The Biggest Thing Since Ted Bundy!
- Steve Gaskin
- Jan 30
- 4 min read
Who Is Rex Heuermann?
Rex Andrew Heuermann (born September 13, 1963) is a New York-based architect from Massapequa Park, Long Island. Before his arrest, he lived a relatively ordinary life: married (27 years), two adult children, and a career commuting into Manhattan.
The Allegations: Gilgo Beach Murders
Background of the Case
The Gilgo Beach murders refer to a series of bodies discovered along Long Island’s south shore, especially near Gilgo Beach, over many years. Many of the victims were sex workers, and their deaths remained unsolved for over a decade.
Charges Against Heuermann
In July 2023, Heuermann was arrested and charged with the murders of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello, all found in December 2010.
In January 2024, he was additionally charged in the death of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, making her the fourth in what's often called the “Gilgo Four.”
Further charges followed: in mid-2024, he was indicted for Jessica Taylor and Sandra Costilla, and later for Valerie Mack.
In total, he now faces seven murder charges.
He has pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Key Evidence Against Him
Some of the most compelling evidence involves DNA:
Investigators recovered hairs from several victims.
To connect those hairs to Heuermann, they used whole-genome sequencing — a relatively advanced technique for extracting nuclear DNA from rootless hairs.
A particularly dramatic moment: law enforcement put Heuermann under human surveillance, and when he discarded a pizza box (from his architecture firm), they recovered the crust. The DNA from that crust matched the DNA from the hairs on a victim.
A judge has ruled that this nuclear DNA evidence is admissible in the trial. This has been a key pre-trial issue which has taken months to resolve. The defence were trying to have the DNA ruled out.
It is still possible that some DNA evidence will be ruled out
Legal Developments
A judge (State Supreme Court Justice Timothy Mazzei) has ordered that all seven murder cases will be tried together — instead of separately
A pretrial motions deadline has been set (January 13, 2026).
THE TRIAL DATE WILL BE IN OCTOBER 2026
Personal Life & Character
Heuermann’s estranged wife, Asa Ellerup, has publicly said she is reserving judgment and continues to visit him in jail.
According to sources, some who knew him described him as “weird” and a “big talker.”
A friend who visited him in prison claimed Heuermann has “shown no remorse” and suggested he might have a personality with one side calm, the other “dark” and “sadistic.”
Another former employee said that Heuermann once told her he could “find you anywhere … even in the middle of the ocean,” a comment she said he later proved by leaving a note while she was on a cruise. If this is true, it underlines obsessive and stalking behaviour
Why This Case Matters
Cold Case Breakthrough
These murders had haunted Long Island for years, with many victims unidentified or never linked to a suspect. Heuermann's arrest and the forensic evidence represent a major breakthrough.
Forensic Innovation
The use of whole-genome sequencing on rootless hairs and its acceptance by the court could mark a turning point in how cold cases are prosecuted.
Societal Impact
Many of the victims were sex workers. Their cases highlight the vulnerability of marginalised communities and the challenges law enforcement faces in solving crimes involving them.
Current Status
As of today, Heuermann is in custody, held at the Riverhead Correctional Facility in Suffolk County.
The trial is moving forward, with pretrial motions underway.
Media and public attention remain high — the case has been covered in deep-dive documentaries and true crime shows.
Questions Still Unanswered
Could there be more victims linked to Heuermann that haven’t yet been charged?
Are there other forensic or digital clues (phones, location data) that might lead to additional links?
What defence strategies will Heuermann’s legal team use, especially around the DNA evidence?
How will the trial handle so many separate murder counts together — will jurors be able to fairly assess each?
Conclusion
As some of you are aware, I pursued a cold case serial killing for 30 years and know what the investigators have been through. See ITV’s Playboy Bunny Club Murders (ITV Catch up)
Rex Heuermann’s case is one of the most high-profile developments in the Gilgo Beach murders saga. From a seemingly ordinary architect to a suspect in a chilling serial killing case, his story raises powerful issues about forensic science, justice, and the value society places on vulnerable lives. Whether he’s ultimately convicted or acquitted, this case will likely shape how similar cold cases are prosecuted in the future.
From a psychologist's viewpoint, it goes some way to indicating the myth that all serial killers were abused etc OR there was some trigger in their past which stimulated their offender behaviour
This trial in some ways, will not only be a media feeding frenzy, but will add to the admissibility of fresh DNA methods. It will also be of extreme value to psychologists and criminologists.
What is exciting is this. I will be covering the entire trial day by day and will give commentary on:-
The legal process
The psychology as it unfolds
The psychology behind any serial killer
Predicting the likely outcome
There will be podcasts, interviews with specialists and some live events & I am creating a special webpage called rexheuermanntrial.com (not active yet!)
Steve Gaskin
Friday, 30th January 2026
Comments