The Gilgo Beach murders have been described as one of the most significant homicide investigations in Long Island’s history. The case began when sex worker Shannan Gilbert went missing, and the subsequent search for her led to the discovery of 10 other bodies along the South Shore of the island. After nearly 13 years, a suspect has finally been arrested in connection with the murders.
New York City architect Rex Heuermann has been charged with the murders of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, Amber Costello, and Maureen Brainard-Barnes. These four victims, known as the “Gilgo Four,” were found covered in burlap on Gilgo Beach in December 2010. All four women were Craigslist escorts who died from homicidal violence.
In a shocking turn of events in June 2024, Heuermann was charged with two additional murders dating back to 1993 and 2003. The remains of these victims were found in Southampton and Manorville, respectively. The arrest of Heuermann brings renewed attention to a case that has haunted Long Island for over a decade.
A timeline of the investigation reveals the chilling sequence of events. The first victim, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, was last seen alive in New York City on July 9, 2007. Two years later, Melissa Barthelemy disappeared on July 10, 2009. Then, on May 1, 2010, Shannan Gilbert went missing after fleeing from a client’s home near Gilgo Beach. Megan Waterman was last seen alive on June 6, 2010, at a Holiday Inn in Hauppauge. Finally, Amber Costello was last seen alive on September 2, 2010, at her home in West Babylon.
The breakthrough in the case came when an officer conducting a search for Gilbert discovered human remains that were later identified as Melissa Barthelemy on December 11, 2010. Two days later, the remains of Brainard-Barnes, Waterman, and Costello were found within a quarter mile of Barthelemy’s remains. The investigation continued, and more sets of remains were discovered in the following years.
One of the victims, Jessica Taylor, had partial skeletal remains found several miles east of Gilgo Beach in March 2011. The remains of Valerie Mack, a 24-year-old escort, were found about a mile and a half east of Taylor’s remains. Additionally, the remains of an unidentified female toddler and an unidentified man were discovered in the same area.
The case took another disturbing turn in April 2011 when two sets of remains were located in Nassau County, seven miles west of Gilgo Beach. One set belonged to the mother of the unidentified female toddler found earlier. The second set, known as Jane Doe Seven, was confirmed to belong to an unidentified victim whose remains were found on Fire Island in 1996.
The investigation faced numerous challenges throughout the years. Shannan Gilbert’s remains were not found until December 13, 2011, in marshland near Oak Beach. Her death was ruled as an accidental drowning, but her family maintains that she was murdered. In January 2022, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office formed a task force to conduct a comprehensive review of the evidence in the case.
After years of searching for answers, Rex Heuermann emerged as a suspect in March 2022. Cellphone records and witness testimony connected him to the disappearances and murders of the Gilgo Four. Heuermann was finally arrested on July 13, 2023, in Manhattan. DNA evidence, including a hair found under one victim’s body, tied him to the crimes.
Heuermann’s trial began in August 2023, where his defense attorney entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. Authorities also announced the identification of Jane Doe No. 7 as Karen Vergata. She was found on Fire Island in 1996 and had additional remains discovered in 2011.
In June 2024, Heuermann faced additional charges for the murders of Jessica Taylor and Sandra Costilla. DNA evidence, including a hair found on a drape under Taylor’s body, implicated Heuermann in these crimes. The connection between Costilla’s murder and another suspected killer was debunked through advanced DNA analysis.
The arrest and ongoing trial of Rex Heuermann mark a significant milestone in the Gilgo Beach murders case. While the investigation has been long and complex, law enforcement officials have remained committed to seeking justice for the victims and their families. The outcome of the trial will determine the fate of Heuermann and provide closure to a community that has been haunted by these brutal crimes for years.
