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[uneasy music]
[overlapping voices]
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00:00:17.425 --> 00:00:20.302
[foreboding music]
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00:00:20.304 --> 00:00:22.354
- I heard joel rifkin's name
on the radio.
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00:00:23.474 --> 00:00:26.641
- A 34-year-old new york man
will be in court this morning.
7
00:00:26.643 --> 00:00:29.519
Joel rifkin has told police
he's a serial killer.
8
00:00:29.521 --> 00:00:32.531
- I remember gasping that
that was my college friend.
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00:00:32.533 --> 00:00:35.317
He looked so harmless.
I had to have answers.
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00:00:35.319 --> 00:00:38.203
[dramatic music]
11
00:00:38.205 --> 00:00:40.664
♪ ♪
12
00:00:53.721 --> 00:00:56.379
- There were plenty of kids
in the hall who were scary,
13
00:00:56.381 --> 00:00:57.848
But joel was not.
14
00:01:00.219 --> 00:01:02.636
- I was trying to figure out
how the joel that I knew
15
00:01:02.638 --> 00:01:05.138
Became a deadly killer.
16
00:01:05.140 --> 00:01:07.682
- He's riding around all night
looking for girls,
17
00:01:07.684 --> 00:01:10.569
And then he's butchering
the bodies next door?
18
00:01:10.571 --> 00:01:12.321
- And no one knew.
19
00:01:15.567 --> 00:01:18.735
- So he was invisible,
certainly, to law enforcement.
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00:01:18.737 --> 00:01:22.030
- As a youngster,
he'd be accosted, assaulted.
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00:01:22.032 --> 00:01:23.624
- Where does that go
psychologically?
22
00:01:32.918 --> 00:01:35.418
- I never got to say goodbye
to my friend
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00:01:35.420 --> 00:01:37.346
Or to even understand
what happened to her.
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00:01:42.678 --> 00:01:45.720
- He felt no guilt,
no remorse, no pain.
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- He was a monster.
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♪ ♪
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00:01:51.946 --> 00:01:54.896
[suspenseful synth music]
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00:01:54.898 --> 00:02:01.787
♪ ♪
29
00:02:06.076 --> 00:02:09.795
- New york city in the late
'80s and the early '90s,
30
00:02:09.797 --> 00:02:11.413
Crime was rampant.
31
00:02:11.415 --> 00:02:14.249
- Policeman was shot dead
in his patrol car.
32
00:02:14.251 --> 00:02:16.585
- There were
more than 2,000 murders a year.
33
00:02:16.587 --> 00:02:20.255
- This has reached
epidemic proportions.
34
00:02:20.257 --> 00:02:23.592
- It is a crack epidemic
which police say is causing
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00:02:23.594 --> 00:02:26.019
An increase in murder
and other violent crime.
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00:02:27.314 --> 00:02:29.264
- Parents--they were terrified
37
00:02:29.266 --> 00:02:31.057
To have their children
move there.
38
00:02:31.059 --> 00:02:34.603
Back then,
I was a police officer,
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00:02:34.605 --> 00:02:36.771
And it was frightening for me,
so I can't even imagine
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00:02:36.773 --> 00:02:39.741
What it must have been like
for the populace back then.
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00:02:47.576 --> 00:02:50.502
[dramatic music]
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00:02:50.504 --> 00:02:54.247
♪ ♪
43
00:02:54.249 --> 00:02:56.583
- It was a quiet night.
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00:02:56.585 --> 00:02:59.511
There was really no one
on the road.
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00:02:59.513 --> 00:03:02.005
It was approximately
3:15 in the morning.
46
00:03:02.007 --> 00:03:06.468
We observed a pickup truck
in the center lane.
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00:03:06.470 --> 00:03:10.147
As we got closer, we realized
there was no license plate.
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00:03:12.935 --> 00:03:15.977
We turned on the lights
to initiate a car stop.
49
00:03:15.979 --> 00:03:17.321
The pickup truck
did not pull over.
50
00:03:18.815 --> 00:03:20.523
We pulled up alongside of him.
51
00:03:20.525 --> 00:03:21.858
He just kind of slowly
looked over,
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00:03:21.860 --> 00:03:26.163
Just had a very blank look
on his face.
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00:03:26.657 --> 00:03:28.823
Possibly he was intoxicated,
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00:03:28.825 --> 00:03:31.501
So I pointed to him to pull
over to the side of the road.
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00:03:31.995 --> 00:03:33.662
We thought he was pulling up
onto the shoulder,
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00:03:33.664 --> 00:03:37.341
At which time, he exited
the southern state parkway.
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00:03:38.210 --> 00:03:42.504
He just wasn't stopping,
and at that point,
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00:03:42.506 --> 00:03:44.172
I called in that
we were in pursuit.
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[suspenseful music]
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00:03:46.551 --> 00:03:48.009
♪ ♪
61
00:03:48.011 --> 00:03:51.063
He was getting faster
and faster,
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00:03:51.065 --> 00:03:53.723
Up to 90 miles an hour.
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00:03:53.725 --> 00:03:57.477
We started getting
into tighter, windier roads.
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00:03:57.479 --> 00:04:00.021
We stayed right behind him.
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00:04:00.023 --> 00:04:02.282
There's clearly
something he's hiding.
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00:04:04.403 --> 00:04:06.495
He was debating
which way to turn.
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00:04:07.364 --> 00:04:10.991
At the last minute,
he decided to go left.
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He drove up onto the sidewalk
and struck a light pole...
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00:04:14.705 --> 00:04:17.497
[glass shattering]
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00:04:17.499 --> 00:04:20.676
Knocking down the pole,
and the pursuit was over.
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00:04:22.421 --> 00:04:24.546
I approached
white male subject
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00:04:24.548 --> 00:04:26.214
With his hands up.
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00:04:26.216 --> 00:04:28.591
I opened the door,
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00:04:28.593 --> 00:04:31.561
Grabbed him out,
and put the cuffs on him.
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00:04:34.891 --> 00:04:37.693
I asked him his name,
his address, date of birth.
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00:04:39.896 --> 00:04:43.857
He said his name
was joel rifkin,
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00:04:43.859 --> 00:04:46.118
And that's when
I noticed the smell.
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00:04:47.070 --> 00:04:49.571
As we looked into
the back of the truck,
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There was a blue tarp.
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00:04:55.287 --> 00:04:58.580
The decision was made
to pull back the tarp,
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00:04:58.582 --> 00:05:01.416
And we could see the head
and shoulder of a female
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Deceased for several days.
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00:05:06.423 --> 00:05:08.214
- That was the first time
joel rifkin raised
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00:05:08.216 --> 00:05:10.058
To the level
of anyone's attention.
85
00:05:11.636 --> 00:05:14.220
He wasn't on our radar.
Prior to this,
86
00:05:14.222 --> 00:05:16.389
He was invisible,
certainly to law enforcement.
87
00:05:19.436 --> 00:05:21.144
My job at the scene
is to take control
88
00:05:21.146 --> 00:05:22.195
And supervise
the investigation.
89
00:05:24.158 --> 00:05:25.774
I directed
that they take him back
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To the state police
headquarters in farmingdale.
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00:05:28.153 --> 00:05:32.331
Our goal was to lock him in
to the victim we had,
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00:05:32.333 --> 00:05:34.074
And rifkin was cooperative.
93
00:05:34.076 --> 00:05:37.002
He couldn't deny that he had
the body in the vehicle.
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00:05:37.004 --> 00:05:38.495
And that's when
they started to ask--
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00:05:38.497 --> 00:05:40.997
- "well, has this ever
happened before?"
96
00:05:40.999 --> 00:05:46.294
And joel rifkin answered,
"well, what if it did?"
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00:05:46.296 --> 00:05:48.963
- Is it more than 10,
less than 20?
98
00:05:48.965 --> 00:05:51.591
He kind of leaned back
in the chair and said,
99
00:05:51.593 --> 00:05:52.934
"one or 100,
what's the difference?"
100
00:05:56.857 --> 00:05:58.857
I knew what serial murderers
were.
101
00:05:58.859 --> 00:06:01.184
I certainly never thought
I was gonna meet one.
102
00:06:01.186 --> 00:06:05.364
- This is just getting
crazier and crazier.
103
00:06:05.366 --> 00:06:08.617
What is going on here?
Who is joel rifkin?
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00:06:10.987 --> 00:06:12.821
[desolate music]
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00:06:12.823 --> 00:06:14.373
[radio tuning]
106
00:06:14.375 --> 00:06:16.825
- Two troopers
on uniformed night patrol
107
00:06:16.827 --> 00:06:18.210
Stopped a pickup truck
108
00:06:18.212 --> 00:06:20.754
That contained the body
of a female victim.
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00:06:21.206 --> 00:06:23.289
- I was driving out
to long island
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00:06:23.291 --> 00:06:25.875
When I heard joel rifkin's name
on the radio.
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00:06:25.877 --> 00:06:28.962
- There was an arrest
of joel rifkin.
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00:06:28.964 --> 00:06:30.839
- I remembered gasping.
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00:06:30.841 --> 00:06:34.434
I immediately realized that
that was my college friend.
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We were both
journalism students
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00:06:39.683 --> 00:06:42.401
At the state university
of new york at brockport.
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00:06:43.311 --> 00:06:47.856
I had received
my very first paid assignment
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00:06:47.858 --> 00:06:52.026
For a boxing magazine
featuring a local fighter.
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00:06:52.028 --> 00:06:54.821
The journalism department
recommended joel rifkin
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00:06:54.823 --> 00:06:58.366
As the wonder kid
of the photography department.
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We drove the 30 miles
or so to the fight.
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00:07:01.163 --> 00:07:03.204
I remember thinking, "you know,
122
00:07:03.206 --> 00:07:05.707
This guy is really unique.
He's really cool."
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00:07:05.709 --> 00:07:07.250
There were a lot
of commonalities.
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00:07:07.252 --> 00:07:08.635
We were both long island kids.
125
00:07:11.098 --> 00:07:13.047
This assignment
for the boxing match
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00:07:13.049 --> 00:07:15.049
Was on a Friday night.
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00:07:15.051 --> 00:07:17.102
Joel wound up getting
some phenomenal shots.
128
00:07:22.058 --> 00:07:24.559
We saw each other
a couple of times after that,
129
00:07:24.561 --> 00:07:27.446
But the semester
was soon over.
130
00:07:27.448 --> 00:07:30.231
When I went back
for the spring semester,
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00:07:30.233 --> 00:07:31.733
I had hoped to see him.
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I asked around.
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00:07:33.236 --> 00:07:35.370
I found out
that joel dropped out.
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00:07:37.908 --> 00:07:41.242
When I heard about his arrest,
I was dismayed
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00:07:41.244 --> 00:07:44.421
Because that differed so much
from the joel that I knew.
136
00:07:44.956 --> 00:07:47.248
This guy
had so much potential.
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00:07:47.250 --> 00:07:51.419
I had just assumed that he was
out there conquering the world
138
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While I was just a cop.
139
00:07:53.256 --> 00:07:56.090
I had lots of questions.
140
00:07:56.092 --> 00:07:59.644
I wanted to know everything
there was to know.
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00:07:59.646 --> 00:08:03.056
I fired off a letter to joel
at attica prison,
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00:08:03.058 --> 00:08:05.725
And I said, "I was taken aback
by what you did.
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00:08:05.727 --> 00:08:08.269
I'd love to learn more
about your motivations."
144
00:08:08.271 --> 00:08:10.489
I was curious
145
00:08:10.491 --> 00:08:13.658
If he had that secret life
when I knew him,
146
00:08:13.660 --> 00:08:16.611
How long he'd been conducting
that secret life.
147
00:08:16.613 --> 00:08:18.613
How did it all go wrong?
148
00:08:18.615 --> 00:08:20.707
Did it go wrong
before I even met him?
149
00:08:23.286 --> 00:08:25.337
When joel rifkin
responded to me,
150
00:08:25.339 --> 00:08:27.005
He told me
that he remembered me.
151
00:08:27.007 --> 00:08:28.507
We had some
pretty friendly letters,
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00:08:28.509 --> 00:08:30.500
And then 7 years
after he was arrested,
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I went up to see him.
154
00:09:37.694 --> 00:09:41.404
- He was very kind of
disarmingly friendly,
155
00:09:41.406 --> 00:09:43.531
Very open, honest and candid.
156
00:09:43.533 --> 00:09:47.910
What drove a guy that I once
considered a friend to murder?
157
00:09:47.912 --> 00:09:52.832
And how could joel have gotten
away with this for so long?
158
00:09:52.834 --> 00:09:54.759
Anything I asked him,
nothing was off limits.
159
00:10:03.770 --> 00:10:06.054
- As a cop,
sometimes you can sense
160
00:10:06.056 --> 00:10:07.939
That people are relishing
161
00:10:07.941 --> 00:10:11.351
Telling you
about their antics,
162
00:10:11.353 --> 00:10:13.436
But joel was so unemotional
about this
163
00:10:13.438 --> 00:10:14.937
And so matter of fact.
164
00:10:14.939 --> 00:10:17.949
There was this complete
disconnect from reality.
165
00:10:23.438 --> 00:10:27.125
[ominous music]
166
00:10:31.539 --> 00:10:33.289
- I spoke to my college friend
joel rifkin
167
00:10:33.291 --> 00:10:37.627
At attica prison in 1999
168
00:10:37.629 --> 00:10:40.421
Because I just couldn't
reconcile the fact
169
00:10:40.423 --> 00:10:45.226
That the joel rifkin I knew
became this invisible killer.
170
00:10:45.929 --> 00:10:47.929
When joel talked
about his childhood,
171
00:10:47.931 --> 00:10:51.816
I expected him to get
a little more emotional,
172
00:10:51.818 --> 00:10:54.819
But he was pretty
much matter of fact.
173
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What I found most interesting
was, unlike most people
174
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That have a desire
to harm others,
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There was no bed-wetting.
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There was no purposeful harm
of animals.
177
00:11:07.951 --> 00:11:10.660
There was no fire-starting.
178
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So he really is unique.
179
00:11:13.006 --> 00:11:17.125
His behaviors did not reflect
any of the normal patterns
180
00:11:17.127 --> 00:11:19.260
Of such a nefarious criminal.
181
00:11:20.505 --> 00:11:23.464
He talked about him
and his sister being adopted
182
00:11:23.466 --> 00:11:26.300
From a jewish agency
in new york,
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And I remember him saying,
you know,
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Sort of self-deprecatingly
185
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That the dream came true
for his parents
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00:11:34.310 --> 00:11:37.195
When they adopted a boy
and a girl.
187
00:12:03.673 --> 00:12:07.300
- Joel's family settled
in east meadow, long island.
188
00:12:07.302 --> 00:12:11.062
- It was joel and his sister,
and his parents, ben and jean.
189
00:12:11.064 --> 00:12:12.638
East meadow was
190
00:12:12.640 --> 00:12:15.859
A quintessential
middle class place to grow up.
191
00:12:17.645 --> 00:12:20.521
- It wasn't just looked upon
as a middle class home.
192
00:12:20.523 --> 00:12:22.023
It was looked upon
193
00:12:22.025 --> 00:12:25.860
As the future of which
dreams were made.
194
00:12:25.862 --> 00:12:28.154
It was their piece
of the american pie.
195
00:12:28.156 --> 00:12:30.915
- They were our neighbors.
We were in the same class.
196
00:12:30.917 --> 00:12:33.326
I used to walk
to school with him.
197
00:12:33.328 --> 00:12:36.755
- Joel was just a regular kid
who was extra quiet,
198
00:12:36.757 --> 00:12:39.540
Really polite, nice, sweet,
199
00:12:39.542 --> 00:12:41.709
The kind of guy
who's in his own world,
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00:12:41.711 --> 00:12:43.544
Doing his own thing.
201
00:12:43.546 --> 00:12:45.421
- Joel came to my bar mitzvah,
202
00:12:45.423 --> 00:12:46.881
But at the same time,
he's different.
203
00:12:46.883 --> 00:12:48.558
He didn't really fit
with anyone.
204
00:12:50.845 --> 00:12:52.887
- For joel, living
in east meadow,
205
00:12:52.889 --> 00:12:56.182
What he perceived to be
his inferiorities
206
00:12:56.184 --> 00:12:58.100
Took center stage.
207
00:12:58.102 --> 00:13:00.153
It was not
a blissful existence for him.
208
00:13:21.251 --> 00:13:23.918
- While we might have been
throwing the ball,
209
00:13:23.920 --> 00:13:26.420
He was looking at the sidewalk
210
00:13:26.422 --> 00:13:28.848
With a magnifying glass
at a bug or something.
211
00:13:29.759 --> 00:13:32.260
I do remember joel
being called turtle.
212
00:13:32.262 --> 00:13:34.554
He had always seemed like
he was kind of a little slower
213
00:13:34.556 --> 00:13:35.721
And a step behind.
214
00:13:35.723 --> 00:13:37.816
- It became readily apparent
215
00:13:37.818 --> 00:13:40.059
That he couldn't play sports.
216
00:13:40.061 --> 00:13:44.063
- Joel would be probably
the last person to be picked,
217
00:13:44.065 --> 00:13:46.741
And I know that
that frustrated his father.
218
00:14:03.009 --> 00:14:05.459
- His father had been
an athlete in college,
219
00:14:05.461 --> 00:14:09.797
So joel didn't quite meet up
to his level
220
00:14:09.799 --> 00:14:14.969
Of what the father
wanted his son to be.
221
00:14:14.971 --> 00:14:16.470
- That caused
a tremendous amount
222
00:14:16.472 --> 00:14:18.472
Of frustration for joel
223
00:14:18.474 --> 00:14:22.360
And kind of retarded
his development
224
00:14:22.362 --> 00:14:24.979
As far as, you know,
feeling good about himself.
225
00:14:24.981 --> 00:14:26.823
It went into his schoolwork
as well.
226
00:14:28.443 --> 00:14:30.034
Joel had a very high iq--
227
00:14:30.036 --> 00:14:33.321
128 was the exact number--
228
00:14:33.323 --> 00:14:35.323
But he didn't concentrate well
229
00:14:35.325 --> 00:14:37.325
Unless something
really interested him.
230
00:14:37.327 --> 00:14:40.286
His father, who was scholarly,
231
00:14:40.288 --> 00:14:41.880
Would sit at the kitchen table
with him
232
00:14:41.882 --> 00:14:43.464
And pore over the homework.
233
00:15:11.027 --> 00:15:14.028
- That was the first person
to interview rifkin in prison,
234
00:15:14.030 --> 00:15:16.989
And he said he was tortured
by the fact
235
00:15:16.991 --> 00:15:19.542
That he couldn't live up
to his father's expectations.
236
00:15:21.755 --> 00:15:24.705
- The mother embraced him
and pulled him
237
00:15:24.707 --> 00:15:28.426
To her favorite hobbies:
Photography and horticulture.
238
00:15:39.389 --> 00:15:40.721
- He did a lot of photography,
239
00:15:40.723 --> 00:15:42.682
And he was actually
very good at it,
240
00:15:42.684 --> 00:15:45.234
But at the same time,
something is amiss.
241
00:15:48.189 --> 00:15:52.733
- Joel described to me
the bullying that he endured.
242
00:15:52.735 --> 00:15:56.737
He would walk home from school.
He'd be accosted, assaulted.
243
00:15:56.739 --> 00:15:58.197
On one occasion,
he had underwear
244
00:15:58.199 --> 00:16:00.124
Stuffed in his mouth.
245
00:16:00.126 --> 00:16:02.961
There'd be all sorts
of physical assaults,
246
00:16:02.963 --> 00:16:04.671
Mocking, name calling.
247
00:16:45.621 --> 00:16:49.081
- He wasn't harming anyone.
He wasn't combative.
248
00:16:49.083 --> 00:16:50.458
There were plenty of kids
in the hall
249
00:16:50.460 --> 00:16:53.627
Who were scary,
but joel was not.
250
00:16:53.629 --> 00:16:55.963
Some kids get picked on,
they go home, they cry.
251
00:16:55.965 --> 00:16:57.423
Their parents take care of it.
252
00:16:57.425 --> 00:17:00.092
He just took it.
253
00:17:00.094 --> 00:17:02.011
- He experienced that
all his life.
254
00:17:02.013 --> 00:17:07.025
I'm sure that that experience
shaped his psyche
255
00:17:07.027 --> 00:17:09.935
Because acceptance
by one's peers
256
00:17:09.937 --> 00:17:14.148
Is the be-all and end-all
to a child's psyche.
257
00:17:14.150 --> 00:17:17.818
It must have built up
impotent rage
258
00:17:17.820 --> 00:17:20.112
When you feel such anger
259
00:17:20.114 --> 00:17:22.156
But you really can't do
anything about it.
260
00:17:22.158 --> 00:17:25.326
You're not strong enough.
You don't have enough allies,
261
00:17:25.328 --> 00:17:31.457
And I imagine that joel rifkin
built up this reservoir of rage
262
00:17:31.459 --> 00:17:33.667
With no place to put it.
263
00:17:33.669 --> 00:17:37.889
- Joel said that he dreaded
going to school every day,
264
00:17:37.891 --> 00:17:40.308
So he devised
this complex plan.
265
00:17:41.552 --> 00:17:43.803
In the morning,
he would time it
266
00:17:43.805 --> 00:17:45.346
So he would get to school
267
00:17:45.348 --> 00:17:47.306
Seconds before the bell rang
268
00:17:47.308 --> 00:17:50.151
So nobody would have
the opportunity to harass him.
269
00:18:01.030 --> 00:18:03.322
- He would take
this circuitous route
270
00:18:03.324 --> 00:18:05.199
Through the woods to his home,
271
00:18:05.201 --> 00:18:07.701
Where he would secure himself
in his room
272
00:18:07.703 --> 00:18:08.586
For the rest of the night.
273
00:18:28.224 --> 00:18:31.526
- How did this behavior help
joel get away with what he did?
274
00:18:32.436 --> 00:18:34.779
He seemed very ordinary.
275
00:18:34.781 --> 00:18:38.399
He used this process
to his advantage.
276
00:18:38.401 --> 00:18:44.071
He became a master
of not only being stealth,
277
00:18:44.073 --> 00:18:46.040
But being stealth
in plain sight.
278
00:18:47.410 --> 00:18:51.078
Joel is like the invisible man,
279
00:18:51.080 --> 00:18:56.208
Which contributed greatly
to his success as a murderer
280
00:18:56.210 --> 00:18:59.753
As well as his longevity
as a murderer.
281
00:18:59.755 --> 00:19:04.392
But how did joel transition
from social outcast to killer?
282
00:19:16.338 --> 00:19:20.074
[ominous music]
283
00:19:23.237 --> 00:19:27.573
- I first began interviewing
joel rifkin in the late '90s
284
00:19:27.575 --> 00:19:30.659
'cause I wanted to know,
how did joel learn
285
00:19:30.661 --> 00:19:33.754
To never raise any suspicions?
286
00:19:34.415 --> 00:19:36.174
As a cop, I've interviewed
lots of people
287
00:19:36.176 --> 00:19:37.583
That did
really horrible things,
288
00:19:37.585 --> 00:19:40.178
But this guy was
my college friend.
289
00:19:40.180 --> 00:19:42.463
I never thought,
"ah, I should have saw that.
290
00:19:42.465 --> 00:19:44.390
I should have noticed that."
291
00:19:45.468 --> 00:19:48.936
He told me in high school
his life became hell.
292
00:19:51.357 --> 00:19:55.100
He felt as if the only people
that noticed him
293
00:19:55.102 --> 00:19:56.694
Were the people
that wanted to harm him.
294
00:20:11.327 --> 00:20:15.496
- Where does that
go psychologically?
295
00:20:15.498 --> 00:20:17.048
I'm sure you try
to do something
296
00:20:17.050 --> 00:20:19.875
To spare yourself
further humiliation,
297
00:20:19.877 --> 00:20:22.002
Emotional pain.
298
00:20:22.004 --> 00:20:28.550
- Joel went to great pains
in his private life
299
00:20:28.552 --> 00:20:31.136
To make people not see him
300
00:20:31.138 --> 00:20:33.898
And to be invisible
while being in plain sight.
301
00:20:37.853 --> 00:20:40.521
Joel told me when he was
going through puberty,
302
00:20:40.523 --> 00:20:42.949
He first started to have
psychosexual fantasies.
303
00:20:44.911 --> 00:20:47.495
There was an alfred hitchcock
movie called "frenzy."
304
00:20:49.249 --> 00:20:53.242
Joel remembers being
sexually fascinated
305
00:20:53.244 --> 00:20:55.661
With this scene
306
00:20:55.663 --> 00:20:58.422
Where a woman
gets strangled with a tie.
307
00:21:26.068 --> 00:21:27.901
- Fantasies are not
a blueprint.
308
00:21:27.903 --> 00:21:31.447
They don't determine your life
unless they do.
309
00:21:31.449 --> 00:21:33.866
In his particular case,
310
00:21:33.868 --> 00:21:37.453
His preoccupation
with strangulation
311
00:21:37.455 --> 00:21:40.298
Did determine his life
and his fate and his destiny.
312
00:21:42.135 --> 00:21:44.710
- He was masturbating
to thoughts
313
00:21:44.712 --> 00:21:46.420
Of having sex with women
314
00:21:46.422 --> 00:21:50.308
And ultimately killing them,
315
00:21:50.310 --> 00:21:54.312
But he could just push it down
at that point in his life.
316
00:21:54.314 --> 00:21:55.929
He wanted to date.
317
00:21:55.931 --> 00:21:58.983
He just wasn't terribly
successful with women.
318
00:21:58.985 --> 00:22:02.978
Prostitutes not only provide
that kind of sexual release,
319
00:22:02.980 --> 00:22:04.897
But there's this illusion
320
00:22:04.899 --> 00:22:06.815
Of going out on a date
with someone
321
00:22:06.817 --> 00:22:08.743
Or making this connection.
322
00:22:43.771 --> 00:22:46.772
[somber music]
323
00:22:46.774 --> 00:22:52.745
♪ ♪
324
00:23:07.720 --> 00:23:11.463
- To his credit, joel's father
never gave up on him,
325
00:23:11.465 --> 00:23:13.724
And he offered to send joel,
326
00:23:13.726 --> 00:23:16.385
Who by then was
in his late 20s,
327
00:23:16.387 --> 00:23:18.887
Back to college,
and if he got two as,
328
00:23:18.889 --> 00:23:21.140
He would pay for a curriculum.
329
00:23:21.142 --> 00:23:24.735
He took a biology class
and a botany class,
330
00:23:24.737 --> 00:23:26.728
Which ultimately led to him
331
00:23:26.730 --> 00:23:29.198
Starting his own
landscaping business.
332
00:23:43.873 --> 00:23:45.330
- Joel felt that he was just
333
00:23:45.332 --> 00:23:47.374
Gonna disappoint him
one more time,
334
00:23:47.376 --> 00:23:49.760
But he got the two as.
335
00:23:49.762 --> 00:23:53.714
Joel excitedly
went to the hospital
336
00:23:53.716 --> 00:23:57.009
And thought his father
would be very proud of him,
337
00:23:57.011 --> 00:23:59.061
But his father
never got the news.
338
00:24:16.780 --> 00:24:19.957
- His father's death really
kind of blew the doors
339
00:24:19.959 --> 00:24:22.126
Off of joel's emotional state.
340
00:24:23.954 --> 00:24:26.788
- The desire to please
his father kind of always been
341
00:24:26.790 --> 00:24:29.750
At the core
of his emotional life,
342
00:24:29.752 --> 00:24:32.794
But with his father gone,
that burden lifted.
343
00:24:32.796 --> 00:24:35.130
[dramatic music]
344
00:24:35.132 --> 00:24:38.309
His mother was preoccupied
with her life
345
00:24:38.311 --> 00:24:41.720
As she was getting older.
It gave him the freedom to act
346
00:24:41.722 --> 00:24:44.431
On his worst impulses
and fantasies.
347
00:24:44.433 --> 00:24:47.276
[dark electronic music]
348
00:24:48.479 --> 00:24:50.029
- He lived for the nighttime.
349
00:24:52.816 --> 00:24:55.993
Driving through manhattan,
through queens,
350
00:24:55.995 --> 00:24:58.996
And he would frequent
all of the strolls.
351
00:25:26.475 --> 00:25:28.183
- It became an addiction.
352
00:25:28.185 --> 00:25:32.029
Joel, who really was in charge
of nothing in his real life,
353
00:25:32.031 --> 00:25:35.533
Between his father
and the bullying,
354
00:25:35.535 --> 00:25:39.486
He felt while he was
having sex with prostitutes,
355
00:25:39.488 --> 00:25:40.955
He was in charge.
356
00:26:01.385 --> 00:26:05.012
- He did hate himself
and the addiction,
357
00:26:05.014 --> 00:26:07.514
But when he met these women,
he projected--
358
00:26:07.516 --> 00:26:10.892
He took all that bad feeling
about himself
359
00:26:10.894 --> 00:26:12.853
And gave it to them.
360
00:26:12.855 --> 00:26:15.397
He could look at them as lower
and look at them
361
00:26:15.399 --> 00:26:18.826
As somebody you don't respect
and you don't have esteem for.
362
00:26:21.030 --> 00:26:22.529
- When I would talk
to my folks,
363
00:26:22.531 --> 00:26:24.197
Invariably my parents
would say,
364
00:26:24.199 --> 00:26:27.585
"well, joel doesn't seem
to be holding a job.
365
00:26:27.587 --> 00:26:29.161
"we're afraid
that he's going to cause jean
366
00:26:29.163 --> 00:26:30.829
To be out on the street,"
367
00:26:30.831 --> 00:26:35.083
So my parents hired him
to, like, trim the trees.
368
00:26:35.085 --> 00:26:36.844
He clearly had
a different agenda.
369
00:26:37.713 --> 00:26:40.213
He's riding around all night
looking for girls,
370
00:26:40.215 --> 00:26:43.508
So how is he gonna have energy
to cut the trees?
371
00:26:43.510 --> 00:26:46.437
In the end, we would see
his tools out in the rain.
372
00:27:03.697 --> 00:27:08.792
- In early 1989, about 2 years
after his father's suicide,
373
00:27:08.794 --> 00:27:10.577
Joel decided to make
374
00:27:10.579 --> 00:27:12.880
His murderous fantasies
a reality.
375
00:27:29.649 --> 00:27:32.933
- Joel saw a woman named susie
who he had been with before
376
00:27:32.935 --> 00:27:35.477
On the lower east side.
377
00:27:35.479 --> 00:27:37.154
In his mind, he's gonna go
on a date with her.
378
00:27:40.317 --> 00:27:43.160
She agrees to go with joel
30 miles or so
379
00:27:43.162 --> 00:27:45.821
To the long island home
380
00:27:45.823 --> 00:27:48.999
That he shares
with his mother,
381
00:27:49.001 --> 00:27:51.827
Where he can spend more time
382
00:27:51.829 --> 00:27:54.421
Than just a usual encounter
on the street.
383
00:27:54.998 --> 00:27:56.256
His mother was away.
384
00:27:57.960 --> 00:28:00.419
They wind up having sex
on the couch.
385
00:28:00.421 --> 00:28:02.429
She falls asleep.
386
00:28:03.349 --> 00:28:07.259
He's annoyed that she's not
paying him more attention.
387
00:28:07.261 --> 00:28:10.303
At some point, she wakes up.
She immediately wants drugs.
388
00:28:10.305 --> 00:28:14.307
Joel, at this point,
is exasperated with her,
389
00:28:14.309 --> 00:28:17.778
And he impulsively just starts
hitting her on the head.
390
00:28:50.220 --> 00:28:52.146
[dramatic musical crescendo]
391
00:28:56.852 --> 00:28:58.977
- As a cop,
sometimes you can sense
392
00:28:58.979 --> 00:29:00.738
That people are relishing
393
00:29:00.740 --> 00:29:04.316
Telling you about their antics,
394
00:29:04.318 --> 00:29:06.485
But joel was so unemotional
about this
395
00:29:06.487 --> 00:29:07.736
And so matter of fact.
396
00:29:07.738 --> 00:29:10.030
There was
this complete disconnect
397
00:29:10.032 --> 00:29:11.331
From reality.
398
00:29:22.595 --> 00:29:24.377
- I didn't want him to think
anything he was telling me
399
00:29:24.379 --> 00:29:26.379
Shocked me,
400
00:29:26.381 --> 00:29:30.392
So I was trying to maintain
my own sort of monotone.
401
00:29:45.609 --> 00:29:47.567
- He was so dispassionate
about it.
402
00:29:47.569 --> 00:29:49.236
Didn't seem to faze him
in the least.
403
00:29:49.238 --> 00:29:51.455
He didn't seem to be getting
any pleasure
404
00:29:51.457 --> 00:29:53.123
From telling me this,
405
00:29:53.125 --> 00:29:54.449
And he didn't seem to mind
406
00:29:54.451 --> 00:29:55.709
What my opinion would be
of him.
407
00:30:18.267 --> 00:30:22.152
- He threw
some of her body parts
408
00:30:22.154 --> 00:30:24.229
Into one of the rivers
in manhattan,
409
00:30:24.231 --> 00:30:26.439
And he took the head,
410
00:30:26.441 --> 00:30:29.993
And he discarded that
in new jersey at a golf course.
411
00:30:31.947 --> 00:30:34.573
- The first kill
is always significant.
412
00:30:34.575 --> 00:30:36.500
Being comfortable
with murdering someone
413
00:30:36.502 --> 00:30:39.744
Is a massive
psychological leap,
414
00:30:39.746 --> 00:30:42.622
And now you've crossed
that rubicon
415
00:30:42.624 --> 00:30:44.958
From fantasy to reality.
416
00:30:44.960 --> 00:30:46.844
[tense music]
417
00:30:46.846 --> 00:30:48.336
- There was nothing
to hold him back.
418
00:30:48.338 --> 00:30:50.922
♪ ♪
419
00:30:50.924 --> 00:30:54.518
- A golfer was at the the
hopewell valley country club.
420
00:30:54.520 --> 00:30:57.855
He had hooked his ball
into the woods
421
00:30:57.857 --> 00:30:59.815
And discovered a human head.
422
00:31:01.310 --> 00:31:03.018
- Joel is convinced
at that point
423
00:31:03.020 --> 00:31:04.111
That he was gonna get caught.
424
00:31:13.446 --> 00:31:16.164
[ominous music]
425
00:31:18.493 --> 00:31:23.330
- After joel rifkin committed
this first murder
426
00:31:23.332 --> 00:31:25.457
And disposed of the body,
427
00:31:25.459 --> 00:31:28.126
The head of this victim,
428
00:31:28.128 --> 00:31:32.964
Poor susie,
was found pretty quickly.
429
00:31:32.966 --> 00:31:35.675
- It was a cold, overcast day.
430
00:31:35.677 --> 00:31:40.847
It was shortly
after a major rainstorm.
431
00:31:40.849 --> 00:31:43.308
A golfer was at the
hopewell valley country club.
432
00:31:43.310 --> 00:31:46.904
He was on the seventh hole.
433
00:31:46.906 --> 00:31:50.315
He had hooked his ball
into the woods.
434
00:31:50.317 --> 00:31:54.394
He went into retrieve his ball
and discovered a human head.
435
00:31:57.366 --> 00:31:59.866
- I arrived
in the golf course.
436
00:31:59.868 --> 00:32:02.535
It drops down
maybe 10 to 15 feet
437
00:32:02.537 --> 00:32:06.373
To, like, a small creek,
438
00:32:06.375 --> 00:32:09.509
And there
you can see a severed head.
439
00:32:10.212 --> 00:32:11.929
- New york at that time,
in the '80s,
440
00:32:11.931 --> 00:32:15.265
Had a tremendous amount of
unidentified deceased persons,
441
00:32:15.267 --> 00:32:17.342
But it was quite the shock
because we've only had
442
00:32:17.344 --> 00:32:20.395
A few homicides in hopewell
over the last 3 or 4 decades.
443
00:32:21.598 --> 00:32:23.181
All the teeth were removed,
444
00:32:23.183 --> 00:32:24.691
With the exception
of four teeth.
445
00:32:25.560 --> 00:32:27.894
- The jaw was pretty much gone.
446
00:32:27.896 --> 00:32:29.729
- It was clearly a female
447
00:32:29.731 --> 00:32:32.032
By the hair and the eyes
and the facial features.
448
00:32:33.568 --> 00:32:35.568
- We did an intensive search
of the area.
449
00:32:35.570 --> 00:32:38.622
We were hoping to find
additional body parts
450
00:32:38.624 --> 00:32:42.542
Or some physical evidence.
We found nothing.
451
00:32:43.412 --> 00:32:45.370
- We really had
no other evidence to go on
452
00:32:45.372 --> 00:32:47.464
Other than the physical head.
453
00:32:47.466 --> 00:32:48.915
Not having a name means
454
00:32:48.917 --> 00:32:50.917
We can't even pursue
dental records.
455
00:32:50.919 --> 00:32:52.377
It then became a question
456
00:32:52.379 --> 00:32:54.587
On whether the homicide
occurred in hopewell,
457
00:32:54.589 --> 00:32:56.807
Or was just this
an alternate crime scene?
458
00:32:59.428 --> 00:33:03.388
- Not long after dumping,
susie's head was discovered,
459
00:33:03.390 --> 00:33:05.899
And joel heard a report
about this on the radio.
460
00:33:07.394 --> 00:33:08.935
He remembers thinking,
461
00:33:08.937 --> 00:33:10.311
"I went through
all these efforts,"
462
00:33:10.313 --> 00:33:14.107
To cut the body up into
as many parts as he could
463
00:33:14.109 --> 00:33:18.412
And discard them in different
places to stay invisible.
464
00:33:19.239 --> 00:33:21.623
He was convinced at that point
that he was gonna get caught.
465
00:33:44.931 --> 00:33:47.640
- About a month after we found
the severed head,
466
00:33:47.642 --> 00:33:50.101
We received a call
from jefferson township
467
00:33:50.103 --> 00:33:52.812
In morris county, new jersey.
468
00:33:52.814 --> 00:33:54.606
It was opening day
of trout season.
469
00:33:54.608 --> 00:33:58.702
That's when fishermen
found two legs in a creek
470
00:33:58.704 --> 00:34:02.489
Right off of an interstate.
They looked like female legs.
471
00:34:02.491 --> 00:34:05.158
- Dna was taken from her head
and the legs,
472
00:34:05.160 --> 00:34:08.045
And they were confirmed
to be a match.
473
00:34:08.047 --> 00:34:11.048
- But still, we were unable
to identify her.
474
00:34:32.071 --> 00:34:35.021
[ominous music]
475
00:34:35.023 --> 00:34:37.240
- The guys that commit
serial murders--you know,
476
00:34:37.242 --> 00:34:39.192
They're essentially
living in their heads.
477
00:34:39.194 --> 00:34:44.531
For a moment, you are god
because you have the ability
478
00:34:44.533 --> 00:34:46.041
To let someone live or die.
479
00:34:56.336 --> 00:34:58.929
- Even when you let someone
live and don't kill them
480
00:34:58.931 --> 00:35:01.673
But thought about it,
there's a high there, too.
481
00:35:01.675 --> 00:35:03.842
You made a godlike decision.
482
00:35:03.844 --> 00:35:07.011
You knew, having killed
other people,
483
00:35:07.013 --> 00:35:08.605
That you could've
easily killed that person.
484
00:35:10.684 --> 00:35:12.851
- One thing that joel was able
to appreciate
485
00:35:12.853 --> 00:35:15.687
After susie's head was found
486
00:35:15.689 --> 00:35:20.900
Was the fact
that she was never identified,
487
00:35:20.902 --> 00:35:24.037
So his efforts at concealment
actually worked.
488
00:35:25.907 --> 00:35:28.366
- He experienced
with this murder
489
00:35:28.368 --> 00:35:29.909
The greatest success
of his life.
490
00:35:29.911 --> 00:35:32.745
He fulfilled lifelong fantasy.
491
00:35:32.747 --> 00:35:34.539
He did it.
He got away with it.
492
00:35:34.541 --> 00:35:36.633
He got pleasure from it.
493
00:35:36.635 --> 00:35:40.262
It was a thunderous success
in his mind.
494
00:35:42.549 --> 00:35:44.808
- Those desires
were reactivated.
495
00:35:44.810 --> 00:35:46.893
It's time
to go out and try this again.
496
00:36:10.118 --> 00:36:13.119
- He did not strike again
until the fall of 1990.
497
00:36:13.121 --> 00:36:14.454
Like victim number one,
498
00:36:14.456 --> 00:36:16.089
She's picked up
on the lower east side.
499
00:36:20.170 --> 00:36:23.129
They have sex
in his childhood bed,
500
00:36:23.131 --> 00:36:25.924
And in the morning,
she promises more sex
501
00:36:25.926 --> 00:36:27.133
For more drugs,
502
00:36:27.135 --> 00:36:29.636
But he's unable
to get her money.
503
00:36:29.638 --> 00:36:33.306
She's complaining,
and impulsively,
504
00:36:33.308 --> 00:36:35.192
He picks up a table leg
505
00:36:35.194 --> 00:36:38.436
That's laying
around the house,
506
00:36:38.438 --> 00:36:40.521
And he just starts
bashing her over the head
507
00:36:40.523 --> 00:36:42.157
With the table leg.
508
00:36:44.819 --> 00:36:48.205
This time, he used
a little different mo.
509
00:36:48.207 --> 00:36:51.499
He went out
and bought cement and tarps.
510
00:37:02.837 --> 00:37:05.505
- He threw the concrete
into a river,
511
00:37:05.507 --> 00:37:08.383
Which we know sinks
to the bottom,
512
00:37:08.385 --> 00:37:10.310
Never to be found.
513
00:37:11.137 --> 00:37:14.514
That was probably because he
was determined never to repeat
514
00:37:14.516 --> 00:37:16.349
What he thought was
the big mistake
515
00:37:16.351 --> 00:37:18.643
Of his first murder.
516
00:37:18.645 --> 00:37:22.822
He was improving
his technique, so to speak.
517
00:37:23.909 --> 00:37:27.735
- He was able to once again
get away with that one,
518
00:37:27.737 --> 00:37:30.363
And after one more victim,
519
00:37:30.365 --> 00:37:36.995
Starts what he describes
as his acceleration period,
520
00:37:36.997 --> 00:37:40.748
Where, in the space of, like,
1 or 1 1/2 months,
521
00:37:40.750 --> 00:37:43.918
He kills four women
in rapid succession.
522
00:37:43.920 --> 00:37:45.845
[dramatic musical sting]
523
00:38:10.789 --> 00:38:13.957
- Joel's desire and ability
to be invisible,
524
00:38:13.959 --> 00:38:17.410
Developed so successfully
at a young age,
525
00:38:17.412 --> 00:38:21.589
Contributed greatly
to his murderous life.
526
00:38:22.417 --> 00:38:25.585
The way he looked, as well
as the way he acted
527
00:38:25.587 --> 00:38:28.138
And the ways he purposefully
projected himself
528
00:38:28.140 --> 00:38:30.757
Made him
look completely harmless
529
00:38:30.759 --> 00:38:32.717
To the women
that got into his car.
530
00:38:32.719 --> 00:38:34.927
♪ ♪
531
00:38:34.929 --> 00:38:36.721
He looked
like he could blend in
532
00:38:36.723 --> 00:38:39.057
In any crowd.
533
00:38:39.059 --> 00:38:42.769
The police that he encountered
never would've taken him
534
00:38:42.771 --> 00:38:44.738
For being a danger to anybody.
535
00:38:45.482 --> 00:38:47.106
- And since he was able
to get away with killing
536
00:38:47.108 --> 00:38:50.109
His first couple victims,
rifkin was very confident.
537
00:38:50.111 --> 00:38:52.820
- If joel rifkin was
feeling emboldened,
538
00:38:52.822 --> 00:38:54.289
Would this lead to his arrest?
539
00:39:05.693 --> 00:39:09.128
[ominous music]
540
00:39:09.130 --> 00:39:12.465
[suspenseful music]
541
00:39:12.467 --> 00:39:16.686
- Joel rifkin had a right
to feel confident
542
00:39:16.688 --> 00:39:20.273
Of his first murders.
543
00:39:21.017 --> 00:39:26.863
Only the first murder of susie
was a body part found,
544
00:39:26.865 --> 00:39:30.775
But even after
they found this head,
545
00:39:30.777 --> 00:39:33.703
It was impossible
for them to identify it.
546
00:39:33.705 --> 00:39:36.155
- We contacted frank bender
in philadelphia,
547
00:39:36.157 --> 00:39:39.042
A well-known reconstruction
individual in law enforcement,
548
00:39:39.044 --> 00:39:42.829
Contracted him to do
a reconstruction of the head.
549
00:39:42.831 --> 00:39:44.705
We knew she was
a white female,
550
00:39:44.707 --> 00:39:46.791
Probably in her late teens
551
00:39:46.793 --> 00:39:49.052
Or early 20s,
up to 30 years old.
552
00:39:49.721 --> 00:39:52.630
She had a mole
on her left chin.
553
00:39:52.632 --> 00:39:55.842
She had an old scar
over her left eye.
554
00:39:55.844 --> 00:39:58.219
- They did a full rendition
of what they believed
555
00:39:58.221 --> 00:39:59.562
This person
would've looked like.
556
00:39:59.564 --> 00:40:00.972
The head was completely intact.
557
00:40:00.974 --> 00:40:07.061
♪ ♪
558
00:40:07.063 --> 00:40:09.355
- It was put on the news.
It was put in the newspaper.
559
00:40:09.357 --> 00:40:11.190
It was sent to law enforcement.
560
00:40:11.192 --> 00:40:13.818
[suspenseful music]
561
00:40:13.820 --> 00:40:15.745
They received thousands
of missing-persons leads,
562
00:40:15.747 --> 00:40:17.572
And none of them panned out.
563
00:40:17.574 --> 00:40:19.907
It was just kept
as a cold case, unidentified.
564
00:40:19.909 --> 00:40:22.085
The person who did it
was still out there.
565
00:40:24.330 --> 00:40:28.040
- Initially, joel perpetrated
these crimes at home.
566
00:40:28.042 --> 00:40:32.920
He felt comfortable there
when his mother would go away,
567
00:40:32.922 --> 00:40:36.891
But in 1991, he seems ready
to get out of his comfort zone.
568
00:40:41.106 --> 00:40:43.931
He kills in a public place,
569
00:40:43.933 --> 00:40:47.101
A local motel on long island.
570
00:40:47.103 --> 00:40:49.446
The next murders
are all committed in his car.
571
00:40:51.783 --> 00:40:55.201
Joel had learned
to be invisible at a young age.
572
00:40:56.571 --> 00:40:58.788
- Because of this, he just got
better at killing, you know?
573
00:40:58.790 --> 00:41:00.707
He was really
a killing machine.
574
00:41:23.139 --> 00:41:25.648
[tense music]
575
00:41:25.650 --> 00:41:28.434
- Victim number six
he killed in his car
576
00:41:28.436 --> 00:41:31.062
And then drove
to an industrial area
577
00:41:31.064 --> 00:41:33.281
Up around northern manhattan.
578
00:41:33.942 --> 00:41:36.234
He drives off the road
a little bit,
579
00:41:36.236 --> 00:41:38.903
Treks through
a little wooded area,
580
00:41:38.905 --> 00:41:41.280
Dumps the body
into a waterway,
581
00:41:41.282 --> 00:41:43.658
And when he's walking
back to his car...
582
00:41:43.660 --> 00:41:45.451
[electronic music]
583
00:41:45.453 --> 00:41:48.663
He sees cops
coming towards him.
584
00:41:48.665 --> 00:41:51.591
He hears their radios.
He sees the flashlight.
585
00:41:52.344 --> 00:41:56.179
- He summoned up
from his long background
586
00:41:56.181 --> 00:41:58.848
Of knowing how
to avoid conflict
587
00:41:58.850 --> 00:42:01.017
A clever, clever lie.
588
00:42:02.136 --> 00:42:04.262
- He immediately picks up
something from the ground,
589
00:42:04.264 --> 00:42:07.014
An auto part,
and before the cops
590
00:42:07.016 --> 00:42:08.691
Have an opportunity
to say anything,
591
00:42:08.693 --> 00:42:10.851
He says,
"I'm not auto-stripping.
592
00:42:10.853 --> 00:42:12.237
I'm just scavenging."
593
00:42:13.940 --> 00:42:16.199
- Rifkin stayed really cool
and really calm.
594
00:42:16.201 --> 00:42:17.984
He had his wits about him
595
00:42:17.986 --> 00:42:21.445
And could literally be dumping
a victim into the river
596
00:42:21.447 --> 00:42:23.373
And simply talk his way out.
597
00:42:24.492 --> 00:42:28.711
That reflects the psychopathic
dimensions of who he was.
598
00:42:28.713 --> 00:42:31.330
The average person
would most likely flip out.
599
00:42:31.332 --> 00:42:34.166
- The police gave him
a warning,
600
00:42:34.168 --> 00:42:37.053
So he was able to get away
with that one
601
00:42:37.055 --> 00:42:40.890
And dodge that bullet.
602
00:42:40.892 --> 00:42:45.553
Victim number six to this day
has not been identified.
603
00:42:45.555 --> 00:42:47.388
Had those cops maybe looked
a little further,
604
00:42:47.390 --> 00:42:49.399
They would've found that body,
605
00:42:49.401 --> 00:42:51.401
And things would've
turned out different
606
00:42:51.403 --> 00:42:53.811
For many of the women.
607
00:42:53.813 --> 00:42:56.906
Instead, joel felt
on top of the world.
608
00:42:56.908 --> 00:43:00.568
He outsmarted the police,
and that incident made him
609
00:43:00.570 --> 00:43:04.080
Feel much more confident
of not getting caught.
610
00:43:04.082 --> 00:43:08.242
Joel was very aware
not only of his ability
611
00:43:08.244 --> 00:43:11.078
To be unnoticed by others,
612
00:43:11.080 --> 00:43:14.498
But also by the work
613
00:43:14.500 --> 00:43:18.419
That he had put
into cultivating that ability,
614
00:43:18.421 --> 00:43:21.839
And he seems to relish
in that anonymity.
615
00:43:21.841 --> 00:43:28.054
♪ ♪
616
00:43:28.056 --> 00:43:33.184
His choice in women also
helped joel stay anonymous.
617
00:43:33.186 --> 00:43:37.113
Most of the women that he would
look at fell victim to drugs,
618
00:43:37.115 --> 00:43:38.939
Like so many other people
in that era,
619
00:43:38.941 --> 00:43:40.950
And wound up on the streets.
620
00:43:41.527 --> 00:43:43.944
- Quite often, nobody knows
their real names.
621
00:43:43.946 --> 00:43:45.946
They have no ties
to the community.
622
00:43:45.948 --> 00:43:47.907
They're easy targets.
623
00:43:47.909 --> 00:43:49.241
- Quite a few of the victims
624
00:43:49.243 --> 00:43:51.952
Had not even
been reported missing.
625
00:43:51.954 --> 00:43:53.713
Lorraine orvieto
was different.
626
00:43:55.708 --> 00:43:57.291
- Lorraine was my first cousin.
627
00:43:57.293 --> 00:43:59.752
She went missing
when she was 28.
628
00:43:59.754 --> 00:44:01.462
- Her family spent
a lot of time,
629
00:44:01.464 --> 00:44:04.632
You know, trying to find her.
She was a missing person.
630
00:44:04.634 --> 00:44:08.311
- My aunt wrote letters,
made a million phone calls
631
00:44:08.313 --> 00:44:13.099
To hospitals and morgues
all over long island,
632
00:44:13.101 --> 00:44:15.652
Looking at pictures,
even looking at a body,
633
00:44:15.654 --> 00:44:19.155
And they came up with nothing.
634
00:44:19.157 --> 00:44:21.649
It was very surreal
635
00:44:21.651 --> 00:44:25.328
To just have a family member
completely disappear.
636
00:44:28.667 --> 00:44:30.991
Lorraine was like a sister
to me growing up.
637
00:44:30.993 --> 00:44:33.920
She was always very loving,
very generous.
638
00:44:34.747 --> 00:44:38.049
She just had so much vigor,
so much life.
639
00:44:39.844 --> 00:44:41.669
She wanted to be
an accountant.
640
00:44:41.671 --> 00:44:44.472
I think she knew very clearly
what she wanted in her life.
641
00:44:45.007 --> 00:44:47.266
Unfortunately,
some things got in the way.
642
00:44:47.802 --> 00:44:50.678
I remember lorraine's
frustration at struggling
643
00:44:50.680 --> 00:44:52.763
To pass the cpa exam.
644
00:44:52.765 --> 00:44:55.441
She tried twice, but she
couldn't pass this test.
645
00:44:56.361 --> 00:44:59.195
She was really deflated.
646
00:45:00.865 --> 00:45:05.526
At the same point, she had been
admitted to the hospital.
647
00:45:05.528 --> 00:45:08.821
Lorraine needed a blood
transfusion for a surgery.
648
00:45:08.823 --> 00:45:11.031
She had to remove
a very large fibroid,
649
00:45:11.033 --> 00:45:15.378
And they had just started
checking the blood in 1985,
650
00:45:15.380 --> 00:45:17.547
When she had her transfusion.
651
00:45:17.549 --> 00:45:20.717
She did develop hiv,
652
00:45:20.719 --> 00:45:23.094
Which eventually became
full-blown aids.
653
00:45:25.056 --> 00:45:26.714
I remember going to
the hospital
654
00:45:26.716 --> 00:45:28.132
To visit lorraine.
655
00:45:28.134 --> 00:45:32.061
She became too unstable
to keep it together,
656
00:45:32.063 --> 00:45:35.064
And that just led
to shady characters and drugs
657
00:45:35.066 --> 00:45:36.899
And eventually going missing.
658
00:45:41.564 --> 00:45:44.073
- Joel meets lorraine orvieto,
659
00:45:44.075 --> 00:45:45.908
Picks her up in bay shore,
long island,
660
00:45:45.910 --> 00:45:48.161
A once-affluent town.
661
00:46:17.058 --> 00:46:21.101
- With lorraine orvieto,
it was a circumstantial thing.
662
00:46:21.103 --> 00:46:24.104
He solicited this girl,
663
00:46:24.106 --> 00:46:27.733
And in the process
of receiving sex from her,
664
00:46:27.735 --> 00:46:30.736
He did what he was already
in the habit of doing.
665
00:46:30.738 --> 00:46:32.863
It's just habitual.
666
00:46:32.865 --> 00:46:36.951
- After taking her life,
he used a different mo.
667
00:46:36.953 --> 00:46:41.413
Lorraine orvieto is the first
of several victims
668
00:46:41.415 --> 00:46:44.383
That he places
in a 50-gallon drum.
669
00:46:51.634 --> 00:46:54.477
- And that led
to a very long year
670
00:46:54.479 --> 00:46:57.063
Of having no idea
what happened to her.
671
00:46:58.891 --> 00:47:00.566
[sighs]
672
00:47:03.437 --> 00:47:06.814
- You have to wonder if joel
ever took
673
00:47:06.816 --> 00:47:08.816
The lives of his victims
674
00:47:08.818 --> 00:47:11.077
Or their loved ones
into consideration.
675
00:47:12.154 --> 00:47:15.239
Even though lorraine orvieto
was reported missing,
676
00:47:15.241 --> 00:47:18.000
Her body was not
immediately discovered,
677
00:47:18.002 --> 00:47:21.287
So joel became so confident
678
00:47:21.289 --> 00:47:23.747
That he started to get
679
00:47:23.749 --> 00:47:25.842
These feelings
of invincibility
680
00:47:25.844 --> 00:47:30.429
That he couldn't be caught.
Will anyone ever take notice?
681
00:47:41.433 --> 00:47:45.069
[ominous music]
682
00:47:47.523 --> 00:47:50.941
- Lorraine orvieto was
joel rifkin's seventh victim.
683
00:47:50.943 --> 00:47:53.986
About 7 months later,
her body was discovered,
684
00:47:53.988 --> 00:47:57.039
But at that time,
it was never identified.
685
00:47:57.992 --> 00:48:01.878
- Joel was emboldened
by the fact
686
00:48:01.880 --> 00:48:04.213
That he had gotten away
with this for this long.
687
00:48:06.334 --> 00:48:08.050
Joel was getting
a little more careless.
688
00:48:08.052 --> 00:48:10.961
He picks up iris sanchez
689
00:48:10.963 --> 00:48:13.631
On the lower east side
during the day,
690
00:48:13.633 --> 00:48:17.885
Which was unusual for joel
up until this point,
691
00:48:17.887 --> 00:48:20.220
Strangles her during sex.
692
00:48:20.222 --> 00:48:22.064
After he killed her,
693
00:48:22.066 --> 00:48:24.567
He drove her
out near kennedy airport.
694
00:48:41.535 --> 00:48:43.252
- He picked this woman up
during the day.
695
00:48:43.254 --> 00:48:45.087
He killed her during the day,
696
00:48:45.089 --> 00:48:47.915
And he dumped
her body carelessly
697
00:48:47.917 --> 00:48:49.926
Under a mattress
during the day.
698
00:48:51.545 --> 00:48:54.713
I asked if there was
any specific trigger
699
00:48:54.715 --> 00:48:58.935
As to why the ones
that were killed were,
700
00:48:58.937 --> 00:49:01.771
And he said it was
the ripe opportunity
701
00:49:01.773 --> 00:49:04.181
Where there was very little
chance of getting caught,
702
00:49:04.183 --> 00:49:06.517
But that didn't seem
to matter anymore.
703
00:49:09.563 --> 00:49:12.448
He killed her and just wanted
to get rid of the body
704
00:49:12.450 --> 00:49:14.659
And did so
in the most expeditious manner.
705
00:49:19.865 --> 00:49:24.076
- This just fed,
added to his sense of power,
706
00:49:24.078 --> 00:49:26.412
Potency, success,
707
00:49:26.414 --> 00:49:29.748
And the amazing thing was,
as brazen as he was getting,
708
00:49:29.750 --> 00:49:31.542
This was completely
under the radar.
709
00:49:31.544 --> 00:49:33.052
No one knew.
710
00:49:42.888 --> 00:49:44.647
- In the early '90s,
I wasn't living
711
00:49:44.649 --> 00:49:46.649
At my parents' house anymore,
712
00:49:46.651 --> 00:49:49.893
But I was visiting them,
you know, all the time,
713
00:49:49.895 --> 00:49:51.729
And I'd see joel outside
and be like,
714
00:49:51.731 --> 00:49:54.440
"hey, man. How's it going?
What are you up to?"
715
00:49:54.442 --> 00:49:56.650
I had no idea
what was going on.
716
00:49:56.652 --> 00:49:59.820
[dark music]
717
00:49:59.822 --> 00:50:02.331
- At this point, I was already
with my band,
718
00:50:02.333 --> 00:50:03.741
The new york ska-jazz ensemble.
719
00:50:03.743 --> 00:50:05.075
I had, like, a local gig.
720
00:50:05.077 --> 00:50:07.578
I was walking with my horn
721
00:50:07.580 --> 00:50:11.507
Just somewhere down
in the village near the club,
722
00:50:11.509 --> 00:50:14.844
And I see joel in a car.
723
00:50:14.846 --> 00:50:18.672
Oh, there's a girl with him,
so in my mind, I'm thinking,
724
00:50:18.674 --> 00:50:20.632
"haven't really seen him
with too many girls."
725
00:50:20.634 --> 00:50:22.926
I'm not going to interrupt,
and I'm just going to be like,
726
00:50:22.928 --> 00:50:24.803
You know, "hey, bro.
How you doing?
727
00:50:24.805 --> 00:50:28.357
Oh, yeah. Just did a show.
All right. See you soon."
728
00:50:30.603 --> 00:50:33.195
After it all went down,
it occurred to me
729
00:50:33.197 --> 00:50:34.980
That the woman I saw
in the car
730
00:50:34.982 --> 00:50:37.024
Might have be one of
those women he strangled.
731
00:50:37.026 --> 00:50:39.118
That's a tough one
to wrap your head around.
732
00:50:56.712 --> 00:50:59.722
- On the one hand, joel rifkin
despised these women
733
00:50:59.724 --> 00:51:01.673
Because they represented
to him
734
00:51:01.675 --> 00:51:04.009
Exactly what he thought
about himself,
735
00:51:04.011 --> 00:51:08.680
But I think a guy
that's not successful socially
736
00:51:08.682 --> 00:51:12.568
Is very responsive
to somebody who's nice to him,
737
00:51:12.570 --> 00:51:16.238
So it was a very unique
experience to him,
738
00:51:16.240 --> 00:51:19.700
And he would form
little micro relationships.
739
00:51:30.496 --> 00:51:33.497
[brooding music]
740
00:51:33.499 --> 00:51:40.096
♪ ♪
741
00:51:40.098 --> 00:51:44.091
- I played quarterback
for myers park high school.
742
00:51:44.093 --> 00:51:46.885
Catherine was the head
cheerleader on the squad
743
00:51:46.887 --> 00:51:49.179
That was
our cross-town rivals,
744
00:51:49.181 --> 00:51:51.014
So we had the quarterback
of one high school
745
00:51:51.016 --> 00:51:53.392
Dating the cheerleader
of the cross-town rival,
746
00:51:53.394 --> 00:51:56.019
So it kind of bred
a little bit of notoriety
747
00:51:56.021 --> 00:51:57.771
For us as a couple.
748
00:51:57.773 --> 00:52:00.491
Her family was well off.
Her father was a dentist.
749
00:52:01.119 --> 00:52:05.571
Catherine had this tremendous,
charismatic energy about her
750
00:52:05.573 --> 00:52:07.039
And a tremendous confidence.
751
00:52:21.922 --> 00:52:24.214
- Catherine broke up with me
in high school,
752
00:52:24.216 --> 00:52:26.633
So I would see her
on national television.
753
00:52:26.635 --> 00:52:29.979
Catherine was sort of the top
of the pyramid type of girl.
754
00:52:31.649 --> 00:52:33.932
I heard through the grapevine,
through some friends,
755
00:52:33.934 --> 00:52:35.225
That she moved to new york--
756
00:52:35.227 --> 00:52:38.028
And completely lost touch
with catherine.
757
00:52:39.148 --> 00:52:41.991
And then I met her again.
758
00:52:41.993 --> 00:52:43.742
I went
to the methodist church.
759
00:52:44.320 --> 00:52:46.162
I looked up there,
760
00:52:46.164 --> 00:52:49.540
And there she stood,
catherine williams.
761
00:52:51.118 --> 00:52:53.577
When everyone was quiet,
she just turned around.
762
00:52:53.579 --> 00:52:55.421
She looked right at me.
Bang.
763
00:52:56.174 --> 00:52:58.340
I knew at that moment
that I was going to marry her.
764
00:52:58.342 --> 00:52:59.842
I knew it.
I knew it. I knew it.
765
00:53:02.588 --> 00:53:05.255
At that moment,
she knew it too, and she goes,
766
00:53:05.257 --> 00:53:08.851
"well, I know of a justice
of the peace down the road.
767
00:53:08.853 --> 00:53:10.060
Let's go tomorrow."
768
00:53:11.355 --> 00:53:15.107
We got married
without anybody knowing.
769
00:53:21.866 --> 00:53:24.867
We began to have parties
that were filled with drugs,
770
00:53:24.869 --> 00:53:26.702
Dangerous parties.
771
00:53:27.363 --> 00:53:30.080
I can't imagine, in the 1980s,
you hadn't done any cocaine.
772
00:53:32.201 --> 00:53:36.036
Very quickly, that just spun
way out of control.
773
00:53:36.038 --> 00:53:38.288
It got really frightening,
774
00:53:38.290 --> 00:53:40.624
And I just said,
"we're gonna die.
775
00:53:40.626 --> 00:53:42.042
"you need to go back home
to your family,
776
00:53:42.044 --> 00:53:44.053
And I need to go back
to my family."
777
00:53:47.174 --> 00:53:48.891
She finally decided
778
00:53:48.893 --> 00:53:50.726
That she wanted
to go back to new york.
779
00:53:50.728 --> 00:53:52.886
She had a support system
up there,
780
00:53:52.888 --> 00:53:55.347
And so I put her on a plane.
She, you know, took off.
781
00:53:55.349 --> 00:53:56.890
That was the period of time
782
00:53:56.892 --> 00:53:58.484
Where we just both kind of let
the dust settle.
783
00:54:03.482 --> 00:54:05.407
But I was still married
to catherine.
784
00:54:05.409 --> 00:54:07.192
I was in love with catherine.
785
00:54:07.194 --> 00:54:09.411
After several months,
she said,
786
00:54:09.413 --> 00:54:11.530
"well, I'm coming back
to get you.
787
00:54:11.532 --> 00:54:13.198
Don't move.
I'm coming."
788
00:54:13.200 --> 00:54:15.918
So three days, nothing.
789
00:54:15.920 --> 00:54:18.879
Five days, nothing.
Seven days, nothing.
790
00:54:21.592 --> 00:54:24.376
- The incident
with catherine williams
791
00:54:24.378 --> 00:54:27.096
I thought was
particularly curious
792
00:54:27.098 --> 00:54:29.423
Because joel had said
793
00:54:29.425 --> 00:54:32.309
That he had been with her
numerous times in the past.
794
00:54:46.608 --> 00:54:50.068
- Catherine was known for
walking around with a suitcase
795
00:54:50.070 --> 00:54:53.280
In which she carried
so many of her possessions,
796
00:54:53.282 --> 00:54:56.333
Including pictures
of her football player husband.
797
00:55:11.976 --> 00:55:15.635
- As a cheerleader
and a homecoming queen,
798
00:55:15.637 --> 00:55:20.766
Mary catherine was the symbol
and the reality of the girl
799
00:55:20.768 --> 00:55:22.726
Not only
that he could never get,
800
00:55:22.728 --> 00:55:26.271
But the girl
who chose the bullies,
801
00:55:26.273 --> 00:55:30.609
So she was a symbol
of everything that he hated,
802
00:55:30.611 --> 00:55:32.411
That he was envious of.
803
00:55:32.988 --> 00:55:36.782
- The fact that she was married
to a standout football player,
804
00:55:36.784 --> 00:55:38.283
She might have mentioned
805
00:55:38.285 --> 00:55:40.077
That she was getting
the money to go back
806
00:55:40.079 --> 00:55:43.130
And bring him to new york.
That could've set joel off.
807
00:55:45.009 --> 00:55:47.176
- When she was in that car
with him
808
00:55:47.178 --> 00:55:52.181
Was the very time frame
I was waiting for her to come,
809
00:55:52.183 --> 00:55:55.184
And that was the moment
that she died.
810
00:55:56.136 --> 00:55:58.312
- Rifkin continued killing,
and he got away with it.
811
00:56:08.365 --> 00:56:12.117
[ominous music]
812
00:56:17.116 --> 00:56:21.460
- Mary catherine was rifkin's
13th victim.
813
00:56:21.995 --> 00:56:24.996
Joel was quite confident that
she would never be discovered
814
00:56:24.998 --> 00:56:27.383
Because he had been
successful before.
815
00:56:27.385 --> 00:56:32.170
Other bodies were found
but never identified,
816
00:56:32.172 --> 00:56:34.306
And no one was looking
for joel rifkin.
817
00:56:36.468 --> 00:56:38.560
- We just didn't have
the technology we have now.
818
00:56:38.562 --> 00:56:40.804
Law enforcement
is much more efficient now.
819
00:56:40.806 --> 00:56:44.307
- Rifkin was so clever
in where he picked them up,
820
00:56:44.309 --> 00:56:47.352
How he picked them up,
and where he killed them
821
00:56:47.354 --> 00:56:49.688
And how he disposed of them
that it was
822
00:56:49.690 --> 00:56:52.315
Virtually impossible
for law enforcement
823
00:56:52.317 --> 00:56:54.693
To put this together.
824
00:56:54.695 --> 00:56:56.153
He's dumping these bodies
825
00:56:56.155 --> 00:56:58.664
In nine or ten
different jurisdictions.
826
00:56:59.700 --> 00:57:01.533
- There was absolutely
no reason why joel rifkin
827
00:57:01.535 --> 00:57:03.660
Should've been
on any of our radar,
828
00:57:03.662 --> 00:57:06.997
But leah evans stands out
because she exemplifies
829
00:57:06.999 --> 00:57:10.175
Just how brazen
and careless joel was getting.
830
00:57:12.087 --> 00:57:16.715
- Leah was sweet to the point
of really not having
831
00:57:16.717 --> 00:57:19.259
A malignant bone in her body.
832
00:57:19.261 --> 00:57:22.012
- Leah evans went
to sarah lawrence college
833
00:57:22.014 --> 00:57:25.274
And seemed to be on track,
at least after college,
834
00:57:25.276 --> 00:57:26.892
To having a very bright future.
835
00:57:26.894 --> 00:57:30.103
- It was a very distinctly
privileged school,
836
00:57:30.105 --> 00:57:33.273
And leah didn't come
from that kind of wealth,
837
00:57:33.275 --> 00:57:34.950
So she felt, I think,
838
00:57:34.952 --> 00:57:37.035
Somewhat alienated
from the culture there.
839
00:57:38.789 --> 00:57:42.574
Leah's drug use started
during her college years.
840
00:57:42.576 --> 00:57:43.909
It was the '80s.
841
00:57:43.911 --> 00:57:46.077
There were drugs
kind of everywhere,
842
00:57:46.079 --> 00:57:48.338
And that's when I discovered
leah really had a disease.
843
00:57:50.209 --> 00:57:53.543
She would be gone
for days on end.
844
00:57:53.545 --> 00:57:55.879
We all knew that
this addiction was spiraling.
845
00:57:55.881 --> 00:57:57.389
It was terrifying
to the people who loved her.
846
00:58:00.144 --> 00:58:03.145
[brooding music]
847
00:58:03.147 --> 00:58:08.600
♪ ♪
848
00:58:08.602 --> 00:58:10.101
I have a beautiful memory
of leah
849
00:58:10.103 --> 00:58:12.270
Arriving at my apartment.
850
00:58:12.272 --> 00:58:16.107
We were just 23, and she had
her beautiful son, julian,
851
00:58:16.109 --> 00:58:18.160
And she was so proud
852
00:58:18.162 --> 00:58:19.870
And asked me
to be his godmother.
853
00:58:21.281 --> 00:58:24.833
She just was not present
any more in her body.
854
00:58:24.835 --> 00:58:26.785
The ravages
of heroin addiction
855
00:58:26.787 --> 00:58:29.079
Are really profound.
856
00:58:29.081 --> 00:58:32.123
She became homeless.
857
00:58:32.125 --> 00:58:33.967
No one ever saw her again.
858
00:58:34.503 --> 00:58:36.929
[spacey music]
859
00:58:59.987 --> 00:59:05.949
- It is impossible for me
to digest the scene.
860
00:59:05.951 --> 00:59:07.659
In this case, leah said no.
861
00:59:07.661 --> 00:59:09.202
It seems to have triggered
something in him
862
00:59:09.204 --> 00:59:11.871
That made him feel
she should die.
863
00:59:11.873 --> 00:59:14.874
[dramatic music]
864
00:59:14.876 --> 00:59:19.838
♪ ♪
865
00:59:19.840 --> 00:59:23.508
- Joel rifkin dug
a very shallow grave
866
00:59:23.510 --> 00:59:25.310
Out in the eastern end
of long island.
867
00:59:47.492 --> 00:59:48.742
- Some people who were out
looking, you know,
868
00:59:48.744 --> 00:59:50.493
For flowers or something,
869
00:59:50.495 --> 00:59:52.537
And they saw the hand
sticking up out of the ground,
870
00:59:52.539 --> 00:59:55.040
And that's how
that body was found.
871
00:59:55.042 --> 00:59:58.510
- Soon thereafter, the body was
the first one to be identified.
872
01:00:13.685 --> 01:00:18.280
- Leah's hand eerily sticking
out of the shallow grave
873
01:00:18.282 --> 01:00:21.232
Was extremely sloppy.
874
01:00:21.234 --> 01:00:25.737
- His cloak of invisibility
was slipping.
875
01:00:25.739 --> 01:00:29.074
That's a very serious error
for somebody
876
01:00:29.076 --> 01:00:31.585
Who was so meticulous
to have committed.
877
01:01:31.805 --> 01:01:34.013
- It was light out, and there
were going to be commuters,
878
01:01:34.015 --> 01:01:35.524
People going to work,
879
01:01:35.526 --> 01:01:37.976
Figuring, "I can't dispose
her body right here,"
880
01:01:37.978 --> 01:01:39.978
So he put newspapers
all over the body
881
01:01:39.980 --> 01:01:41.863
So that if anybody
did look inside,
882
01:01:41.865 --> 01:01:43.615
They wouldn't see the body.
883
01:01:55.546 --> 01:01:56.828
- So he wound up taking her
884
01:01:56.830 --> 01:01:59.456
Back to his house
in long island
885
01:01:59.458 --> 01:02:01.425
Where he lived with his mom
and his sister.
886
01:02:04.337 --> 01:02:07.839
- His mother greeted
him angrily.
887
01:02:07.841 --> 01:02:09.549
She needed the car
because she had an errand
888
01:02:09.551 --> 01:02:12.010
She had to run right away.
889
01:02:12.012 --> 01:02:15.054
He doesn't panic, and he says,
"okay, mom,"
890
01:02:15.056 --> 01:02:17.399
Hands over the keys
to the mother,
891
01:02:17.401 --> 01:02:20.569
Who goes out and runs
her errand for an hour or so,
892
01:02:20.571 --> 01:02:25.190
And his mother brings the car
back unknowing
893
01:02:25.192 --> 01:02:27.525
That there's a body
in the trunk,
894
01:02:27.527 --> 01:02:31.413
At which point joel
moves the body into the garage,
895
01:02:31.415 --> 01:02:35.667
Where it lays for a couple
of days in the stifling heat.
896
01:02:36.870 --> 01:02:39.996
- Rifkin then spent the rest
of the weekend with the body
897
01:02:39.998 --> 01:02:43.708
Decaying in his garage,
working on two trucks,
898
01:02:43.710 --> 01:02:45.510
Changing an engine
from one into another.
899
01:02:47.339 --> 01:02:49.097
- He doesn't move her out
until Sunday night
900
01:02:49.099 --> 01:02:51.007
Into Monday morning.
901
01:02:51.009 --> 01:02:53.176
It's, like, 96 hours where
he's held onto this victim,
902
01:02:53.178 --> 01:02:55.103
So the odor was overpowering.
903
01:02:55.889 --> 01:02:57.764
- Rifkin waited
until it was nighttime.
904
01:02:57.766 --> 01:02:59.524
Nobody was watching.
905
01:03:01.853 --> 01:03:05.155
He took the body, put it
in one of the pickup trucks.
906
01:03:06.900 --> 01:03:09.108
Rifkin then drove
on to the state parkway,
907
01:03:09.110 --> 01:03:11.703
Where the state police
try to pull rifkin over.
908
01:03:14.407 --> 01:03:17.042
- Joel rifkin made
a fatal mistake.
909
01:03:17.744 --> 01:03:21.254
Instead of pulling over,
he accelerated.
910
01:03:21.957 --> 01:03:24.415
- He lost it.
There was panic.
911
01:03:24.417 --> 01:03:26.635
He didn't behave rationally.
912
01:03:28.421 --> 01:03:32.215
There's no way that he could've
outrun the state trooper
913
01:03:32.217 --> 01:03:34.259
In a beat-up truck.
914
01:03:34.261 --> 01:03:37.771
- Ultimately he was exposed,
became visible.
915
01:03:40.100 --> 01:03:43.226
- Joel rifkin had asked me
why he was being stopped,
916
01:03:43.228 --> 01:03:44.936
And I said,
917
01:03:44.938 --> 01:03:47.197
"because you didn't have
a license plate on your car."
918
01:03:47.991 --> 01:03:51.535
And he always responded,
"it's always a ¢25 part."
919
01:03:53.905 --> 01:03:55.572
If there was a license plate,
920
01:03:55.574 --> 01:03:57.833
Would there have been
another reason to stop him?
921
01:03:57.835 --> 01:03:59.209
I don't know.
922
01:04:15.594 --> 01:04:18.428
- As he was being interviewed,
I was on the other side,
923
01:04:18.430 --> 01:04:20.138
Listening to the discussion
924
01:04:20.140 --> 01:04:24.309
With a nassau county
homicide detective,
925
01:04:24.311 --> 01:04:26.194
And he looks at me.
He's like, "hey, kid.
926
01:04:26.196 --> 01:04:28.113
Let me tell you something.
This guy has done this before."
927
01:04:29.700 --> 01:04:33.034
- Everyone in that room
was wondering,
928
01:04:33.036 --> 01:04:34.953
How many more victims
did this guy have?
929
01:04:36.698 --> 01:04:39.165
Then he asked for, you know,
a pen and a piece of paper.
930
01:04:41.369 --> 01:04:45.330
He wrote down the victims
in reverse chronological order
931
01:04:45.332 --> 01:04:47.215
Starting with 17.
932
01:04:48.335 --> 01:04:52.503
- Went from a simple car stop
to a dead body
933
01:04:52.505 --> 01:04:55.682
To "what if there's more?"
to now there's 17.
934
01:04:59.638 --> 01:05:01.679
- Rifkin's bedroom was
935
01:05:01.681 --> 01:05:03.222
A crime scene technician's
nightmare.
936
01:05:03.224 --> 01:05:04.724
Once we opened that door,
937
01:05:04.726 --> 01:05:06.517
We knew we found
the rosetta stone.
938
01:05:06.519 --> 01:05:08.486
- There was clothing, jewelry.
939
01:05:24.770 --> 01:05:28.081
[ominous music]
940
01:05:28.083 --> 01:05:31.176
[dramatic music]
941
01:05:32.587 --> 01:05:34.921
- Joel rifkin was caught
with a dead body
942
01:05:34.923 --> 01:05:37.382
In the back of his car.
943
01:05:37.384 --> 01:05:39.050
And then rifkin told
the police
944
01:05:39.052 --> 01:05:41.227
About 16 other women
that he had killed.
945
01:05:43.348 --> 01:05:46.057
- We wanted to prove what joel
was telling us was true.
946
01:05:46.059 --> 01:05:47.725
He told us
about the leah evans case,
947
01:05:47.727 --> 01:05:49.060
But that was also
in the newspaper,
948
01:05:49.062 --> 01:05:51.071
So he could've read that.
949
01:05:51.940 --> 01:05:55.733
- At which time
he starts giving details
950
01:05:55.735 --> 01:06:00.613
On all 17 of these homicides,
what they look like,
951
01:06:00.615 --> 01:06:04.709
What he did with the body,
just off the top of his head.
952
01:06:06.204 --> 01:06:07.704
- There was a certain part
953
01:06:07.706 --> 01:06:10.373
Of his confession
that was bragging.
954
01:06:10.375 --> 01:06:13.543
You know, joel had been
picked on for years
955
01:06:13.545 --> 01:06:17.472
And not looked at as somebody
that had any talent,
956
01:06:17.474 --> 01:06:19.090
And I think
this was his opportunity
957
01:06:19.092 --> 01:06:21.092
To tell people that,
"you're wrong.
958
01:06:21.094 --> 01:06:22.760
"I'm really smart.
I'm capable,
959
01:06:22.762 --> 01:06:24.688
And look at what I did."
960
01:06:26.307 --> 01:06:30.935
- The braggadocio sets in
and him saying,
961
01:06:30.937 --> 01:06:33.321
"I've fooled you
by my invisibility.
962
01:06:33.323 --> 01:06:36.324
"now you caught me.
Want to see visibility?
963
01:06:36.326 --> 01:06:39.244
Want to see accountability?
Here it is."
964
01:06:39.904 --> 01:06:43.781
- He gave such details
965
01:06:43.783 --> 01:06:47.243
That when the police
went to the scene,
966
01:06:47.245 --> 01:06:50.380
It was exactly how he said.
967
01:06:52.125 --> 01:06:53.583
- We went out
to kennedy airport,
968
01:06:53.585 --> 01:06:56.461
And we found the victim
that was under a mattress,
969
01:06:56.463 --> 01:06:58.296
So that was when
we pretty much believed
970
01:06:58.298 --> 01:06:59.347
Everything he said.
971
01:07:01.342 --> 01:07:03.301
- And then I applied
for a search warrant
972
01:07:03.303 --> 01:07:06.062
From the judge to search
his house for evidence.
973
01:07:06.639 --> 01:07:10.433
- They were looking
for everything and anything
974
01:07:10.435 --> 01:07:16.272
They could find that would,
one, help identify the victims
975
01:07:16.274 --> 01:07:20.693
And anything else related
to these crimes.
976
01:07:20.695 --> 01:07:24.956
They had very little to show
for what he was admitting to.
977
01:07:25.950 --> 01:07:27.208
- Rifkin's bedroom was
978
01:07:27.210 --> 01:07:28.785
A crime scene
technician's nightmare.
979
01:07:28.787 --> 01:07:30.328
Once we opened that door,
980
01:07:30.330 --> 01:07:32.547
We knew we found
the rosetta stone.
981
01:07:32.549 --> 01:07:35.333
- It was almost like digging
for treasure.
982
01:07:35.335 --> 01:07:39.629
There was driver's license
of some of the victims.
983
01:07:39.631 --> 01:07:43.174
- So now we had
pretty clear corroboration
984
01:07:43.176 --> 01:07:44.675
Once we matched those ids
985
01:07:44.677 --> 01:07:47.395
To the people
he claimed to have killed.
986
01:07:47.397 --> 01:07:49.680
- There was clothing, jewelry.
987
01:07:49.682 --> 01:07:51.474
- There was an earring
that we matched
988
01:07:51.476 --> 01:07:54.185
To a victim
from upstate new york
989
01:07:54.187 --> 01:07:56.071
That had
already been recovered.
990
01:07:56.073 --> 01:07:59.649
- There was also articles
on arthur shawcross,
991
01:07:59.651 --> 01:08:02.985
The serial killer from
rochester area of new york,
992
01:08:02.987 --> 01:08:05.863
And he had a book
on the green river killer,
993
01:08:05.865 --> 01:08:08.333
Almost how-to guides for him.
994
01:08:38.231 --> 01:08:41.116
- All his life, joel rifkin
was a background guy,
995
01:08:41.118 --> 01:08:43.401
An invisible man.
996
01:08:43.403 --> 01:08:47.029
- Deep down, I think he
actually did crave
997
01:08:47.031 --> 01:08:49.365
A certain degree of notoriety
998
01:08:49.367 --> 01:08:52.669
That prolific serial killers
had attained in the press.
999
01:08:56.374 --> 01:08:58.207
- I felt bad for his family.
1000
01:08:58.209 --> 01:09:00.585
Police were, like,
staking out the house.
1001
01:09:00.587 --> 01:09:04.088
You only heard about these kind
of things on television,
1002
01:09:04.090 --> 01:09:06.141
In the newspaper.
You know, this didn't happen
1003
01:09:06.143 --> 01:09:10.136
Next door, let alone
quaint old east meadow.
1004
01:09:10.138 --> 01:09:14.098
His mother, who was clearly
distraught now and alone,
1005
01:09:14.100 --> 01:09:16.058
She seemed to love him,
her son.
1006
01:09:16.060 --> 01:09:18.728
He said she's the only one
that showed him true love
1007
01:09:18.730 --> 01:09:20.563
After it all went down.
1008
01:09:20.565 --> 01:09:25.401
- But mrs. Rifkin was not
that accessible to reporters
1009
01:09:25.403 --> 01:09:27.278
Or to anybody
that questioned her.
1010
01:09:27.280 --> 01:09:28.621
She didn't want
to talk about it.
1011
01:09:31.451 --> 01:09:33.168
- There's
a pretty extensive search.
1012
01:09:33.170 --> 01:09:35.161
I know it continued
into the next day.
1013
01:09:35.163 --> 01:09:37.288
The murders that he had
committed in his house,
1014
01:09:37.290 --> 01:09:38.456
Rifkin apparently did
a really good job
1015
01:09:38.458 --> 01:09:40.008
Of cleaning up.
1016
01:09:40.010 --> 01:09:42.001
Obviously he didn't want
his family to see.
1017
01:09:42.003 --> 01:09:43.753
Must have been a bloody mess
1018
01:09:43.755 --> 01:09:46.130
Where he dismembered
some of his victims,
1019
01:09:46.132 --> 01:09:49.300
But there was no evidence
of that in the house.
1020
01:09:49.302 --> 01:09:51.469
- The contents
of joel rifkin's room
1021
01:09:51.471 --> 01:09:54.355
Were removed and brought
to farmingdale.
1022
01:09:54.357 --> 01:09:56.149
- We collected
over 8,000 pieces of evidence.
1023
01:09:57.936 --> 01:09:59.861
What we had to do in this case
in the beginning
1024
01:09:59.863 --> 01:10:01.646
Was a crime scene search,
1025
01:10:01.648 --> 01:10:03.606
Recovering the bodies
that hadn't been found yet
1026
01:10:03.608 --> 01:10:06.484
And linking them to the bodies
that had been found.
1027
01:10:06.486 --> 01:10:09.987
- They were very methodical
and organized and objective,
1028
01:10:09.989 --> 01:10:13.616
And they were able to
corroborate 13 or 14 of them.
1029
01:10:13.618 --> 01:10:15.993
- It became
such a major investigation,
1030
01:10:15.995 --> 01:10:18.496
All sorts of news coverage.
1031
01:10:18.498 --> 01:10:21.382
- Joel rifkin has told police
he's a serial killer.
1032
01:10:21.384 --> 01:10:23.167
The man told police
1033
01:10:23.169 --> 01:10:26.638
He killed 17 prostitutes
over the last several years.
1034
01:10:27.674 --> 01:10:30.967
- Turn on the tv one night,
and I saw that joel rifkin
1035
01:10:30.969 --> 01:10:33.010
Had been arrested,
and they listed his victims,
1036
01:10:33.012 --> 01:10:35.647
And my best friend,
leah evans, was among them.
1037
01:10:36.683 --> 01:10:39.234
I just don't have words
to describe what I felt.
1038
01:10:41.187 --> 01:10:43.354
Sorry.
1039
01:10:43.356 --> 01:10:45.648
- I remember being shocked
at the cover of "newsday,"
1040
01:10:45.650 --> 01:10:49.694
Biggest long island newspaper,
and the main story,
1041
01:10:49.696 --> 01:10:53.364
Which was about
long island serial killer,
1042
01:10:53.366 --> 01:10:55.199
And there's my family.
1043
01:10:55.201 --> 01:10:58.160
There's my name
on the cover of "newsday."
1044
01:10:58.162 --> 01:11:02.665
When they searched his room,
they found lorraine's license.
1045
01:11:02.667 --> 01:11:06.168
That's how we found out
exactly what happened to her.
1046
01:11:06.170 --> 01:11:08.170
- I'm reading
the "nashville banner."
1047
01:11:08.172 --> 01:11:11.590
My eye gets caught
about this article on this guy
1048
01:11:11.592 --> 01:11:13.217
That the new york police
1049
01:11:13.219 --> 01:11:15.052
Had pulled over
in a pickup truck,
1050
01:11:15.054 --> 01:11:16.271
And I'm just thinking,
1051
01:11:16.273 --> 01:11:18.431
"that's
the weirdest thing ever."
1052
01:11:18.433 --> 01:11:22.768
A day or two later,
I get a phone call,
1053
01:11:22.770 --> 01:11:24.946
"this is detective
or inspector.
1054
01:11:24.948 --> 01:11:26.439
Are you married
to catherine williams?"
1055
01:11:26.441 --> 01:11:28.107
I said, "yes, I am,"
and he said,
1056
01:11:28.109 --> 01:11:30.443
"well, have you ever heard
of joel rifkin?"
1057
01:11:30.445 --> 01:11:31.861
He goes, "well, we found
1058
01:11:31.863 --> 01:11:33.830
Catherine's credit cards
in his home."
1059
01:11:39.629 --> 01:11:41.746
- There's a whole culture
that depicts women
1060
01:11:41.748 --> 01:11:45.291
As just these erotic beings
for the taking,
1061
01:11:45.293 --> 01:11:49.045
And it's easy, then,
to devalue them
1062
01:11:49.047 --> 01:11:51.922
And for someone
like joel rifkin to think,
1063
01:11:51.924 --> 01:11:53.049
"who cares?
No one cares
1064
01:11:53.051 --> 01:11:55.143
If I kill this person."
1065
01:11:58.097 --> 01:12:01.766
- The tragedy of this
and everything that rifkin did
1066
01:12:01.768 --> 01:12:04.560
Was that
these are 17 different people,
1067
01:12:04.562 --> 01:12:07.155
17 different human beings
with different backgrounds,
1068
01:12:07.157 --> 01:12:09.899
Different families,
different hopes and dreams,
1069
01:12:09.901 --> 01:12:11.826
And I had to get them justice.
1070
01:12:13.279 --> 01:12:14.945
We would try the case
over the victim
1071
01:12:14.947 --> 01:12:17.656
That we found him with first.
It was the strongest.
1072
01:12:17.658 --> 01:12:19.334
We had caught him
with the body,
1073
01:12:19.336 --> 01:12:21.786
But surely somebody
who killed 17 people,
1074
01:12:21.788 --> 01:12:24.380
And I'm the first one
to try the case.
1075
01:12:24.957 --> 01:12:26.841
There was a decent amount
of pressure.
1076
01:12:37.353 --> 01:12:41.105
[ominous music]
1077
01:12:43.101 --> 01:12:45.026
- When joel rifkin was caught
with the body,
1078
01:12:45.028 --> 01:12:46.903
He didn't know her name.
1079
01:12:47.939 --> 01:12:50.481
We recovered beads
from a necklace
1080
01:12:50.483 --> 01:12:52.942
That she had on
when he abducted her,
1081
01:12:52.944 --> 01:12:54.869
And we found those beads
in his bedroom,
1082
01:12:54.871 --> 01:12:57.113
In his mom's car.
1083
01:12:57.115 --> 01:12:59.281
- She also had some tattoos
on her body,
1084
01:12:59.283 --> 01:13:01.376
And we put them in a newspaper.
1085
01:13:01.378 --> 01:13:04.662
- And we found a witness
in the city who knew her
1086
01:13:04.664 --> 01:13:06.497
And was able
to identify those beads.
1087
01:13:06.499 --> 01:13:11.335
- So we were able to identify
her as tiffany bresciani.
1088
01:13:11.337 --> 01:13:14.713
She came from a good family.
She was educated.
1089
01:13:14.715 --> 01:13:16.724
- Tiffany bresciani
was a 23-year-old woman
1090
01:13:16.726 --> 01:13:19.468
From metairie, louisiana,
1091
01:13:19.470 --> 01:13:22.179
Came to new york
to be an actress,
1092
01:13:22.181 --> 01:13:24.732
Didn't have the easiest go
of it,
1093
01:13:24.734 --> 01:13:26.442
Fell into a downward spiral.
1094
01:13:34.577 --> 01:13:36.652
- So by the time
of joel rifkin's trial,
1095
01:13:36.654 --> 01:13:41.749
They had found
14 of his victims
1096
01:13:41.751 --> 01:13:43.325
And identified all of them
1097
01:13:43.327 --> 01:13:45.169
Except
for the first one, susie.
1098
01:13:47.590 --> 01:13:49.498
- Because the rifkin case
in nassau
1099
01:13:49.500 --> 01:13:50.916
Was going to be
the first trial,
1100
01:13:50.918 --> 01:13:51.968
I was the first one up.
1101
01:13:57.425 --> 01:13:58.883
- Are we ready to proceed?
1102
01:13:58.885 --> 01:14:00.935
- You are joel rifkin?
1103
01:14:00.937 --> 01:14:03.179
- Yes, sir.
1104
01:14:03.181 --> 01:14:05.815
- We present the evidence
with respect to bresciani only.
1105
01:14:08.102 --> 01:14:12.521
- Pain and the suffering that
he caused to tiffany bresciani
1106
01:14:12.523 --> 01:14:14.991
Has to be taken
into account by this court.
1107
01:14:16.277 --> 01:14:19.195
- Joel rifkin was asserting
the insanity defense,
1108
01:14:19.197 --> 01:14:21.739
Claiming that he was
legally insane at the time
1109
01:14:21.741 --> 01:14:23.291
He killed tiffany bresciani.
1110
01:14:23.293 --> 01:14:25.293
He didn't have much
of an option, rifkin.
1111
01:14:25.295 --> 01:14:29.288
He's caught red-handed.
He confessed to it.
1112
01:14:29.290 --> 01:14:32.791
- You look at all the evidence
in the case, his background,
1113
01:14:32.793 --> 01:14:34.460
His upbringing
1114
01:14:34.462 --> 01:14:37.713
And what he did with respect
to tiffany bresciani.
1115
01:14:37.715 --> 01:14:40.183
He can best be described
as a killing machine.
1116
01:14:41.219 --> 01:14:43.978
- Joe rifkin was
the most prolific serial killer
1117
01:14:43.980 --> 01:14:45.596
In new york state history.
1118
01:14:45.598 --> 01:14:49.600
He had killed more people
than any other single person.
1119
01:14:49.602 --> 01:14:51.435
It would certainly make it
much more difficult
1120
01:14:51.437 --> 01:14:54.146
To get convictions
on his 16 other cases
1121
01:14:54.148 --> 01:14:56.732
If rifkin was found insane
at the first trial.
1122
01:14:56.734 --> 01:14:58.367
This creates
a lot of pressure for me.
1123
01:15:28.191 --> 01:15:31.267
- The hope of rifkin's lawyer
was, a jury would look at this
1124
01:15:31.269 --> 01:15:34.028
And say, "17 women?
This guy has got to be nuts."
1125
01:15:35.865 --> 01:15:39.858
- I was hired by
joel rifkin's defense counsel
1126
01:15:39.860 --> 01:15:42.036
To look at the issue
of competency.
1127
01:15:42.038 --> 01:15:43.946
The situation with rifkin
1128
01:15:43.948 --> 01:15:47.208
Is that he's extremely
personality disordered.
1129
01:15:47.710 --> 01:15:49.368
At the end,
he was falling apart,
1130
01:15:49.370 --> 01:15:52.204
And that's what led me to think
about whether or not
1131
01:15:52.206 --> 01:15:56.125
He was really fully competent
to waive his rights
1132
01:15:56.127 --> 01:15:57.668
And not have a lawyer
in the room
1133
01:15:57.670 --> 01:15:59.128
When he spilled the beans
1134
01:15:59.130 --> 01:16:01.013
And just confessed
to all these murders.
1135
01:16:03.175 --> 01:16:06.302
- The problem for that is
the confession is so detailed
1136
01:16:06.304 --> 01:16:08.220
And methodical
1137
01:16:08.222 --> 01:16:10.472
That what normal person
is going to believe him,
1138
01:16:10.474 --> 01:16:12.725
That he didn't understand
what he's talking about
1139
01:16:12.727 --> 01:16:15.644
When he was so organized
in describing years' worth
1140
01:16:15.646 --> 01:16:17.989
Of killing,
you know, over a dozen women?
1141
01:16:22.153 --> 01:16:23.736
One of the really weird things
1142
01:16:23.738 --> 01:16:26.530
He had told some of
the psychiatrists were that,
1143
01:16:26.532 --> 01:16:29.033
After he had killed
most of these women,
1144
01:16:29.035 --> 01:16:31.493
Rifkin took the money back
from them
1145
01:16:31.495 --> 01:16:32.920
That he had initially
given them
1146
01:16:32.922 --> 01:16:34.672
To perform the sex act.
1147
01:16:36.092 --> 01:16:41.211
The jury was very persuaded by
that little piece of evidence
1148
01:16:41.213 --> 01:16:43.255
That this guy knew exactly
what he was doing.
1149
01:16:43.257 --> 01:16:45.549
We were able to establish
beyond a reasonable doubt
1150
01:16:45.551 --> 01:16:48.269
That he was guilty
of killing tiffany bresciani.
1151
01:16:48.271 --> 01:16:50.605
We were able to disprove
that he was insane
1152
01:16:50.607 --> 01:16:52.890
At the time he did this,
1153
01:16:52.892 --> 01:16:56.444
And ultimately, rifkin was
sentenced to 28 years to life.
1154
01:17:10.460 --> 01:17:13.127
Never saw any human connection
from rifkin
1155
01:17:13.129 --> 01:17:15.913
About what he had did
to 17 human beings.
1156
01:17:15.915 --> 01:17:18.215
He is a sexual
sadistic murderer.
1157
01:18:00.459 --> 01:18:03.344
- Even after joel rifkin
was convicted,
1158
01:18:03.346 --> 01:18:05.671
The last chapter wasn't written
1159
01:18:05.673 --> 01:18:10.351
Because, after 24 years, susie,
his first victim--
1160
01:18:10.353 --> 01:18:13.262
Her head had been dumped
on the golf course--
1161
01:18:13.264 --> 01:18:15.064
Had not been identified.
1162
01:18:21.355 --> 01:18:24.148
- When he confessed,
joel rifkin clearly explained
1163
01:18:24.150 --> 01:18:25.983
That the head that was found
in hopewell township
1164
01:18:25.985 --> 01:18:27.526
Was his first victim
1165
01:18:27.528 --> 01:18:30.154
And that he only knew
her as susie.
1166
01:18:30.156 --> 01:18:32.865
That was the extent of what he
explained during his interview,
1167
01:18:32.867 --> 01:18:34.375
So we had what was called
1168
01:18:34.377 --> 01:18:36.293
An unidentified
deceased person.
1169
01:18:37.496 --> 01:18:39.121
- In hopewell township,
1170
01:18:39.123 --> 01:18:42.458
It was the only unsolved
homicide that we had on file,
1171
01:18:42.460 --> 01:18:44.969
The only unsolved homicide
I had in my career.
1172
01:18:46.005 --> 01:18:48.130
She had a mother somewhere.
She had a father somewhere.
1173
01:18:48.132 --> 01:18:50.174
She may even
have had children,
1174
01:18:50.176 --> 01:18:52.718
So it became
almost personal with me.
1175
01:18:52.720 --> 01:18:54.395
I continued to work the case
1176
01:18:54.397 --> 01:18:56.647
Until the time
I retired in 2005.
1177
01:18:58.401 --> 01:18:59.641
- I was a patrol officer
1178
01:18:59.643 --> 01:19:02.144
And then
subsequently a patrol sergeant.
1179
01:19:02.146 --> 01:19:04.563
Over the years,
I always joked with the bosses
1180
01:19:04.565 --> 01:19:06.231
That if I ever got
the opportunity,
1181
01:19:06.233 --> 01:19:08.192
I was going to solve this case.
1182
01:19:08.194 --> 01:19:10.027
I was told by my then-boss
at the time
1183
01:19:10.029 --> 01:19:12.738
That I wasn't a detective.
1184
01:19:12.740 --> 01:19:14.832
Eventually, I got my shot.
1185
01:19:16.419 --> 01:19:17.910
- What caused this?
Why?
1186
01:19:17.912 --> 01:19:19.411
How could this have happened?
1187
01:19:19.413 --> 01:19:22.089
I saw him through this period.
1188
01:19:22.091 --> 01:19:23.799
He wasn't invisible.
He was there.
1189
01:19:39.274 --> 01:19:42.026
[ominous music]
1190
01:19:43.896 --> 01:19:46.855
- We were always confident
from 1993 on
1191
01:19:46.857 --> 01:19:48.357
That the head that was found
1192
01:19:48.359 --> 01:19:50.234
At the hopewell valley
country club
1193
01:19:50.236 --> 01:19:52.620
Was absolutely
joel rifkin's first victim.
1194
01:19:53.906 --> 01:19:55.289
We just didn't have a name
1195
01:19:55.291 --> 01:19:57.124
That was associated
with that victim.
1196
01:19:57.460 --> 01:20:01.411
When I became lieutenant
in 2012,
1197
01:20:01.413 --> 01:20:03.964
I had the opportunity
to look into it.
1198
01:20:03.966 --> 01:20:05.466
Susie was picked up
1199
01:20:05.468 --> 01:20:07.292
On the lower east side
9th precinct area.
1200
01:20:07.294 --> 01:20:08.803
I said, "why don't we just
go up there and see
1201
01:20:08.805 --> 01:20:10.629
"if there's, like,
an old-school detective
1202
01:20:10.631 --> 01:20:13.298
"up there
who can look through some files
1203
01:20:13.300 --> 01:20:14.925
"and maybe give
some names of girls
1204
01:20:14.927 --> 01:20:17.645
That were arrested
multiple times in that area?"
1205
01:20:19.056 --> 01:20:21.807
One detective kept looking
in the old computer system.
1206
01:20:21.809 --> 01:20:25.102
He gave us a list of 19 names.
When I walked out of there,
1207
01:20:25.104 --> 01:20:28.280
I thought it was a complete
waste of time, but it wasn't.
1208
01:20:29.775 --> 01:20:31.733
One of the names on the list
that was provided
1209
01:20:31.735 --> 01:20:33.661
Was susan spencer.
1210
01:20:33.663 --> 01:20:35.612
The date of birth was right
for our victim.
1211
01:20:35.614 --> 01:20:37.322
The eye color matched.
1212
01:20:37.324 --> 01:20:39.250
I thought I was
on the right path.
1213
01:20:40.002 --> 01:20:42.002
The name susan spencer
led us down a path
1214
01:20:42.004 --> 01:20:43.754
That didn't lead anywhere.
1215
01:20:44.832 --> 01:20:46.623
However,
on this criminal history
1216
01:20:46.625 --> 01:20:49.626
Was numerous alias names,
numerous alias date of births,
1217
01:20:49.628 --> 01:20:53.171
Numerous
social security numbers,
1218
01:20:53.173 --> 01:20:56.008
So we decided to run
every single date of birth,
1219
01:20:56.010 --> 01:20:57.634
Every single name,
1220
01:20:57.636 --> 01:21:01.346
And we located
a missing-persons report
1221
01:21:01.348 --> 01:21:04.316
That was filed
in new york city in 1995.
1222
01:21:04.861 --> 01:21:06.977
If someone's reporting someone
in 1995
1223
01:21:06.979 --> 01:21:09.146
But our head was found
in 1989,
1224
01:21:09.148 --> 01:21:10.522
There could be no correlation.
1225
01:21:10.524 --> 01:21:12.867
However, I decided
not to discard it.
1226
01:21:12.869 --> 01:21:15.035
The name on the missing person
was heidi balch.
1227
01:21:15.037 --> 01:21:17.195
Heidi balch was reported
missing by her aunt
1228
01:21:17.197 --> 01:21:19.081
Who lived in new york.
1229
01:21:19.658 --> 01:21:21.208
My chief,
as I'm explaining to it,
1230
01:21:21.210 --> 01:21:24.494
He just goes like this
and points,
1231
01:21:24.496 --> 01:21:26.338
"get to new york
and go find the aunt."
1232
01:21:28.000 --> 01:21:29.374
Aunt looked at the picture,
said,
1233
01:21:29.376 --> 01:21:31.710
"yeah, that's my niece,
heidi balch."
1234
01:21:31.712 --> 01:21:34.504
I said, "well, you know,
when she got arrested here"--
1235
01:21:34.506 --> 01:21:37.716
It was a picture from 1986--
1236
01:21:37.718 --> 01:21:41.395
"she used the name
susan spencer,"
1237
01:21:41.397 --> 01:21:43.221
And I'll never forget
this moment
1238
01:21:43.223 --> 01:21:45.057
Because she grabs my arm
like a little old lady would
1239
01:21:45.059 --> 01:21:46.683
And just said,
1240
01:21:46.685 --> 01:21:49.028
"oh, she went by susie
for the longest time."
1241
01:21:50.856 --> 01:21:52.814
Literally the hair on the back
of my neck stood up.
1242
01:21:52.816 --> 01:21:54.408
We solved this.
1243
01:21:56.070 --> 01:21:57.703
The head belongs
to heidi balch.
1244
01:21:59.031 --> 01:22:00.572
I called my chief.
He's like,
1245
01:22:00.574 --> 01:22:03.241
"do you know what today is?"
I go, "it's March 5th."
1246
01:22:03.243 --> 01:22:05.410
He goes,
"yeah, it's March 5th, 2013.
1247
01:22:05.412 --> 01:22:07.671
We found the head
March 5th, 1989."
1248
01:22:09.541 --> 01:22:13.802
It was 24 years to the day that
we actually solved the case.
1249
01:22:16.173 --> 01:22:17.756
- When I spoke
to the other patrolmen,
1250
01:22:17.758 --> 01:22:19.341
That's what I always told them,
1251
01:22:19.343 --> 01:22:21.551
"don't give up until
you've solved the case."
1252
01:22:21.553 --> 01:22:25.272
Having bill springer solve it,
I was overjoyed.
1253
01:22:27.109 --> 01:22:29.434
I worked hard on it.
1254
01:22:29.436 --> 01:22:33.772
It meant a lot to me,
and it was closure.
1255
01:22:33.774 --> 01:22:36.775
I believe that justice
is finally served,
1256
01:22:36.777 --> 01:22:40.079
May have taken nearly 30 years,
but we did it.
1257
01:22:55.587 --> 01:22:58.755
- The joel rifkin I remember
was just a regular kid
1258
01:22:58.757 --> 01:23:00.215
Who was really polite,
1259
01:23:00.217 --> 01:23:03.802
Nice, sweet,
never thought he was creepy.
1260
01:23:03.804 --> 01:23:05.437
How could he do
these horrible things?
1261
01:23:07.433 --> 01:23:09.984
- You're trying to contemplate,
like, what caused this?
1262
01:23:09.986 --> 01:23:12.602
Why?
How could this have happened?
1263
01:23:12.604 --> 01:23:14.813
I saw him through this period.
1264
01:23:14.815 --> 01:23:16.773
He wasn't invisible.
He was there.
1265
01:23:16.775 --> 01:23:18.450
This is something
that disturbs me.
1266
01:23:20.162 --> 01:23:21.611
He looks like
the guy next door.
1267
01:23:21.613 --> 01:23:23.163
He was the guy next door.
1268
01:23:23.165 --> 01:23:25.240
He did not look
1269
01:23:25.242 --> 01:23:26.616
Like a serial killer
from my point of view.
1270
01:23:26.618 --> 01:23:28.243
In every high school,
1271
01:23:28.245 --> 01:23:30.287
There's a kid
that's the last to get picked.
1272
01:23:30.289 --> 01:23:33.582
In every high school, there's
a kid that doesn't get girls,
1273
01:23:33.584 --> 01:23:36.918
But they don't go ahead
and murder 17 women.
1274
01:23:36.920 --> 01:23:38.429
There is evil there.
1275
01:23:42.801 --> 01:23:45.427
- I never got to say goodbye
to my friend.
1276
01:23:45.429 --> 01:23:48.096
I did not have the opportunity
then to attend her funeral
1277
01:23:48.098 --> 01:23:51.183
Or to be part of any of
the honoring of her,
1278
01:23:51.185 --> 01:23:54.069
Laying her to rest,
or finding closure myself.
1279
01:23:54.855 --> 01:23:57.355
- When you think of somebody
you love,
1280
01:23:57.357 --> 01:24:01.160
You think about the person
at their finest.
1281
01:24:01.653 --> 01:24:05.197
Lorraine, you know,
had big goals, big plans.
1282
01:24:05.199 --> 01:24:07.166
It's just so sad.
It's just not fair.
1283
01:24:09.495 --> 01:24:11.378
- Catherine was
a fearless person.
1284
01:24:12.289 --> 01:24:15.832
She would stare in the face
of just horrendous danger
1285
01:24:15.834 --> 01:24:18.835
And just felt like
she could conquer the world.
1286
01:24:18.837 --> 01:24:23.465
I will always remember her
primarily as a courageous soul
1287
01:24:23.467 --> 01:24:28.386
That will always continue
to impact my decisions
1288
01:24:28.388 --> 01:24:30.606
Regardless of what comes.
1289
01:24:36.146 --> 01:24:37.354
- It is unthinkable
1290
01:24:37.356 --> 01:24:41.024
That someone
that I loved so fiercely,
1291
01:24:41.026 --> 01:24:43.911
Who had such
a beautiful life ahead
1292
01:24:43.913 --> 01:24:45.695
And who was a mother
to two young children
1293
01:24:45.697 --> 01:24:49.416
Would be taken in that way
and disposed of in that way.
1294
01:24:50.994 --> 01:24:53.411
That's the message I want
to give to joel rifkin.
1295
01:24:53.413 --> 01:24:54.830
Leah was not a throwaway.
1296
01:24:54.832 --> 01:24:57.007
None of them are throwaways,
none of them.
1297
01:25:01.263 --> 01:25:06.550
- I think what you learn
from a person like joel is,
1298
01:25:06.552 --> 01:25:11.054
Childhood trauma
needs to be examined.
1299
01:25:11.056 --> 01:25:14.516
If not for the people that
bullied him and abused him,
1300
01:25:14.518 --> 01:25:16.935
He was pretty much invisible,
1301
01:25:16.937 --> 01:25:21.031
And I think that created issues
with his identity.
1302
01:25:21.900 --> 01:25:25.402
That anonymity helped joel,
the serial killer,
1303
01:25:25.404 --> 01:25:28.288
But hurt his psyche,
1304
01:25:28.290 --> 01:25:30.207
And this was his way
of lashing out.
1305
01:25:53.816 --> 01:26:00.437
- He never once expressed anger
towards women in general
1306
01:26:00.439 --> 01:26:03.732
Or even prostitutes in general.
1307
01:26:03.734 --> 01:26:07.277
Instead, most of that anger
was directed at himself
1308
01:26:07.279 --> 01:26:09.571
And the fact that he couldn't
break his addiction
1309
01:26:09.573 --> 01:26:12.157
To the women on the streets.
1310
01:26:12.159 --> 01:26:15.785
Had he gotten some help
maybe about the bullying,
1311
01:26:15.787 --> 01:26:19.664
Maybe some counseling
about his sexual urges,
1312
01:26:19.666 --> 01:26:22.009
You know, maybe this
wouldn't have happened,
1313
01:26:22.011 --> 01:26:23.668
And maybe, you know,
1314
01:26:23.670 --> 01:26:25.095
A lot of these lives
would've been saved.
1315
01:26:48.320 --> 01:26:51.029
- Joel and I had
a rapport instantly.
1316
01:26:51.031 --> 01:26:54.324
We had it in 1979
the first time we met,
1317
01:26:54.326 --> 01:26:58.370
And that rapport was picked up
the minute we were reconnected
1318
01:26:58.372 --> 01:27:00.997
In that
prison visitation room,
1319
01:27:00.999 --> 01:27:04.334
But the joel that I
interviewed differed so much
1320
01:27:04.336 --> 01:27:06.836
From the joel that I knew
in college.
1321
01:27:06.838 --> 01:27:09.514
He felt no guilt,
no remorse, no pain.
1322
01:27:10.550 --> 01:27:13.894
You still have thoughts
of killing people?
1323
01:27:13.896 --> 01:27:15.512
- It's like
the alcoholic says.
1324
01:27:15.514 --> 01:27:17.305
They're in recovery.
1325
01:27:17.307 --> 01:27:20.225
You put a beer in their hands,
that they can relapse.
1326
01:27:20.227 --> 01:27:22.519
It's not guaranteed,
but there's a possibly.
1327
01:27:22.521 --> 01:27:24.688
Where I am right now today,
1328
01:27:24.690 --> 01:27:26.490
I know
this is the best place for me.