In total, the location on Long Island has yielded the remains of nine women, a man, and a young child. Investigators think that a serial killer was responsible for certain deaths.
Written by William K. Rashbaum, Corey Kilgannon, and Maria Cramer.
According to law enforcement sources, a man has been detained in connection with a string of murders of women that have occurred close to Gilgo Beach on Long Island’s South Shore.
An official with knowledge of the case stated that Rex Heuermann, an architect who spent the majority of his life in Nassau County and worked in Manhattan, was detained in connection with at least part of the homicides.
He lived in a modest, one-story house with worn red paint on a block of First Avenue in Massapequa Park. By Friday morning, police had surrounded the area and sealed off his home.
During a brief press conference held outside the home late on Friday morning, Suffolk County police commissioner Rodney Harrison revealed that the cops had made the arrest in Midtown Manhattan on Thursday night. Commissioner Harrison, who declined to give the identify of the person detained, stated that the suspect was anticipated to be indicted Friday afternoon.
The arrest, according to Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, was made possible by “the nonstop dogged determination” of numerous organizations . He added that he hoped it would provide “justice for these victims and closure for these families who have suffered.”
Residents were horrified by the crimes for more than ten years as body after body was found in the secluded location, which is 40 miles from Midtown. In total, the area contained the remains of nine women, a man, and a young child. Investigators have been looking into whether one killer or several killers were responsible for the killings for years.Mr. Bellone declared, “The task is not finished, but this is a tremendous, major stride ahead.
The majority, if not all, of Mr . Heuermann’s life was spent in Massapequa Park, a neat working-class suburb located about an hour from Midtown Manhattan by rail or car. His “average” demeanor and daily commute to the Massapequa Park train station while carrying a briefcase were described by his neighbors.
Barry Auslander, a neighbor, remarked “Watching him walk to the train, you’d never think he was anything but a businessman.”
After hearing about this case for so long, Cheryl Lombardi, a neighbor, said it was shocking.
On Friday morning, no one picked up the phone at Mr. Heuermann’s company, RH Consultants and Associates. A request for comment through email did not receive a prompt response.
In a February 2022 interview, Mr. Heuermann identified himself as an architect, architectural consultant, and owner of a “extensive library of obsolete books.” He also said he closely examined building and administrative codes.
He stated in the 18-and-a-half -minute interview with Antoine Amira, a real estate agent and host of a show on YouTube called Bonjour Realty, “I’m a troubleshooter, born and raised on Long Island , been working in Manhattan since 1987 — very long time.”
On Friday, it remained unclear how many of the murders had been connected to Mr. Heuermann.
One of the earliest fatalities was that of Shannan Gilbert, a 24-year-old Jersey City, New Jersey, prostitute who was reported missing on Long Island in May 2010. She vanished while working as an escort in the private neighborhood of Oak Beach, which is three miles from Gilgo Beach.
Three miles from the location of Ms. Gilbert’s last known whereabouts, Suffolk County police discovered four bodies wrapped in burlap seven months later along Ocean Parkway. Amber Lynn Costello, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Megan Waterman, and Melissa Barthelemy were recognized by DNA in 2011. They were all escorts who were in their 20s. Later that year, they discovered Valerie Mack’s remains, a 24-year-old mother from southern New Jersey who had been missing for 20 years and had supported herself by working as an escort.
Investigators have claimed they do not think Ms. Gilbert’s killing was related to the serial killer , despite the fact that her remains were discovered in December 2011. The family of Ms. Gilbert disagrees and has asked for the disclosure of additional proof.
Although the authorities have stated that they think some of the fatalities were the result of a serial killer, the inquiry has been fruitless for years.
At a press conference in 2020, the detectives unveiled a photo of what they claimed to be a key piece of information gathered early on in the case: a black leather belt with two letters about half an inch tall etched on it. Investigators determined that it spells the initials “W H” or “H M.”
The long-established family home of Mr. Heuermann, according to his neighbors , had vegetation on a roof that was partially supported by bare wood. He also attended Alfred G. Berner High School. The modest house stood out from the well-kept homes on the block with its cracked and faded roofs and untidy yard.
According to other neighbors, the house was avoided by neighbors on the block during special occasions like Halloween since it was messy and no one knew who lived there.
Mr. Heuermann stated during the interview with Mr. Amira that his father was an aerospace engineer who assisted in the construction of satellites and made furniture at home. According to Mr. Heuermann, he also creates furniture in a home workshop.
Mr. Heuermann noted the “patience” and “tolerance” required to deal with out-of-town architects terrified by New York’s complex building laws while seated at a desk and wearing a light blue button-down shirt.
He claimed that his work has increased his knowledge of “how to understand people.”
Mr. Amira requested a selfie with Mr. Heuermann after the interview. Mr. Heuermann slipped on a pair of black sunglasses. He was a tall, broad-shouldered guy who towered over Mr. Amira.
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