Rex Heuermann spends his days in voluntary segregation at the Suffolk County Correctional Facility reading books about serial killers [1].
The details offer a glimpse into the daily life of a man who admitted to the murders of eight women [2]. His behavior while incarcerated provides insight into the mindset of the convicted Gilgo Beach killer as he awaits sentencing.
Sheriff Errol D. Toulon Jr. said Heuermann spends his days reading books about serial killers [3]. The sheriff said the inmate has access to a wide range of materials, stating, "He can read whatever he wants" [4].
Beyond reading, Heuermann has engaged in correspondence with other incarcerated murderers. Toulon said Heuermann has been corresponding with the "Happy Face Killer" [5]. This interaction occurs while Heuermann remains in a state of voluntary isolation within the Riverhead facility [1].
Heuermann has spent more than 1,000 days in custody [6]. During this time, his social interactions have been limited primarily to a small circle of family members. His ex-wife visits him once per month [7], and his daughter makes sporadic visits [8].
These activities take place within the Suffolk County Correctional Facility, where segregation policies keep him separated from the general inmate population [1]. The facility's environment allows him to maintain a routine of reading and writing while the legal process concludes [2].
“He spends his days reading books about serial killers.”
The voluntary segregation and specific reading habits of Rex Heuermann suggest a preoccupation with the psychology and history of serial homicide. By corresponding with other high-profile killers and studying the genre, Heuermann is engaging with a community of peers defined by their crimes rather than attempting rehabilitation or social integration within the prison system.
