HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – more than a decade after a series of unsolved killings, a major breakthrough has been reached in the case of women’s bodies found on Long Island’s Gilgo Beach. According to court documents released on Friday, a man from Massapequa, Long Island, has been charged with multiple counts of murder in connection with the deaths of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello, who were discovered in close proximity to one another in 2010. The suspect, identified as Rex Heuermann, 59, was arraigned in Suffolk County court in Riverhead after being taken into custody late Thursday night.
The ongoing investigation involved over 300 search warrants and a comprehensive review of every item of evidence. Authorities were able to build a case against Heuermann, who is also considered the prime suspect in the death of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, based on new evidence, including comparisons of cell site data between the victims’ cellphones and burner phones used by the suspect. Additionally, a DNA match from a hair found on burlap wrapped around one of the victims has been attributed to Heuermann.
Residents in Massapequa Park expressed surprise and shock at the news, describing the suspect as a quiet and unassuming neighbor. Heuermann’s disturbing internet search history, potential fixation on the victims, and information about the investigation itself, as well as his employment as an architect, have further fueled the shock and concern among his neighbors.
The apparent breakthrough in the case comes more than a decade after the initial discovery of the victims’ bodies, turning the spotlight back on a string of serial killings that has long troubled authorities. The arrest and the new evidence revealed in this investigation give hope to finding closure for the families of the victims and the community impacted by these heinous crimes.
The case has garnered widespread attention, having been extensively covered in reports such as CBS’s “48 Hours” and even inspiring a Netflix film. The victims, most of them identified as sex workers, were found along Ocean Parkway on Long Island, leaving investigators puzzled and residents stunned. This arrest marks a significant turning point in a case that has confounded authorities for years, bringing both closure and a pathway to justice for the victims and their families.
The authorities’ thorough efforts, expanded rewards for information, and the release of crucial evidence such as the 911 call audio, have all contributed to this landmark development. The recent arrest has brought new hope for solving a crime spree that has remained a mystery for far too long.