‘Sadistic, soulless, murderous monster.’ 'Gilgo Beach' serial killer Rex Heuermann pleads guilty to 8 killings on Long Island ending decadelong case
Rex Heuermann admitted on Wednesday to killing eight women over a span of several years and dumping their bodies along Ocean Parkway.
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Rex Heuermann – the so-called “Gilgo Beach" serial killer - confessed Wednesday morning to killing eight women on Long Island, bringing an end to a case that has spanned more than a decade and bringing closure to the families of the victims.
The case stunned and shocked Long Island and the world for years, from the first remains found along Ocean Parkway to News 12 breaking the news of Heuermann’s arrest to the killer’s confession in a Long Island courtroom.
“Are you pleading guilty voluntarily and of your own free will?” asked the judge at Heuermann’s 11 a.m. hearing.
“Yes,” he replied.
LIVE COVERAGE: Rex Heuermann pleads guilty to Gilgo Beach serial killings, admits responsibility to eighth slaying
Heuermann then told the judge that he felt it was in his best interest to plead guilty to the crimes instead of going to the trial. He admitted to dumping the victims’ remains along Ocean Parkway and admitted to wrapping the women in the same manner – using burlap.
When asked how he killed each of the women, Heuermann repeatedly and simply answered “strangulation.”
“This defendant walked among us, play-acting as a normal suburban dad, when in reality all along he was obsessively targeting innocent women for death,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney.
Heuermann admitted to killing Megan Waterman, Amber Costello, Melissa Barthelemy, Maureen Brainard Barnes, Valerie Mack, Sandra Costilla, Jessica Taylor and Karen Vergata.
Their families came to the microphone in the courtroom and said they accepted the guilty plea.
"I am the daughter of Megan Waterman and on behalf of her and my aunt and all of our family back home, we do accept and are very, very thankful for all that they've done for us,” Waterman’s daughter said.
“I'm Elizabeth Baczkiel. I'm Jessica Taylor's mother. And I am glad that this is over as far as him pleading guilty," Backiel said.
“Justice has finally found its way to you, your voice was never silenced, your story never forgotten and your life will always mean more than the tragedy that took you,” said Missy Cann, Brainard Barnes’ sister. “This moment is not the end but a reminder that love endures, truth prevails and hope never fades because even in the darkest moments justice will find its way.”
ALARMILY ORDINARY
As part of the plea deal, Heuermann will work with the FBI’s Behavior Analysis Unit to gain insight into his motivations.
Heuermann has been held at Riverhead Jail since his arrest.
“What has been most alarming is how ordinary Heuermann has been,” says Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon, Jr.
“It’s a chilling reminder that those capable of horrific acts can often go unnoticed.
“Today, he was exposed for exactly what he is – a sadistic, soulless, murderous monster,” said Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina.
SENTENCING DATE SCHEDULED
Heuermann will be sentenced on June 17. He is expected to be sentenced to three consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole for three of the killings and for 100 years to life for killing four victims.
HOW DNA PLAYED A PART
District Attorney Tierney says the Heuermann case started one piece at a time.
“Like any puzzle piece, or any puzzle, you start to try to solve it with the easiest piece…” he said. “…So, you start from each of the crime scenes and you build up.”
He said this is the process that led to each victim becoming part of the case.
The murders were a landmark in using nuclear DNA – which is DNA that comes from both parents – to convict a criminal.
"We were confident in the science. We were, you know, confident and well-versed in what we did. And we relied upon our experts in the science, and we prevailed,” Tierney said.
It is technology that is now admissible in the state of New York.
"It's the future of DNA analysis. And it's going to help us with current cases. And it's also really going to help us with cold cases,” he said.
He said that because Heuermann pleaded guilty to the crimes, his department’s resources can be used in other ways.
DEFENSE ATTORNEY SPEAKS
Attorney Michael Brown is the man who signed up to defend Heuermann in court.
Brown says that ultimately, Heuermann confessed to the killings because he did not want to go to trial.
"He certainly wanted to save the families and the victims the ordeal of going to trial, and coupled with saving his family that ordeal,” Brown said. "A defendant also has an absolute right to change his plea, to accept responsibility and enter a plea of guilty.”
EX-WIFE’S MESSAGE FOR THE VICTIMS
Heuermann's former wife, Asa Ellerup and daughter Victoria were also in court on Wednesday to hear Heuermann confess to the killings.
Ellerup did not take questions but did deliver a message to the victims’ families.
"My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. Their loss is immeasurable and the focus should be on them at this time and moment. I ask that you give some privacy to my family as they navigate through this very difficult time,” she said.
An attorney for Heuermann's family says the ordeal has taken a toll.
"This situation is deeply personal and profoundly painful for Ms. Ellerup and her family. She never wanted to believe the man she was married to for 27 years, the father of Victoria, would be capable of committing such heinous acts,” said attorney Bob Macedonio.
GAINING NATIONAL ATTENTION
The Gilgo Beach story gained national attention over the years, even before Heuermann’s arrest.
People came from near and far to attend his hearing on Wednesday.
Bellmore resident Nick Graystone was one of dozens who camped outside the courthouse in Riverhead ahead of the hearing.
“This is a case that has been haunting Long Island for so long,” Graystone said.
More than 70 people were lined up outside the courthouse in freezing temperatures as early as 5:30 a.m.
The courthouse did not open until 9 a.m. and the hearing wasn’t scheduled until 11 a.m.
“We’ve lived here our whole lives. We grew up here and this horrible story happened here…” said Deborah Timms, of Farmingville.
“I kind of want it to be over for those families that had to wait too long,” said Peggy Gould, of Patchogue. “If it goes to trial, then they’ll just have to wait longer.”
Not everyone was able to be inside the courtroom. There were even two overflow rooms where some members of the media and Long Island residents sat and watched.
Those who have attended previous hearings say that this one felt different.
“There won’t be any trial and that will kind of be the end of it and he’ll get his sentencing,” said Gould.
CONTINUING COVERAGE
News 12 was the first to break the news of Heuermann’s arrest in July 2023.
You can watch and read about every twist and turn in the case by CLICKING HERE.
