Gilgo Beach murders: could a Manhattan architect be the Long Island serial killer?

The search of the suspect's house uncovered a walk-in vault filled with guns

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Rex Heuermann, a Long Island architect who was charged with murder in the deaths of three women in a long-unsolved string of killings known as the Gilgo Beach murders Photograph: Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office via AP/PA
Rex Heuermann, a Long Island architect who was charged with murder in the deaths of three women in a long-unsolved string of killings known as the Gilgo Beach murders Photograph: Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office via AP/PA

Last month a New York architect, Rex Heuermann, was arrested in connection with the deaths of three young women whose bodies were found buried in a remote location on Gilgo Beach in 2010. Prosecutors now believe they have found the Long Island serial killer.

The 59-year-old father of two has pleaded not guilty in the killings of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Lynn Costello. He is also the prime suspect in the disappearance and killing of a fourth woman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes.

His arrest followed an investigation which mapped his mobile phone use, his ownership of a distinctive car which a witness in 2010 linked to one of the women’s disappearance, and his DNA – his discarded lunchtime pizza crusts linked him to DNA found on the bodies.

Last week police searched his suburban Massapequa home, discovering an arsenal of weapons and an underground vault. Police are working on the theory that he murdered the women in his home while his wife and children were out of town and then buried his victims on nearby Gilgo Beach.

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Maria Cramer, NYPD bureau chief at The New York Times has been following the case. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey and Suzanne Brennan.

Bernice Harrison

Bernice Harrison

Bernice Harrison is an Irish Times journalist and cohost of In the News podcast