OAN’s Abril Elfi
11:03 AM – Friday, July 14, 2023
A suspect in connection with the Gilgo Beach murders, a cold-case investigation that dates back to over a decade ago, is now in custody.
The suspect, identified as Rex Heuermann, was arrested on Thursday at around 8:30 p.m. in Manhattan.
Heuermann, a married father of two who works in architecture in Manhattan, is being investigated in connection with the killings of the “Gilgo Four.”
Maureen Brainard Barnes, Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Lynn Costello were recognized as the “Gilgo Four” by DNA testing. In 2010 and 2011, all of their remains were found within a quarter mile of one another near Gilgo Beach. All of the victims were in their 20s and were employed as escorts.
Investigators are currently searching Heuermann’s residence in Massapequa Park on Long Island.
Heuermann, who had been on police’s radar for months, was identified by using communication analytics, which are only available to federal law enforcement.
The former management of the Suffolk Police Department initially refused assistance from outside law enforcement. Nonetheless, as only federal law enforcement has the capacity and resources to analyze the volume of telephone records that focused on the suspect and his Massapequa Park address, the FBI’s involvement became crucial to this investigation.
“It’s my 12th year as county executive,” said Steve Bellone, Suffolk County Executive. “I’ve lived with the Gilgo Beach investigation for my entire tenure as county executive.”
“The focus has been on bringing justice for these victims and closure to these families who have suffered,” Bellone continued.
According to law enforcement, seven other people’s remains were found in 2011 near where the “Gilgo Four” were found. However, police are not sure if the murders are connected and suspect there might be multiple serial killers.
Suffolk County Police and prosecutors are anticipated to give an update on the Gilgo Beach case on Friday at 4 p.m. ET.
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