his wife Christine Banfield and Joseph Ryan. Prosecutors allege Banfield and the family's au pair, Juliana Peres Magalhães, lured Ryan to their Herndon home through a fetish website and staged the killings as a home invasion.The defense argues digital forensics contradict the catfishing theory and that investigators who disagreed were reassigned. Banfield faces life without parole if convicted. The four-week trial continues in Fairfax County.#TrueCrimeToday #BrendanBanfield #AuPairAffair #MurderTrial #ChristineBanfield #JosephRyan #FairfaxCounty #JulianaMagalhaes #Justice #BreakingJoin 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/@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/id1705422872This 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.

15 Jan 27min

Kathryn Colombo Testifies in Brendan Banfield Trial — The "Au Pair Affair Murder Trial"

Kathryn Colombo Testifies in Brendan Banfield Trial — The "Au Pair Affair Murder Trial"

Kathryn Colombo, Scientist at the Virginia Dept. of Forensics Science, took the stand in the murder trial of Brendan Banfield, the former IRS agent charged with four counts of aggravated murder in the deaths of his wife Christine Banfield and Joseph Ryan. Prosecutors allege Banfield and the family's au pair, Juliana Peres Magalhães, lured Ryan to their Herndon home through a fetish website and staged the killings as a home invasion.The defense argues digital forensics contradict the catfishing theory and that investigators who disagreed were reassigned. Banfield faces life without parole if convicted. The four-week trial continues in Fairfax County.#TrueCrimeToday #BrendanBanfield #AuPairAffair #MurderTrial #ChristineBanfield #JosephRyan #FairfaxCounty #JulianaMagalhaes #Justice #BreakingJoin 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/@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/id1705422872This 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.

15 Jan 49min

Cara McCarthy Testifies in Brendan Banfield Trial — The "Au Pair Affair Murder Trial"

Cara McCarthy Testifies in Brendan Banfield Trial — The "Au Pair Affair Murder Trial"

Cara McCarthy, Supervisor at the Virginia Dept. of Forensics Science, took the stand in the murder trial of Brendan Banfield, the former IRS agent charged with four counts of aggravated murder in the deaths of his wife Christine Banfield and Joseph Ryan. Prosecutors allege Banfield and the family's au pair, Juliana Peres Magalhães, lured Ryan to their Herndon home through a fetish website and staged the killings as a home invasion.The defense argues digital forensics contradict the catfishing theory and that investigators who disagreed were reassigned. Banfield faces life without parole if convicted. The four-week trial continues in Fairfax County.#TrueCrimeToday #BrendanBanfield #AuPairAffair #MurderTrial #ChristineBanfield #JosephRyan #FairfaxCounty #JulianaMagalhaes #Justice #BreakingJoin 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/@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/id1705422872This 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.

15 Jan 27min

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