Suspect in Gilgo Beach Murders Potential Link to Other Cases
NEW YORK (AP) — Investigators are exploring possible connections between suspect Rex A. Heuermann, an architect from Manhattan, and unsolved murders or missing persons cases throughout New York State. Heuermann was recently charged in the murders of three women in Long Island, with police now investigating if his DNA or behavior match any other unsolved cases in New York City.
Law enforcement agencies throughout New York are interested in determining if Heuermann could be linked to victims beyond Gilgo Beach. As part of their investigation, detectives have entered Heuermann’s DNA into a statewide database accessible to all law enforcement agencies in New York.
Heuermann, aged 59, has been charged with the murders of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello, whose bodies were found in 2010 along Ocean Parkway on Long Island’s South Shore. Police have also identified him as the “prime suspect” in the death of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, another woman found in the same area.
According to a former FBI agent, Heuermann appears to fit the profile of serial killers who lead double lives. These individuals are capable of maintaining normal routines and relationships while engaging in gruesome acts. This ability to hide in plain sight can make identifying and apprehending them challenging for law enforcement.
Heuermann, who commuted from his home in Massapequa Park, is described as an architect and a father of two. However, court documents indicate that he used fictitious names to search for sex workers online, and he possessed permits for 92 firearms. Law enforcement agencies are currently searching his residence and a nearby storage unit to gather more evidence and determine if there are any connections between Heuermann and the six other victims found near Gilgo Beach in 2010 and 2011.
It remains to be seen if additional cases will be linked to Heuermann. Investigators believe that he may have altered his pattern after bodies were discovered at Gilgo Beach, making it difficult to establish a direct connection to those victims.
Authorities are continuing their efforts to gather more information and evidence to build a case against Heuermann. His defense attorney, Michael Brown, has maintained that there is no evidence to suggest his client’s involvement in these incidents. The case will be presented in court before a fair and impartial jury.
This investigation serves as a reminder of the intricate nature of criminal cases and the importance of unearthing any possible connections between crimes. Law enforcement remains committed to pursuing justice for the victims and their families, leaving no stone unturned in their efforts.
