Crime & Safety

Photos Of Gilgo Beach Case, From Search To Faces Of Victims & Suspect

The Gilgo Beach killings have gripped Long Island for more than 10 years. On Friday, a suspect—Rex Heuermann—was finally arrested.

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Prosecutors said that on or around January 26, 2023, a surveillance team found a pizza box thrown by Heuermann into a garbage can near his consulting firm in front of 385 5th Avenue in Manhattan.
Prosecutors said that on or around January 26, 2023, a surveillance team found a pizza box thrown by Heuermann into a garbage can near his consulting firm in front of 385 5th Avenue in Manhattan. (Suffolk County District Attorney )

LONG ISLAND, NY — For more than a decade, a cloud of mystery has shrouded the circumstances surrounding the Gilgo Beach murders. Shannan Gilbert was the first to go missing in May 2010, after which a desperate search to find her led to the the grisly discovery of 10 additional sets of human remains.

Finally, a suspect—59-year-old Rex Heuermann from Massapequa Park— was arrested in New York City Thursday in connection with the crimes, according to John Ray, an attorney for the victims' families.

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Huermann pleaded not guilty Friday to six murder charges in connection with the Gilgo Beach serial killings.

He was charged with three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of sex workers Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello, whose remains were found along Ocean Parkway in 2010, according to court documents.

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His court-appointed attorney Michael Brown, speaking with reporters outside the courthouse, said Heuermann told him, his voice filled with tears: "I did not do this."

At a news conference Friday afternoon, Suffolk County Police Department Chief Rodney Harrison gave his condolences to victims' families.

"Rex Heuermann is a demon that walks among us. A predator that ruined families," he said. "If not for the members of this task force, he would still be on the streets today. However, even with this arrest we're not done."

Here is a look at the long-term investigation that eventually lead to Huermann's arrest through photos, which include those of the victims and the suspected serial killer.

These undated images provided by the Suffolk County Police Department shows Melissa Barthelemy, top left, Amber Costello, top right, Megan Waterman, bottom left, and Maureen Brainard-Barnes. Authorities on Long Island are vowing to continue investigating a string of killings known as the Gilgo Beach murders after charging architect Rex Heuermann, 59, in the deaths of three of the 11 victims. Heuermann is accused of killing Melissa Barthelemy, Amber Costello and Megan Waterman over a decade ago. He is also considered the prime suspect in the death of another woman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes. (Suffolk County Police Department via AP)
A booking image shows Heuermann, a Long Island architect who was charged July 14 with murder in the deaths of three of the 11 victims in a long-unsolved string of killings known as the Gilgo Beach murders. (Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office via AP)

A Suffolk police officer and dog search for human remains in the Gilgo Beach area on Long Island on March 29, 2011. (Jim Staubitser/Newsday via AP)
Officials examine an object on the side of the road near Jones Beach on April 11, 2011, in Wantagh. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
On December 8, 2011, investigators use a backhoe to dig while searching for Shannan Gilbert's body in different sectors of a marsh area just east of Oak Beach. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Coughlin)

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Prosecutors said that on or around January 26, 2023, a surveillance team found a pizza box thrown by Heuermann into a garbage can near his consulting firm in front of 385 5th Avenue in Manhattan. (New York. Suffolk DA)
This pizza box was sent to the Suffolk County Crime Laboratory for analysis, where a swab was taken from the leftover pizza crust. The pizza crust helped provide DNA that matched male hair found on Waterman. (Suffolk DA)
Prosecutors said a search warrant conducted on a fictitious Springfieldman9 AOL account revealed “selfie” photographs that appeared to have been taken by Heuermann and sent to other people to solicit and arrange for sexual activity. (Suffolk DA)
Prosecutors said a search warrant conducted on a fictitious Springfieldman9 AOL account revealed “selfie” photographs that appeared to have been taken by Heuermann and sent to other people to solicit and arrange for sexual activity. (Suffolk DA)
Prosecutors believe that Huerrmann had multiple "burner" email cellphones connected to the "burner" email accounts, on which he is believed to have conducted thousands of searches related to sex workers, sadistic, torture-related pornography and child pornography. He is also believed to have used those accounts to search extensively about serial killers and their victims, including those believed to be his own. (Suffolk DA)
Attorney John Ray, right, and Jasmine Robinson, center left, cousin of Jessica Taylor, a victim of Long Island serial killer, exit the courtroom at the Arthur M. Cromarty Court Complex, on Friday, July 14, 2023, in Riverhead. (AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez)

The Associated Press contributed to this post.

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