RIVERHEAD, N.Y. – Alleged serial killer Rex Heuermann is facing additional charges in connection to the death of a fourth woman, as her remains were found near Gilgo Beach. Heuermann, a 60-year-old architect, has already been accused of killing three women and is expected to be indicted for the latest case, marking a somber turn in the ongoing investigation. He is scheduled to appear in court in Riverhead next week on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, where he has maintained his plea of not guilty in the deaths of Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy, and Amber Costello.
The three women were found dead in December 2010, their bodies wrapped in burlap. Heuermann is currently held without bail as authorities intensify their efforts to bring justice to the victims and their families. He was charged with three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of the three women. The latest victim, identified as Maureen Brainard-Barnes, adds another layer of complexity to the case as she was found with a belt bearing a distinctive buckle marked with the initials WH.
Heuermann’s connection to the victims, all reportedly engaged in s*x work, was established through DNA evidence. Investigators traced links between Heuermann and the victims, uncovering crucial information from a DNA sample obtained from a pizza crust found in the trash outside his Manhattan office. Prosecutors also consider him the prime suspect in the death of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, whose remains were found with a belt bearing the initials “WH,” possibly linked to Heuermann’s father. The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, responsible for Heuermann’s prosecution, is expected to announce further charges as a grand jury is set to indict him in connection with the fourth murder.
The courtroom drama is expected to escalate on Tuesday when prosecutors reveal the grand jury’s indictment, formally charging Heuermann with the fourth murder. The community remains on edge as the investigation unfolds, shedding light on the disturbing pattern allegedly perpetrated by the accused serial killer. The Gilgo Beach case has long been a haunting mystery, with six other victims’ deaths still unsolved.
In summary, alleged serial killer Rex Heuermann is facing additional charges related to the death of a fourth woman near Gilgo Beach. He has maintained his plea of not guilty in the deaths of three other women and is expected to be indicted for the latest case. The community is awaiting further developments as the investigation continues, shedding light on the disturbing pattern allegedly perpetrated by the accused serial killer.