Serial Killings in Gilgo Beach: Suspect’s Home Becomes Focus of Investigation
Massapequa Park, New York – Investigators in the Gilgo Beach serial killings case have shifted their focus to the home of primary suspect Rex Heuermann. The theory is that Heuermann may have committed the heinous crimes in his Long Island residence, taking advantage of being alone when his family was out of town.
According to sources involved in the investigation, the fact that the disappearances occurred while Heuermann’s wife and children were away suggests that he may have lured victims to his home. The investigators believe that this would have given Heuermann control over the environment and access to materials found at the crime scene, including tape and burlap bags.
The search of Heuermann’s home has been extensive, as investigators are looking for trace evidence that may be linked to the victims. The process has been time-consuming but crucial in building a strong case against the suspect.
Last week, Heuermann was arrested in New York City and charged with the murder of three of the “Gilgo Four” women. The remains of these women were discovered along Gilgo Beach in 2010. The 59-year-old architect has pleaded not guilty to the killings of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Lynn Costello.
During a news conference, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney revealed that Heuermann’s wife and children were traveling at the time the crimes were committed, leaving the suspect alone in the tri-state area. Heuermann is also the prime suspect in the disappearance and killing of the fourth victim, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, according to prosecutors.
Phone records play a vital role in connecting Heuermann to the victims. Barthelemy’s phone communicated with a burner cellphone shortly before her disappearance. Cell tower records show the burner phone traveling to and from Massapequa Park, where Heuermann’s residence is located. Similar patterns were found in Waterman and Costello’s cases, with their phones linking them to the suspect’s area.
Crucial evidence that led to Heuermann’s arrest included strands of hair found at the crime scenes. A male hair was discovered on the burlap used to wrap Waterman’s body, and female hair, believed to be Heuermann’s wife’s, was found on or near three of the victims. The hair samples, degraded at the time of discovery, were retested with modern DNA technology, providing definitive links to the suspect.
Authorities monitored Heuermann and his family before collecting DNA samples from items in their trash. The final piece of evidence came from a discarded pizza box, which yielded a complete sample of Heuermann’s DNA. The DNA from the hair found years ago matched this new sample, solidifying the case against him.
Heuermann’s family, including his wife, Asa Ellerup, has been shocked and devastated by the revelations. Ellerup has filed for divorce less than a week after her husband’s arrest. In a statement, her attorneys requested privacy for the family during this difficult time.
Currently, Heuermann is in jail, and only his attorneys have visited him. The investigation into the fourth victim, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, is expected to be resolved soon as authorities work tirelessly to bring justice to all the victims and their families.