Long Island Architect Expected to Plead Guilty in Gilgo Beach Killings

Rex Heuermann, a 62-year-old architect from Long Island, is anticipated to plead guilty on Wednesday to the murders of seven women, many of whom were sex workers, over a 17-year period. This plea is expected to result in a life sentence.

The decision to plead guilty was confirmed by three individuals familiar with the case, who spoke on condition of anonymity as the plea has not yet been entered in court. Heuermann's sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.

Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney has announced a news conference for Wednesday afternoon, following the morning court hearing. He will be accompanied by members of the victims' families and the Gilgo Beach Homicide Investigation Task Force, which advanced the case using evidence such as DNA obtained from a discarded pizza crust.

The investigation began in 2010 when police discovered multiple sets of human remains along a remote beach highway on Long Island's South Shore, initiating a search for a potential serial killer that garnered global attention. The remains of six victims—Melissa Barthelemy, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Amber Lynn Costello ... , and Megan Waterman—were found near Gilgo Beach. Another victim, Sandra Costilla, was found over 60 miles away in the Hamptons.

In 2022, detectives identified Heuermann ... connecting him to a pickup truck reported near the disappearance of one of the victims in 2010. Heuermann, a longtime resident of Massapequa Park, lived approximately 25 minutes from where the women's remains were found ... victims were believed to have disappeared ... , with their cellphones pinging towers in the area.

Following the vehicle discovery, a grand jury authorized over 300 subpoenas and search ... investigators to delve into Heuermann's life. They collected billing records for burner phones allegedly used to arrange meetings with ... , and examined Heuermann's internet search ... revealed an interest in violent torture pornography and the Gilgo Beach killings. Cellphone data indicated Heuermann was in contact ... their disappearances.

To obtain Heuermann's ... surveillance team observed him in Manhattan, where he ... retrieved a box of partially eaten pizza ... he discarded. The DNA from the crust matched a male hair found on burl ... uermann was arrested in July 202 ... .

Subsequent searches of Heuermann's home uncovered a basement vault containing 279 weapons. Investigators also found digital files described as a "blueprint" for the killings, including checklists with reminders to limit ... , and destroy evidence.

Heuermann has not been ... the killing of an eighth identified woman, Karen Vergata, ... in 1996 and near Gilgo Beach in ... .