Suspect in Gilgo Beach serial killings to plead guilty

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Rex Heuermann, the man charged with seven of the Gilgo Beach murders on Long Island, is expected to plead guilty at a hearing on April 8, according to sources familiar with the matter. Heuermann, an architect who was married with children at the time, was arrested in 2023 and initially charged with three counts of first-degree murder. He now stands accused of killing seven women whose remains were found during searches in 2010 and 2011 along Gilgo Beach.

Why it matters

The Gilgo Beach murders have haunted the Long Island community for over a decade, with the cases going cold after years of investigation. Heuermann's expected guilty plea could provide some closure for the victims' families and the broader community, while also raising questions about the criminal justice system's handling of such high-profile serial killings.

The details

Heuermann was initially charged in the deaths of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello. In 2024, he was charged with the killings of four more women: Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Jessica Taylor, Sandra Costilla, and Valerie Mack. Authorities said cellphone evidence and DNA taken from a discarded pizza crust were used to build the case against Heuermann.

• Heuermann is expected to plead guilty at a hearing on April 8, 2026.
• Heuermann was arrested in July 2023 and initially charged with three counts of first-degree murder.
• In 2024, Heuermann was charged with the killings of four more women.

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on April 8 whether to accept Heuermann's expected guilty plea.