Notorious Serial Killer Releases Disturbing Detail About 8 Deaths
Rex Heuermann finally brought an end to the three-decade-long search for the serial killer who terrorized women in Long Island.
The notorious serial killer pleaded guilty to eight deaths, and he made a chilling revelation during the court hearing. The Suffolk County DA asked Heuermann, a married architect and father, how he killed the women.
“Strangulation,” he responded, according to CNN.But that's not all.
Rex Heuermann Confirmed Other Details About the Murdered Women's Deaths
According to CNN, Heuermann provided other chilling details. He confirmed that he "bound their heads and legs and wrapped their bodies in burlap," CNN reported.
Heuermann also admitted "dumping their bodies along Gilgo Beach and having used burner phones to contact them," according to NBC News, which added, "Heuermann said that he bound (three victims) the same way — by wrapping them in burlap — and that he agreed to offer them money before they met up."
The victims were named as Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, Amber Costello, Jessica Taylor, Valerie Mack, Sandra Costilla and Karen Vergata, CNN reported.
According to People, Heuermann "kept his gaze straight. He did not look back at the packed gallery during the brief hearing. Heuermann appeared calm under questioning."
Rex Heuermann Pretended to Be a 'Harmless Father Next Door,' According to the Lead Prosecutor
(Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
The district attorney described how Heuermann pretended to be a harmless father next door, when he was really murdering women while his wife and daughter were away on vacation.
"He thought that by killing them he could silence them forever and get away with murder," Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said of Heuermann, according to NBC News, which added that Tierney said Heuermann acted like a "harmless father next door."
The case is known as the Gilgo Beach serial killings. Heuermann had previously denied committing the crimes. He has not been sentenced yet. The prosecutor said during the televised hearing that the DA's office will seek life prison terms without parole, but will not seek additional prosecutions against Heuermann.
When asked by the judge whether he was knowingly waiving his rights to testify, examine witnesses, and so forth, Heuermann calmly responded, "Yes, your honor." Heuermann was told that the judge will receive a pre-sentence report before determining the sentence. The plea agreement also requires Heuermann to cooperate with the FBI's behavioral analysis unit, the defense attorney said during the hearing.
According to NBC News, Heuermann’s former wife, Asa Ellerup, and their daughter attended the guilty plea hearing. Ellerup gave a statement after the hearing, saying, "My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. Their loss is immeasurable, and the focus should be on them at this time in the moment."
Heuermann's attorney, Michael Brown, told reporters that the guilty plea gave Heuermann some relief, NBC News reported.
"When you have that type of — in your head, and on your body — I think by admitting it, it's cathartic to some extent," Brown said, according to NBC. Heuermann was arrested in 2023. He will have a chance to speak in greater detail at his sentencing hearing in June.
"He certainly wanted to save the families of the victims the ordeal of going to trial, coupled with saving his family from that," Brown said, according to NBC.