LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK: The chilling discovery of eerie keepsakes in the home of accused Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann has shed light on the possible fuel behind his twisted fantasies and the potential trophies from his victims. As investigators combed through the dilapidated Massapequa Park residence in search of clues, they unearthed an unsettling array of items, from innocent suburban staples like a hockey stick and stuffed animals to deeply disturbing artifacts, including a child-sized doll, an unnerving portrait of a blonde woman with blackened eyes, and a collection of what is being referred to as "torture porn," according to a report by Fox News.

An expert's analysis

The expert insight into the significance of these items came from Dr Katherine Kuhlman, an Arizona-based psychologist who specializes in Police and Public Safety Psychology. In an interview with the New York Post, Kuhlman offered her perspective on the psychological aspects of the case. “People don’t snap," she asserted. "When you have someone who engages in this type of sadistic violence, there’s a process and there’s an escalation to that point." The psychologist continued, “So over time, people typically become desensitized to things that you and I might find frightening or disturbing."

Kuhlman surmised that the disturbing images found in Heuermann's possession could have served to "amp him up" for his alleged spree of violence on Long Island. Drawing on her expertise, she hinted at the potential role of dark imagery, like BDSM porn, in desensitizing Heuermann and leading him to the point where he found gratification in his disturbing actions. "It gets to the point where nothing else is as thrilling to him as those disturbing images… as those kills," she explained.

Who is the Gilgo Beach murders suspect Rex Heuermann?

Rex Heuermann, 59, a married father of two and an architect at a New York City firm, was arrested in connection with the infamous "Gilgo Four" murders that took place in Long Island back in 2010. The victims, Melissa Barthelemy, 24, Megan Waterman, 22, Amber Lynn Costello, 27, and Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25, were all found wrapped in burlap in close proximity to each other.

The discovery of Barthelemy's body on Ocean Parkway in December 2010 initially raised fears of a serial killer in the area. Subsequently, the body count rose to ten, including eight women, an unidentified man, and a toddler. Heuermann's arrest came after the establishment of a specialized task force, the Gilgo Beach Homicide Investigation Task Force, in February 2022, under the direction of Suffolk County's new police commissioner. The accused killer pleaded not guilty to all murder charges on July 14.

The role of eerie keepsakes

Kuhlman shed light on the disturbing nature of the items found in Heuermann's home, suggesting that serial killers often collect "physical" trophies from their victims. However, she posed an intriguing question, wondering if the unsettling images and portraits seized by authorities could serve as reminders of his victims and, in essence, be considered his trophies, allowing him to relive his gruesome acts.

"The items could trigger the memories of what he did and essentially recreate that fantasy that he can relive over and over and over again," Kuhlman stated, implying that these keepsakes may have played a significant role in sustaining Heuermann's dark desires. Regarding the child-sized doll found at the crime scene, Kuhlman speculated that it might represent youthfulness, potentially linked to the age of some of Heuermann's victims. "I wouldn't be surprised," she noted, "if we're going to hear about some underage ones — and if that doll represents those."

Who is Katherine Kuhlman?

Dr Katherine Kuhlman, a board-certified psychologist in Police and Public Safety Psychology, has dedicated her career to providing services to first responders and their families, understanding the unique stressors they face. Her expertise in trauma and critical incidents has made her a sought-after subject matter expert.

Having served on the Colorado Governor's Expert Emergency Epidemic Response Committee, Dr Kuhlman brings a wealth of knowledge to her work in Arizona, responding to and providing debriefing services for incidents like officer-involved shootings, suicides, line-of-duty deaths, and mass shootings. With a passion for keeping schools and workplaces safe and aiding first responders, Dr Kuhlman's insights have been invaluable in understanding the complexities of cases like the Gilgo Beach murders.