5 New Things To Know About Rex Heuermann's Incarceration

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — There’s been a change in Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect Rex Heuermann’s behavior, with some signs pointing to him settling in at the Suffolk County Correctional Facility, according to an update from Sheriff Errol Toulon’s spokeswoman, Victoria DiStefano.

Heuermann, 59, of Massapequa Park, has been held at undisclosed location in Suffolk's correctional facility since his arrest in connection with the slayings of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello. He is the prime suspect in the death of Maureen Brainard-Barnes.

All four women were sex workers whose remains were found along Ocean Parkway in Gilgo Beach.

He has been charged with six counts of murder in connection with the deaths of Barthelemy, Waterman, and Costello.

In an interview with Patch earlier this month, Toulon said Heuermann did not have any reading materials in his cell and had not had any visitors.

Previously, Toulon said there was a concern for the safety of Heuermann in that another inmate might have an ax to grind with him or might want to increase their street credibility by having a run at him, so he has been watched a little more carefully than others.

Is that concern still there?

Yes.

“We have not lifted his security protocols at this time,” DiStefano said.

Here’s five new things to know about Heuermann’s stay in jail:

1. Heuermann is in an isolated housing unit where he does everything, including eat, alone. He is also alone for recreation time and is unable to speak with other prisoners.

2. He has been reading though DiStefano couldn’t answer the exact titles, adding, “he has access to the same reading materials as any other inmate.”

3. He’s requested religious services and was seen by a member of the Roman Catholic Church with no specified title. It’s unclear if the person is a priest or not, and DiStefano could not say if Heuermann had the sacrament of confession, a rite in which penitents confess their sins and other wrongdoing.

“We would not know the answer to this question,” she said.

4. He’s had two visitors, including his attorney, Michael Brown of Central Islip, and one other visitor. The sheriff’s office “will not disclose who that was,” DiStefano said.

5. He has been making phone calls, though DiStefano would also not say to who, saying that the office cannot “reveal” that.

Heuermann's attorney has maintained his innocence and says he looks forward to his day in court.

He is due back in court on Sept. 27.