Authorities have apprehended a suspect in connection with a series of killings of women near Gilgo Beach on Long Island’s South Shore. The arrest comes after years of investigation into the murders that have terrorized the community. The suspect, identified as Rex Heuermann, an architect who resided in Nassau County and worked in Manhattan, was taken into custody. Police officers have cordoned off his home in Massapequa Park, and a news conference has been scheduled for later in the day.
Rex Heuermann, a longtime resident of Massapequa Park, has been arrested in connection with the killings of several women near Gilgo Beach. The arrest was made after an extensive investigation that spanned over a decade. Heuermann, an architect who worked in Manhattan, was taken into custody at his home on First Avenue in Massapequa Park. Law enforcement officials, including District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney, are expected to provide further details during a news conference later today.
The Long Island community has been haunted by these killings for years. The discovery of multiple bodies in the remote area near Gilgo Beach has left residents in fear and uncertainty. The remains of nine women, a man, and a toddler were found in the vicinity, sparking a lengthy investigation into the possibility of a serial killer. The first case came to light in 2010 when Shannan Gilbert, a 24-year-old prostitute, went missing during an escort job in Oak Beach. Months later, four bodies were discovered wrapped in burlap along Ocean Parkway. They were located three miles from where Gilbert was last seen alive.
In 2011, the bodies found along Ocean Parkway were identified as Amber Lynn Costello, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Megan Waterman, and Melissa Barthelemy. All of them were in their 20s and working as escorts. Later that year, the remains of Valerie Mack, a 24-year-old mother from New Jersey, were also found. Despite the discovery of these bodies, investigators do not believe Gilbert’s death is linked to the serial killer, a claim that her family vehemently disputes.
The investigation into the Long Island serial killings has been challenging, with little progress made for years. However, in 2020, investigators revealed a significant piece of evidence collected early in the case: a black leather belt with embossed initials “W H” or “H M.” This development reignited hope for a breakthrough in the investigation.
Neighbors of Rex Heuermann expressed shock and disbelief upon learning about his arrest. Many were unsuspecting of the man being a killer, assuming that he was an ordinary neighbor. Heuermann, who attended Alfred G. Berner High School, lived in a red house that stood out from the well-maintained homes in the area. Some neighbors mentioned that they had avoided the house during holidays like Halloween due to its unkempt appearance.