Architect Charged in Gilgo Beach Serial Killings

Rex Heuermann admits to murdering eight women over decades

Apr. 13, 2026 at 3:09am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a single piece of burlap fabric, capturing the rough, textured material in dramatic lighting that evokes a sense of the gritty investigation into the Gilgo Beach serial killings.The discovery of several victims' bodies wrapped in burlap along Gilgo Beach has captivated true crime enthusiasts for over a decade, leading to the arrest of a seemingly ordinary architect.Brooklyn Today

Rex Heuermann, a 45-year-old consulting architect who worked with several apartment buildings in Brooklyn, has been arrested and charged with the murders of several young women whose bodies were found wrapped in burlap along the Gilgo Beach area of Long Island, New York. Heuermann recently reversed his initial not guilty plea and admitted to killing an eighth woman as well.

Why it matters

The Gilgo Beach serial killings have captivated true crime enthusiasts for over a decade, generating numerous podcasts, documentaries, and media coverage. The arrest of Heuermann, a seemingly ordinary professional working in the New York City area, has added a new layer of intrigue to the case and raised questions about how a serial killer could operate undetected for so long in a populated region.

The details

Heuermann has been charged with seven counts of murder for the killings of young sex workers whose bodies were found wrapped in burlap along the Gilgo Beach area of Long Island over the course of several years. He recently reversed his initial not guilty plea and admitted to killing an eighth woman as well, methodically answering 'strangulation' when asked how he ended the lives of each of his victims. Heuermann, who lived in a dilapidated childhood home in Massapequa Park and commuted to his Manhattan office, was not a typical serial killer profile, operating without prestige in his profession yet managing to evade law enforcement for decades.

  • In July 2023, the Gilgo Beach serial killer was identified and taken into custody.
  • Heuermann was scheduled to go to trial in the fall of 2026 for seven counts of murder, but this week reversed his plea to guilty on all counts.
  • Over the course of 20 minutes in court, Heuermann admitted to killing an eighth woman as well.

The players

Rex Heuermann

A 45-year-old consulting architect who worked with several apartment buildings in Brooklyn and has been charged with the murders of several young women whose bodies were found wrapped in burlap along the Gilgo Beach area of Long Island.

Amy Ryan

A lifelong New Yorker, Oscar- and Tony-nominated actress who starred in the 2020 Netflix film 'Lost Girls' about the Gilgo Beach murders.

Ginia Bellafante

A journalist who briefly dealt with Heuermann through her work on a co-op board in Brooklyn Heights.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“You will not believe who it is.”

— Amy Ryan, Actress

“Rex Heuermann is why I don't have central air.”

— Wealthy co-op owner

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Heuermann to remain out on bail following his guilty plea.

The takeaway

This case highlights the disturbing reality that a seemingly ordinary professional could evade detection as a serial killer for decades, raising questions about how such crimes can go unnoticed in populated areas and the need for improved investigative techniques and victim support services.