Serial Killer Caught: The Backstory of A Surprise Guilty Plea
"The suburban dad next door who was also a serial killer"A serial killer admits to his crimes, but is justice served?We tackle that question and others in a wide-ranging conversation with investigative journalist Alexis Linkletter, who has covered this case for more than a decade and has poured several years into developing a podcast series on the mystery called, "Unraveled."Alexis recounts being in court as Rex Heuermann entered a guilty plea, admitting to being the Long Island serial killer. She describes the intense scene, the victims’ families present, and Heuermann’s apathetic demeanor as he admitted to strangling eight victims.The discussion traces the case’s history from the 2010 discovery of remains and the impact of Suffolk County corruption, to the revived multi-agency task force under District Attorney Ray Tierney.Linkletter explains how an early tip about a green Chevy Avalanche, phone-location links, surveillance, and DNA from discarded items helped lead to Heuermann’s 2023 arrest.She highlights cutting-edge nuclear DNA testing of rootless hairs that passed an initial hearing, potentially opening doors for other cold cases not only in New York but other states as well.The episode previews the June sentencing, FBI Behavioral Science Unit interviews, possible additional victims, and CODIS (Combined DNA Index System) implications.Is justice done? We report. You decide.00:00 Guilty Plea Shocker01:13 Inside the Courthouse02:28 What He Admitted To03:41 Origins of the Case04:04 Corruption and Coverups06:36 Coincidence at Court09:26 Centering the Victims12:47 Cold Case Breakthrough13:51 Task Force and DNA Trail14:51 The Tip That Cracked It18:01 Double Life Questions19:26 Hearing the Confession22:07 Why Plead Guilty23:28 Family in the Fallout24:02 Basement Crime Timeline26:02 More Victims Questions27:17 Asian Doe Clues29:38 Rootless Hair Breakthrough32:17 Admissibility Frye Hearing34:14 Courtroom Demeanor34:45 Why He Killed38:00 Sentencing Stakes38:30 FBI Behavioral Study41:41 Justice And Victims44:10 CODIS And Future Cases46:22 Book Project WrapAlexis LinkletterPodcast: UnraveledSUPPORT OUR MISSION:Love nonpartisan news? Want a bigger serving of the serious headlines? Here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/ Shop our gear! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/ Website: https://smarthernews.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews