Police are intensifying their search of the Massapequa Park home of suspected serial killer Rex Heuermann, following his recent arrest. The arrest brings hope for justice to the families of potential additional victims, as NYPD sources reveal that Heuermann’s DNA could be used to solve other cold cases. Heuermann’s genetic material was obtained from a discarded pizza crust and matched to DNA found on the body of victim Megan Waterman. He has already been charged with the murders of Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy, and Amber Costello, but former detective Wendell Stradford believes that if Heuermann is responsible for these four deaths, he may have committed even more.
However, matching Heuermann’s DNA to other crimes is not a simple process. Investigators will need to identify similar cases and ensure that the DNA profiles of those victims are included in the FBI’s CODIS database. This could involve laboriously submitting old evidence to the database. Stradford explains that not every piece of evidence is routinely submitted to CODIS due to the costs involved. Nevertheless, he emphasizes the importance of collecting fingernail scrapings in sexual assault cases, even when there is no suspect at the time.
Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison vows to continue the hunt for all the individuals responsible for the murders in the Gilgo Beach case. He expresses his determination to bring justice, referring to Heuermann as “an animal.” Harrison, who previously served as the NYPD’s chief of department, has been credited with revitalizing the Gilgo Beach investigation after 13 years of frustration.
Rex Heuermann, a 59-year-old married father of two and an architect in New York City, is now a suspect in the Gilgo Beach murders. He was arrested following the creation of a special task force to investigate the case. Video footage of Heuermann’s arrest shows him being apprehended by plainclothes officers near his office on Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. It is alleged that he used burner cell phones to contact his victims and added minutes to them at cell phone stores in Manhattan.
As the investigation continues, police have been scouring Heuermann’s home in Massapequa Park for evidence and potential trophies. Items retrieved from the property range from the mundane to the disturbing, including a child-sized collector’s doll in an elaborate glass display cabinet. Former mayor Rudy Giuliani even made an appearance at the scene, inquiring about his proximity to the alleged killer’s home.
Heuermann appeared in court and pleaded not guilty to three counts of first-degree murder and other charges related to the deaths of the three women. He is also considered the prime suspect in a fourth killing. His lawyer has not yet provided a comment on the case. The investigation into the Gilgo Beach murders continues, with hopes that matching Heuermann’s DNA to other cold cases may bring closure to additional victims’ families.
