Long Island Serial Killer Pleads Guilty to 7 Murders, Admits to 8th

Rex Heuermann, an architect, confessed to a decades-long killing spree along the Gilgo Beach coastline.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 10:53am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a discarded pizza crust against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the key forensic evidence that helped identify the serial killer.A discarded pizza crust proved to be the crucial forensic evidence that helped crack the long-unsolved Gilgo Beach serial killings case.Gilgo Today

Rex Heuermann, a 62-year-old Long Island architect, pleaded guilty this week to three counts of first-degree murder and four counts of intentional murder in the killings of seven women between 1993 and 2010. Heuermann also admitted to strangling and dismembering an eighth victim, Karen Vergata, in 1996, although he has not been charged in her death. The discovery of numerous sets of human remains along Long Island's South Shore beginning in late 2010 set off a search for a potential serial killer that drew global interest.

Why it matters

The Gilgo Beach killings case has been one of the most high-profile unsolved serial murder investigations in recent history. Heuermann's guilty plea and confession bring a long-awaited resolution to the case, providing closure for the victims' families and shedding light on the disturbing crimes of a prolific serial killer who evaded capture for over three decades.

The details

Heuermann, who led a secret life as a serial killer, pleaded guilty to the murders of Melissa Barthelemy, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Amber Lynn Costello, Valerie Mack, Jessica Taylor, Megan Waterman, and Sandra Costilla. Their remains were found along Ocean Parkway near Gilgo Beach, as well as more than 60 miles away in the Hamptons. Heuermann also admitted to killing Karen Vergata in 1996, although he has not been charged in her death. Detectives identified Heuermann as a suspect in 2022 using a vehicle registration database and cellphone data that connected him to the victims. A DNA match from a discarded pizza crust sealed the case against him.

  • The killings took place between 1993 and 2010.
  • Heuermann was arrested in 2023.
  • Heuermann pleaded guilty on April 8, 2026.

The players

Rex Heuermann

A 62-year-old Long Island architect who confessed to strangling and dismembering eight female victims, many of whom were sex workers, and dumping their bodies along the Gilgo Beach coastline over a 17-year period.

Karen Vergata

A victim whose remains were found on Fire Island in 1996 and near Gilgo Beach in 2011. Heuermann admitted to killing her, although he has not been charged in her death.

Elizabeth Baczkiel

The mother of victim Jessica Taylor, who was 20 years old when she went missing in 2003.

Melissa Cann

The sister of victim Maureen Brainard-Barnes, whose body was found in 2010.

Asa Ellerup

The ex-wife of Rex Heuermann, who had no knowledge of or involvement in the killings.

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What they’re saying

“I am glad that this is over as far as him pleading guilty. It took a big chunk of stress off of me and my family.”

— Elizabeth Baczkiel, Mother of victim Jessica Taylor

“This has been a long journey of hope — hope that one day we would stand here and say her name with justice beside it. Today, that long, painful journey brings us to this moment.”

— Melissa Cann, Sister of victim Maureen Brainard-Barnes

What’s next

Heuermann will be sentenced in June to life in prison without the possibility of parole. As part of his guilty plea, he agreed to cooperate fully with the FBI's behavioral analysis unit to help catch other serial killers.

The takeaway

The Gilgo Beach killings case has been one of the most high-profile unsolved serial murder investigations in recent history. Heuermann's guilty plea and confession bring a long-awaited resolution to the case, providing closure for the victims' families and shedding light on the disturbing crimes of a prolific serial killer who evaded capture for over three decades.