ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA: South Carolina police are trying to investigate whether Gilgo Beach murder suspect Rex Heuermann is behind the disappearance of 18-year-old woman Aaliyah Bell. Rock Hill police are currently investigating the tips and leads for a follow-up of the missing case.
The 59-year-old architect was arrested outside his office on July 13 after he was accused of murdering Melissa Barthelemy, Amber Costello, and Megan Waterman and is considered a main suspect in the death of another young woman who is identified as Maureen Brainard-Barnes. Bodies of the victims were found scattered along Ocean Parkway in 2010. Heuermann pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder in the first degree and three counts of murder in the second degree, according to New York Post.
Who was Aaliyah Bell?
Aaliyah Bell, a young woman from South Carolina was reported missing in 2014. Investigators are now trying to probe Heuermann's link to the case as she disappeared just 20 miles away from a South Carolina property owned by the alleged serial killer. "Our investigators have been reviewing any information to see if there is a correlation between the disappearance of Aaliyah Bell and Rex Heuermann," stated Rock Hill Police Lt Michael Chavis.
"So far there is no indication that leads us to identify Heuermann as a suspect in this case. We will continue to investigate Bell’s disappearance and follow up on all tips and leads," he said, adding their department was "doing its due diligence" in trying to find ties in both cases.
Bell who left her uncle's home on Chestnut Street was reported missing from her home in Rock Hill two days before Thanksgiving, according to WBTV-News. The 18-year-old has never been found despite police pursuing possible sightings of her in Charlotte and Columbia.
Heuermann's plan to retire and live in South Carolina
In 2021, Heuermann purchased a property in Chester, South Carolina for $154,000 and the place is a 30-minute drive from Rock Hill. His property is marked with a sign that reads, "No Warrant, No Entry" and is fenced off at present. According to the Chester County Sheriff’s Office, the New York State Police towed a Chevrolet Avalanche belonging to the suspect from the property, and is currently being held as evidence in the case.
Heuermann wanted to live close to his brother Craig Heuermann at the secluded property where he planned to live his retired life. However, it remains unclear whether he spent time in South Carolina before he bought the property.
