The Gilgo Beach Murders: Vulnerable Targets

The Gilgo Beach Murders: Vulnerable Targets

From Forensic Friday by Jeannine Anderson & Natalie Halcomb

April 17, 2026 · 1h 35m

About this episode

This episode investigates the Gilgo Beach murders, focusing on systemic victimology and police malpractice that allowed the case to remain cold for years.

The arrest of architect Rex Heuermann in July 2023 was a shock to the world, but the evidence had been there all along. Today, we investigate the two forces that kept this case cold: systemic victimology and police malpractice. We analyze the profile of the 'successful professional' vs. the 'hidden victims' he targeted, and how the moral judgments of society and law enforcement created a 13-year head start for the killer. Featuring a breakdown of the Burke scandal and the forensic breakthroug...

People in this episode

Hosts: Jeannine Anderson, Natalie Halcomb

Topics covered

  • Gilgo Beach murders
  • systemic victimology
  • police malpractice
  • victim profiling
  • societal moral judgments

Keywords

  • Gilgo Beach
  • murders
  • Rex Heuermann
  • victimology
  • police malpractice
  • forensic breakthrough
  • Burke scandal

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Burke scandal

More episodes of Forensic Friday

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Forensic Friday podcast page.