He put Deborah in a cylindrical dug hole floor and then partially filled it with water. Heidnik was one of the inspirations for the Buffalo Bill character in Thomas Harris Silence of the Lambs. His second victim was a mentally disabled woman named Sandra Lindsay. March 26, 1987. Police officers entered Garys House in North Philadelphia and in the basement they found: When Gary was 2 years old, his parents divorced. Lisa Thomas, who was 19 when she was freed from the torture chamber in Heidniks house more than a year ago, said Heidnik pretended to be a police officer coming to the womens rescue, then beat his captives when they screamed for help. He drove her to a gas station and said he would wait for her there. Released on 10/11/2020, East Coast Creepin - Episode 1&2 " Gary Heidnik", My Favorite Murder - Episode 77: "Live At The Keswick Theatre", True Hollywood Crime (THC) - Episode 33: Good Evening Clarice, Morning Cup of Murder- Episode: "The Pit- November 26th 2021- Today's True Crime", The Paranormal History Academy- Episode 7: "The Gary Heidnik Murders", Murder, Mystery and Makeup - Episode 20: The Awful Gary Heidnik - Church Cult & Cellar Girls, Modus Operandi - Episode 105: Gary Heidnik: O Cordeiro Assassino. "House of Horrors". His troubles continued through high school, where he remained isolated and socially stunted before joining the Army after graduation. Heidnik and his friend, Cyril "Tony" Brown, would generally lure women back to . He held these church services on Sunday. The movie focuses upon police interviews with escaped victim Sandy, the killer's mentally . Gary Heidnik Police digging in Heidnik's basement. Hed let her enter the outside world to help him pick up other women and lure them into his home, always keeping her close by his side. Gary Michael Heidnik 1943. november 22-n szletett Clevelandben, Ohiban, Michael s Ellen Heidnik fia, akiknek ksbb szletett mg egy fia, Terry.Gary Heidniknek nem volt knny gyermekkora. She was a prostitute and influenced by Heidniks money, and came to Garys residence just for fun. The two married in Maryland on October 3, 1985, but it wasnt to be a happy marriage after she found him in bed with three other women. [23], In 1997, Heidnik's daughter, Maxine Davidson White, and his ex-wife, Betty Heidnik, filed a suit in federal court in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, in which they requested a stay of execution on the basis that Heidnik was not competent enough to be executed. Surviving victims testified Heidnik said he kept them chained in the basement because he wanted the women to have his children. ", he yelled at her, and told her she was not "worthy enough" to talk to him. He owned a Rolls Royce and beat Uncle Sam on his income taxes by making himself the bishop of his own church. Hed even let her sleep outside of the hole. Gary Heidnik was a former mental patient and sex offender who had managed to become a wealthy stock investor. Her body was dumped in the Pine Barrens, in New Jersey. He then dragged her body upstairs and cut it into pieces. He physically abused and r*ped them. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! The way he initially captured her, though, was as brutal as the capture of any of his other victims. . Betty also accused him of repeatedly raping and assaulting her. In October 1962, Heidnik was transferred to a military hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he was diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder and consequently honorably discharged from military service. A woman who lost custody of her kids in the aftermath of her four-monthlong abduction by a Philadelphia serial killer will see them in North Texas for the first time in nearly 25 years. Heidnik grew up in a broken family, living first with his mother, then with his father and step-mother. Dudley was the next to die after Heidnik filled the pit with freezing water and put the women except Rivera in it. On January 18, 1987, Heidnik abducted Jacqueline Askins. As for Heidniks cult, its hard to say how much they knew. He didnt even look in our direction, Lindseys sister told Philadelphia Magazine in 2007. He had no last words and gave no instructions on what he wanted done with his remains. But was this brutal killer of the 1980s actually insane? Ms. Thomas said she was abducted when she accepted a ride from Heidnik and returned to his house for sex. Despite his attempts to get off on an insanity defense, Gary Heidnik was convicted in July 1988 and sentenced to death. Heidnik had a third child with another woman, Anjeanette Davidson, who was illiterate and mentally disabled. The sign on the front of his house read, United Church of the Ministries of God. One room in his house was partially wallpapered with money. She told the outlet she suffers from intense flashbacks and still cant enter any basement. In 1986, Heidnik took his first victim, a known prostitute named Josefina Rivera, who later helped him obtain several others. While Rivera was getting her clothes back on, Heidnik came up from behind and choked her. Like Rivera, Gary Heidniks followers were victims of his manipulation. Gary Heidnik was born on November 22nd,1943, in Eastlake, Ohio. It caused a chasm between the captives, although Rivera was clear she was doing it in an attempt to get them all out of there to safety. Heidnik was convicted of two counts of murder and sentenced to death. Never said he was sorry. Gary Heidniks first victim, Josefina Rivera, during an interview in 1990. Heidnik dan Terry sama-sama membenci ibu tiri mereka, tetapi ayah mereka selalu memihak ibu tiri ketika berkonflik. Zijn ouders scheidden in 1946, toen hij nog maar drie jaar oud was. Firstly, he used a food processor to grind up some of the body parts. Soon, she escapes from tortured room/basement and dialed 911, and gave them all the information. In August 1962, he started complaining about headaches, blurred vision, and nausea. Heidnik is mentioned during the initial profile of an episode of Criminal Minds, "Aftermath" (S2E5), where the UnSub parallels Heidnik's manipulation over various women. To make her obey, he devised special torture. Hes your only source of survival.. Each females ankle was heavily shackled with a long chain. In 2018, the band SKYND released a song which was based on the events, featuring Jonathan Davis from Korn.[31]. Preacher Gary Heidnik kidnapped six women and held them captive in his basement, where he raped and tortured them for months in one of Philadelphia's most horrifying crimes. [2][3], At school, Heidnik did not interact with his fellow students and refused to make eye contact. Education and Interest: Gary was always interested in the military and finance since childhood. He was the firstborn of Michael and Ellen Heidnik. During basic training, his drill sergeant graded him as "excellent." Six women were kidnapped and held in Heidniks dungeon. Heidnik went on trial and tried to make an insanity plea. When Heidnik finally tried to give her food again, she didnt move. When one kind female student asked, Did you get the homework done, Gary?, he yelled at her and told her she was not worthy enough to talk to him. He was a bright boy though, with an I.Q. Gary Heidnik heads to court in Pittsburgh dressed in a brightly colored Hawaiian shirt. Common Pleas Judge Lynn Abraham called the five photographers into court with the jury in recess. His drill sergeant graded him as excellent in basic training, however when he applied for several specialist positions, he was rejected. Then he ground her flesh up, mixed it with dog food, and brought it down to the other women. Rivera, meanwhile, told The Philadelphia Inquirer she returned to sex work for a year after the trial, but eventually gave up both prostitution and drugs for good. Then he threw her into a pit, boarded it up, and sealed her in. In the basement of Heidniks dilapidated house is a veritable torture chamber where three naked women were found chained to a sewer pipe. On the 6th of July 1999, Gary Michael Heidnik was put to death by lethal injection. Peter Frederiksen, The Clitoris Collector | The Scare Chamber, Javed Iqbal Strangled, Dismembered and Burned | The Scare Chamber, The Torture and Murder of Kelly Anne Bates, Alexandra Wiwcharuk: The Girl in Saskatoon, Practicing Cannibalism | The Scare Chamber, Alexandra Wiwcharuk: The Girl in Saskatoon | The Scare Chamber, David Parker Ray and his Toy Box of Torture, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. He then forced Rivera to place a live wire to the womens chains, shocking Dudley in the water and eventually killing her. This was the first time manned torpedoes had been employed in naval warfare, adding a new weapon to the worlds navies arsenals. [8][14] His defense attorney, Chuck Peruto, said that upon examination of a Cuisinart and other tools in his kitchen, they found no evidence of this. 2023 A&E Television Networks, LLC. Heidnik used Josefina as bait. Within weeks of his new posting in Germany, he earned his GED. Gary Heidnik was every bit as twisted as the infamous movie character he inspired: Buffalo Bill from The Silence of the Lambs. I looked and remember her doing it. He would wait at the gas station, they agreed, and shed come right back. A fourth woman, Josefina Rivera, had escaped and called police. Motive for Kidnapping (MO)? All Rights Reserved. Prisoners for Months: He had six African American female prisoners in his basement, some of whom had been there for several months. The apparent reason why Heidnik chose his victims 6abc Philadelphia/YouTube After a short-lived marriage marked by abuse and infidelity, Gary Heidnik started kidnapping women, most of them sex workers, and keeping them in his cellar, where he would rape and torture them. The police say that Mr. Heidnik, who is 43 years old, may have enslaved, raped and tortured six women and murdered two in his basement. His victims were prostitutes of African American origin and he became known as "the baby sower" as his goal was to create what he called "a baby farm." Gary Michael Heidnik's last meal was pizza and black coffee. Gary Heidniks mugshot taken after his arrest in 1987. A military neurologist reported that Heidnik was showing symptoms of mental illness, and two months later, he was transferred to a military hospital in Philadelphia and honorably discharged from military service. She is still in counseling and experiences panic attacks, but told the Inquirer they are now less frequent. In August 1962, Heidnik began complaining of severe headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, and nausea. From August 1962 until his arrest in March 1987, Heidnik spent time in and out of psychiatric hospitals and had attempted suicide at least thirteen times. Gary Heidnik Ep 003. The women were often left hungry. His best friend, Cyril Tony Brown was also arrested. 4 List of victims; 5 In popular culture. David Rentas/New York Post Archives /(c) NYP Holdings, Inc. via Getty Images. [7] Disto also accused Heidnik of repeatedly raping and assaulting her. of 148. Instead they just stuck a needle in his arm. They would meet every Sunday inside his home to hear his unique spin on the Bible. She was the oldest, she was supposed to protect us. Gary Michael Heidnik (November 22, 1943 - July 6, 1999) . Heidnik's House of Horrors: 30 years later. If she did what he said, hed bring her hot chocolate and hot dogs. Excerpts from a 1991 interview with Gary Heidnik. Rivera, she killed Debbie and we all could have gotten out of there alive. Anytime that youre cut off from the world outside, whoevers holding you captive youre going to grow to like him regardless, because hes your only contact to things that are outside. The women were only pulled from the pit (by their hair) when Heidnik wanted to have sex, or had the need to torture. Josefina helped him fill the hole with water then made her help him apply an electric current from a stripped extension cord, to the womens chains. 25 Years After Gary Heidnik's Arrest, His Old "House Of . Josefina. Director Maya Washington (reenactment unit) Stars Aimee K. Bryant Hed suffered through an abusive childhood during which, he claimed, his father abused him and even mocked the young boys bedwetting by forcing him to hang his soiled sheets for the neighbors to see. The responding officers, noting chafing from chains on her leg, went to the gas station and detained Heidnik. The victims went through hell before the end, whether it was murder, or escape. Gary Heidnik chained six Black women to pipes at the bottom of a hole he dug into the soil beneath his Philadelphia house. For more on Heidniks crimes, watch Monster Preacher on Oxygen. Enfance. To dispose of her body, he cut down Sandras body. Then she rushed over to the nearest phone and called 9-1-1. By 1986, the United Church of the Ministers of God was prosperous and opulent. That rainy January night, Jackie became his fifth of six victims. The next day, Rivera convinced Heidnik to let her go, temporarily, so she could visit her family. Josefina began to suffer from Stockholm syndrome. Though tragic, Heidnik's victims showed incredible strength and an incredible will to live. Heidnik was born on November 22, 1943 to Michael and Ellen Heidnik, he grew up in the Eastlake suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. I fell asleep and it burnt. Officers believed his story and left with no further investigation. . You go to the home of your latest client. Gary Heidnik had geen gemakkelijke jeugd. But after Rivera explained her position, Askins was able to understand her better. By January 1987, he had kidnapped another four women, whom he held captive in a pit in the basement of his house at 3520 North Marshall Street in North Philadelphia. This was a reality for Josefina Rivera (25), on November 25, 1986, the day she met Gary Heidnik. Gary Michael Heidnik naci el 22 de noviembre de 1943 en Cleveland, Ohio, siendo hijo de Michael y Ellen Heidnik, quienes posteriormente tuvieron otro hijo, Terry. While she was getting her clothes back on, Heidnik came up from behind her and began choking her. He was ultimately transferred to the 46th Army Surgical Hospital in Landstuhl, West Germany. Gary Heidnik was a former mental patient and sex offender who had managed to become a wealthy stock investor. Torture chamber uncovered in Philadelphia, https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/torture-chamber-uncovered-in-philadelphia. most rebellious, and constantly battled Heidniks dominance. Nonetheless, Heidnik performed well academically and tested with an I.Q. He was executed by lethal injection and declared dead at 10:29 p.m. General Information Sex Male Race White Number of victims 2 Country where killing occurred United States States where killing occurred Pennsylvania Type of killer Mixed Height N/A Childhood Information . He was there when Heidnik starved Lindsay to death and he was there when Heidnik dismembered her body and wrapped her limbs up and labeled them dog meat., Brown, however, was mentally disabled. However, that turned out to be the biggest mistake of her life. It has been 22 years since serial killer Gary Michael Heidnik was wheeled into the lethal injection room at the State Correctional Institution at Rockview in Centre County, Pennsylvania. Theme: Baskerville 2 by Anders Noren. Another of the women was killed when Heidnik let her starve to death while chained to the wall. Photo courtesy of CBS News. All the survivors received a $30,000 settlement. In part, Brown admitted that he had witnessed Lindsay's death in the basement and he also admitted that he had witnessed Heidnik's dismemberment of her body. By 1986, the United Church of the Ministers of God was thriving and wealthy, having amassed over $500,000 (US$ 1,143,000 in 2010). The captives, were raped, beaten, and tortured. He started to treat them better and supplied them with blankets, pillows, and a television.Part 3: Gary Heidnik Finally Held for His SinsSponsored Linksif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'forensicreader_com-narrow-sky-1','ezslot_13',704,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-forensicreader_com-narrow-sky-1-0'); Part 3: Gary Heidnik Finally Held for His Sins. While many will claim that Heidnik ground up the flesh of Lindsay and mixed it with dog food to feed to his other victims, there was never any evidence found to back it up. PHILADELPHIA (AP) _ Four women testified Tuesday about horrors they encountered in a basement torture pit where self-styled minister Gary Heidnik chained them to pipes, raped them and used the cooked remains of a victim as a warning. (Getty) He got people to help. But then she met Gary Heidnik and the next four months became a living . Thomas and Adams were never really able to recover from the experience and have dealt with mental health issues and addiction in the years since, according to the special. I blamed you for a lot of stuff that happened down there, Askins told Rivera. There was this horrible, horrible smell I will never forget in my life. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. (Michael Heidnik, Garys father, has denied all allegations of abuse.). After that, Heidnik forced his wife to watch while he had sex with other women. Gary Heidnik wasnt just an unhinged sadist, willing to torture, murder, and cannibalize a basement full of women. Two of them did not survive. [17], At Heidnik's arraignment, he claimed that the women were already in the house when he moved in. On September 15, 1986, she gave birth to a son, whom she named Jesse John Disto.[9]. After their parents divorced in 1946, the Heidnik children were raised by their mother for four years before being placed in the care of their father and his new wife. She said he had taken her upstairs and shown her Sandras head in a pot and her ribs in a roasting pan on the stove and her legs and arms in the freezer, and that if she kept it up thats what was going to happen to her, Ms. Rivera testified. A hospital neurologist diagnosed Heidnik with gastroenteritis and noted that he also displayed symptoms of mental illness, for which he was prescribed trifluoperazine. Two females lying on a mattress with bruised bodies. It was like they were together, at some point in time, I just thought they were together, Askins told producers. I fell asleep and it burnt. The antiwar movement had initially given Nixon a chance to make good on his campaign promises to end the war in read more. "[19][20] On July 1, 1988, Heidnik was convicted of two counts of first degree murder, six counts of kidnapping, five counts of rape, four counts of aggravated assault and two counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse. . Meanwhile, Rivera had successfully fooled Heidnik, who took her along to dispose of what was left of Dudleys remains in the woods and on his expedition to capture another girl. They had to either eat her or die. Gary y su hermano estuvieron al cuidado de su madre durante cuatro . Gary Heidnik started the United Church of the Ministers of God in 1971 in Philadelphia with just five followers and a $1,500 investment but things grew wildly from there. Once, he had her fill the pit full of water, attach a stripped extension cord to the other womens chains, and electrocute them while he watched. The next day, Josefina convinced Heidnik he needed to let Agnes go, only temporarily, to visit her family. Heidniks attorneys are using an insanity defense. Learn how your comment data is processed. At least one follower, a man named Tony Brown, actually helped Heidnik torture the women. How Deborah Dudley Was Killed In Pit By Gary Heidnik, Inside Monster Preacher: Showrunner On Survivors Of Gary Heidniks Torture Coming Face To Face, 'Monster Preacher' Production Designer On Gary Heidnik's 'House Of Horrors', Rivera was able to gain Heidniks trust and convince him to let her speak to her family. Gary Micheal Heidnik was born November 22nd, 1943 to Micheal and Ellen Heidnik in Cleveland, Ohio. During a TV interview for the May 5, 2018 special, Gary Heidniks House of Horrors, 30 years later, Jacqueline explained that he would often wrap duct tape around their mouths before stabbing them in the ears with a screwdriver. "use strict";(function(){var insertion=document.getElementById("citation-access-date");var date=new Date().toLocaleDateString(undefined,{month:"long",day:"numeric",year:"numeric"});insertion.parentElement.replaceChild(document.createTextNode(date),insertion)})(); FACT CHECK: We strive for accuracy and fairness. Heidnik was born on november 22 1943 to michael and ellen heidnik, and. On September 15, 1986, she gave birth to a son, who she named Jesse John Disto. The child was placed in foster care soon after his birth. Heidnik eventually murdered and dismembered two victims. He didnt even look in our direction, Lindseys sister told, telling The Philadelphia Inquirer in 2012, "It would have been better for him to sit in a 4-by-4 cell., For a long time I was haunted by Heidnik, by the women who died next to me. He was born with an IQ of 130 and was great when it came to the stock market. Based on interviews, police reports and court transcripts, this is . Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. The line comes from an Etta James record originally called Roll With Me Henry and later read more, On March 26, 1953, American medical researcher Dr. Jonas Salk announces on a national radio show that he has successfully tested a vaccine against poliomyelitis, the virus that causes the crippling disease of polio. In Sunday's interview, Heidnik, who claimed an insanity defense in his 1988 trial on the slayings of two women and kidnap and torture of four others, said he had shocked his prisoners with electricity because they wouldn't . This gives him additional power to spend money and superiority over others. He sat in the courtroom staring straight ahead, wearing the same flowered black Hawaiian shirt and baggy trousers he wore when first arrested. You people dont have any sensitivity at all, she said, banning all cameras from the City Hall floor where the trial is being held. When a well-meaning, new female student asked, "Did you get the homework done, Gary? "[4][13], Several sources state that Heidnik ground up the flesh of Lindsay, mixed it with dog food, and fed it to his other victims. Jacqueline Askins wept as she described the deaths of the two women. Gary Michael Heidnik (1943-1999) was the American assassin who kidnapped, tortured, and raped several women in Philadelphia, two of whom died at his hands.His victims were prostitutes of African American origin and he became known as "the baby sower" as his goal was to create what he called "a baby farm." The original sentence was overturned on appeal, and Heidnik spent three years of his incarceration in mental institutions prior to being released in April 1983 under the supervision of a state-sanctioned mental health program. He also tortured them. He cooked her ribs in the oven, boiled her head on the stove (neighbors complaints of the smell prompted a police visit but he claimed hed just absentmindedly burned a roast), and put her arms and legs in a freezer. The original sentence was overturned on appeal and Heidnik spent three years of his incarceration in mental institutions prior to being released in April 1983, under the supervision of a state-sanctioned mental health program. When Gary would wet his bed, his father would hang the sheets outside where everyone could see. For a long time I was haunted by Heidnik, by the women who died next to me. He killed one of the women by putting her in a pit, filling it with water and putting a live electrical wire into the water. The initial deposit was $1 ,500. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Gary Heidnik's Evil Legacy - Episode Notes: Photo by JNS. Can you believe there was actually a Clitoris Collector? In 2003, the extreme metal band Macabre released a song about Heidnik called "Morbid Minister", on their album Murder Metal. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! The Heidnik children were then . Never acknowledged us. [8] Unknown to Heidnik until his ex-wife requested child support payments in 1987, he had impregnated Disto during their short marriage. The women who were found alive recovered after being treated for dehydration and malnutrition. He used to feed it to his dogs, Bear and Flaky, and to the prisoners. His parents divorced when he was just three years old. Victims Deborah Dudley Jacquelyn Askins Agnes Adams Lisa Thomas Josefina Rivera p home last updates contact This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. They said they were fed dog food mixed with human remains during their captivity. Heidnik was arrested and charged with kidnapping, rape, unlawful restraint, false imprisonment, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, and interfering with the custody of a committed person. Gary Heidnik had not acted 100% alone. Now I can get back to having a peaceful basement.. All I could remember was, like, a film projector of things that were going on in my life, Rivera would later say. Deborah Dudley was electrocuted to death, and Heidnik disposed of her body in the Pine Barrens in New Jersey.[3][13]. Following his discharge due to mental health issues (namely schizoid personality disorder) after just 13 months, Heidnik worked briefly as a nurse before finding a way to control people via religion. on Unsplash. The other women began to panic and scream when they realized Sandra was dead. The D.A. He finds a way to get rid of the body. Although Heidnik was clearly mentally disturbed, he was found guilty and convicted of murder on July 1, 1988. Gary Michael Heidnik Alias Brother Heidnik Football Head Brother Bishop Gender Male Birth Date November 23, 1943 Place of Birth Eastlake, Ohio Date of Death July 6, 1999 (aged 55) Place of Death SCI Rockview, Pennsylvania Occupation U.S. Army soldier (discharged) Nurse Pathology Unclassified Killer Serial Rapist Ephebophile Abductor Crime News is your destination for true crime stories from around the world, breaking crime news, and information about Oxygen's original true crime shows and documentaries. Never acknowledged us. When she wanted to leave, he tried to strangle her, she said. Serial killer Gary Heidnik's name will live on in infamy, and his home, 3520 North Marshall Street in Philadelphia, is a house tainted with the memory of unbelievable horrors. Gary Heidnik did not have an easy childhood. Gary Heidnik lured several African American women into his Philadelphia basement where he held them prisoner, tortured them in a pit and murdered two of them. Tragically, not all of the women would make it out alive. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQh0KAiJD-A, Anytime that youre cut off from the world outside, Rivera admitted after she was freed, whoevers holding you captive youre going to grow to like him regardless, because hes your only contact to things that are outside. Finally, on July 6, 1999, Heidnik received a lethal injection and became the last person to be executed in Pennsylvania. But he made it clear: If she disobeyed him, she could lose all of her privileges. Gary Heidnik captured the woman conventionally cited as his first victim, Josefina Rivera, in 1986. Proudly powered by WordPress Four young women had been held captive--some for four months--half-naked and chained. Shortly after Maxines birth, Heidnik was arrested for the kidnapping and rape of Anjeanettes sister Alberta, who had been living in an institution for the mentally disabled in Penn Township.The act had occurred while on day leave where Heidnik proceeded to imprison her in a locked storage room in his basement. Two years earlier, a read more, This Side of Paradise is published, immediately launching 23-year-old F. Scott Fitzgerald to fame and fortune. In 1975, he opened an account under the church's name with Merrill Lynch. He suffered emotional abuse for years, and developed a lifelong problem of bed wetting. Females which are mental or intellectually retard. On March 23, 1987, Heidnik and Rivera abducted Agnes Adams. Heidnik's crimes also had an interesting influence on pop culture. Grace Cords/YouTubeGary Heidniks first victim, Josefina Rivera, during an interview in 1990. Kirkpatrick called Heidnik "an astute investor who knew exactly what he was doing. She has since worked a multitude of jobs waitress, security guard, daycare worker and was able to reunite with her three children, who had been put up for adoption. All were raped and tortured while the others were forced to watch. Less than two years read more, Italy attacks the British fleet at Souda Bay, Crete, using detachable warheads to sink a British cruiser. Rivera came over to Heidniks side and he made her the boss of the other women. Yeah, shes dead, he said, after checking her body. The youngest of the six victims, Askins was only 18 years old at the time of her abduction. Heidnik served in the Army for thirteen months. However, one of the worst things I have heard is the horrible way the surviving victims were treated by the public and the people of Philadelphia after the trial. He was a victim of Heidniks manipulation, according to his lawyer, a man who fit the pattern of Heidniks victims hes poor, retarded, and black., According to Heidniks neighbors, the members of his cult fit this description just as well. Hes your only source of survival.. David Rentas/New York Post Archives /(c) NYP Holdings, Inc. via Getty ImagesGary Heidniks house, where he held his church services and kept six women as prisoners. She used the goodwill shed earned to get these temporary trips out of the basement. Gary cuffed and chained her down and used to have s*x.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'forensicreader_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_12',131,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-forensicreader_com-mobile-leaderboard-2-0'); He, like Josefina, cuffed, chained, and had s*x with Sandra too. He tried to kill himself the following January and his family tried to get him off death row in 1997, but all to no avail.