Victim: Amber Lynn Costello, 27, missing Sept 2010, found Gilgo Beach Dec 2010 *Rex Heuermann charged*

[SecretAgentMan]

Doubtful LISK told people to leave cell phones behind, he seemed to enjoy calling victims' family members and friends...unless that was a one time thing with MB??

Yeah I found it odd every time I read that a sex worker in the GB4 case didnt have their phone with them, you would thing a red flag went up with the girls if he had asked them to leave their phones.....a cellphone to a sex worker is the way they wake their money, besides being their life line if anything crazy happens.

Thing is, craziness did happen, & they never had a chance to use their phones.

 

[3Patriots]

"Luanne" was a Long Island resident for a time and has been heard on a recorded line calling out a SCPD Homicide Detective (who may have just recently retired. Confirm, anyone?) for going back to Luanne's attorney, an OB resident, with Luanne's tip to look into said attorney as a POI in LISK. My question is, Amber was also a LI resident. Any idea if she had any known ties to this same attorney? Or I wonder if any of said attorney's other clients have made similar assertions and how they've been handled.

 

[EpiVox444]

LISK doesnt seem like the kind of killer that would put himself in a situation like entering a sex workers house for an incall service & a chance at leaving DNA & fingerprints behind.....hes very methodical from what ive read in the GB4 cases.

As you stated, I dont think LISK was scammed by Amber & other in the house, since their scam consisted of incalls, not outcalls.

People tend to overthink serial killers, and their behaviors. Even the smartest killers-- like Ed Kemper, etc-- weren't always consistent in their behavior, MO. I mean, BTK should have been caught after the Otero crime. He got incredibly lucky. Same for Ted Bundy. The idea that these dudes are 'masterminds' and NEVER make mistakes in their crimes is just myth. It's very likely, not unlikely, that LISK had some acquaintance with his victims prior to their deaths. He did so because he was a former John, and they had some comfort with him and let their guards down. That line of thinking just seems the most logical to me. I mean it's possible LISK was a complete stranger to all four of the GB4 prior to their deaths, but chances aren't good. Anyway.. is Hackett arrested yet??

 

[stayclassy]

It's very likely, not unlikely, that LISK had some acquaintance with his victims prior to their deaths. He did so because he was a former John, and they had some comfort with him and let their guards down.

I was reading something that Dave Schaller said about LISK, that in fact Amber did know or was familiar with the person who picked her up that evening and/or the man on the other end of the phone. I think saying he's a former John could be a leap though.

Does this mean that it was definitely LISK that picked these women up? I mean did we ever get any definite facts on that, whether this was the person himself, or perhaps used another to retrieve the women for him? See link below for that article. Based upon what is said by Dave it seems as though LISK liked the act of negotiating with the women or gets a sick thrill from the outsmarting them during this call prior to the "business deal" going down.

Amber Lynn Costello's house

In September 2010, Long Island serial killer victim Amber Lynn Costello left this house in West Babylon and was never seen again.

oddstops.com

 

[clear sky]

Not an attorney.
It was a politician.

"Luanne" was a Long Island resident for a time and has been heard on a recorded line calling out a SCPD Homicide Detective (who may have just recently retired. Confirm, anyone?) for going back to Luanne's attorney, an OB resident, with Luanne's tip to look into said attorney as a POI in LISK. My question is, Amber was also a LI resident. Any idea if she had any known ties to this same attorney? Or I wonder if any of said attorney's other clients have made similar assertions and how they've been handled.

 

[3Patriots]

Not an attorney.
It was a politician.

I'll stay with the attorney... If you know him, it could easily fit.

 

[DetectiveB]

Re: "Bear Brodsky Interview"

I realize the interview was posted awhile back but I've just watched and a couple thoughts come to mind.

(1)-I find it interesting that the day that Bear went into rehab is when Amber recd call from LISK.

I believe it was Utopia (?? or maybe another site) where there were comments made about getting back at Amber after being set up, scammed and robbed by the guys living there.

Perhaps it could be possible that since someone in the SCPD, or connected, knew that Bear was going into Rehab and they may have taken that opportunity to get at Amber. Having one of the guys removed or taken away could possible make their plan easier to get at Amber?

And the Second thing...

(2) In Kolker's book (The Lost Girls) Whether or not R. Kolker was being forthright when he wrote in his book that Dave claims to have overheard Amber describing herself to LISK right before her date, I believe height and weight or something to that effect.
IF LISK had been with Amber on prior dates, she would not have been describing herself... he would have already known.

The consensus are that the Girl's "May Have Known or met him previously"...which would explain why some of them let their guard down and left their phones. However, only Megan and Amber left their phones behind or so THEY say.

Just like Bear said...it's very interesting and disturbing that Amber did not take her phone with her.

I believe that LISK waited until late at night when these girls were so high, not thinking clearly... groomed them and with an offer they couldn't refuse lured them in.
And then perhaps said something like...
"It will only take 5-10 mins, leave your phone, I can't take the chance of it ringing in my car."...etc

I CANNOT image any of these girls taking on an overnight or a long extended stay w ANY John without their phones unless HE was someone to be totally trust-worthy, i.e: cop or politician. Period. End of story.

IMO Could not be a regular Joe Schmo.

 

[wcasewatch]

Re: "Bear Brodsky Interview"

I realize the interview was posted awhile back but I've just watched and a couple thoughts come to mind.

(1)-I find it interesting that the day that Bear went into rehab is when Amber recd call from LISK.

I believe it was Utopia (?? or maybe another site) where there were comments made about getting back at Amber after being set up, scammed and robbed by the guys living there.

Perhaps it could be possible that since someone in the SCPD, or connected, knew that Bear was going into Rehab and they may have taken that opportunity to get at Amber. Having one of the guys removed or taken away could possible make their plan easier to get at Amber?

And the Second thing...

(2) In Kolker's book (The Lost Girls) Whether or not R. Kolker was being forthright when he wrote in his book that Dave claims to have overheard Amber describing herself to LISK right before her date, I believe height and weight or something to that effect.
IF LISK had been with Amber on prior dates, she would not have been describing herself... he would have already known.

The consensus are that the Girl's "May Have Known or met him previously"...which would explain why some of them let their guard down and left their phones. However, only Megan and Amber left their phones behind or so THEY say.

Just like Bear said...it's very interesting and disturbing that Amber did not take her phone with her.

I believe that LISK waited until late at night when these girls were so high, not thinking clearly... groomed them and with an offer they couldn't refuse lured them in.
And then perhaps said something like...
"It will only take 5-10 mins, leave your phone, I can't take the chance of it ringing in my car."...etc

I CANNOT image any of these girls taking on an overnight or a long extended stay w ANY John without their phones unless HE was someone to be totally trust-worthy, i.e: cop or politician. Period. End of story.

IMO Could not be a regular Joe Schmo.

If they were desperate enough and the money was good, they would have definitely suspended their normal rules of operation. Amber and her roommate were heavy into heroin at the time. She was reportedly blowing through bags of it. The offer of 1.5K for an overnight stay might have been too much to turn down. Similarly, Maureen was in desperate need of money, as she had been served with an eviction notice.

LISK weeded out the most vulnerable. He probably called a number of girls that night. Problem is, he was using a burner and they probably were too.

 

[DetectiveB]

If they were desperate enough and the money was good, they would have definitely suspended their normal rules of operation. Amber and her roommate were heavy into heroin at the time. She was reportedly blowing through bags of it. The offer of 1.5K for an overnight stay might have been too much to turn down. Similarly, Maureen was in desperate need of money, as she had been served with an eviction notice.

LISK weeded out the most vulnerable. He probably called a number of girls that night. Problem is, he was using a burner and they probably were too.

What stumps me is are we SURE that they were offered that amount of money for an OVERNIGHT stay?

It seems like they may have left too many personal things behind, i.e; phone, makeup, overnight toiletries, clothes in fhey were in deed staying over. Esp not taking their phone. Like Bear had mentioned in interview, Amber strapped the phone to herself. She would also have needed it to answer any new calls, etc. I believe Megan's mother said the same thing...Megan had that phone w her 24/7. IMO they would be more inclined to leave the phone if told..."it will be just a quick 10 mins" type deal. I don't care how high they were...they were coherent enough to walk and meet LISK.

IMO LISK put his plan in action way before and knew who he was going to target. Maybe they were picked out bc they may have said or did something rude in the past. I believe Melissa and Megan were known to be tough. Not sure about Maureen and Amber but I am sure they were extremely well versed in being street smart and obviously took chances.

Also, if you read Kolker's book...one of the things that stood out for me re: that Maureen was still buying drugs, threw a party at a hotel for a friend etc...I believe pretty close around the time she was facing eviction. These poor girls were so addicted they probably couldn't see straight. If Maureen had been able to see that her living arrangement, her kids, etc...were more important than throwing parties and losing her home, she may have been with us today.

I think about all these girls often and I get so freaking angry that SCPD is giving the public, after all these years, nothing but tidbits to keep the families at bay. There's so much more that they have that they are not sharing. I feel it's bc they're protecting their own. It's not just SCPD, sadly it's all around the world. Some call it corruption, I call it bs. But one day something WILL give.

 

[Bose]

Re: "Bear Brodsky Interview"

(truncated for focus)

I CANNOT image any of these girls taking on an overnight or a long extended stay w ANY John without their phones unless HE was someone to be totally trust-worthy, i.e: cop or politician. Period. End of story.

IMO Could not be a regular Joe Schmo.

The only other thing that comes to mind IMO, besides a cop, politician, or someone "trustworthy," would be someone who was very attractive. I believe Ted Bundy was considered to be attractive, by some. When a person is attractive, psychologically it can cause a person to overlook what might otherwise be red flags. It might be worthwhile to consider the girls would have had cognitive biases with disastrous outcome due to several things: High offer of money=he must be rich, and I really need that money. Photos of his appearance or description of someone attractive but down on his luck=possible greater desire to meet, if paying well. In LE or politician=power. So many reasons that short impressions, or related information about the john/perp could have enticed any one of them, IMO. Here is information of the Halo Effect in Psychology The Halo Effect: What it is and how to beat it

 

[giagreen]

Maybe Amber was out of minutes on her actual phone. Maybe that's why she had to use her roommates phone and then left hers behind. Between her being an escort and doing drugs it really isn't that unbelievable she would be out of minutes and used poor judgment.

 

[EpiVox444]

The only other thing that comes to mind IMO, besides a cop, politician, or someone "trustworthy," would be someone who was very attractive. I believe Ted Bundy was considered to be attractive, by some. When a person is attractive, psychologically it can cause a person to overlook what might otherwise be red flags. It might be worthwhile to consider the girls would have had cognitive biases with disastrous outcome due to several things: High offer of money=he must be rich, and I really need that money. Photos of his appearance or description of someone attractive but down on his luck=possible greater desire to meet, if paying well. In LE or politician=power. So many reasons that short impressions, or related information about the john/perp could have enticed any one of them, IMO. Here is information of the Halo Effect in Psychology The Halo Effect: What it is and how to beat it

Good point and a lot of people go by their instincts. Just human nature. If we feel instinctively that someone is trustworthy we might act on that feeling rather than more rational thought. The whole serial killers always give off bad vibes thing is a myth.

 

[wcasewatch]

What stumps me is are we SURE that they were offered that amount of money for an OVERNIGHT stay?

It seems like they may have left too many personal things behind, i.e; phone, makeup, overnight toiletries, clothes in fhey were in deed staying over. Esp not taking their phone. Like Bear had mentioned in interview, Amber strapped the phone to herself. She would also have needed it to answer any new calls, etc. I believe Megan's mother said the same thing...Megan had that phone w her 24/7. IMO they would be more inclined to leave the phone if told..."it will be just a quick 10 mins" type deal. I don't care how high they were...they were coherent enough to walk and meet LISK.

IMO LISK put his plan in action way before and knew who he was going to target. Maybe they were picked out bc they may have said or did something rude in the past. I believe Melissa and Megan were known to be tough. Not sure about Maureen and Amber but I am sure they were extremely well versed in being street smart and obviously took chances.

Also, if you read Kolker's book...one of the things that stood out for me re: that Maureen was still buying drugs, threw a party at a hotel for a friend etc...I believe pretty close around the time she was facing eviction. These poor girls were so addicted they probably couldn't see straight. If Maureen had been able to see that her living arrangement, her kids, etc...were more important than throwing parties and losing her home, she may have been with us today.

I think about all these girls often and I get so freaking angry that SCPD is giving the public, after all these years, nothing but tidbits to keep the families at bay. There's so much more that they have that they are not sharing. I feel it's bc they're protecting their own. It's not just SCPD, sadly it's all around the world. Some call it corruption, I call it bs. But one day something WILL give.

Her roommate said that she was offered $1,500. He noted that the figure was much higher than normal.

The story about all of the girls leaving their phones behind is just a factoid that has been continuously spread on message boards.

Maureen's phone pinged off Fire Island. The killer used Melissa's phone to call her younger sister. So they definitely had their phones with them.

In reality, only Amber didn't have a phone. We know this because she had to use her roommate's phone to negotiate with the client.

Basically, her phone might not have been working or it may have been cancelled at the time.

When she mentioned this to the "client" who was asking her to do an overnight stay, he assured her that she could use his... such a friendly guy.

LISK was most likely a "john" who regularly hired sex workers (every serial killer who targeted sex workers has been the exact same). He probably only struck when the conditions were right. Otherwise, he used their services as normal.

In this case, he managed to convince Amber to do an outcall for $1.5K. When he picked her up, he knew two things: 1) she wasn't accompanied to his vehicle by a friend or pimp who could later identify him and 2) she didn't have a phone.

Basically, she was vulnerable and there were no witnesses. Nothing tying him to her.

Whether LISK was a previous client or not, we don't know. The problem here is that Amber and her roommate were heroin addicts. She was blowing through multiple bags per day. Therefore, she may have been willing to risk it for such a large fee.

 

[Catchinglisk]

Not an attorney.
It was a politician.

Policeman who was investigated was named Michael Murphy also impregnated a 15 yr old prostitute

 

[clear sky]

I agree with you. I don't believe anyone was told to leave their phones behind.
Bear called AC. Said her phone went to voicemail. It's why he called Dave.
Dave did not tell him Amber was out and left her phone. If that occurred, Dave would have said so at the time.
Megan? Her mother said cops never told her what items were left behind. Including the phone. She did get around to saying she believed her daughter had her phone. That makes sense.
Here's why. Lorraine reported to the SCPD that someone was calling her job claiming to be NYPD.
The caller spoke to a co-worker. Caller wanted her home phone #. She said the caller would have seen her work number on her phone. She went on to say the SCPD has her home # and the NYPD was never on her daughter's case.
SCPD told her to be careful. That was their advice.
I wonder what the caller would have said to her if she was at work to receive any calls.
Don't forget Lynn B spoke to caller once.
He also claimed to be NYPD.
He wanted to know if she filed a missing persons report?
Same caller in my opinion.

Doubtful LISK told people to leave cell phones behind, he seemed to enjoy calling victims' family members and friends...unless that was a one time thing with MB??

 

[Sleuth_Noob]

I agree with you. I don't believe anyone was told to leave their phones behind.
Bear called AC. Said her phone went to voicemail. It's why he called Dave.
Dave did not tell him Amber was out and left her phone. If that occurred, Dave would have said so at the time.
Megan? Her mother said cops never told her what items were left behind. Including the phone. She did get around to saying she believed her daughter had her phone. That makes sense.
Here's why. Lorraine reported to the SCPD that someone was calling her job claiming to be NYPD.
The caller spoke to a co-worker. Caller wanted her home phone #. She said the caller would have seen her work number on her phone. She went on to say the SCPD has her home # and the NYPD was never on her daughter's case.
SCPD told her to be careful. That was their advice.
I wonder what the caller would have said to her if she was at work to receive any calls.
Don't forget Lynn B spoke to caller once.
He also claimed to be NYPD.
He wanted to know if she filed a missing persons report?
Same caller in my opinion.

Agree…We don’t know that they (victims) were asked to not bring phones.

 

[clear sky]

Doubtful LISK told people to leave cell phones behind, he seemed to enjoy calling victims' family members and friends...unless that was a one time thing with MB??

Sara knows the killers voice.
He called her to say Maureen was in Queens NY.
Megan's mother said someone kept calling her job.
Caller spoke to co-worker.
He said he was NYPD and wanted Lorraine's home#.
She said the calls continued up until the bodies were found.
She said her job # was in Megan's phone.

 

[Dirk.Diggler]

Did Amber also go by the name "Christina?

Carolina was her escort name

 

[EllaMae]

Good point and a lot of people go by their instincts. Just human nature. If we feel instinctively that someone is trustworthy we might act on that feeling rather than more rational thought. The whole serial killers always give off bad vibes thing is a myth.

That's not true, and definitely not a myth in Bundy's case. He was at a bar close to the sorority house the night he attacked and killed the girls in Tallahassee, and the way he was staring made some girls uncomfortable. He tried to talk to one girl, but her gut instinct told her he was bad news and she brushed him off. This fed his rage that night and he then went on that vicious 3:00 AM murder spree.

 

[EpiVox444]

That's not true, and definitely not a myth in Bundy's case. He was at a bar close to the sorority house the night he attacked and killed the girls in Tallahassee, and the way he was staring made some girls uncomfortable. He tried to talk to one girl, but her gut instinct told her he was bad news and she brushed him off. This fed his rage that night and he then went on that vicious 3:00 AM murder spree.

One anecdote doesn't negate my theory. Way too many people-- from family, friends and acquaintances of SKs-- have been completely shocked when they found out for my theory to be invalidated. So, yeah, it's a myth, and you're completely wrong. Nice try though, I guess. Serial Killers don't give off some mystical level of creepiness that everyone s should have seen coming...