<p><em>&nbsp;"The suburban dad next door who was also a serial killer"</em></p><p>A serial killer admits to his crimes, but is justice served?</p><p>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."</p><p>Alexis recounts being in court as Rex Heuermann entered a guilty plea, admitting to being the Long Island serial killer.&nbsp;</p><p>She describes the intense scene, the victims’ families present, and Heuermann’s apathetic demeanor as he admitted to strangling eight victims.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>The episode previews the June sentencing, FBI Behavioral Science Unit interviews, possible additional victims, and CODIS (Combined DNA Index System) implications.</p><p>Is justice done? We report. You decide.</p><p><br>00:00 Guilty Plea Shocker</p><p>01:13 Inside the Courthouse</p><p>02:28 What He Admitted To</p><p>03:41 Origins of the Case</p><p>04:04 Corruption and Coverups</p><p>06:36 Coincidence at Court</p><p>09:26 Centering the Victims</p><p>12:47 Cold Case Breakthrough</p><p>13:51 Task Force and DNA Trail</p><p>14:51 The Tip That Cracked It</p><p>18:01 Double Life Questions</p><p>19:26 Hearing the Confession</p><p>22:07 Why Plead Guilty</p><p>23:28 Family in the Fallout</p><p>24:02 Basement Crime Timeline</p><p>26:02 More Victims Questions</p><p>27:17 Asian Doe Clues</p><p>29:38 Rootless Hair Breakthrough</p><p>32:17 Admissibility Frye Hearing</p><p>34:14 Courtroom Demeanor</p><p>34:45 Why He Killed</p><p>38:00 Sentencing Stakes</p><p>38:30 FBI Behavioral Study</p><p>41:41 Justice And Victims</p><p>44:10 CODIS And Future Cases</p><p>46:22 Book Project Wrap</p><p><a href="https://www.alexislinkletter.com/about/">Alexis Linkletter</a><br><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unraveled/id1543476170">Podcast: Unraveled</a></p><p><strong><em>SUPPORT OUR MISSION:</em></strong></p><p><em>Love nonpartisan news? Want a bigger serving of the serious headlines?&nbsp; Here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: </em><a href="https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/"><em>https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/&nbsp; </em></a><em>&nbsp;</em></p><p><a href="https://smarthernews.com/shop/"><em>Shop our gear!</em></a><em>&nbsp;</em></p><p><em>Instagram: </em><a href="https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/"><em>https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/&nbsp;</em></a></p><p><em>Website: </em><a href="https://smarthernews.com/"><em>https://smarthernews.com/&nbsp;</em></a></p><p><em>YouTube Channel: </em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews"><em>https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews&nbsp;</em></a></p>