Gilgo Beach murders – live: Long Island serial killer suspect Rex Heuermann charged with killing three

Manhattan architect Rex Heuermann has been charged with six counts of murder in connection with the infamous Gilgo Beach serial killings.

The Suffolk County District Attorney’s office released charging documents on Friday confirming Mr Heuermann, 59, as the suspected serial killer who targeted sex workers and dumped their bodies along remote Long Island beaches.

He is expected to appear in court later this afternoon to face three counts of murder in the first degree and three in second degree.

Mr Heuermann was taken into custody on Thursday in connection with the unsolved murders of at least 11 victims more than a decade ago in Suffolk County.

The case began in May 2010 when Shannan Gilbert, a 24-year-old sex worker, vanished after leaving a client’s house on foot near Gilgo Beach.

During a search for Gilbert in dense thicket close to the beach, police discovered the remains of another woman.

Within a matter of days, the remains of three more victims were found close by.

By spring 2011, the remains of a total of 10 victims had been found including eight women, a man, and a toddler. Gilbert’s remains were then found that December.

Key points

• 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

• Is the arrest connected to latest discovery of human remains?

• Heavy police presence at home in Massapequa Park

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

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

00:00 , Andrea Blanco

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.

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

23:31 , Andrea Blanco

Prosecutors reveal disturbing online searches

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

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.

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

22:00 , Andrea Blanco

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

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

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’

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

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

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?'

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

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

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

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

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

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'

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

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

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

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

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

18:25 , Andrea Blanco

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

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'

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’

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?

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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

15:50 , Rachel Sharp

Press conference to be held this afternoon

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.

WATCH: Last known sighting of Gilgo Beach murders' victim

15:10 , Rachel Sharp

PICTURED: Map showing location of 10 victims’ remains found along Gilgo Beach since 2010

14:50 , Rachel Sharp

The murders:

14:46 , Rachel Sharp

The case began in May 2010 when Shannan Gilbert, a 24-year-old sex worker, vanished after leaving a client’s house on foot near Gilgo Beach.

She called 911 for help saying she feared for her life and was never seen alive again.

During a search for Gilbert in dense thicket close to the beach, police discovered the remains of another woman.

Within a matter of days, the remains of three more victims were found close by.

By spring 2011, the remains of a total of 10 victims had been found including eight women, a man, and a toddler.

Gilbert’s body was found in December 2011. Her cause of death is widely contested with authorities long claiming that it is not connected to the serial killer or killers but that she died from accidental drowning as she fled from the client’s home.

However, an independent autopsy commissioned by her family ruled that she died by strangulation and her mother believes she was murdered.

Like Gilbert, most of the victims targeted were sex workers.

Four victims are still yet to be identified more than 10 years on from the discovery of their bodies.

Several theories have been mulled over the years but no one had ever been charged with the killings.

Authorities have previously said they believe that three separate serial killers could be responsible for the slayings over a period of around 20 years.

Is the arrest connected to latest discovery of human remains?

14:30 , Rachel Sharp

News of a suspect being taken into custody comes a day after New York state police were called to a report of skeletal remains found in a wooded area off the Southern State Parkway in Islip, Long Island.

A press conference was planned for near that site on Friday afternoon.

It remains unclear if these remains are linked to the Gilgo Beach case and the arrest of a suspect in that case.

Sources: Suspect taken into custody Thursday

14:15 , Rachel Sharp

The suspect was taken into custody in Massapequa late on Thursday, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press on Friday.

On Friday morning, investigators were searching a home connected to the case, the official said.

The suspect has not been publicly named.

UPDATE: Suffolk police confirm ‘significant development’ in Gilgo Beach case

14:04 , Rachel Sharp

Arrest comes after police commissioner created a Gilgo Beach Homicide Investigation Task Force

14:00 , Rachel Sharp

News of the shock arrest comes after Suffolk Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison vowed to finally close the case and bring the killer or killers to justice when he was appointed to the role in early 2022.

“I want to make a commitment to the residents of Suffolk County as well as the family members,” Mr Harrison, a former NYPD chief said in his first press briefing in his new role at the Long Island beach at the center of the murders in January 2022.

“We will not rest until we bring those accountable to justice.”

He added: “There’s a commitment, a relentless pursuit to identify the individuals and bring them to justice. That’s for the family members to hear, to let them know that we will not rest, and we will make sure we do everything we have to do to hold them accountable.”

The newly-appointed commissioner said that, with “a set of fresh eyes”, he had faith that he could get the cold case “across the finish line”.

Four months later, police released the 911 call made by Gilbert on the night that she disappeared – something that Ms Gilbert’s family had been calling for for years.

In the call, Gilbert is heard repeatedly telling the 911 operator that “somebody’s after me”.

Later in the call, she is heard arguing with a man – who she refers to as Mike – who appears to be trying to encourage her to get back inot a car.

At one point, Gilbert is heard asking if he is “going to kill” her. “These people are plotting to kill me,” she then tells the dispatcher.

It is not clear if the release of the 911 call after all these years helped lead law enforcement to the suspect.

Suffolk County police response:

13:45 , Rachel Sharp

A police spokesperson told The Independent that they have “no confirmation” about the reports that a suspect is in custody.

No press conference has been scheduled as of yet.

Heavy police presence on scene in Massapequa Park on Friday morning

13:35 , Rachel Sharp

Suspect arrested: What we know so far

13:25 , Rachel Sharp

A suspect has been arrested over the infamous Gilgo Beach serial killings.

Police sources told News 12 Long Island that an individual had been taken into custody in connection with the unsolved murders of 10 people on Long Island.

Swathes of New York State and Suffolk County police officers were on the scene of First Avenue in Massapequa Park on Friday morning but would not confirm an arrest had been made, the local outlet reported.

The identity of the suspect is currently unknown and it is not clear what led to the sudden breakthrough in the case over a decade after bodies began being dumped along remote beaches.

The Independent has reached out to Suffolk County police for more information.

Follow for updates as more information becomes available.

BREAKING NEWS: Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect arrested for 10 murders on Long Island

13:14 , Rachel Sharp

A suspect has been arrested on suspicion of being the infamous Gilgo Beach serial killer responsible for 10 murders on Long Island.

Police sources told News 12 Long Island that an individual had been taken into custody in connection with the unsolved murders which terrorised the community in Suffolk County more than a decade ago.

Swathes of New York State and Suffolk County police officers were on the scene of First Avenue in Massapequa Park on Friday morning but would not confirm an arrest had been made, the local outlet reported.

Read the full story:

Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect arrested for murders of 10 women on Long Island

Welcome to The Independent’s liveblog

13:11 , Rachel Sharp

Follow all the latest developments about the breakthrough in this major murder case