The Daily Populous Wednesday December 18th, 2024 morning edition
Authored by cbsnews.com and submitted by InternetPopular3679

Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect Rex Heuermann accused in 7th murder Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect Rex Heuermann accused in 7th murder 03:27

RIVERHEAD, N.Y. - Accused Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann has been charged with a seventh murder.

Heuermann was charged with killing Valerie Mack, a 24-year-old from New Jersey who had been working as an escort in the Philadelphia area, in 2000. For years, she was known only as "Jane Doe #6." Her partial remains were found in Manorville, Long Island in 2000, and more of her remains were found on Gilgo Beach more than 10 years later.

"The defendant is now charged with the murders of seven young women," Suffolk County DA Raymond Tierney said. He was joined by the family of the seven victims at a news conference Tuesday morning to discuss the new murder charge.

"Your honor, I'm not guilty of any of these charges," he told the judge.

It was the first time since that first day in July of 2023 that Heuermann has spoken in court.

"I didn't direct him to speak. I know he's extremely frustrated. He has said since day one, he is not responsible for these murders," defense attorney Michael Brown said.

Mack's parents were in court, and declined comment.

"The lives of these women matter," Tierney said. "At least we can provide them with a small measure of closure."

"Most of all, however, they want justice for those who were murdered an who were buried at Gilgo Beach," said Gloria Allred, an attorney representing some of the victims' families.

The trial date has not yet been set, but the judge said more hearings will held in February.

According to the court documents, hairs found near Mack's severed wrist were linked to Heuermann's estranged wife Asa Ellerup and daughter, to the exclusion of 99.65% of the North American population. Heuermann's daughter would have been a young child at the time of Mack's killing, and neither has been accused of any wrongdoing in the case.

Court documents also reveals pornographic images of sexual torture that were found on Rex Heuermann's electronic devices showed bindings similar to rope ligatures found on Mack's remains. Records also show he reached out to a plumbing company for draining of his home's pipes after Mack was murdered.

Court documents further allege in Heuermann's planning document, he references a dump site as Mill Road. Mack's remains were discovered near Mill Road in Manorville.

"All of it is consistent with the murders occurring in the home," Tierney said.

Court documents allege a similar cutting instrument was used to dismember Mack and another victim, Jessica Taylor. The indictment also alleges Mack's tattoos were removed. The removal of tattoos is also allegedly on a document Heuermann allegedly had that authorities have described as a blueprint for how to get away with murder, complete with checklists of things to do before, during and after killing someone.

Court documents also reveal that inside Heuermann's office they found many magazines and articles about the serial killer case.

"People [Magazine]. There was a New York Times article in the safe, other news articles," Tierney said.

"There are many people who are infatuated with this case, not just in Suffolk County but across our country," Brown said.

Heuermann, 61, has previously pleaded not guilty to murder charges in the deaths of six women between 1993 and 2011. The remains of 11 people were discovered around Gilgo Beach during that period, and investigators believe Heuermann may be linked to other killings. The Suffolk County DA has said there could be future indictments.

Four of the victims had their bodies disposed of near Gilgo Beach. Two others were murdered as far back as 2003 and 1993. Each of them had been involved in sex work.

Prosecutors allege Heuermann is linked to the murders through DNA, burner phone data, a description of his truck, internet searches and what they described as a blueprint for how to get away with murder.

The women he is accused of killing to date are Amber Lynn Costello, Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Sandra Costilla, Taylor and now Mack.

Attorneys wrangle over DNA, volume of evidence

A key point of contention in the new DNA evidence is called SNP, which prosecutors say links hairs on six of the seven victims to Heuermann. The defense has called an outside lab's methods of genetic testing unproven and "magic."

Another hurdle for prosecutors is the sheer volume of evidence. The DA says they're struggling to keep up with the costs of processing the 120 terabytes of data and 400 electronic devices seized.

Heuermann's attorney says his client is looking forward to his day in court and will be pursuing a change of venue, claiming the jury pool in Suffolk has been "poisoned."

The defense attorney wants to separate the cases at trial.

"We will be filing a motion to separate especially the first four from the next two, and then from the seventh," Brown said.

The district attorney says the conversation continues, and additional charges linked to other victims could be forthcoming.

Heuermann remains in isolation in jail.

Queen_of_Catlandia on December 18th, 2024 at 02:35 UTC »

There’s a few unsolved murders in Oklahoma that fit his MO. I’ve often wondered if he traveled

Defiant-Traffic5801 on December 18th, 2024 at 01:59 UTC »

Will that delay his nomination to the Trump cabinet?

trampus1 on December 18th, 2024 at 01:37 UTC »

What a terrible name for a serial killer.