LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK: New details have emerged surrounding the arrest of Rex Heuermann, the suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer, who was apparently taken into custody without resistance. Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison recounted to TMZ how the arresting officers approached Heuermann on the streets of New York City last Friday, July 14, informing him of his arrest for his alleged involvement in the Gilgo Beach murders from over a decade ago. However, despite being accused of heinous crimes, the veteran architect reportedly assumed a stoic demeanor.
Did Rex Heuermann try to run during arrest?
On a Friday afternoon, detectives from the Suffolk County Police Department approached Rex Heuermann on the streets of New York City. The officers, aware of the gravity of the situation, calmly informed Heuermann that he was under arrest. Confused and possibly taken aback, Heuermann inquired about the reason for his arrest, to which the detectives revealed that he was suspected of being involved in the infamous Gilgo Beach murders that occurred over a decade ago.
Upon hearing the accusations, Heuermann's response was quite unexpected. The suspected killer didn't put up any resistance; instead, he remained stoic and composed throughout the process. In a somber and measured tone, Heuermann calmly denied the allegations, saying, "I didn't do that." There were no signs of shouting, vehement denial, or any outward expressions of emotion. It appeared as though Heuermann had mentally prepared himself for this moment and was fully aware of the implications of his arrest.
Despite the seriousness of the charges leveled against him, Heuermann did not attempt to flee or engage in any confrontations with the arresting officers. Without resistance, the detectives proceeded to put handcuffs on him. It was a surprisingly peaceful arrest, in stark contrast to what many might have anticipated, given the heinous nature of the crimes he was suspected of committing. The detectives promptly read Heuermann his Miranda Rights, informing him of his right to remain silent and to have legal representation during questioning. Demonstrating awareness of his rights, Heuermann invoked his right to an attorney, requesting legal counsel.
Concerns over arsenal of weapons at his residence
One might have expected a more tumultuous apprehension, especially considering that Heuermann had up to 300 guns stored in a vault in the basement of his Massapequa Park home on Long Island. Concerns about the arsenal of weapons prompted the police to arrest him near his Fifth Avenue office in Manhattan, away from the residence, to ensure everyone's safety.
Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney explained to ABC News, "We wanted to take him into custody somewhere outside the house, because of access to those weapons." Of the vast number of firearms found in his home, Heuermann only possessed permits for about 92. Former NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce supported the decision, emphasizing the need to apprehend Heuermann off-premises. "You don't want to go into that house - you want to take him off-premise," he said. "This way it's safer for everybody."
Rex Heuermann is suspected to be responsible for the 2010 deaths of Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy, and Amber Costello, collectively known as the "Gilgo Four." There are also suspicions that he might have been involved in the murder of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, the fourth victim. However, he has not been charged for that specific murder yet. Despite the serious charges brought against him, Heuermann has pleaded not guilty to all of them.
Evidence and links to the 'Gilgo Four'
The initial link between Heuermann and the "Gilgo Four" came from his first-generation Chevrolet Avalanche, which matched the vehicle linked to the unidentified killer, according to court documents. Subsequently, mobile phone bills tied Heuermann to the burner phones used to contact the victims and taunt their families. A considerable amount of additional evidence was uncovered during the investigation, including gruesome porn searches and a fake Tinder account, which further pointed to Heuermann's involvement. Notably, his DNA was found on a discarded pizza crust, which was matched to a male hair found on the burlap used to wrap one of the victims' bodies, Megan Waterman.
The Gilgo Beach area saw a total of 11 bodies discovered, primarily of women, starting in 2010. While Rex Heuermann has been linked to the "Gilgo Four," it remains uncertain if he is connected to any of the other victims, including Shannan Gilbert, whose disappearance in May 2010 sparked the search that led to the discovery of the other victims. As of Wednesday morning, July 19, Rex Heuermann was being held on suicide watch while the police continue their investigation into this chilling cold case that has haunted the victims' families and the community for years.
