Heidnik’s House of Horrors

Episode 22 – Originally Published in 2017

Trigger warning – discussions about abduction, sexual assault, torture and murder

Gary Heidnik was one of the most notorious serial rapists, torturers and murderers in the United States in the late 80s, and the boogey man of Philadelphia.  

On March 24, 1987, Philadelphia police received a call from a hysterical woman telling a wild, unbelievable story.  Her name was Josephina Rivera.  She claimed she’d been held hostage for over four months in a dirty house in North Philadelphia, chained in a pit with other women, at least two of whom were dead.  They’d been shackled, beaten, raped every day, tortured and electrocuted.  Gary Heidnik’s house of horrors began and ended with Josephina Rivera. 

TwistedPhilly is researched, hosted and produced by me, Deana Marie, and available biweekly wherever you listen to podcasts.