Gilgo Beach murders – live: Acquaintance recalls how Rex Heuermann liked talking about Long Island slayings

A former acquaintance of suspect Rex Heuermann says that he used to enjoy talking about the Gilgo Beach murders during social events.

Dominique Vidal told ABC7 that the murder suspect left her a voicemail in February after she left a networking group for architects and designers that they both belonged to.

“I assumed he just wanted to do some work together, but he always made me a little bit uncomfortable,” said Ms Vidal.

And she added: “He (previously) asked me if I knew about the Gilgo Beach murders. And back then I will say ‘Oh you know, he’s just from the area, maybe you know, he’s just a local talking about and would think that I’d find it interesting.’ But now I see it as a serial killer.”

Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani made a bizarre appearance at the home of murder suspect Rex Heuermann on Long Island as investigators continued to search it on Saturday.

Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer sat in his car and chatted with police outside the property in Massapequa Park before driving away.

Meanwhile, it emerged that the Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect was linked to the crime scene with the help of a discarded pizza box that was thrown into a Manhattan trash can.

The Manhattan architect has pleaded not guilty to six counts of murder in connection with the infamous Gilgo Beach serial killings.

He appeared in court in handcuffs and wearing a polo shirt and khaki pants. Mr Heuermann was held without bail as prosecutors had previously sought, citing his recent searches for “sadistic materials, child pornography, images of the victims and their relatives.”

The 59-year-old pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder in the first degree and three in the second degree over the deaths of Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy and Amber Costello.

Key points

• How pizza crust helped link Rex Heuermann to the Gilgo Beach murders

• Billy Baldwin says Gilgo Beach murders suspect was former classmate

• Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect Rex Heuermann arrested

• Suffolk police confirm ‘significant development’ in Gilgo Beach case

• At least 11 bodies found in Gilgo Beach in 2010s

How pizza crust helped link Rex Heuermann to the Gilgo Beach murders

11:00 , Rachel Sharp

DNA results came back on 12 June with a 99.96 per cent degree of accuracy.

How pizza crust helped link Rex Heuermann to the Gilgo Beach murders

JonBenet Ramsey’s brother says he believes her killer has ‘same bio’ as Gilgo Beach killer

10:40 , Rachel Sharp

JonBenet Ramsey's brother has said that he believes her killer has the “same bio” as the Gilgo Beach serial killer as the major breakthrough in the Long Island case has raised hopes that her murder can also be solved.

“No criminal record but you can’t hide this level of darkness. It will manifest itself in other areas of your life. Try as you might you can’t blend. JonBenet’s killer will likely have a similar bio. #psychopath,” he tweeted about the news of Rex Heuermann’s arrest.

In a follow-up post, he spoke of his optimism that improvements in law enforcement will also lead to an arrest in his sister’s case after all these years.

“LE has come along way since 1996. Turf wars are becoming a thing of the past with partnerships becoming standard operating procedure. This new approach just might net JonBenet’s killer,” he tweeted.

Trove of firearms seized from Rex Heuermann’s home

10:20 , Rachel Sharp

A trove of firearms has been seized from the home of suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann.

Over the weekend, investigators combed through the married father-of-two’s home in Massapequa Park in connection to the unsolved murders looking for evidence of the killings.

At one point, officers were seen removing a plastic tub full of rifles from the family property.

The Manhattan architect had legal permits for 92 firearms.

A source told The New York Post that investigators are looking to see if the accused killer took any trophies from his victims.

“We’re just going through his house looking to see if there’s any evidence. If he has any trophies,” they said.

Suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer’s ‘taunting’ calls

10:03 , Graeme Massie

Rex Heuermann, 59, was arrested on Thursday and charged with six counts of murder in connection with three of 11 unsolved killings known as the Gilgo Beach murders.

Suffolk County district attorney Raymond Tierney wrote in a court filing that the sister of victim Melissa Barthelemy received “taunting calls” near to Mr Heuermann’s office in Midtown Manhattan after her disappearance in July 2009.

Mr Heuerman also used the phones of Barthelemy and another victim Maureen Brainard-Barnes to check their voicemails after they disappeared, the district attorney wrote while requesting the suspect be held without bail.

Mr Heuerman has been charged with first and second-degree murders of sex workers Barthelemy, 24, Megan Waterman, 22; and Amber Costello, 27, and is considered a “prime suspect” in the murder of Brainard-Barnes, 25.

The Independent’s Bevan Hurley reports:

Long Island police search storage unit connected to Gilgo Beach killer suspect

09:39 , Rachel Sharp

Long Island police have been searching a storage unit in connection to suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann following his bombshell arrest on Thursday.

Suffolk Police Officers executed a search warrant at a single unit at Omega Self Storage in Amityville late on Sunday night, according to News 12 Long Island.

Police confirmed to the local outlet that the search was in relation to the investigation into the architect’s alleged connection to the murders of at least three women.

The storage unit is just two miles from the married father-of-two’s home in Massapequa Park.

Truck seized from Gilgo Beach murders suspect’s house as neighbour describes ‘very quiet family’

09:02 , Graeme Massie

Neighbours congregated in shock in Massapequa Park on Friday after the arrest of long-time resident Rex Heuermann in connection with the Gilgo Beach murders, looking on as police loaded and hauled away a black pickup truck and another large, tarped-over piece of evidence on flatbeds.

The Independent’s Sheila Flynn reports:

Truck seized from Gilgo Beach murders suspect’s home as shocked neighbours look on

WATCH: Police remove evidence from home of Long Island serial killer suspect

07:57 , Graeme Massie

Map showing sites where victims of Gilgo Beach killer were found along Ocean Parkway in Suffolk County, Long Island,

07:05 , Graeme Massie

Neighbour says Gilgo Beach murders suspect was ‘very quiet'

05:03 , Graeme Massie

Rex Heuermann was charged Friday with six counts of murder in connection with the infamous Gilgo Beach killings, which were believed to be the work of a serial killer after the first bodies were found in 2010 along remote stretches of Long Island shoreline. The killer is believed to have claimed at least 10 victims.

One long-time neighbor of the Heuermanns, who has lived a few doors down from the family for more than two decades, told The Independent on Friday that the suspect, his wife and two children were “a very quiet family” who made “no imprint at all” on the local community.

“Basically, we never had any contact with him ... living here 22 years and never said two words to him,” she said – while quick to point out that “one bad apple doesn’t spoil the bunch” in a “great neighbourhood.”

Manhattan architect, family man and accused serial killer

04:10 , Graeme Massie

His Manhattan business describes him as a registered architect with over 30 years’ experience.

His neighbours describe him as a “family man” living with his wife and two children in a tight-knit community in Suffolk County.

But now authorities are describing him as the suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer who unleashed terror along the shores of Long Island more than a decade ago.

Who is Rex Heuermann?

The Independent’s Rachel Sharp reports:

Rex Heuermann: Who is serial killer suspect in Gilgo Beach murders

Billy Baldwin reveals unlikely connection to Gilgo Beach murders suspect

03:03 , Graeme Massie

Billy Baldwin has revealed he has an unlikely connection to suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann – following the shock arrest of the architect and married father-of-two.

The actor took to Twitter on Friday to announce his shock that his high school classmate had been arrested on suspicion of carrying out up to 11 unsolved murders on Long Island.

“Woke up this morning to learn that the Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect was my high school classmate Rex Heuermann,” he tweeted.

“Berner High School Massapequa, New York Class of 1981 Married, two kids, architect. “Average guy… quiet, family man.” Mind-boggling… Massapequa is in shock. 23andMe strikes again???”

Rex Heuermann insists on his innocence, attorney says

02:07 , Graeme Massie

Gilgo Beach murders suspect Rex Heuermann appeared in court on Friday as he insisted on his innocence.

Mr Heuermann, 59, is accused of murdering Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello — all sex workers in their 20s who disappeared in the Massapequa Park area in Long Island before their bodies were found during a separate missing person investigation in 2010.

The architect, a married father of two who lives in Massapequa Park and works in Manhattan, reportedly broke down in tears during his court appearance. He pleaded not to three counts of first-degree murder and three of second-degree murder.

“We just got appointed on this case. There’s not much I can tell you folks at this point in time,” his attorney, Michael Brown, told reporters, according to NBC. “I will say to you folks that it’s extremely circumstantial in nature. In terms of speaking to my client, the only thing I can tell you that he did say, as he was in tears, was ‘I didn’t do this.’”

Mr Heaurmann was walked out of the courthouse in handcuffs and wearing a polo shirt and khaki pants. He was held without bail as prosecutors had previously sought, citing his alleged recent searches for “sadistic materials, child pornography, images of the victims and their relatives.”

Gilgo Beach murders were the subject of 2020 Netflix film ‘Lost Girls’

01:04 , Graeme Massie

A suspect has been taken into custody on New York‘s Long Island in connection with a long-unsolved string of killings, known as the Gilgo Beach murders, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press on Friday.

The case has drawn immense public attention since human remains were found along a New York beach highway more than a decade ago.

The mystery attracted national headlines for many years and the unsolved killings were the subject of the 2020 Netflix film “Lost Girls.”

Rex Heuermann was taken into custody late Thursday and investigators were at a Massapequa home connected to the case on Friday.

WATCH: Gilgo Beach suspect Rex Heuermann ‘a demon that walks amongst us’, police say

Monday 17 July 2023 00:04 , Graeme Massie

Rudy Giuliani makes bizarre appearance at Gilgo Beach murder suspect’s house

Sunday 16 July 2023 22:50 , Graeme Massie

Former New York mayor showed up to Rex Heuermann’s property to cover case for new livestreaming show.

Rudy Giuliani makes bizarre appearance at Gilgo Beach murder suspect’s house

Rex Heuermann cries ‘I didn’t do this’ as he appears in court on Gilgo Beach murder charges

Sunday 16 July 2023 20:45 , Graeme Massie

Gilgo Beach murders suspect Rex Heuermann appeared in court on Friday as he insisted on his innocence.

Mr Heaurmann, 59, is accused of murdering Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello — all sex workers in their 20s who disappeared in the Massapequa Park area in Long Island before their bodies were found during a separate missing person investigation in 2010.

The Independent reports:

Rex Heuermann cries ‘I didn’t do this’ as he appears in court on Gilgo Beach charges

Rex Heuermann charged with three Gilgo Beach murders as burner phones and truck tie him to serial killings

Sunday 16 July 2023 19:06 , Graeme Massie

New York architect Rex Heuermann is facing charges in the murders of three Gilgo Beach victims, court documents released by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office revealed.

The unsolved murders sent fear through the shoreline community of Gilgo Beach but for more than a decade, few developments were made in the case. Last year, the Suffolk County Police Department, New York State Police, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI revamped the probe into the killings that ultimately led to Mr Heuermann’s bombshell arrest outside his Midtown office on Thursday.

Read more:

Rex Heuermann charged with Gilgo Beach murders as burner phones tie him to killings

WATCH: What we know about the new developments in the Gilgo Beach murders

Sunday 16 July 2023 18:02 , Graeme Massie

JonBenet Ramey’s brother says her killer will have similar profile to Giglo Beach suspect

Sunday 16 July 2023 17:32 , Graeme Massie

Rex Heuermann, 59, has pleaded not guilty to murder charges over the slayings of Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy and Amber Costello.

“No criminal record but you can’t hide this level of darkness. It will manifest itself in other areas of your life. Try as you might you can’t blend. JonBenet’s killer will likely have a similar bio,” tweeted JonBenet Ramsey’s half-brother John Andrew Ramsey after the arrest of Mr Heuermann.

Rudy Giuliani makes bizarre appearance at suspect’s home as investigators search it

Sunday 16 July 2023 17:13 , Graeme Massie

The former New York mayor drove up to the home of suspect Rex Heuermann on Long Island as investigators continued to search it on Saturday.

Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer sat in his car and chatted with police outside the property in Massapequa Park before driving away.

A spokesperson for Mr Giuliani told The New York Post that he was there to cover the case as part of a new livestream show.

“Mayor Rudy Giuliani—one of the most effective federal prosecutors in American history — was on scene to cover this heinous crime as part of his hit new livestream show, ‘America’s Mayor Live,’” Ted Goodman, Giuliani’s political advisor, told the newspaper.

“The mayor commends all involved in the case, but knows there is still work to be done in order to deliver justice.”

Rudy Giuliani turns up outside suspect’s home

Sunday 16 July 2023 15:00 , David Taintor

Rudy Giuliani turned up outside suspect Rex Heuermann’s home on Saturday, according to the New York Post.

“Mayor Rudy Giuliani—one of the most effective federal prosecutors in American history — was on scene to cover this heinous crime as part of his hit new livestream show, ‘America’s Mayor Live,’” Giulaini spokesman Ted Goodman told the paper in a statement. “The mayor commends all involved in the case, but knows there is still work to be done in order to deliver justice.”

These are the women suspect Rex Heuermann is accused of murdering

Sunday 16 July 2023 07:57 , Graeme Massie

Suffolk County Police Commissioner brands Gilgo Beach suspect an ‘animal'

Saturday 15 July 2023 23:01 , Graeme Massie

Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison branded Gilgo Beach murder suspect Rex Heuermann “an animal” on Saturday as he vowed to close all the murder cases linked to it.

“I’m not going to rest until we get all involved that committed all the crimes whether it’s this animal — or someone else,” Mr Harrison told The New York Post.

“We have 11 bodies all together,” he said. “You take out Shannan Gilbert. We were able to say that that was a horrible accident. We don’t believe that that was part of the murders.”

Mother of Gilgo Beach murders victim hopes suspect ‘suffers at hands of other inmates’

Saturday 15 July 2023 19:28 , Graeme Massie

Rex Heuermann, 59, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder in the first degree and three in the second degree.

Mother of Gilgo Beach murders victim hopes suspect ‘suffers’ in prison

Investigators remove items from Rex Heuermann’s Long Island home

Saturday 15 July 2023 18:45 , Graeme Massie

New York State police officers carry out a large item as law enforcement searches the home of Rex Heuermann on Saturday 15 July 2023, in Massapequa Park, New York.

Mr Heuermann’s acquaintances deem arrest ‘mind-boggling’

Saturday 15 July 2023 18:02 , Graeme Massie

One woman told News12 that it was “mind-boggling” that the “quiet” 59-year-old could be involved in the horrific case while another said that he was known to do outdoor activities such as woodwork.

Mr Heuermann works in Manhattan – where some of the Gilgo Beach victims were last seen alive – as the president of architecture firm RH Consultants & Associates.

According to the company website, he founded the company in 1994. It has since worked with the likes of Catholic Charities, NYC-DEP Sewerage Treatment and American Airlines and other major tenants at the JFK International Airport.

A company page called Meet The Team and featuring his photo appeared to be taken down on Friday morning as news of his arrest broke.

In an interview posted on YouTube by Bonjour Realty last year, the father-of-two said that he was “born and raised in Long Island” but had been “working in Manhattan since 1987... [a] very long time”.

Mother of victim wants to see suspect ‘suffer at the hands of other inmates'

Saturday 15 July 2023 13:52 , David Taintor

The mother of one of the Gilgo Beach murder victims has said she would like to see suspect Rex Heuermann “suffer at the hands of other inmates”.

In an interview with NBC News, Lynn Barthelemy said: “I’d like him to suffer at the hands of other inmates. Let him receive what the girls received. Death is too good for him. It’s too easy.”

Ms Barthelemy’s daughter, Melissa, disappeared in 2009.

Who is the suspect Rex Heuermann?

Saturday 15 July 2023 06:00 , Andrea Blanco

A 59-year-old architect with an office in Manhattan, Mr Heuermann is married with children and graduated from high school on Long Island. He faces three counts of murder in the first degree and three in the second degree over the deaths of Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy and Amber Costello.

The Gilgo Beach murders have long stumped law enforcement officials in Suffolk County who believed it could be the work of one or more serial killers who targeted sex workers and dumped their bodies along the remote beaches on Ocean Parkway.

The purported serial killer has been linked to up to 11 victims, though authorities have never been able to confirm if the same person was responsible for all.

Prosecutors reveal disturbing online searches

Friday 14 July 2023 22:52 , Andrea Blanco

Records also show that several online accounts under fictitious names linked to Mr Heuermann were used for illegal activities. Mr Heuermann allegedly used those accounts and burner phones to contact women for prostitution services, as well as making chilling online searches.

The searches included sadistic, torture-related pornography, child pornography and disturbing content. Mr Heuerman is also accused of searching “why could law enforcement not trace the calls made by the long island serial killer,” “why hasn’t the long island serial killer been caught” and “new phone technology may be key to break in case.”

Mr Heuermann continued to use burner phones as revamped investigation unfolded

Friday 14 July 2023 22:20 , Andrea Blanco

“Defendant Rex A. Heuermann was further linked to the burner cellphone ... because on May 19, 2023, Defendant Heuermann was observed by law enforcement via video and field surveillance, at a cellphone store in Midtown Manhattan, and purchased additional minutes which were added to this burner cellphone,” the bail application filed by prosecutors states.

‘Rex Heaurmann is a demon, Suffolk County police commissioner says

Friday 14 July 2023 21:47 , Andrea Blanco

“Rex Heaurmann is a demon that walks among us. He is a predator who ruined families,” Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison said during Friday’s press conference. “If not for the member of this task force, he would still be free today.”

Mr Harrison added that Mr Heuermann’s arrest is only the first step in the process of bringing justice to the families.

Mr Heuermann held without bail: ‘I didn’t do this’

Friday 14 July 2023 21:32 , Andrea Blanco

Mr Heaurmann appeared in court on Friday, where he was ordered held without bail.

“We just got appointed on this case. There’s not much I can tell you folks at this point in time,” his attorney, Michael Brown told reporters, according to NBC. “I will say to you folks that it’s extremely circumstantial in nature. In terms of speaking to my client, the only thing I can tell you that he did say, as he was in tears, was ‘I didn’t do this.’”

Mr Heuarmann allegedly broke down in tears and claimed to be innocent.

Suspect’s vehicle was first linked to the crime

Friday 14 July 2023 21:10 , Andrea Blanco

Mr Heuermann was first linked to the cold case in March after investigators discovered that a first-generation Chevrolet Avalanche registered to Mr Heuermann was possibly the one spotted by a witness in Costello’s disappearance.

Mr Heuermann, a married father of two, also lives in Massapequa Park, near where the victims disappeared from.

As law enforcement closed in on Mr Heuermann, they served more than 300 subpoenas and search warrants that uncovered cellphone records for burner phones used to arrange meetings with three of the “Gilgo Four” victims before they went missing.

WATCH LIVE: Police hold press conference after suspect arrested in Gilgo Beach murders

Friday 14 July 2023 21:10 , Andrea Blanco

Police hold press conference after suspect arrested in Gilgo Beach murders

Mr Heuermann searched ‘why hasn’t the long island serial killer been caught?'

Friday 14 July 2023 20:49 , Andrea Blanco

Prosecutors noted in court records that several online accounts under fictitious names linked to Mr Heuermann were used for illegal activities.

Mr Heuermann allegedly used those accounts and burner phones to contact women for prostitution services, as well as making chilling online searches.

The searches included sadistic, torture-related pornography, child pornography and disturbing content. Mr Heuerman is also accused of searching “why could law enforcement not trace the calls made by the long island serial killer,” “why hasn’t the long island serial killer been caught” and “new phone technology may be key to break in case.”

“Defendant Heuermann also searched for and viewed articles concerning the very Task Force that was investigating him,” investigators noted in the bail application.

Prosecutors seek to deny bail for Heuermann

Friday 14 July 2023 20:40 , Megan Sheets

The Suffolk County District Attorney is asking the court to deny bail for Mr Heuermann when he appears in court to face the six murder charges today.

“Based on the serious, heinous nature of these offenses, the strength of the People’s case, the life incarceration the defendant faces upon conviction, the extreme measures this defendant took to attempt to avoid apprehension for an extended period of time, the recent sadistic and child pornography searches, use of fictitious names, email and cellphone “burner” accounts, online counter-surveillance and his access to and history of possessing firearms, the People believe that the only means to ensure the defendant’s return to court is to remand the defendant without bail,” the bail application states.

Pizza crust and hair linked Heuermann to one victim

Friday 14 July 2023 20:20 , Megan Sheets

Among the evidence linking Mr Heuermann to the murders was a hair found on burlap material used to wrap victim Megan Waterman’s corpse, court documents state.

Officials had been unable to conduct DNA analysis on the hair early in the investigation but ultimately submitted it for further testing in July 2020.

To compare the DNA with Mr Heuermann, a surveillance team recovered a pizza box discarded by him into a Manhattan trash can.

A swab from a crust left in the box confirmed a DNA match with the suspect on 12 June.

‘Major step forward’, Suffolk County executive says

Friday 14 July 2023 20:10 , Megan Sheets

Suffolk County officials held a brief press conference on Friday afternoon - ahead of a more formal one set for 4pm.

County Executive Steve Bellone noted that the Gilgo Beach murders have hung over his entire tenure.

“I could tell you that during that time, the focus for members of our team have been on bringing justice to these victims, and closure to these families who have suffered. Today’s developments take us a major step forward in doing exactly that,” he said.

He went on to praise Suffolk County Police for their relentless efforts to catch the killer.

“Nonstop dogged determination of the men and women of the Suffolk County police department, our investigators, and our partners in law enforcement including the Nassau County Police department… all of that work never stopped.”

“The work is not done, and you will hear more details on that later today,” he added.

Heuerman’s wife was out of town at time of killings, documents show

Friday 14 July 2023 19:55 , Megan Sheets

Cellphone records obtained over the course of the extensive investigation reportedly indicated that Mr Heuermann’s wife was outside of New York state at the time of the killings he is now formally accused of.

The document outlining the charges states: “Significantly, travel records show that on July 8, 2009, Defendant Heuermann’s wife departed the United States for Iceland. On August 18, 2009, Defendant Heuermann’s wife returned to the United States. Consequently, Defendant Heuermann’s wife was out of the country during the time of Melissa Barthelemy’s disappearance.

“Based upon cellular telephone billing records, on June 4, 2010, the cellular telephone subscribed to by Defendant Heuermann’s wife traveled from New York to Maryland. On June 8, 2010, the cellular telephone subscribed to by Defendant Heuermann’s wife returned to New York from Maryland. Consequently, based upon cellular telephone records, the cellular telephone subscribed to by Defendant Heuermann’s wife was out of New York State during the time of Megan Waterman’s disappearance.

“Based upon cellular telephone billing records, on August 28, 2010, the cellular telephone subscribed to by Defendant Heuermann’s wife traveled from New York to New Jersey. On September 5, 2010, the cellular telephone subscribed to by his wife returned to New York from New Jersey. Consequently, the cellular telephone subscribed to by Defendant Heuermann’s wife was out of New York State during the time of Amber Costello’s disappearance.”

Over 200 searches related to ‘Long Island Killer’ in Heuermann internet history

Friday 14 July 2023 19:40 , Megan Sheets

Alarming details about Mr Heuermann’s alleged search history were outlined in the new document stating his charges and what led to them.

Between March 2022 and June 2023, the suspect allegedly made more than 200 searches relating to:

• “why could law enforcement not trace the calls made by the long island serial killer”

• “why hasn’t the long island serial killer been caught”

• “Long Island Serial Killer update”

• “Long Island Serial Killer Update 2022”

• “FBI active serial killers”

• “Megan Waterman”

• “Melissa Barthelemy”

• “Maureen Brainard-Barnes”

• “Cops launch Gilgo Beach Homicide Investigation Task Force”

• “Mapping the Long Island Murder Victims”

• “Inside the Long Island Serial Killer and Gilgo Beach”

Three victims among ‘Gilgo Four'

Friday 14 July 2023 19:28 , Megan Sheets

The three victims Mr Heuermann is charged with killing - Melissa Barthelemy, 24; Megan Waterman, 22; and Amber Costello, 27 - are among the so-called “Gilgo Four” whose remains were discovered in December 2010.

He is not charged in connection with the fourth victim, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, though he is considered the “prime suspect in her death”.

An investigation into the 25-year-old’s death is still ongoing.

The notorious Gilgo Beach serial killer has long been linked to up to 11 killings, though police have never been certain whether they were all connected.

Read more from The Independent’s Andrea Blanco:

Rex Heuermann charged with Gilgo Beach murders as burner phones tie him to killings

Heuermann first linked to killings in March 2022

Friday 14 July 2023 19:18 , Megan Sheets

The bail application that revealed the charges explained that investigators first came across Mr Heuermann’s name in connection with the killings in March 2022, two months after launching a new task force to review years of evidence in the case.

That review led to the discovery of a Chevrolet Avalanche that was registered to Mr Heuermann at the time of the murders.

The car stood out because a witness to victim Amber Castello’s disappearance had identified the same kind of car as being driven by her suspected killer.

From there, investigators used over 300 subpoenas, search warrants and “other legal processes” to pull together a case.

The evidence includes “cellphone billing records for Defendant Heuermann corresponding to cell site locations for 1) the burner cellphones used to arrange meetings with three of the four victims, 2) the taunting calls made to a relative of Ms. Barthelemy, 3) a call made by a detective to Ms. Barthelemy’s cellphone while looking into her disappearance and 4) calls checking voicemail on Ms. Brainard-Barnes’ cellphone after her disappearance.”

Six charges filed against Heuermann

Friday 14 July 2023 19:13 , Megan Sheets

Charging documents released by the Suffolk County District Attorney listed six counts of murder against Mr Heuermann.

• MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE, in violation of New York State Penal Law Section 125.27(1)(a)(xi), a class A-I violent felony for the death of Melissa Barthelemy on or about July 10, 2009

• MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE, in violation of New York State Penal Law Section 125.27(1)(a)(xi), a class A-I violent felony for the death of Megan Waterman on or about June 6, 2010

• MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE, in violation of New York State Penal Law Section 125.27(1)(a)(xi), a class A-I violent felony for the death of Amber Costello on or about September 2, 2010

• MURDER IN THE SECOND DEGREE, in violation of New York State Penal Law Section 125.25(1), a class A-I violent felony for the death of Melissa Barthelemy on or about July 10, 2009

• MURDER IN THE SECOND DEGREE, in violation of New York State Penal Law Section 125.25(1), a class A-I violent felony for the death of Megan Waterman on or about June 6, 2010;

• MURDER IN THE SECOND DEGREE, in violation of New York State Penal Law Section 125.25(1), a class A-I violent felony for the death of Amber Costello on or about September 2, 2010.

Rex Heuermann charged with murders of three Gilgo beach victims

Friday 14 July 2023 19:02 , Andrea Blanco

Mr Heuermann is accused of murdering Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello, according to court records.

Shannan Gilbert’s 911 call saying ‘someone is after me’ was released earlier this year

Friday 14 July 2023 18:45 , Andrea Blanco

Earlier this year, police released the full audio of a 2010 911 call in which a woman, insisting people are trying to kill her, runs for her life before she disappeared.

The search for her remains led police to the bodies of 10 other individuals who are believed to be the victims of a serial killer.

Shannan Gilbert was 24 when she went missing in 2010. Just before her disappearance, she made a 911 call alerting authorities to her fears that someone was menacing her.

During the call, Ms Gilbert sounds disoriented and repeatedly tells the 911 operator that “somebody’s after me”.

When asked where she is, Ms Gilbert says she doesn’t know, and asks if 911 can trace her call. The operator tells her they cannot and asks her for a callback number, to which she hesitates and again states that “somebody’s after me. Please.”

Later in the call it is revealed that Ms Gilbert is somewhere on Long Island in New York.

Ms Gilbert’s skeletal remains were located more than a year later in a marsh eight miles from Gilgo Beach.

Police ruled out murder at the time of her discovery, theorising that she may have been under the influence and ran into the marsh, where she died by hypothermia or drowning.

However, her family demanded an independent autopsy, which found that her death was consistent with a homicide.

Billy Bladwin says Gilgo Beach murders suspect was former classmate

Friday 14 July 2023 18:25 , Andrea Blanco

Shannan Gilbert’s sister reacts to breakthrough in Gilgo Beach murders investigation

Friday 14 July 2023 18:15 , Andrea Blanco

It was the search for missing Shannon Gilbert that led to the discovery of several bodies in the Gilgo Beach area.

Although Suffolk County authorities have consistently denied in the last decade that Gilbert’s death is linked to the serial killer case, her family has contested those assertions.

Gilbert’s sister Sherre Gilbert welcomed news of the bombshell arrest of 59-year-old architect Rex Heuermann on Thursday night.

“I am overwhelmed but relieved that they finally caught him. It’s been a long time coming and I never gave up hope that one day justice would be served,” Ms Gilbert said in a statement to NBC News.

“The suspect deserves to rot in prison for the rest of his life.

“He destroyed many lives so while it won’t bring our loved ones back, it does help that one less monster is off the streets and he can’t ever hurt anyone else!”

Rex Heuermann made ‘no imprint at all'

Friday 14 July 2023 17:55 , Sheila Flynn

Manhattan architect Rex Heuermann has been arrested on suspicion of being the Gilgo Beach killer, otherwise known as the Long Island serial killer.

Heuermann was taken into custody in Long Island on Thursday in connection to a long string of unsolved murders in the area.

One of the suspect’s neighbours in Massapequa, who has lived a stone’s throw from the Heuermanns for more than two decades, told The Independent that Mr Heuermann, along with his wife and two children, were “a very quiet family” who made “no imprint at all” on the neighbourhood.

“Basically, we never had any contact with him .... living here 22 years and never said two words to him,” the long-time Massapequa Park resident said, while quick to point out that “one bad apple doesn’t spoil the bunch” in a “great neighbourhood.”

New York Governor Kathy Hochul hopes arrest brings ‘peace to families’

Friday 14 July 2023 17:45 , Andrea Blanco

“The day has finally come,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said at an unrelated news briefing, according to NBC News.

“Hopefully after further news is unveiled today the answer will be yes, yes, the day has finally come when someone so deprived, depraved of heart, would kill individuals, innocent individuals in the prime of their young lives, is finally brought to justice.”

Who was Gilgo Beach murder victim Melissa Barthelemy?

Friday 14 July 2023 17:35 , Andrea Blanco

The search for missing Shannon Gilbert led to the discovery of Melissa Barthelemy’s remains near Gilgo Beach on December 11, 2010.

Barthelemy was last seen at her residence in the Bronx on 12 July 2009.

She told a friend, who knew she was a sex worker, that she was going to meet a client but didn’t give more details.

Barthelemy’s mother reported her missing to the NYPD on 18 July, and an investigation showed cellphone activity in Manhattan, Freeport, Massapequa and Lindenhurst.

Barthelemy’s younger sister received taunting calls from her phone that police believe were made by the killer.

According to the Suffolk County Police Department, Barthelemy is believed to be the second of the “Gilgo Four” to be killed.

How the Gilgo Beach serial killer turned the Long Island shore into a graveyard

Friday 14 July 2023 17:25 , Andrea Blanco

More than a decade after 11 bodies were found dumped in Long Beach, married father-of-two and Manhattan-based architect Rex Heuermann is under arrest.

Does this mean the hunt for the Gilgo Beach serial killer is finally over?

The Independent’s Rachel Sharp reports:

How the Gilgo Beach serial killer turned the Long Island shore into a graveyard

Gilgo beach murders suspect was under surveillance

Friday 14 July 2023 17:05 , Andrea Blanco

Rex Heuermann, 59, was arrested in connection with four unsolved murders in Gilgo Beach, Suffolk County.

The architect was taken into custody around 8.30pm on Thursday near his Midtown office.

Before the arrest, Mr Heuerman had reportedly been under surveillance by law enforcement, according to ABC News.

The development comes more than a decade after four bodies were found within a quarter mile in Gilgo Beach in December 2010.

The victims have been identified as Maureen Brainard Barnes, Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Lynn Costello.

Authorities were investigating the death of Shannan Gilbert when they made the series of gruesome discoveries, but determined Gilbert’s death was not linked to the serial killer cold case. However, her family contests those findings.

Who is Gilgo Beach murder suspect Rex Heuermann?

Friday 14 July 2023 16:45 , Andrea Blanco

Mr Heuermann works in Manhattan – where some of the Gilgo Beach victims were last seen alive – as the president of the architecture firm RH Consultants & Associates.

According to the company website, he founded the company in 1994. It has since worked with the likes of Catholic Charities, NYC-DEP Sewerage Treatment, American Airlines and other major tenants at the JFK International Airport.

A company page called Meet The Team and featuring his photo appeared to be taken down on Friday morning as news of his arrest broke.

Neighbours reveal shock at arrest of ‘family man’ Rex Heuermann

Friday 14 July 2023 16:25 , Rachel Sharp

Neighbours told News12 that Rex Heuermann was a “family man” who lived in the close-knit community with his wife and two children.

One woman said that it was “ming-boggling” that the “quiet” 59-year-old could be involved in the horrific case.

Meanwhile, another said that he was known to do outdoor activities such as woodwork.

Victims’ families learned last week police were close to arrest

Friday 14 July 2023 16:10 , Rachel Sharp

An attorney representing two of the victim’s families has said that they learned around a week ago that an arrest was close.

John Ray, who represents the families of Shannan Gilbert and Jessica Taylor, told News 12 that they “had a very strong, credible tip that they were about to close in on an arrest”.

But, he said that they were not too optimistic – given the case has rumbled on for more than a decade – and had not been told anything official.

“We’re pleased if they actually managed to find somebody that can be tagged for this,” he said.

“We’re pleased that something is finally occurring, because we’ve been frustrated.”

UPDATE: Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect identified as Rex Heuermann

Friday 14 July 2023 16:01 , Rachel Sharp

Manhattan architect Rex Heuermann has been identified as the man arrested on suspicion of being the infamous Gilgo Beach serial killer.

Police sources told News 12 Long Island that Mr Heuermann, 59, was taken into custody on Thursday in connection with the unsolved murders. Multiple other reports including NBC News also named the architect as the suspect arrested in the case.

PICTURED: Map showing proximity of home being searched by police and Gilgo Beach where bodies were dumped

Friday 14 July 2023 15:50 , Rachel Sharp

Press conference to be held this afternoon

Friday 14 July 2023 15:30 , Rachel Sharp

New York officials will hold a press conference at 4pm ET on Friday afternoon following what they are describing as a “significant development” in the Gilgo Beach murders case.

The press conference will be held at the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office.

Suffolk County DA Raymomd Tierney, Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison, Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr as well as representatives from the New York State Police and the FBI.