How did law enforcement finally solve the Gilgo Beach murders after more than a decade? In this gripping episode of True Crime with the Sarge, former Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison joins us to reveal how the Gilgo Beach Task Force, formed with DA Ray Tierney, helped identify and arrest Long Island Serial Killer Rex Heuermann.

We go inside the investigation that changed everything—breaking down the strategy, leadership, and forensic advancements that led to Heuermann pleading guilty to the murders of eight women: Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Amber Lynn Costello, Sandra Costilla, Valerie Mack, Jessica Taylor, and Karen Vergata.

Commissioner Harrison shares never-before-heard insights into reopening cold cases, the role of digital evidence, and the importance of collaboration across agencies. This episode also highlights the victims, the pursuit of justice, and what this case means for the future of true crime investigations.

🎙️ In This Episode:

• The formation of the Gilgo Beach Task Force

• How Rex Heuermann was identified

• Key investigative breakthroughs

• Leadership under pressure in a high-profile case

• Lessons for solving cold cases nationwide

If you’re interested in true crime, cold cases, and the evolution of modern policing, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

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#TrueCrime #GilgoBeach #LISK #RexHeuermann #ColdCase #Podcast #RodneyHarrison #RayTierney

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In this powerful episode of True Crime with the Sarge: The Audio Files, we go inside one of Texas’ most haunting cold cases: the murder of Carla Walker and the stunning guilty plea that finally brought long-awaited answers.

Host Joseph Giacalone is joined by Tarrant County Assistant District Attorney Kim D’Avignon, who played a pivotal role in securing the conviction of Glen McCurley decades after the crime. This in-depth conversation unpacks how modern forensic science helped crack a case once thought unsolvable.

We explore the evolution of DNA technology, the impact of forensic genetic genealogy on cold case investigations, and the relentless work of Fort Worth Police Department detectives who never gave up. ADA D’Avignon also shares insight into the unexpected guilty plea, what it means for victims’ families, and how justice can still be achieved years later.

Plus, we discuss the launch of the Tarrant County Cold Case Task Force and the significance of the Carla Walker Act which is legislation aimed at advancing cold case investigations and ensuring no victim is forgotten.

If you’re interested in cold cases, forensic breakthroughs, and the pursuit of justice, this is a must-listen episode.

Topics Covered:

• The Carla Walker cold case and investigation timeline
• How Glen McCurley was identified and charged
• The role of DNA evidence and forensic genetic genealogy
• Inside the unexpected guilty plea
• Fort Worth PD’s cold case efforts
• The Tarrant County Cold Case Task Force
• The impact of the Carla Walker Act

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A major shift may be coming in the Long Island Serial Killer investigation. Reports suggest that Rex Heuermann is expected to plead guilty on April 8, 2026, in connection with the murders of seven women.

In this audio-only episode of True Crime with the Sarge, retired NYPD Sergeant Joseph Giacalone sits down with acclaimed director Josh Zeman and attorney Bob Motta of the Defense Diaries to break down what this reported plea could mean for the case, the victims, and the future of the investigation.

As co-creator of The Killing Season, Zeman brings a unique, insider perspective on the Long Island Serial Killer case, including the evidence, investigative missteps, and lingering unanswered questions.

In this episode:

• What a potential guilty plea could reveal about the LISK case
• Why this development may be happening now
• The impact on victims’ families and unresolved cases
• Key insights from years of investigating Gilgo Beach
• What questions may never be answered

If you’ve followed the Long Island Serial Killer case, this is a must-listen episode packed with expert analysis and real investigative insight.

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#TrueCrime #LISK #RexHeuermann #ApplePodcasts #JoshZeman #ColdCase #TrueCrimePodcast #truecrimewiththesarge #defensediaries #sinisterwithjoshzeman

On this episode of True Crime with the Sarge, host Joseph Giacalone sits down with Colleen Fitzpatrick, one of the pioneers of Forensic Genetic Genealogy. Learn how forensic genetic genealogy is helping solve cold cases using DNA and family tree analysis

This powerful investigative technique has helped law enforcement identify unknown suspects and victims in decades-old cold cases by combining DNA analysis with traditional genealogical research.

Dr. Fitzpatrick explains:

• What a forensic genetic genealogist actually does

• How investigators build family trees from DNA matches

• How the technique helps solve cold cases

• What it costs for law enforcement agencies to use

• How someone can enter the field of forensic genetic genealogy

If you’re interested in DNA investigations, cold case breakthroughs, forensic science, and modern investigative techniques, this episode provides a clear look at one of the most important tools now transforming criminal investigations.

Learn more about Indentifinders International

If you enjoyed this episode on how DNA is helping solve cold cases, please follow the show and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people interested in true crime investigations find the show.

Geographic profiling is one of the most powerful investigative tools in modern criminal analysis and in this episode of True Crime with the Sarge – The Audio Files, we go deep into the science behind it.

Retired NYPD Sergeant and host Joseph Giacalone sits down with geographic profiling expert Doug MacGregor to break down how offender location patterns, crime scene clustering, journey-to-crime behavior, and spatial analysis help investigators narrow suspect pools and prioritize leads. From serial offenders to cold cases, geographic profiling blends criminology, behavioral science, mapping technology, and investigative strategy to reveal what random crime scenes often conceal.

Doug explains how geographic profiling algorithms work, how law enforcement agencies apply crime mapping and predictive analytics, and how this methodology has supported major investigations. We also discuss the psychology behind offender comfort zones, buffer zones, anchor points, and how small geographic details can shift the trajectory of a case.

If you are in law enforcement, part of the true crime community, a journalist covering crime, or a family member seeking answers in an unsolved case, this episode offers critical insight into how modern investigative tools can bring structure to chaos.

This is a must-listen deep dive into spatial forensics, criminal behavior analysis, cold case strategy, and the evolving role of AI in geographic profiling.

🎧 Listen now and discover how location can expose what motive alone cannot.

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Step inside a deep investigative breakdown as True Crime with the Sarge welcomes filmmaker Josh Zeman, director of The Killing Season, for a focused analysis of alleged Long Island Serial Killer Rex Heuermann. This episode examines the emerging evidence, investigative leads, and behavioral indicators shaping one of the most closely followed serial homicide cases in America.

The discussion explores reported crime scene details, including the discovery of Mindhunter by former FBI profiler John E. Douglas, and what that could suggest about offender psychology, criminal profiling, and decision-making patterns in complex serial investigations.

Listeners gain expert perspective on cold case methodology, forensic reasoning, and the analytical approach homicide detectives use to interpret behavioral evidence. This episode is essential listening for anyone tracking developments in the Long Island Serial Killer investigation, studying criminal psychology, or interested in how real investigators evaluate high-profile serial cases.

In this episode of True Crime with the Sarge, retired U.S. Secret Service agent Brad Beeler joins the show to discuss his book Tell Me Everything and the real-world investigations that shaped his career. He shares behind-the-scenes insight into protective intelligence, high-stakes decision making, and the communication skills necessary to have the investigative mindset used to prevent threats before they unfold.

Tell Me Everything: A Secret Service Agent’s Proven Strategies for Earning Trust, Revealing the Truth, and Communicating with Anyone is available wherever books are sold.

In this episode of True Crime with the Sarge, I’m joined by acclaimed filmmaker and Long Island Serial Killer expert Josh Zeman for a deep legal breakdown of the latest defense motions filed on behalf of Rex Heuermann, the accused Long Island Serial Killer.

We walk through what the defense is arguing, why these motions matter, and how they could impact the prosecution’s case moving forward. From evidentiary challenges and constitutional claims to broader strategy, this conversation strips away the legal jargon and explains what’s really happening inside the courtroom.

Josh brings his unmatched historical knowledge of the LISK investigation, while I break down the motions from a law enforcement and investigative perspective. If you’re following the Rex Heuermann case, the Gilgo Beach murders, or the legal mechanics behind high-profile serial killer prosecutions, this episode is essential listening.

Topics covered include:

• Rex Heuermann defense strategy explained

• Key motions and legal arguments in the LISK case

• What the defense wants suppressed and why

• How judges typically rule on motions like these

• What this means for the future of the Long Island Serial Killer prosecution