MASSAPEQUA PARK, NY – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced that Rex A. Heuermann, 62, has pleaded guilty to the murders of seven women connected to the Gilgo Beach case and also admitted responsibility for an eighth killing.
Heuermann entered guilty pleas to three counts of first-degree murder and four counts of second-degree murder, acknowledging his role in the deaths outlined in the indictment. As part of his allocution, he also admitted to killing Karen Vergata, whose death had not been formally charged but was included in the plea agreement.
Prosecutors detailed a pattern of crimes spanning nearly two decades, beginning in 1993 with the killing of Sandra Costilla. Authorities said Heuermann strangled multiple victims and, in several cases, dismembered their remains before disposing of them in locations across Suffolk County, including Manorville and along Ocean Parkway near Gilgo Beach.
Among the victims were Valerie Mack and Jessica Taylor, whose remains were discovered years apart in separate locations, as well as Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello. Several of the women were last seen after arranging meetings through online advertisements, with investigators noting the use of burner phones to facilitate contact.
Karen Vergata, whose remains were partially discovered in 1996 and later in 2011, was identified decades later through genetic genealogy. Prior to that identification, she had been known as “Fire Island Jane Doe.”
Heuermann was arrested on July 13, 2023, following a long-running, multi-agency investigation led by the Gilgo Homicide Task Force, which included local, state, and federal authorities.
He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 17, 2026. Prosecutors expect him to receive three consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole for the murders of Barthelemy, Waterman, and Costello. He is also expected to receive an additional consecutive sentence of 100 years to life for the killings of Brainard-Barnes, Taylor, Costilla, and Mack. The admitted killing of Vergata is encompassed within the plea agreement.
Key Facts and Details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Defendant | Rex A. Heuermann |
| Age | 62 |
| Case | Gilgo Beach serial killings |
| Location | Suffolk County, New York |
| Plea | Guilty |
| Total Victims | 7 charged, 8 total admitted |
| Additional Admission | Karen Vergata |
| Charges | 3 counts First-Degree Murder; 4 counts Second-Degree Murder |
| Confirmed Victims | Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, Amber Costello, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Jessica Taylor, Sandra Costilla, Valerie Mack |
| Previously Unidentified Victim | Karen Vergata (“Fire Island Jane Doe”) |
| Timeframe of Crimes | 1993 – 2010 |
| Method | Primarily strangulation; some victims dismembered |
| Body Disposal Areas | Gilgo Beach / Ocean Parkway, Manorville, other Suffolk County locations |
| Arrest Date | July 13, 2023 |
| Sentencing Date | June 17, 2026 (scheduled) |
| Expected Sentence | 3 consecutive life sentences without parole plus 100 years to life |
| Prosecuting Agency | Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office |
FAQ – Gilgo Beach Serial Killer Case
Who is Rex Heuermann?
Rex A. Heuermann is a Long Island man who pleaded guilty to multiple murders tied to the Gilgo Beach serial killings, a case that remained unsolved for over a decade
How many people did Heuermann kill?
He pleaded guilty to seven murders and admitted to an eighth, bringing the total to at least eight victims.
Who was the eighth victim?
The eighth victim was Karen Vergata, who had previously been unidentified and referred to as “Fire Island Jane Doe” before being identified through genetic genealogy.
What is the Gilgo Beach case?
The Gilgo Beach murders refer to a series of killings where victims’ remains were discovered along Ocean Parkway near Gilgo Beach on Long Island, beginning in 2010 and expanding into older unsolved cases.
How were the victims killed?
According to prosecutors, most victims were strangled, and several were later dismembered, with remains disposed of in multiple locations.
How did police catch Rex Heuermann?
Authorities identified Heuermann after a long-term investigation involving cell phone data, burner phones, and forensic evidence, ultimately leading to his arrest in July 2023.
What sentence is he facing?
He is expected to receive:
- Three consecutive life sentences without parole
- An additional 100 years to life
When will he be sentenced?
Sentencing is scheduled for June 17, 2026.
Why did he plead guilty?
The guilty plea avoids trial and ensures a conviction, while also formally acknowledging responsibility for the murders, including the previously uncharged killing of Karen Vergata.
