Rex Heuermann, the former Manhattan architect accused of being Long Island's serial killer, is expected to plead guilty at his next court appearance in April, family members of the women he is accused of killing told Newsday.
Background
Heuermann, 62, was arrested in July 2023 and charged with the deaths of seven sex workers who vanished between 1993 and 2010. The case garnered national attention for the so-called "Gilgo 4" — four women whose remains were found dead along a secluded stretch of Gilgo Beach in December 2010.
The seven victims charged include Valerie Mack, 24; Jessica Taylor, 20; Megan Waterman, 22; Melissa Barthelemy, 24; Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25; Sandra Costilla, 28; and Amber Lynn Costello, 27. The deaths of these women remained unsolved until the case was reopened in 2022.
Heuermann was initially charged with three of the Gilgo 4 — Waterman, Barthelemy and Costello. The fourth, Brainard-Barnes, was added shortly afterward, followed by Taylor and Costilla. Mack was the last to be added to the list.
The Gilgo 4 women all disappeared between 2007 and 2009. Mack disappeared in 2000 and Taylor in 2003; their bodies were found near one another in the woodlands near Manorville. Costilla's body was found in North Sea in 1993.
Heuermann has publicly denied any connection to the murders, and his trial was expected to begin in September.
The Investigation
Among the evidence against Heuermann is DNA that linked him to six of the seven women. The DNA belonged to Heuermann, his wife and his daughter — and in the case of Costilla, to his wife at the time of Costilla's killing.
Prosecutors also revealed a "planning document" they found during a search of Heuermann's Massapequa home that provided details on how to carry out the killings and avoid capture.
Newsday did not obtain any details of a possible plea deal, and it could fall apart by Heuermann's April 8 court date — or the judge could decline to sign off on it.
Key Takeaways
- Heuermann, 62, is expected to plead guilty at his April 8 court appearance
- He faces charges in the deaths of seven sex workers who vanished between 1993 and 2010
- DNA evidence linked him to six of the seven victims
- A "planning document" found at his home detailed how to carry out killings and avoid capture
- His trial was scheduled to begin in September before the expected plea
What's Next
The April 8 hearing has been scheduled for a defense motion filed in the case. If Heuermann does change his plea at that time, the judge will set a date for sentencing. The potential plea deal could still fall apart before or during the hearing, and the judge retains discretion over whether to approve any agreement.