LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK: Rex Heuermann was arrested on Friday morning, July 14 in connection to the Gilgo Beach string of killings and his acquaintance states his "weird" behavior now "makes sense that he's a serial killer." The person who professionally knew the 59-year-old architect said he was a "big talker."
Heuermann who called himself a "troubleshooter" was busted by a special task force who have been focusing on the long-unsolved multiple-homicide case making a breakthrough in the 13-year hunt for the suspect. On Friday, he pleaded not guilty to three counts of first-degree murder charges in the grisly killings of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello. Heuermann is also considered the prime suspect in the death of another of the so-called 'Gilgo Four' who was identified as Maureen Brainard-Barnes, according to the New York Post.
Did Rex Heuermann exhibit 'weird' behavior?
Heuermann is the president of RH Architecture Design that he founded in 1994, the acquaintance whose identity is not revealed said, "He would always stand out. He was very personable. He would always make a point to talk to everyone in the room."
"He was a big talker, promising to make professional connections and then never following through," they said and noted that they met the suspect about 10 times and knew him from the "architecture industry." "He was weird. He was always odd. He’d mosey around. We knew something was odd about him," the person added.
DNA found on tossed pizza crust linked Heuermann to one of the victims
The married father of two was arrested in connection to the mysterious deaths of the 'Gilgo Four,' all of whom were advertised as sex workers. According to his bail application, he was linked to one of the victims through the DNA found on a tossed pizza crust. In late 2019, the bodies of the four women who were strangled to death were discovered along a strip of Ocean Parkway situated near Gilgo Beach.
The source said "It's shocking. It's terrifying" to learn about the architect's alleged involvement in the serial killings. "You never think you’re going to come in contact with a serial killer. I never got the impression he was sleazy to women," said the source and added, "I feel like it makes sense he’s a serial killer. He’s a weirdo."
Cheryl Lombardi, who has been living down the street from Heuermann's home in Massapequa Park since 1989 was shocked about his arrest. "It’s a little scary. It can be anywhere. It could be your neighbor and you would never know," said Lombardi.
