Rex Heuemann's court-ordered therapist provided therapy to the Gilgo Beach serial killer for nearly three years while practicing without a license — and now faces felony fraud charges for collecting tens of thousands of dollars in bogus insurance reimbursements, according to charging documents.
Background
Heuemann was arrested on July 13, 2023, and subsequently convicted of murdering eight women whose remains were found along Gilgo Beach in Suffolk County: Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, Amber Lynn Costello, Sandra Costilla, Jessica Taylor, Valerie Mack, and Karen Vergata. He was sentenced on June 17, 2026, before Judge Timothy Mazzei at Suffolk County Court in Riverhead.
During his incarceration, Heuemann met with therapist Alison Winter, 52, who served as his jailhouse counselor for approximately three years. According to court records, Winter was present when Heuemann confessed to his wife and daughter that he had murdered the eight women.
The revelation about Winter's unlicensed practice emerged during her November 2024 arraignment proceedings in Central Islip.
The Investigation
Winter was arrested in November 2024 on multiple charges including three counts of grand larceny, scheme to defraud, and 14 counts of unauthorized practice of a profession. Prosecutors allege she posed as a licensed clinical social worker between November 2018 and May 2024 — roughly six years — without possessing the required credentials.
Assistant District Attorney Cory Neunzig detailed the alleged fraud at Winter's arraignment in First District Court in Central Islip on Nov. 26, 2024, according to a transcript obtained by Newsday.
"Between November of 2018 and May [2024] — so about six years' time — [Winter] did practice social work in the form of mental health counseling without a license," Neunzig stated.
Prosecutors allege Winter received $60,000 in insurance reimbursements for services she was not legally qualified to provide. Nearly $50,000 of that amount was billed to Cigna, with additional claims submitted through Medicare and UnitedHealthcare.
Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney confirmed the charges remained pending as of the most recent court filings.
Key Takeaways
- Alison Winter, 52, served as Rex Heuemann's jailhouse therapist for nearly three years while lacking a valid social work license
- She allegedly received $60,000 in fraudulent insurance reimbursements, including nearly $50,000 from Cigna alone
- Winter faces three counts of grand larceny, scheme to defraud, and 14 counts of unauthorized practice of a profession
- She was present for Heuemann's confession to his family that he had murdered eight women
- The alleged unlicensed practice spanned approximately six years between November 2018 and May 2024
What's Next
Winter is scheduled to appear in First District Court in Central Islip on July 21 for the next proceeding in her case. Prosecutors have indicated they will continue building their fraud case against the unlicensed therapist while the charges remain pending.