LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK: Rex Heuermann, a Manhattan architect and married father of two, has dominated the news cycle since he was arrested and charged with three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree murder in connection with the deaths of three young women over a decade ago. The gruesome killings had remained unsolved until now and have been at the center of the public's attention in the past few weeks following the discovery of the victims' remains along a half-mile stretch at Gilgo Beach on Long Island in December 2010.
How did Rex Heuermann react to arrest?
Police Commissioner Rodney K Harrison recounted the moments of Heuermann's July 13 arrest, stating that the suspect was "very quiet" and "kept to himself." "I believe once one of our officers said he had him under arrest, he said, 'Why?' But that's pretty much the most I'm being told what he said," Harrison told People. The suspect exercised his right to remain silent and requested legal representation upon being read his Miranda rights. "And he's still been quiet since he's been over at Riverhead [Correctional Facility]," Harrison added.
Heuermann's arrest came as a result of a lengthy investigation spanning over a decade. The victims, identified as Amber Costello, 27, Melissa Barthelemy, 24, and Megan Waterman, 22, all worked as online escorts and were reported missing between 2007 and 2010. Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25, is also believed to be linked to the suspected serial killer.
Piecing the puzzle together
Authorities had been working tirelessly to piece together the puzzle and finally zeroed in on Heuermann, 59, as the prime suspect. Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney revealed that the killer used four separate burner phones to contact the victims and lure them to Massapequa. “Then he would murder them, and then he would discontinue the use of the burner phone. He did that four times," Tierney explained. The nature of the crime and the disturbing details surrounding the case made it a subject of fascination for the public and true crime enthusiasts alike.
Moreover, Heuermann's alleged online activity revealed an obsession with the victims and their families. District Attorney Tierney disclosed that Heuermann had searched for information about the Gilgo investigation and how law enforcement traced the killer's calls obsessively over a 14-month span. The searches included queries such as, “Why could law enforcement not trace the calls made by the long island serial killer” and “Why hasn’t the long island serial killer been caught,” per Tierney. According to police sources, investigators managed to identify Heuermann through witness descriptions of a vehicle believed to have been used by the killer. Motor vehicle records were then utilized to track down Heuermann's Chevy Avalanche, leading to his residence and subsequent DNA identification.
Family in shock
Upon the suspect's arrest, Heuermann's family was reportedly in a state of shock and disbelief, having had no prior knowledge of his alleged double life. Commissioner Harrison explained, "We had to kind of show them some type of proof to let it be known who their father was behind the curtain," but he acknowledged that they are cooperating with authorities during the ongoing investigation.
The case took on national attention after author Robert Kolker's bestselling nonfiction book, 'Lost Girls,' delved into the mystery surrounding the victims and their tragic fate. The subsequent Netflix movie adaptation further brought the Long Island Serial Killer case to the forefront of public consciousness. As authorities continue their search of Heuermann's house for forensic evidence linked to the allegations, the suspect remains in custody at the Riverhead Correctional Facility.
