Rex Heuermann's 2026 Trial: The Planning Document, 7 Victims, and the Arrest That Changed Everything-WEEK IN REVIEW

Long Island wants to believe it caught the “one monster.” The lone predator. The man who stalked in silence until the handcuffs finally closed. But the truth is far more disturbing: Rex Heuermann didn’t operate in a vacuum. He operated in an ecosystem — one built on silence, vulnerability, and decades of ignored danger. And when you step back far enough, you start to see something bigger than one suspect. You see a pattern. A landscape. A coastline that became a dumping ground for the unnoticed and the unclaimed. In this episode of Hidden Killers, Tony Brueski breaks down why the myth of the “lone wolf” is not just false — it’s dangerous. Because Long Island doesn’t have one predator in its past. Authorities know this. Forensic analysts know this. Anyone who’s looked at the remains found along Ocean Parkway knows this. Different signatures. Different timelines. Different patterns. More than one offender. So how did so many cases slip through the cracks? How did so many victims disappear without triggering urgency? And how many killers learned they could hide in the same shadows Rex allegedly used? Tony dives into the long, uncomfortable history of missing women, unidentified remains, and the decades of law-enforcement fragmentation that made Long Island fertile ground for serial predators. This isn’t about sensationalism — it’s about confronting the reality of a system that allowed multiple offenders to thrive in plain sight. If you think the arrest of Rex Heuermann solved the problem, think again. The arrest solved one case. It didn’t close the chapter on the dozens of unsolved homicides that still haunt the island. Tonight, we pull back the curtain on the bigger truth — the truth officials don’t say out loud:  If one predator operated this long without detection, how many others walked the same shoreline? #HiddenKillers #RexHeuermann #LongIsland #TrueCrime #LISK #Investigation #ColdCases #CrimeAnalysis #Podcast #TonyBrueski Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

21 Nov 17min

In a stunning twist in the Gilgo Beach serial killer saga, accused murderer Rex Heuermann has officially been cleared in the 1994 strangulation death of Colleen McNamee, a Long Island sex worker long believed to be one of his potential victims. For years, McNamee’s name was quietly linked to the growing list of women found murdered across Suffolk County — a list that defined Heuermann as the face of one of the most disturbing serial murder cases in American history. But a new DNA analysis just ended that speculation for good. The Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that Heuermann’s genetic profile did not match the “Unknown Male A” found on McNamee’s remains. Instead, the DNA points back toward convicted killer John Bittrolff, a carpenter already serving 50 years to life for two nearly identical murders. Ironically, it was Bittrolff himself who pushed for the test — hoping it would shift blame to Heuermann. It did the opposite. This development doesn’t exonerate Heuermann from the seven brutal killings he’s charged with — victims Amber Lynn Costello, Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Sandra Costilla, Jessica Taylor, and Valerie Mack. Their DNA trails, cell records, and forensic links remain strong. But it does sharpen the boundaries of truth: what’s proven, what’s not, and how modern forensic science continues to rewrite the Gilgo Beach narrative. In this episode, Tony Brueski breaks down the case that looked like it belonged to Rex Heuermann — and why it never did. From forensic breakthroughs to the psychology of blame, we explore how one killer tried to hide behind another, and how DNA once again cut through the myth to reveal the facts. #RexHeuermann #GilgoBeach #TrueCrime #ColleenMcNamee #DNAEvidence #JohnBittrolff #LongIslandMurders #HiddenKillers #TonyBrueski #TrueCrimeToday Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

16 Nov 16min

In a stunning twist in the Gilgo Beach serial killer saga, accused murderer Rex Heuermann has officially been cleared in the 1994 strangulation death of Colleen McNamee, a Long Island sex worker long believed to be one of his potential victims. For years, McNamee’s name was quietly linked to the growing list of women found murdered across Suffolk County — a list that defined Heuermann as the face of one of the most disturbing serial murder cases in American history. But a new DNA analysis just ended that speculation for good. The Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that Heuermann’s genetic profile did not match the “Unknown Male A” found on McNamee’s remains. Instead, the DNA points back toward convicted killer John Bittrolff, a carpenter already serving 50 years to life for two nearly identical murders. Ironically, it was Bittrolff himself who pushed for the test — hoping it would shift blame to Heuermann. It did the opposite. This development doesn’t exonerate Heuermann from the seven brutal killings he’s charged with — victims Amber Lynn Costello, Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Sandra Costilla, Jessica Taylor, and Valerie Mack. Their DNA trails, cell records, and forensic links remain strong. But it does sharpen the boundaries of truth: what’s proven, what’s not, and how modern forensic science continues to rewrite the Gilgo Beach narrative. In this episode, Tony Brueski breaks down the case that looked like it belonged to Rex Heuermann — and why it never did. From forensic breakthroughs to the psychology of blame, we explore how one killer tried to hide behind another, and how DNA once again cut through the myth to reveal the facts. #RexHeuermann #GilgoBeach #TrueCrime #ColleenMcNamee #DNAEvidence #JohnBittrolff #LongIslandMurders #HiddenKillers #TonyBrueski #TrueCrimeToday Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

12 Nov 16min

The Gilgo Beach murders shocked the nation. The arrest of Rex Heuermann — the quiet Long Island architect accused of being a serial killer — was supposed to bring answers. Instead, it’s brought more questions. Two years later, there’s still no trial date. Why? Because behind the headlines, the justice system is waging a silent war. In this episode of Hidden Killers with Tony Brueski, we dig into the real reasons justice has stalled. Prosecutors are relying on cutting-edge DNA pulled from rootless hairs — a first for New York courts. Defense attorneys call it “junk science.” The judge allowed it, but that ruling unleashed months of follow-up litigation: new motions, new hearings, new expert reports. Every microscopic detail is being challenged to make sure the case can survive appeal. Then there’s the consolidation — seven murders, one trial. That decision means every chain of custody, every test, every autopsy from 1993 to 2010 has to hold up together. Add old phone records, outdated forensics, and a DA’s office desperate to restore its credibility, and you get one of the most complicated homicide prosecutions in modern history. This isn’t justice delayed. It’s justice under construction — a slow, grinding fight between science, law, and time itself. Tony Brueski breaks down the psychology, the strategy, and the human toll of a case that refuses to move fast. Why is the state taking its time? What’s happening behind the scenes? And what happens if the science fails? Watch now to understand why the waiting matters. #RexHeuermann #GilgoBeach #HiddenKillers #TrueCrime #DNAEvidence #JusticeDelayed #TonyBrueski #CrimePodcast #SerialKillerCase #ForensicScience Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

8 Nov 18min

The Gilgo Beach murders shocked the nation. The arrest of Rex Heuermann — the quiet Long Island architect accused of being a serial killer — was supposed to bring answers. Instead, it’s brought more questions. Two years later, there’s still no trial date. Why? Because behind the headlines, the justice system is waging a silent war. In this episode of Hidden Killers with Tony Brueski, we dig into the real reasons justice has stalled. Prosecutors are relying on cutting-edge DNA pulled from rootless hairs — a first for New York courts. Defense attorneys call it “junk science.” The judge allowed it, but that ruling unleashed months of follow-up litigation: new motions, new hearings, new expert reports. Every microscopic detail is being challenged to make sure the case can survive appeal. Then there’s the consolidation — seven murders, one trial. That decision means every chain of custody, every test, every autopsy from 1993 to 2010 has to hold up together. Add old phone records, outdated forensics, and a DA’s office desperate to restore its credibility, and you get one of the most complicated homicide prosecutions in modern history. This isn’t justice delayed. It’s justice under construction — a slow, grinding fight between science, law, and time itself. Tony Brueski breaks down the psychology, the strategy, and the human toll of a case that refuses to move fast. Why is the state taking its time? What’s happening behind the scenes? And what happens if the science fails? Watch now to understand why the waiting matters. #RexHeuermann #GilgoBeach #HiddenKillers #TrueCrime #DNAEvidence #JusticeDelayed #TonyBrueski #CrimePodcast #SerialKillerCase #ForensicScience Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

4 Nov 18min

He looked like the guy next door — an architect, a husband, a father.  But prosecutors say Rex Heuermann was also the man behind the Gilgo Beach murders, one of the most disturbing serial-killer cases in recent memory. In this psychological deep dive, Hidden Killers host Tony Brueski takes you inside the mind of control, exploring how a man can design blueprints by day and allegedly engineer horror by night. Through the lens of behavioral science, Tony examines compartmentalization, high-functioning psychopathy, and sadistic dominance — the traits that allow someone to live a double life so convincingly it fools everyone around them. From the soundproof basement to the meticulous planning, Heuermann’s world wasn’t chaos — it was choreography. This episode unpacks how his architecture mirrored his pathology and why the façade of normalcy is often the perfect camouflage for the worst kind of predator. Because monsters don’t always hide in the dark. Sometimes they wave from the driveway. #RexHeuermann #GilgoBeach #HiddenKillers #TonyBrueski #TrueCrimePodcast #SerialKillerPsychology #CriminalMind #FBIProfile #LongIslandMurders #BehavioralAnalysis Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

25 Okt 15min

He looked like the guy next door — an architect, a husband, a father.  But prosecutors say Rex Heuermann was also the man behind the Gilgo Beach murders, one of the most disturbing serial-killer cases in recent memory. In this psychological deep dive, Hidden Killers host Tony Brueski takes you inside the mind of control, exploring how a man can design blueprints by day and allegedly engineer horror by night. Through the lens of behavioral science, Tony examines compartmentalization, high-functioning psychopathy, and sadistic dominance — the traits that allow someone to live a double life so convincingly it fools everyone around them. From the soundproof basement to the meticulous planning, Heuermann’s world wasn’t chaos — it was choreography. This episode unpacks how his architecture mirrored his pathology and why the façade of normalcy is often the perfect camouflage for the worst kind of predator. Because monsters don’t always hide in the dark. Sometimes they wave from the driveway. #RexHeuermann #GilgoBeach #HiddenKillers #TonyBrueski #TrueCrimePodcast #SerialKillerPsychology #CriminalMind #FBIProfile #LongIslandMurders #BehavioralAnalysis Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

21 Okt 15min

Welcome to the "Week in Review," where we delve into the true stories behind this week's headlines. Your host, Tony Brueski, joins hands with a rotating roster of guests, sharing their insights and analysis on a collection of intriguing, perplexing, and often chilling stories that made the news.       This is not your average news recap. With the sharp investigative lens of Tony and his guests, the show uncovers layers beneath the headlines, offering a comprehensive perspective that traditional news can often miss. From high-profile criminal trials to in-depth examinations of ongoing investigations, this podcast takes listeners on a fascinating journey through the world of true crime and current events.       Each episode navigates through multiple stories, illuminating their details with factual reporting, expert commentary, and engaging conversation. Tony and his guests discuss each case's nuances, complexities, and human elements, delivering a multi-dimensional understanding to their audience.  Whether you are a dedicated follower of true crime, or an everyday listener interested in the stories shaping our world, the "Week in Review" brings you the perfect balance of intrigue, information, and intelligent conversation. Expect thoughtful analysis, informed opinions, and thought-provoking discussions beyond the 24-hour news cycle. Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

28 Sep 24min