The man accused in the series of killings known as the Gilgo Beach murders is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday as his defense team aims to dismantle the case against him and have crucial DNA evidence excluded. Rex Heuermann, 61, has entered a not guilty plea to the murder charges involving seven women whose remains were discovered on Long Island between 1993 and 2011. Last month, Judge Timothy Mazzei instructed Heuermann’s lawyers to submit further documentation supporting their motion to prevent prosecutors from connecting their client to all seven murders simultaneously. The defense team argued that the evidence linking Heuermann to some of the crimes is weaker than in others, and consolidating the cases could result in an unjust conviction. The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office opposed the request for separate trials, asserting that the victims share commonalities in terms of location, victim profiles, digital and physical evidence, forensic analysis, and the defendant’s planning materials. Both Heuermann’s attorney, Michael Brown, and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office did not provide a response to USA TODAY’s request for comment before the hearing.
The defense seeks to have crucial DNA evidence excluded from the case. Also under dispute in court is the admissibility of DNA evidence linking Heuermann to most of the murders. Brown contended that the method used to match DNA from hairs found at the crime scenes to Heuermann has not been approved by New York state courts. Prosecutors expressed confidence that the defense’s challenge would be unsuccessful, citing the wide acceptance of whole genome sequencing in the scientific community and its use in forensic investigations. Assistant District Attorney Andrew Lee stated, “For over 30 years, New York State courts have consistently adapted to incorporate advancements in DNA technology.” The prosecution highlighted the use of whole genome sequencing to connect genetic profiles resembling the defendant’s or individuals associated with him to six of the seven victims through hair samples recovered at the crime scenes or from the victims.
Apart from DNA evidence, investigators uncovered a substantial amount of violent, bondage, and torture pornography on over 350 electronic devices seized from Heuermann’s residence. Some of the violent material, dating back to 1994, aligns with the injuries sustained by two of the victims, as per prosecutors. Authorities also revealed the recovery of burner cellphones utilized to arrange meetings with the murdered women and a document believed to have been used by Heuermann to plan the killings. The document included lists of supplies, cutting tools, and references to a “dump site.” Notably, a note suggested that improved sleep and noise control would allow for more “play time,” which prosecutors interpreted as referring to sexual mutilation.
Heuermann, a former architect from New York, was taken into custody in July 2023 in connection with the murders of Megan Waterman, 22; Melissa Barthelemy, 24; and Amber Costello, 27. Additional charges were brought against him last year for the killings of four more
Rex Heuermann, the suspect in the Gilgo Beach murders, is set to appear in court. He has pleaded guilty to all the murder charges against him, which include the killings of Brainard-Barnes, aged 25, in January; Jessica Taylor, aged 20; Sandra Costilla, aged 28, in June; and Valerie Mack, aged 24 in December. A trial date has not been set for the case. This information was reported by N’Dea Yancey-Bragg, Cybele Mayes Osterman, and Thao Nguyen in an article originally published on USA TODAY.
