Jim Leach began his law enforcement career in 1975, and he shares his insights as a multimedia analyst and consultant for Golden Media Group in matters relating to Criminal Justice. He served as a Special Agent in Charge for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
Rex Heuerman stands accused of killing seven women. There are indications he will plead guilty on April 8. Will he tell us the whole story?
In the world of serial killers, we consider two broad types of murderers: Organized and Disorganized. Rex Heuermann, a 62-year-old architect, is definitely considered to be an Organized type of killer.
He is said to have killed seven people whose bodies were found in 2010 and 2011. The bodies were found in the Gilgo Beach area of Long Island, New York, only a few miles from Heuermann’s home. The victims were young girls who were said to be involved in the escort business. Other bodies were found nearby, but police did not tie them back to Heuermann.
It was an excellent investigation. DNA from a discarded pizza crust that matched other evidence and a general description of a vehicle similar to Heuermann’s were only a part of the evidence police put together.
Following his arrest, investigators executed a search warrant at the subject’s home and uncovered some things that were very unusual. It appears that the killings, or at least some interaction with the victims, took place in Heuermann’s home, casting suspicion on family members. His wife, Asa Ellerup, denies her husband’s involvement. She even appears in a documentary based on the murders.
An attorney for one of the victims’ sons, declares that his client will pursue all leads regardless of a guilty plea.
The most interesting discovery was a manual on how to commit the crimes. It contained things to do and not to do. Titles included “Problems” and “Supplies”. There is no doubt that the murders were well planned and executed. There were notes citing mistakes that had been made in prior killings, as well as research that was conducted to discover creative ways to commit murder.
I was somewhat surprised that more victims were not found in other parts of the country, given that Heuermann was a traveler. Of course, there is no guarantee that there were no other murders and the bodies simply have not been found, or that some unsolved murder may be the result of his murderous actions, and the investigation did not point in his direction.
Hopefully, at some point, he will tell us why he killed those girls. Understanding the motivation of these types of killers may help catch others in the future. His motive probably falls somewhere underneath the umbrella of dominance and sexual gratification.
Brian Kohberger, the guy who (allegedly) murdered the Idaho college students, never told what his motivation was, and I have the feeling Heuermann won’t either.
We followed both these cases in my podcast series, Police Perspectives, if you would like to find out more.
The Idaho guy was dodging execution. The assumption has to be that Heuermann would plead guilty only to receive leniency at sentencing. It is a pretty safe bet the cold-blooded killer is not admitting his guilt because of issues with his conscience…
(PHOTO: Jim Leach)
