Rex Heuermann

Serial Killer

Rex Heuermann: The Alleged Gilgo Beach Serial Killer

Background

Rex Andrew Heuermann, a Manhattan architect residing in Massapequa Park, Long Island, was arrested in July 2023 in connection with the notorious Gilgo Beach serial killings. These crimes, which spanned from 1993 to 2010, involved the murders of several women, primarily sex workers, whose remains were discovered along Ocean Parkway near Gilgo Beach in Suffolk County, New York.

Victims and Crime Details

• Maureen Brainard-Barnes
  • Date of Disappearance: July 9, 2007
  • Background: A 25-year-old from Norwich, Connecticut, Maureen was a mother of two who turned to sex work via Craigslist to support her family. She was last seen in New York City.
  • Discovery: Her remains were found in December 2010 near Gilgo Beach, restrained with three leather belts, one containing DNA linked to Heuermann's wife.
• Melissa Barthelemy
  • Date of Disappearance: July 12, 2009
  • Background: A 24-year-old from Erie County, New York, Melissa resided in the Bronx and advertised her services on Craigslist under the alias "Chloe."
  • Discovery: Her body was the first discovered in December 2010 during the search for another missing woman.
• Megan Waterman
  • Date of Disappearance: June 6, 2010
  • Background: A 22-year-old from South Portland, Maine, Megan was a mother who engaged in sex work to support her child. She was last seen at a Hauppauge, New York, motel.
  • Discovery: Her remains were found in December 2010 near Gilgo Beach.
• Amber Lynn Costello
  • Date of Disappearance: September 2, 2010
  • Background: A 27-year-old from West Babylon, New York, Amber was a sex worker who disappeared after meeting a client offering $1,500 for her services.
  • Discovery: Her body was found in December 2010 near Gilgo Beach.
• Jessica Taylor
  • Date of Disappearance: July 21, 2003
  • Background: A 20-year-old sex worker from Manhattan, Jessica went missing in July 2003.
  • Discovery: Her torso was found in Manorville, New York, on July 26, 2003. Additional remains were discovered near Gilgo Beach in March 2011.
• Valerie Mack
  • Date of Disappearance: 2000
  • Background: A 24-year-old from Philadelphia, Valerie was a sex worker who went missing in 2000.
  • Discovery: Partial remains were found in Manorville in November 2000. Additional remains were discovered near Gilgo Beach in April 2011. She was identified in 2020 through genetic testing.
• Sandra Costilla
  • Date of Death: November 1993
  • Background: A 28-year-old from Trinidad and Tobago, Sandra was living in New York City at the time of her death.
  • Discovery: Her body was found in a wooded area in North Sea, Long Island, in November 1993.

Investigation and Arrest

Heuermann became a suspect in March 2022 after a witness linked a dark green Chevrolet Avalanche registered in his name to one of the killings. Cellphone records indicated contact between Heuermann and three of the victims. Additionally, an email account linked to him was used to monitor the investigation's progress. Mitochondrial DNA testing matched a sample from Heuermann to hair found on burlap used to wrap one of the victims. Hair linked to Heuermann's wife was also found near three victims, though she was out of state during the murders. ...Read More

Confirmed Victims: (0)
Suspected Victims:

Karen Vergata Age: (34), Date of Death: February 14, 1996

Peaches Age: (16-30), Date of Death: June 25, 1997

Baby Doe Age: (1-4), Date of Death: 1997-2010

John Doe Age: (17-23), Date of Death: 2001-2006

Sandra Costilla Age: (28), Date of Death: 1993-11-21

Valerie Mack Age: (24), Date of Death: 2000-11-19

Jessica Taylor Age: (20), Date of Death: 2003-07-26

Maureen Brainard-Barnes Age: (25), Date of Death: 2007-07-09

Melissa Barthelemy Age: (24), Date of Death: 2009-07-12

Megan Waterman Age: (22), Date of Death: 2010-06-06

Amber Lynn Costello Age: (27), Date of Death: 2010-09-02

Gilgo Beach serial killings - Wikipedia

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