Rex Heuermann was indicted on three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree murder on Friday, according to court documents obtained by HuffPost.
Rex Heuermann, a 59-year-old married architect residing in Long Island, New York, has been charged with multiple counts of murder in connection with the serial killings of women on Gilgo Beach
The victims he has been charged with killing are Megan Waterman, Amber Lynn Costello, and Melissa Barthelemy, collectively known as the “Gilgo Four.” Heuermann is also a suspect in the death of Maureen Brainard Barnes.
Investigators were able to link Rex Heuermann to the killings by reviewing cellphone data, which revealed his use of burner phones to arrange meetings with three of the victims. Prosecutors disclosed alleged details of his online activities, including searches for disturbing materials and photos of the victims and their families.
During Rex Heuermann’s arraignment, Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison referred to him as a “demon” and a “predator.” The first body, that of Barthelemy, was discovered in December 2010 during a police training exercise. Subsequently, the remains of Brainard-Barnes, Waterman, and Costello were found, all showing signs of homicide.
The victims shared similar profiles, being petite women aged between 22 and 27 who were believed to be sex workers
Each woman had been contacted prior to her disappearance by an individual using a burner cellphone. Some of the burner numbers were traced back to locations near Rex Heuermann’s residence or workplace. Rex Heuermann came under suspicion in March 2022 after investigators learned he owned a car matching the description provided by a witness in Costello’s disappearance.
Further investigation revealed that Rex Heuermann had created multiple fake emails and Tinder profiles using burner phones over the past decade. Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney expressed concern that Rex Heuermann would continue to pose a threat to others.
Rex Heuermann’s defense attorney entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf, claiming that they had only learned of the charges that morning. Rex Heuermann’s arrest shocked the community, as he was described as an “average” man who mostly kept to himself.
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