'Significant New Development' Coming In Gilgo Serial Killer Case: DA

LONG ISLND, NY — A "significant" development in the Gilgo Beach serial killer case is expected to be unveiled Tuesday, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney.

Tierney, Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon, Jr., Acting Suffolk County Police Commissioner Robert Waring, representatives of the New York State Police, as well as additional representatives of the Gilgo Beach homicide investigation task force, are slated hold a press conference following a court proceeding in Riverhead, the DA said.

Accused Gilgo Beach killer Rex Heuermann's next court appearance before Judge Timothy Mazzei is slated for Tuesday at the Arthur M. Cromarty Court Complex in Riverhead at 9:30 a.m.

Heuermann last appeared in court in October.

This June, Heuermann was slapped with new second-degree murder charges in the deaths of two additional women, Jessica Taylor and Sandra Costilla, according to a superceding bail application released to the press before the proceedings — bringing the total number of his alleged victims to six.

In July 2023, Heuermann was indicted on three counts of first-degree murder charges and three counts of second-degree murder charges in the deaths of sex workers Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello, whose remains were found along Ocean Parkway in 2010.

Heuermann pleaded not guilty to those charges.

A total of 11 sets of remains were found in the Gilgo Beach murders, which rocked Long Island. The remains included that of a toddler and an Asian male.

Heuermann was also charged with the murder of a fourth woman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, in January. New DNA evidence helped connect Heuermann to all four of the deaths, said Tierney, who is prosecuting the case.

Heuermann was charged with second-degree murder, an A-1 violent felony, in the death of Brainard-Barnes on July 9, 2007. Heuermann has also pleaded not guilty to that charge.

Heuermann returned to court in July for a routine appearance where "voluminous amounts" of discovery were turned over to the defense, according to Tierney — and at the time, the DA said it was "safe to say" that he might be considered a suspect in the death of a seventh woman.

When asked if Heuermann may be charged in the death of Valerie Mack, whose remains were found in Manorville and near Cedar Beach, Tierney said: "It's safe to say he would be a suspect, yes."

New details were released recently about an Asian homicide victim found in the same areas as those associated with the Gilgo Beach killings, Tierney said — and law enforcement is appealing to the public to identify the individual and bring closure to his or her family.