Who is the LONG ISLAND SERIAL KILLER? *ARREST JULY 2023*

Who is the Long Island serial killer? This is a general discussion thread about this terrifying case.

Who is the Long Island Serial Killer?

The Long Island serial killer (also referred to as LISK, the Gilgo Beach Killer or the Craigslist Ripper) is an unidentified suspected serial killer who is believed to have murdered 10 to 16 people over a period of nearly 20 years.

www.crimewatchers.net

MEMBER'S ONLY DISCUSSION/DOCUMENTS: https://www.crimewatchers.net/threa...other-sensitive-information.3498/#post-226869

 

[Regina]

That is interesting but I wouldn't assume he did none after the last know to us but it's certainly possible. I suppose age slows down the drive and energy some but 47 isn't old and even aside from the sexual aspect where does that need for control, something different, fantasy, etc. go... I almost wonder if they are basing ages on the past... I guess what I mean is nowadays too you have internet porn, torture porn, there is that thing called viagra... Even if not intercourse by rape (NOT sex) it isn't like the sexual drive just disappears at 47 and I doubt the need to control and kill does either does it....? I guess I could see it going into the 50s and while we don't know they seemed to arrest because they were concerned about something and wasn't it said he was still calling and seeking sex workers even now?

I don't think anyone's assuming he hadn't committed more murders since the discovery of the Gilgo Four, it's just that those statistics are quite interesting when we look at this particular perp and his known crimes. Of course, statistics are just that and there are exceptions. Indeed, (info from Safarik) is that serial killers will continue after age 45 but it's been rare and even more rare after age 55.
From that same episode, I thought it was also very interesting to consider that individual serial killers could have been even more prolific than was determined. Speaking of such, per Kerri, there's a current investigation into other cases that could be linked to her father, which blows my mind because I would have expected that they'd have already done that!

 

[Regina]

LE have NOT interviewed Crybaby's wife! WTH?
Did anyone else imagine they had not interviewed her at least on arrest, just before or right after...??? And why not...

I'd imagine that as he was arrested, LE was at his home with a search warrant.

 

[Regina]

How did they determine the hair on/inside the burlap was hers, I wonder? How could they have identified that without her knowledge? Is it likely she and the daughter knew the arrest was going to happen and had cooperated with LE before the arrest?

I think they were completely unaware.
I think a genetic genealogist gave authorities a name to investigate and that authorities then covertly obtained items to collect DNA samples.

 

[Tresir]

This article explains how they matched the wife's hair. It also explains how they knew she was not home at the times of the murders.

Alleged serial killers' wife one-word comment as her family return home

After a 12-day search by police, the family of suspected Gilgo Beach murderer, Rex Heuermann returned to their New York home

www.mirror.co.uk

"On August 28, 2010, the wife's cellular phone travelled from New York to New Jersey. On September 5, 2010, the wife returned to New York from New Jersey. Consequently, the cellular telephone subscribed to by Defendant Heuermann’s wife was out of New York State during the time of Amber Costello’s disappearance.
This is significant as the wife's hair was actually found and listed as evidence. Investigators apparently were able to recover 11 bottles from a receptacle by the house, which were swabbed for DNA, which was confirmed as a match to some of the hairs found on the bodies and authorities realized belonged to the wife."


The article also confirms that LE burst into the house at the same time he was arrested in Manhattan.

"59-year-old Asa Ellerup was at home in Massapequa Park on Thursday, July 13, when officers burst in at the exact same moment her husband was taken into custody outside his Manhattan architectural firm. Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison told Fox 5: "When we told the wife, she was shocked, she was embarrassed.

"But there was a point where we showed her certain pictures and she said, 'Ok, it is what it is'."

It's not clear exactly what images helped Heuermann's wife of at least 25 years accept her husband could have been the Long Island Serial Killer. Numerous images seen in court documents showed Heuermann, 59, buying apparent burner phones and posing for chilling selfies while allegedly paying for the services of sex workers.

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney during a press conference on Tuesday."We have obtained a massive amount of material [from the house search] all of which has to be cataloged and analyzed.We won't know what we have for quite some time." "

 

[Mel70]

IMO. He started killing a long time ago. Average starting age is mod twenties to early thirties. Then, As you say, I don't believe he stopped killing. Serial killers don't do that unless in prison, Dead, Or completely physically incapacitated. After their first killing, That's it.

 

[GrandmaBear]

IIRC, they saw that he was looking up things on how they could catch the LISK. The cops began to worry that he might be on to the fact that they were getting close.

I've heard a couple of different things and that one as well, not sure if it was their reason but I've, heard he bought another track phone and that was a bad sign in their opinion, I've heard they worried another attack was being planned (which may come from the track phone purchase perhaps), I've heard speculation they were worried word would get out with all this going on the bigger it got and longer it went on, with the grand jury, etc. following him... Reading his things like searches, emails, or whatever. Maybe something tipped him off. Can they go into all this stuff and not maybe accidentally leave some trace...? MAYBE he was googling about how they do these kinds of things and they worried it meant he knew somehow they were doing them. Could he have "made" a "tail" or someone observing or following him? I don't know that its' known for sure. I've heard some of these things said like they are fact and some are speculated. I think the track phone purchase is fact and IIRC, it was in the filings with the court that he did this. I COULD be wrong on that though.

WHAT IF a prostitute or more than a few started acting funny towards him meaning if word was getting around the street as to what kind of man to stay away from if any of them were questioned and any time he tried to approach one they said no... That's a bit far fetched but just saying it could be anything.

IS IT KNOWN what their reason was? Not sure. The track phone thing seemed to be portrayed as fact for the reason I think again in Grizzly or maybe it was Law and Crime where Grizzly got some of the things I've mentioned.

I don't know if I mentioned either that her kids also lawyered up, there is supposedly a lawyer for mom and for the kids. I wonder if the minute the cops were at the house informing them they refused to talk and asked for lawyers? That would SURE be pretty with it when just receiving the biggest shock in your life, IF it was a shock...

Ive been gone ALL day and most of the night, very tiring day "off" so haven't looked at anything further since last remarking here I don't think.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I don't think anyone's assuming he hadn't committed more murders since the discovery of the Gilgo Four, it's just that those statistics are quite interesting when we look at this particular perp and his known crimes. Of course, statistics are just that and there are exceptions. Indeed, (info from Safarik) is that serial killers will continue after age 45 but it's been rare and even more rare after age 55.
From that same episode, I thought it was also very interesting to consider that individual serial killers could have been even more prolific than was determined. Speaking of such, per Kerri, there's a current investigation into other cases that could be linked to her father, which blows my mind because I would have expected that they'd have already done that!

Yeah, I agree, it is just a likelihood, what they have seen studying past ones, etc. He may have and may not have been still active even up to now but I do think it was said he was still calling sex workers recently even and I thought that was fact but I can't swear to it. Maybe it was assumed when hearing he bought another phone or speculated/assumed, not sure. I can't take the time to verify that that has actually been said by LE in either filings or court papers or at least just haven't had a chance. I do think the purchase of the phone was said by LE though. Fairly certain.

Yeah I heard Keri say that. That was interesting. I guess it makes sense when one things about it. They tie the crimes they can by similarities or other things (especially before DNA or in its infancy etc.) or by DNA, their other way is if they get the killer to admit to them or others that they don't know about but they may even suspect some or not know of some but they just couldn't tie some together to charge. BUT as time passes and technology in DNA and other things advances they can probably still hope to go back and look at those cases (if they knew of them) and use new advances to maybe test something they couldn't before, etc.

In this case, there was a family or sister who thought their loved one was likely killed by that other serial killer but though he admitted to other murders, he would NOT TAKE credit for hers and now she thinks similarities and all, it may have been Crybaby. So even when people learn of arrests, convictions, details of other murders years later, they may bring it to attention of LE to say hey see if he might have been my family member's killer because it seems to fit this and that, etc.

I'm glad LE keeps looking for such because even though he is convicted and will never get out and they can't really add more time for him so to speak, other cases remain unsolved and those families need answers so of course I guess there is a reason to keep seeing if it could be this convicted guy or that one or even one on the street unknown of yet...

Yeah I had heard Keri say that but didn't think to mention it as they are long videos and I was more focused on the stuff about this case as far as what to relay from the video.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I'd imagine that as he was arrested, LE was at his home with a search warrant.

You would think so. I'd think they'd have done that and the SC home and Vegas all simultaneously. And his office and anything related to him they knew about at that point. KNowledge of the storage units MAY have come after going through records or something, not sure. And it doesn't sound like they did do SC simulatneously but a few days later but not positive on that but I would have thought simultaneous searches would have been done.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I think they were completely unaware.
I think a genetic genealogist gave authorities a name to investigate and that authorities then covertly obtained items to collect DNA samples.

I'm not sure I follow what you mean or how they'd come up with a name. From what?

I'd guess they were onto Rex due to the truck and phones and they then matched what they could to his DNA per the pizza, etc. and then wondered who the other hairs belonged to and by that point or immediately knew he was married, her hair color, etc. and obtained a discarded sample of her DNA by a pizza crust, pop can or some such. Maybe even tried to get discarded trash of the kids as well... I don't know that, just guessing.

 

[Cousin Dupree]

Yeah, I agree, it is just a likelihood, what they have seen studying past ones, etc. He may have and may not have been still active even up to now but I do think it was said he was still calling sex workers recently even and I thought that was fact but I can't swear to it. Maybe it was assumed when hearing he bought another phone or speculated/assumed, not sure. I can't take the time to verify that that has actually been said by LE in either filings or court papers or at least just haven't had a chance. I do think the purchase of the phone was said by LE though. Fairly certain.

Yeah I heard Keri say that. That was interesting. I guess it makes sense when one things about it. They tie the crimes they can by similarities or other things (especially before DNA or in its infancy etc.) or by DNA, their other way is if they get the killer to admit to them or others that they don't know about but they may even suspect some or not know of some but they just couldn't tie some together to charge. BUT as time passes and technology in DNA and other things advances they can probably still hope to go back and look at those cases (if they knew of them) and use new advances to maybe test something they couldn't before, etc.

In this case, there was a family or sister who thought their loved one was likely killed by that other serial killer but though he admitted to other murders, he would NOT TAKE credit for hers and now she thinks similarities and all, it may have been Crybaby. So even when people learn of arrests, convictions, details of other murders years later, they may bring it to attention of LE to say hey see if he might have been my family member's killer because it seems to fit this and that, etc.

I'm glad LE keeps looking for such because even though he is convicted and will never get out and they can't really add more time for him so to speak, other cases remain unsolved and those families need answers so of course I guess there is a reason to keep seeing if it could be this convicted guy or that one or even one on the street unknown of yet...

Yeah I had heard Keri say that but didn't think to mention it as they are long videos and I was more focused on the stuff about this case as far as what to relay from the video.

Who's the "other" serial killer?

 

[GrandmaBear]

This article explains how they matched the wife's hair. It also explains how they knew she was not home at the times of the murders.

Alleged serial killers' wife one-word comment as her family return home

After a 12-day search by police, the family of suspected Gilgo Beach murderer, Rex Heuermann returned to their New York home

www.mirror.co.uk

"On August 28, 2010, the wife's cellular phone travelled from New York to New Jersey. On September 5, 2010, the wife returned to New York from New Jersey. Consequently, the cellular telephone subscribed to by Defendant Heuermann’s wife was out of New York State during the time of Amber Costello’s disappearance.
This is significant as the wife's hair was actually found and listed as evidence. Investigators apparently were able to recover 11 bottles from a receptacle by the house, which were swabbed for DNA, which was confirmed as a match to some of the hairs found on the bodies and authorities realized belonged to the wife."


The article also confirms that LE burst into the house at the same time he was arrested in Manhattan.

"59-year-old Asa Ellerup was at home in Massapequa Park on Thursday, July 13, when officers burst in at the exact same moment her husband was taken into custody outside his Manhattan architectural firm. Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison told Fox 5: "When we told the wife, she was shocked, she was embarrassed.

"But there was a point where we showed her certain pictures and she said, 'Ok, it is what it is'."

It's not clear exactly what images helped Heuermann's wife of at least 25 years accept her husband could have been the Long Island Serial Killer. Numerous images seen in court documents showed Heuermann, 59, buying apparent burner phones and posing for chilling selfies while allegedly paying for the services of sex workers.

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney during a press conference on Tuesday."We have obtained a massive amount of material [from the house search] all of which has to be cataloged and analyzed.We won't know what we have for quite some time." "

I should have read further before commenting but it does confirm it is about what I figured, they tried to match all the hairs when they realized he was their guy.

Interesting though, I had not heard they showed her certain pictures and then she "accepted" he could have been the killer. That doesn't seem to fit with they never interviewed her or questioned her... It could I guess if it only took them minutes after her shock and embarrassment to convince her that he was POSSIBLY the killer and then she lawyered up or shut up or something but why if you accepted it would you then not sit down with them and answer any and all questions...

You have to wonder what the pictures were of... THey wouldn't have had anything from the searches yet. They could have shown her surveillance photos from nowadays getting a track phone, his searches, his escort and porn searches but NONE of that would mean he did these things, he could have just been hiding cheating and lying and hiring prostitutes. I don't think even searches about what they would do or knew about LISK would mean that to a wife.

Showing her the scenes or the bodies wouldn't prove anything. The belt might but I find it HARD to believe she never heard of this belt living in NYC and so near the burial sites and one would think worried some killer was on the loose frequenting the very area near their home to dispose of bodies. I would think she like anyone in the near vicinity would pay close attention to the case. That belt was put out pretty big.

OTHER than that what would convince her that was something personal to him or proving he was there, did it, or could have, etc.? That comes in the form of a picture?

They have something I'd say that we don't know about and they didn't put in the charging documents. That's my guess. What though, I have no idea. I could see maybe the DNA or cell phone things convincing her but that's not something I'd think of as some image/picture they showed her.

Interesting. Very.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Who's the "other" serial killer?

I forget but it's one that is in prison and admitted to the ones he did allegedly. The name has been mentioned before in videos about this case. His victims weren't on the beaches I don't think, not sure. Is it the Manorville guy? I'm not up on the other one which is I'm sure why I can't bring the name to mind but if I heard it I'd probably know. Her case was NEVER connected to him but the family to try to get some sense of peace decided he likely did it but wouldn't admit to it for some reason until they heard of the details of these bodies and more of those details recently and she feels Crybaby more close matches what was done to her sister than the other guy WHO of course would not admit to that one murder they thought he may have done but he said "that's not my work" or something like that one, not that one. He refused to take blame for that one.

I think I mentioned it back a ways in this thread, his name or at least her name OR I linked the article of her sister (I think it was a sister) saying such.

 

[GrandmaBear]

In just this past week/days. if I remembered to share it and comment on it. I'm pretty sure I did.

 

[Cousin Dupree]

I should have read further before commenting but it does confirm it is about what I figured, they tried to match all the hairs when they realized he was their guy.

Interesting though, I had not heard they showed her certain pictures and then she "accepted" he could have been the killer. That doesn't seem to fit with they never interviewed her or questioned her... It could I guess if it only took them minutes after her shock and embarrassment to convince her that he was POSSIBLY the killer and then she lawyered up or shut up or something but why if you accepted it would you then not sit down with them and answer any and all questions...

You have to wonder what the pictures were of... THey wouldn't have had anything from the searches yet. They could have shown her surveillance photos from nowadays getting a track phone, his searches, his escort and porn searches but NONE of that would mean he did these things, he could have just been hiding cheating and lying and hiring prostitutes. I don't think even searches about what they would do or knew about LISK would mean that to a wife.

Showing her the scenes or the bodies wouldn't prove anything. The belt might but I find it HARD to believe she never heard of this belt living in NYC and so near the burial sites and one would think worried some killer was on the loose frequenting the very area near their home to dispose of bodies. I would think she like anyone in the near vicinity would pay close attention to the case. That belt was put out pretty big.

OTHER than that what would convince her that was something personal to him or proving he was there, did it, or could have, etc.? That comes in the form of a picture?

They have something I'd say that we don't know about and they didn't put in the charging documents. That's my guess. What though, I have no idea. I could see maybe the DNA or cell phone things convincing her but that's not something I'd think of as some image/picture they showed her.

Interesting. Very.

If the police told her that her hair was found on bodies then I'd call a lawyer too.

 

[GrandmaBear]

If the police told her that her hair was found on bodies then I'd call a lawyer too.

IF that's what she did at that point, it's unclear yet to me if she called a lawyer then or when. And they may not tell her that if they want a chance to interview or interrogate her. They could be and probably were very selective in what they shared with her. Or should be is more what I probably mean. They'd have no reason necessarily to tell her about the hairs. No reason to share all evidence at all.

While her phone being out of town is pretty solid evidence she was out of town it still does not clear her from ever knowing anything, discovering anything, helping dispose, etc. It probably is unlikely but again we don't know how long he may have kept these women or where and we sure don't know when the bodies were disposed of. We only know the dates purportedly last seen and that's not exactly a perfect date of disappearance necessarily. This was a big thing, a major task force and it looks like a serious effort to find the killer and I don't think they'd go in lightly without having already decided how much to say to her and what to share and not share. I would hope anyhow. So I just don't see the need to tell her about her hairs at all. I mean they maybe may have done so, hoping she'd abandon all caution and talk to clear herself and scared they were looking at her, but as you said, you'd call a lawyer too if hairs made it look as if you may be involved so probably wouldn't be wise to tell her if they want cooperation...

You know they are talking to her at that point and apparently she to them because as the article tresir shared they had to show her some photos to get her to accept her hub may be the killer. So did she claim up then or did they leave it at that and she left as they tossed the home and overnight she tried to or did each Crybaby or the next day and then he told her to lawyer up OR she decided to or did she invoke this right after seeing these pictures or whatever.

That is IF they have it right that police have not interviewed her. I have taken it as a fact due to Law and Crime and guests and then Grizzly sharing it who does her homework but it isn't quite fitting with there was some conversation at least in the beginning of them being at the home telling the children and her...

I can tell you flat out that I'd never do that, I'd fall right in and be as cooperative as they wanted and be open and honest if I was innocent. I know this. Maybe not smart but I would. IF not told of her hairs, etc. and even then I'd be telling how it COULDN'T BE unless transfer hairs. And if I was in TRUE SHOCK and total surprise, I'd likely be even more apt to do that. I can't help but think those that wouldn't would be because they ARE NOT shocked about it all and have thought about this if it ever happened... Imo average honest not guilty citizens just do so with police having nothing to hide. They just fall into it. If she lawyered up almost on the spot it just adds to my doubts with her.
I said I think yesterday I don't know what it is, but she isn't striking me right. In the Delphi case and Allen, I don't have suspicions about the wife being involved. NONE. I do have an opinion about face some things and maybe you don't want to keep that loyalty and you'd better be smart and protect assets and yourself but I don't SUSPECT her of knowing necessarily. This one is different. And it isn't at all just because of the hairs of hers.

if she and her children from what they said got lawyers, does this fit with what people are saying that she had no money, no control over the money, that she can't tap into "their" or his funds, etc. Lawyers cost money. Let me tell you a LOT of money, I certainly know in recent days and years. And that was divorce, not murder. Try more than 50K for what shouldn't have ever cost that. No kids. No custody fights.

It was actually you I think that said she can't access "his" money or funds, etc. I still don't know where that came from or how you know what they have as their system in their marriage. People talk of food stamps yet she hires lawyers. It's kind of like they don't pay their income taxes but he has a gun collection, she has the comic book thing and collection, she was going on about some special collectible of her daughter's, she traveled with the kids, the talk of no money but then the opposite just don't fit together...

It ain't adding up I guess. Other residences were purchased I am guessing AFTER they were married and after his purchase of this home from his mom. A condo in Vegas for crying out loud. Unless in some slum area, I doubt it was cheap and these places have to be kept or somewhat maintained I imagine at least a condo. There'd be a condo association I'd imagine. It is said they were not paying their income taxes, were they up on their property taxes on all these places in different states? Are they poor? Or are they not?

GoFundME for her and she talks as if woe is me and like that home is all she has/they have. That isn't true. There are other owned homes. Could she and the kids right now go an stay in the Vegas condo? I can't see why not. In fact it would likely be a great place to try to not be so invaded by media. NOt saying they wouldn't be found by any media member or recognized by anyone but it would sure be better than staying where they are.

It's been said from the start this is an "uncontested" divorce. That means to me and the only way you can have that is he is saying you do it and I won't fight it and that also means by default she could get all assets, depending on law. Why would he do that unless he wants the assets retained so she can help him out. And if he isn't contesting the divorce then I doubt he'd have an issue with her and the kids staying in Vegas unless he wants her to turn against him.

I see NO reason here to think she has turned against him or believes he is guilty...

Long, long day for me of a one day turnaround trip which turned into a longer one for a few reasons. So here I am where I could go on and on to release some steam before back to work on another long stretch.

Aside from the crimes, things just aren't fitting together about their finances, whether she really believes him to be guilty, whether she will try to or is helping him or intends to (assets/money if any they have), etc.

No one to my knowledge has ever said or verified they are destitute. There certainly are properties. And I think people are insane to be donating to a gofundme knowing so little. I don't knock their goodheartedness but nothing in one day or one week after his arrest is going to leave them in some dire situation immediately financially. And I'm pretty certain no one even knows what their finances are like.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Well, I was out of town all day and not online etc. and most of the night. No one saw this press conference from her attorney I just now for the first time since getting home went to YT? She has cancer? And Rex had an EMPLOYER? Thought he owned his own firm. Who is his employer? The City?

I've just started to watch it. I'm linking it since I think I caught up on this thread and saw no link or mention or talk of it. Judging by Grizzly's video time on it, it happened a good 11 hours ago at least.

 

[Cousin Dupree]

 

[GrandmaBear]

So her attorney speaks. Now the adult children's separate attorney is speaking.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Announcing they are filing a lawsuit within I think a time frame it has to be done in per him and I think he said 30 days from whatever date.

I am going to guess this is against the City or Police Department and search and what they did to the home, etc.

It starts out with she is battling cancer... Okay then I felt bad. Now hearing of a lawsuit and telling of their needs before that and how she won't have health insurance after thanking for all the donations, etc. I am NOT LIKING this. Talk about crafted.

She may not have been involved and she is a victim OF the fact of course they had to search that home and tear it apart if that is what this is about. Gofundmes along with hints for more need for help and money and then a lawsuit.

Maybe I'll feel differently as I watch it to the end but I started out with some sympathy but I'm not feeling it now. What family rallies right after something like this that should have devastated them to filing lawsuits and getting Gofundme money, etc.? Your husband is a likely serial killer who has devastated other families but you are going to sue probably the city or PD that searched his home? Has this family even thought about for a nanosecond the other victims in this case?

 

[GrandmaBear]

Yep it is against law enforcement. He just said so.

Did these attorneys swoop to them or did this family look for attorneys? Did these attorneys suggest suits against the city swooping in on them? Or did the family look for such?

When have we EVER seen something like this on an arrest of a serial killer from family members? Against the PD? Funny that Rader's daughter was saying something very similar to this not long ago... And that another serial killer's daughter started the GO FUND ME.

I have total sympathy for these families but this has been funny from the start and yes they are stuck as probably also victims of their PARTNER or DAD but there's organization going on here. Wouldn't it be nice if the victim's families got donations and help to fight for justice and new homes and money to pay their insurance and if they could sue the City for not solving this case and all the misdeeds of former administrations through the years? Do we see any of them doing that? Or attorneys helping them do such a thing?

I haven't finished it yet but I'm disgusted.