Rex Heuermann, 62, a former architect, pleaded guilty on April 8, 2025, to seven counts of murder in Suffolk County Court.
He also admitted responsibility for the death of an eighth woman, Karen Vergata. The guilty pleas and admission resolve a case that began with the discovery of multiple human remains along Long Island's South Shore in 2010.
Plea Details and Sentencing
Heuermann entered guilty pleas for three counts of first-degree murder and four counts of intentional murder. He was not formally charged for the death of Karen Vergata, as per the terms of a plea agreement. He admitted to strangling all eight victims and disposing of their bodies at various locations, including Gilgo Beach, Manorville, and Southampton.
The plea agreement is expected to result in three consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, followed by four sentences of 25 years to life. Sentencing is scheduled for June 17, 2025.
"The plea agreement is expected to result in three consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole."
Victims
The women whose deaths Heuermann was charged with are:
- Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25
- Melissa Barthelemy, 24
- Amber Lynn Costello, 27
- Megan Waterman, 22
- Valerie Mack, 24
- Jessica Taylor, 20
- Sandra Costilla, 28
Heuermann also admitted to killing Karen Vergata, who disappeared in 1996. The women were killed over a 17-year period, between 1993 and 2010. Many of the victims were sex workers.
Investigation and Arrest
The Gilgo Beach investigation became public in December 2010 when police, searching for a missing woman, discovered 11 sets of human remains along Ocean Parkway on Long Island. Authorities have stated that not all of these killings are believed to be connected to a single perpetrator.
The Suffolk County District Attorney's office reopened the cases in 2022. In 2022, the Gilgo Beach Homicide Investigation Task Force identified Heuermann as a suspect. According to authorities, this identification was made by connecting him to a pickup truck that a witness reported seeing when one of the victims disappeared in 2010. Heuermann resided in Massapequa Park, New York, approximately 25 minutes from where the remains were discovered.
Following this identification, a grand jury authorized over 300 subpoenas and search warrants. Evidence gathered by the task force included:
- Billing records for burner phones allegedly used to contact victims.
- Heuermann's internet search history, which indicated searches related to the Gilgo Beach killings and violent pornography.
- Mobile phone data showing contact between Heuermann and some victims before their disappearances.
- DNA evidence.
Investigators obtained Heuermann's DNA from a discarded pizza crust. This DNA was matched to a male hair found on burlap used to restrain one of the victims. Heuermann was arrested in July 2023.
"Investigators obtained Heuermann's DNA from a discarded pizza crust."
Post-Arrest Evidence
Following his arrest, a search of Heuermann's home over 12 days revealed a basement vault containing 279 weapons. According to investigators, a computer file described as a "blueprint" for the killings was found, containing checklists for actions such as limiting noise and destroying evidence.
A judge previously rejected a motion from Heuermann's lawyers to exclude DNA evidence obtained through advanced techniques.
Statements Following the Plea
Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney held a media conference after the hearing. He acknowledged the victims' families and commended law enforcement for their work on the case.
Heuermann's defense attorney, Michael Brown, told reporters that his client's decision to plead guilty brought him a "sense of relief." Brown stated that Heuermann wanted to spare the victims' families and his own family from going through a trial. Brown added that Heuermann will not provide details of how the crimes were committed at the sentencing hearing and may express remorse.
Heuermann's former wife, Asa Ellerup, and their daughter attended the hearing. Ellerup offered condolences to the victims' families and requested privacy.
Melissa Cann, sister of victim Maureen Brainard-Barnes, stated that there is "finally a sense of relief." Cann said: "Today is about the women’s lives who were stolen, about their voices, their future, their families."