9: Inside The Family Life Of Accused Gilgo Beach Killer Rex Heuermann

Adelsons’ Dark Holidays, D4VD’s Body in the Trunk, Rex Heuermann’s Trial Tightrope In this episode of Hidden Killers Live with Tony Brueski, Stacy Cole, and Todd Michaels, the conversation swings from lighthearted Halloween chatter into some of the darkest cases dominating headlines today. The show opens with pumpkins, pasta sauce, and a creepy animatronic doll that leaves Harper screaming — but the mood shifts quickly as the hosts turn their attention to the Adelson family. Once known for wealth and influence, the Adelsons now face prison cells, empty chairs at holiday tables, and children left in the middle of a murder-for-hire plot. What do the holidays look like for a family split between freedom and incarceration? And how does Jeff Lacasse’s painful, raw testimony continue to shape public perception of Wendi Adelson and the damage she left behind? From Florida, the spotlight moves west to Hollywood. Rising star D4VD’s career collapsed overnight after the decomposed body of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez was discovered in the trunk of his Tesla. Tony is joined by defense attorney and former prosecutor Eric Faddis to unpack the legal nightmare: ownership vs. possession of the vehicle, the disturbing revelation of matching tattoos, grooming allegations, missing-person timelines, and deleted social media trails that may point to destruction of evidence. Is this the fall of a star — or could someone in his inner circle be framing him? Finally, the team shifts to Long Island, where accused serial killer Rex Heuermann faces a consolidated mega-trial after a judge ruled that seven murder charges will be tried together. With groundbreaking DNA technology, victim dignity concerns, and family fallout all in play, the Gilgo Beach case has become one of the most complex trials in recent memory. Can Heuermann’s ex-wife Asa Ellerup or even his daughter be called to testify? Can jurors truly remain impartial under this level of public scrutiny? And will new forensic science set precedent for murder prosecutions across the country? This episode blends sharp analysis, dark humor, and deep dives into three of the most haunting cases of our time — the Adelsons, D4VD, and Rex Heuermann — exposing not only the crimes, but the rippling human cost. Hashtags: #HiddenKillersLive #AdelsonCase #DanMarkel #D4VD #CelesteRivasHernandez #RexHeuermann #GilgoBeach #TrueCrimePodcast #Justice #TrueCrimeCommunity 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

26 Sep 1h 55min

The DNA Breakthrough & What Comes Next Rex Heuermann's Burlap, Hair, and Pizza: The Forensic Breaks That Nailed the Gilgo Suspect After years of dead ends, the case against Rex Heuermann broke open with a slice of pizza. Surveillance teams tailing him in 2023 collected a discarded crust, extracting DNA that matched hairs found on the burlap sacks wrapped around the Gilgo Beach victims. Not just his hair—familial matches tied back to his wife and daughter, consistent with the chaotic, unclean hoarder house investigators uncovered. Forensic science has now caught up with cold cases. Whole-genome sequencing—a powerful new tool—can analyze even hairs without roots, building a near-complete profile. Defense lawyers fought to keep it out, calling it “untested.” But the court just ruled: it’s in. Jurors may not understand the science, but they’ll understand this: it’s precise, it’s definitive, and it ties Rex Heuermann to the crime scene. We dig into what that means: how genome sequencing strengthens forensic cases, why it will likely become the new courtroom standard, and why Rex’s arguments about “new science” may backfire. And we ask: what about Asa? Did she know nothing, or was she so trauma-bonded and compartmentalized that denial became her survival? Her claim that “I still feel Rex is here” after the house raid shows a connection that goes beyond ordinary loyalty. From DNA on pizza crust to notes in the basement, the walls are closing in. The trial date hasn’t been set, but with DNA admitted, the odds of Rex Heuermann ever walking free again are vanishing. This is the turn from cold case to courtroom reality—and it’s decades in the making. Hashtags #RexHeuermann #GilgoBeach #LongIslandSerialKiller #DNAEvidence #WholeGenomeSequencing #HiddenKillers #ColdCaseSolved #TrueCrime #PizzaCrustDNA #CourtroomDrama 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

9 Sep 12min

Asa Ellerup Speaks: Why She Still Defends Rex in the Gilgo Beach Case What does it mean when a wife says that telling her husband “I love you” would hurt him? In a recent documentary, Asa Ellerup, wife of accused Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann, gave interviews that stunned audiences with her continued loyalty, denial, and outright disbelief. “He’s a family man. He didn’t do this,” she insists—even as evidence piles up. In this segment, we break down Asa’s words, her courtroom reactions, and her refusal to see the mounting proof. Then we contrast that with the most chilling discovery from Rex’s own basement: a typed “murder blueprint.” The document contained sectioned lists straight out of an engineering project plan: Problems: DNA, fingerprints, blood stains. Supplies: Rope (“heavy rope for neck”), saws, plastic drop cloths, acid and lye. Dump sites: GPS coordinates for multiple disposal locations. Targets: “Small women,” “remove tattoos,” “remove ID marks.” This wasn’t random scribbling. It was methodical. It even included reminders like “get sleep before hunt” and “use pushpins to hang drop cloths.” Cold, calculated, and terrifying in its simplicity. We unpack what it means when someone needs a checklist for murder, why the rigidity points to an engineering brain, and how denial in a spouse can cross from blindness into complicity. Add in the neighbors and coworkers who described Rex as aggressive, unsettling, and Jekyll-and-Hyde, and you get the full picture: a man hiding behind a suburban façade, and a wife who still insists it’s all a mistake. This is where the case stops being about “maybe” and starts staring us in the face. When you have lists that literally say “rope for neck,” how much more does it take? Hashtags #RexHeuermann #AsaEllerup #GilgoBeach #LongIslandSerialKiller #TrueCrime #MurderBlueprint #HiddenKillers #Denial #SerialKillerCase #TrueCrimeCommunity 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

9 Sep 12min

Rex Heuermann Gilgo Case Origins: First Bodies, Burlap Sacks & Police Cover-Up The Rex Heuermann case didn’t start in 2023 with a DNA breakthrough—it goes back more than a decade to the chilling discoveries along Gilgo Beach. We rewind the timeline, from the 2010 search for missing Shannon Gilbert to the discovery of the “Gilgo Four,” all petite women who vanished after advertising on Craigslist. Wrapped in burlap, buried along the same stretch of beach, their bodies set off one of the most infamous cold cases in New York history. But it didn’t stop there. As investigators kept digging, more remains turned up—including a toddler, an unidentified Asian male, and dismembered women, some dating back to 1996. Was this one killer or several? The case quickly spiraled into mystery. And then—silence. For over a decade, little progress was made. Why? Because Suffolk County Police Chief James Burke actively blocked the FBI from joining the case. When you’ve got burlap, DNA, and a dozen bodies but nothing moves forward, it begs the question: who’s protecting who? Burke’s later conviction for beating a suspect and his connections to a seedy underworld only deepen suspicions that corruption slowed justice and kept families waiting. Meanwhile, the victims—often sex workers—were denied resources and media attention, buried twice: once by the killer, and again by the system. This segment pulls the threads together: the bodies, the cover-up, the phone taunts to grieving families, and the institutional indifference that kept a predator free for years. It’s the foundation of the case that now sits squarely on Rex Heuermann’s shoulders, with DNA evidence poised to bring it into court. Hashtags #RexHeuermann #GilgoBeach #LongIslandSerialKiller #TrueCrime #HiddenKillers #DNAEvidence #ColdCase #Corruption #JamesBurke #JusticeDelayed 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

9 Sep 12min

Donna Adelson’s Collapse, Kohberger’s Meds EXPOSED & Rex Heuermann’s DNA Bombshell The true crime headlines this week read like a three-act tragedy. We begin with Donna Adelson, who just spent her first weekend as a convicted murderer. Cameras caught her courtroom “collapse”—but was it really collapse, or the same manipulation tactic she’s used her entire life? Retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke joins us to unpack why Donna’s outward, audience-scanning “shock” didn’t play, how fear and control ruled her family for decades, and why the jury likely returned so fast. We dive into the psychology of the “look” and the family trauma-bonding that made the Adelsons implode in plain sight. Then we pivot to Bryan Kohberger. Newly released photos from his apartment and office offer strange insight—a birthday card from his mom, a smiley face echoing on his office door, disorganized chaos clashing with his “OCD” diagnosis. But the real reveal? A drug code hidden in paperwork pointing to levothyroxine, a thyroid medication that, if mismanaged, can amplify agitation, obsession, and instability. Pair that with his autism, OCD, ADHD, and ARFID diagnoses, and you get a profile of someone rigid, fixated, and increasingly unmoored. These conditions explain quirks, not murder. The choice to kill was his alone—but the context is chilling. Finally, the Rex Heuermann case turns a corner. After years of silence, DNA is officially in. A discarded pizza crust tied him to hairs on burlap sacks that wrapped the Gilgo Beach victims. The science? Whole-genome sequencing—a new, court-admitted method that can pull profiles from even hair without roots. Defense cried “never used before.” The judge said, “there’s always a first.” Now, the path to trial is clearer, and the odds of Rex walking away grow slimmer by the day. Three cases. Three collapsing facades. Donna, Bryan, Rex. Each revealing that control, denial, and obsession don’t hold forever. Subscribe, drop your thoughts in the comments, and join us live every weekday 10 a.m.–noon CT for Hidden Killers Live. Hashtags  #DonnaAdelson #BryanKohberger #RexHeuermann #HiddenKillers #TrueCrime #DNAEvidence #CourtroomDrama #PsychologicalControl #TrueCrimeCommunity #LegalAnalysis 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

9 Sep 2h 1min

Big Breakdown - More Horrific SECRETS Of Gilgo Beach Killer's Life Exposed! What else could possibly emerge from the Gilgo Beach investigation? Turns out—plenty. In this Big Breakdown, we dive into newly exposed details that paint an even darker portrait of Rex Heuermann, the alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer. From disturbing items uncovered in his basement to chilling patterns in his online life, this episode explores the secrets no one wanted to believe were real. We break down the latest evidence, dissect timelines that suddenly make a lot more sense—and a lot more horrifying—and question how so many red flags went unchecked for decades. As investigators peel back the layers of this case, we're left asking: Who protected this man? What enabled him to keep hunting in plain sight? And what does this reveal about the failures within our justice system and community awareness? If you think you know the story of the Gilgo Beach murders… you don’t. Not yet.  Join us as we expose the deeper horror behind the headlines.  Leave your thoughts in the comments—should more people be charged? Hashtags: #GilgoBeach #RexHeuermann #TrueCrime #SerialKiller #BigBreakdown #JusticeForVictims #HorrorInPlainSight #HiddenKillers #CrimeScene #DarkTruth 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 Sep 41min

Gilgo Beach Trial Showdown: DNA Bombshell Looms in Rex Heuermann Case The Rex Heuermann case is barreling toward a major inflection point—and July 17 might just decide everything. In this episode, we break down exactly what’s about to go down in court, where the accused Gilgo Beach serial killer faces a pivotal Frye hearing on the admissibility of the prosecution’s DNA evidence. The stakes? Nothing less than the forensic backbone of the entire case. At issue is the use of cutting-edge whole genome sequencing, a method prosecutors say conclusively links hair found on victims to Heuermann and his family. The defense is calling it “magic,” arguing it’s too new and untested for New York courts. If the judge agrees, Heuermann could dodge one of the strongest scientific ties between him and the seven women he’s accused of murdering. But if the evidence is allowed? Heuermann's defense may be toast. We also explore what else could emerge at the hearing: will more victims be linked? Will previously unseen digital evidence surface from the arsenal of hard drives seized from Heuermann’s home? And how will the court rule on whether the case should be split into multiple trials—or proceed as one massive, media-saturated showdown? Beyond the courtroom, the investigation is still active. With four Gilgo-area victims not yet tied to Heuermann, and rumors of out-of-state connections under review, this story is far from over. We break it all down in plain English—with sharp insight, no fluff, and just enough sarcasm to keep the horror digestible. The courtroom may be dry, but this case? Anything but. Hashtags: #RexHeuermann #GilgoBeachMurders #DNAEvidence #FryeHearing #TrueCrimePodcast #SerialKillerTrial #HairEvidence #CourtroomDrama #TrueCrimeUpdate #JusticeForTheVictims

9 Juli 22min

-2025 Half Year in Review  This 4th of July 2025 flashback weekend, we're looking back at the biggest stories we've covered so far this year in our 2025 Half Year in Review. Welcome to "The Year in Review," where we delve into the true stories behind this year's most compelling 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 have dominated 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. Throughout the past year, we've followed and dissected cases such as P. Diddy, the Delphi Murders, Bryan Kohberger, Rex Heuermann, Lori Daybell, and the Adelson family. Each episode navigates through these 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.    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

6 Juli 15min