MASSAPEQUA PARK, NEW YORK: The Gilgo Beach murders, an unsolved homicide mystery that has captivated the world for over a decade, have finally witnessed a breakthrough in the 13-year-long investigation. Architect Rex Heuermann, a self-proclaimed "troubleshooter," was apprehended by a dedicated task force focused on the chilling case on Friday, July 15. He now faces multiple charges related to the killings that have baffled investigators since 2010.
In a significant turn of events, Heuermann, a Long Island architect, has been charged with murder in connection with three of the 11 victims in the Gilgo Beach murders. Detectives pursuing a fresh lead matched DNA from a pizza crust Heuermann consumed to genetic material found on the victims' remains. This breakthrough prompted his arrest, marking a critical development in the long-unsolved case.
The disturbing nature of the crimes
The Gilgo Beach murders have been a perplexing puzzle for investigators since their discovery in 2010. The victims, predominantly young women involved in sex work, were subjected to strangulation and horrifying disposal methods, amplifying the gravity of the crimes committed against them.
Heuermann now faces three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree murder, specifically linked to the killings of Melissa Barthelemy, Amber Costello, and Megan Waterman. While not formally charged, he is also suspected of the murder of Maureen Brainard-Barnes. The investigation into Heuermann gained traction when a witness reported a connection between him and a pickup truck seen during one of the victims' disappearances in 2010.
Will Rex Heuermann get bail?
During his appearance in state court in Riverhead, Heuermann's lawyer entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf. However, the judge ordered him to be jailed without bail, citing "the extreme depravity" of his alleged conduct. This referenced Heuermann's alleged online search history, which revealed his interest in child and torture pornography. The suspect's search history unveiled “thousands of searches related to sex workers, sadistic, torture-related pornography” and imagery depicting child sexual abuse.
Moreover, he showed a peculiar interest in the disappearances, murders, and police investigations of the Gilgo Beach victims. Searches during that period that police noted included, “Why could law enforcement not trace the calls made by the Long Island serial killer”, “Why hasn’t the Long Island serial killer been caught,” “Long Island killer," “Long Island serial killer phone call," and more. Documents allege Heuermann also searched for and read news articles about the creation of the law enforcement task force that arrested him.
