Investigators in Long Island, New York have connected a fifth alleged victim to Rex Heuermann, the suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer accused of murdering four women and dumping their bodies more than a decade ago. The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office has not commented on the case, but sources state that Heuermann is scheduled for a court hearing. Newsday reported that the suspected serial killer has been indicted on unspecified charges related to new developments. Evidence was discovered in Manorville in April, leading to a second search warrant at Heuermann’s home in May. In July 2023, Heuermann was arrested and his home was extensively searched for nearly two weeks.
In 2010, the bodies of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, Amber Costello, and Maureen Brainard-Barnes were found close together in Gilgo Beach, while seven other victims were discovered farther east along Ocean Parkway. Two of the victims, Jessica Taylor and Valerie Mack, were dismembered and found in separate locations. Partial remains of both victims were discovered in Manorville in 2000 and 2003, near the Gilgo victims. Police suspect that DNA evidence found during the search in Manorville is linked to Heuermann’s home. Heuermann has pleaded not guilty to murder charges and is held without bail at the Suffolk County Jail. The case has not yet gone to trial.
Shannan Gilbert, who went missing from Oak Beach in 2010, led to the discovery of 11 sets of remains along Ocean Parkway. She made a panicked 911 call before disappearing, with police later theorizing her death was an accident due to mental illness and drug use. However, Dr. Michael Baden, a forensic pathologist hired by the family, found evidence consistent with homicidal strangulation. Key bones in her throat were missing, while adjacent bones had roughness at the margins. No drugs were found in her system. Despite police conclusions, the family’s attorney disagreed and believed foul play was involved.
Task forces including police K-9s from Suffolk County, the NYPD, and New York State have continued investigating the case, resulting in new developments. Heuermann’s home in Massapequa Park was searched multiple times, with evidence found in both Manorville and inside the property. The search for evidence, possibly DNA related, points to a possible link between Heuermann and the murders of the women found at Gilgo Beach. The victims, known as the Gilgo Four, were found under similar circumstances, and additional victims were discovered in the vicinity. The case remains open, with Heuermann yet to stand trial for the murders he’s been accused of committing.
The search for evidence and the ongoing investigations into the Gilgo Beach serial killings have involved various law enforcement agencies, including local police, the NYPD, and state authorities. The discovery of additional victims and the linking of a fifth alleged victim to Heuermann indicate the complexity and scale of the case. With new developments leading to undisclosed charges against Heuermann and continued efforts to gather evidence, the justice system is working towards bringing closure to the families of the victims and seeking answers in this long-standing case. The involvement of renowned experts like Dr. Michael Baden further highlights the seriousness of the allegations and the need for a thorough investigation to uncover the truth behind the Gilgo Beach murders and hold the responsible party accountable.
