Police believe alleged serial killer murdered victim at home while wife was away
In the latest development of a series of murders which went unsolved for more than a decade, police have revealed they believe at least one victim of the Gilgo Beach murders was killed at the Long Island home of suspect Rex Heuermann.
Detectives are now reportedly looking into unsolved murders across the country to see if they are linked to Heuermann, sources told CBS News. The 59-year-old successful architect has been charged with murdering three women in a group which became known as the 'Gilgo Four'.
The women's remains were uncovered in December 2010 in the bushes along Ocean Parkway near Gilgo Beach, wrapped in burlap. Heuermann has denied all charges, with police reportedly putting him as their prime suspect in a fourth killing.
Heuermann's "dungeon-like" home in Massapequa Park lies just 18 miles from the beach by which the bodies were found. In total, 10 victims' remains were found in the underbrush around Gilgo Beach.
Rex Heuermann has been charged with the murder in the deaths of three of the Gilgo Beach victims (Suffolk County District Attorney/ZUMA Press Wire/REX/Shutterstock)
Rex Heuermann was arrested outside his office in Manhattan (Rex Heuermann Consultants & Associates)He shared his Long Island house with his wife and two adult children who, authorities say, were away at the time of the alleged murders. The house was just across the bay from where the remains were discovered.
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While searching Heuermann's home since his arrest outside his Manhattan office on July 13, police have been seen carrying items from the property in boxes, with some containing firearms, a filing cabinet, a computer and a large doll in a glass case. On the first day police were seen searching his home, they were photographed carrying out what appeared to be a large cooler.
Police were seen searching the properties for a seventh day on Thursday, July 20. A note had previously been spotted being carried by an investigator which is believed to have listed some of the evidence found inside - including a rope kept in a vault, and handcuff keys on a shelf underneath a workbench.
Authorities work outside as they search the home of suspect Rex Heuermann (AP)Police in Suffolk County are coordinating with others in Atlantic City, New Jersey, to see if the suspect is linked to any unsolved killings from their area. Suffolk County officials have already executed court-authorised warrants elsewhere in the US, including Las Vegas and South Carolina, where Heuermann is believed to have potentially had ties, according to sources.
A Chevrolet truck, believed to be connected to the suspect and which may have been used in at least one of the murders, was recovered in South Carolina and transported to Suffolk County. Long Island investigators are expected to probe the truck for possible evidence linked to the crimes.
Police have been searching Heuermann's house since his arrest on July 13 (Getty Images)The 'Gilgo Four' were found on the south shore of Long Island during a search for 23-year-old Shannan Gilbert, from Ellenville, New York. Shannan had made a panicked 911 call on the night she disappeared and had been seen banging on doors in the gated Oak Beach community, near Gilgo Beach, screaming for help.
On May 1, 2010, Shannan, a sex worker, and her driver left for a client's house in Oak Beach. She made the frantic call to 911 at 4.51am, telling dispatchers people were trying to kill her.
It was the search for Shannan which led to the discovery of Megan Waterman, 22, from Maine, Amber Lynn Costello, 27, from North Carolina, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25, from Connecticut and Melissa Barthelemy, 24, from New York. Heuermann has been charged with the first- and second-degree murders of Megan, Amber and Melissa.
The 'Gilgo Four': Melissa Barthelemy, top left, Amber Costello, top right, Megan Waterman, bottom left, and Maureen Brainard-Barnes (AP)There have been 10 people linked by law enforcement to the case of the Long Island Serial Killer, also known as the Gilgo Beach Killer, Craigslist Ripper and Manorville Butcher. Seven more victims have been connected to the case, however, they have not been officials considered victims by law enforcement.
The first body was found on December 11, 2010, almost 13 years ago. It belonged to Melissa Barthelemy. Just two days later, on December 13, the remains of Megan Waterman, Amber Lynn Costello and Maureen Brainard-Barnes were discovered along the same stretch.
The Gilgo Four had all reportedly been working as sex workers in the area and were found less than a tenth of a mile apart. Medical examiners concluded all four women had been strangled.
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