MASSAPEQUA PARK, NEW YORK: The grieving mother of a Gilgo beach murders victim, has wished for accused Rex Heuermann's torture once he’s jailed. The 59-year-old man has been accused of killing Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello in 2009 and 2010.
On Thursday night, July 13, he was arrested and was arraigned on Friday. However, the alleged serial killer has pleaded not guilty to three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree murder. Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison reportedly shared, “I would, first and foremost, like to offer my deepest condolences to the family members. To the family members of Amber Costello, Melissa Barthelemy, and Megan Waterman.”
‘This individual was a person that continued to patronize sex workers’
He claimed, “Rex Heuermann is a demon that walks among us. A predator that ruined families.” Besides, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney A Tierney reportedly stated, “This individual was a person that continued to patronize sex workers at all hours of the night. He continued to use fictitious email addresses, fictitious identities, and burner phones.”
“So as we worked through the case and we got closer and closer and we built the evidence, suddenly the balance tips in favor of public safety. So I think we all wanted, as a task force, to continue it. But I think we collectively thought it was time to strike that balance and take him off the streets,” the DA added.
Who is Lynn Barthelemy?
Lynn is the mother of Melissa, who reportedly went missing in 2009 before her body was found on Gilgo Beach in neighboring Suffolk County over a decade ago. Now, after Heuermann’s arrest, Lynn told NBC News, “I’d like him to suffer at the hands of other inmates. Let him receive what the girls received. Death is too good for him. It's too easy.”
The mother went on to say, “Our family has suffered every day.” It has been reported that the suspected criminal not only killed Melissa but also made “taunting phone calls” to her sister. “We knew all along that the phone calls were going to be key,” Lynn added.
‘The suspect (Rex) deserves to rot in prison’
Another victim’s sister has also expressed her happiness over Heuermann’s arrest. Sherre Gilbert, Shannan Gilbert's sister, reportedly said, “I am overwhelmed but relieved that they finally caught him. It’s been a long time coming and I never gave up hope that one day justice would be served.”
She asserted, “The suspect (Rex) deserves to rot in prison for the rest of his life. He destroyed many lives so while it won’t bring our loved ones back, it does help that one less monster is off the streets and he can’t ever hurt anyone else!”
