Breakthrough in Gilgo Beach Murders: Long Island Serial Killer Named As Rex Heuermann, A 59-year-old Married Architect

 

A suspected serial killer has been apprehended in connection with the infamous Gilgo Beach murders in Long Island. 

Rex Heuermann, a 59-year-old married architect, was arrested after DNA evidence linked him to the crimes.  Police surrounded Heuermann's residence on 1st Avenue in Massapequa Park during the arrest. 

Although the official confirmation of the suspect's identity is pending, he is expected to appear in court later today.

The arrest specifically relates to the "Gilgo Four" case, involving the discovery of four women's bodies wrapped in burlap within a short period in late 2010. It is not directly connected to the six other bodies that were later considered possibly linked. 

State and Suffolk County police have not yet provided an official statement about the arrest but have hinted at forthcoming press conferences.

Heuermann is the owner and founder of RH Consultants and Associates, an architecture firm based in Midtown, with notable clients such as Catholic Charities, NYC-DEP Sewerage Treatment, and American Airlines. 

Rex Heuermann, Suspected Serial Killer

In an interview, Heuermann stated that he has been working in Manhattan since 1987 and was born and raised on Long Island.

As investigators swarmed Heuermann's residence, removing a cooler at one point, neighbors expressed surprise, considering him a regular businessman and average family man. 

The fears of a serial killer in the Gilgo Beach area emerged when the body of Melissa Barthelemy was found in December 2010, followed by the discovery of three other women's remains in subsequent days. 

The "Gilgo Four" victims, including Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, Amber Lynn Costello, and Maureen Brainard-Barnes, were found intact and wrapped in burlap near each other on the beach.

Over time, the number of bodies found increased to a total of ten, including eight women, one unidentified man, and a toddler. 

The search for Shannan Gilbert, a missing sex worker from Jersey City, led to the eventual discovery of these bodies. 

John Ray, an attorney representing Gilbert's family, had received a credible tip suggesting an imminent arrest a week ago but had not received official confirmation from investigators.

The arrest marks a significant development in the long-running investigation into the Gilgo Beach murders. 

Suffolk County's creation of a specialized task force in February of the previous year, comprising various law enforcement agencies, aimed to solve the case and bring justice to the victims and their families.

Source - New York Post