Long Island Serial Killer Pleads Guilty to Murders

Rex Heuermann, 62, confesses to seven killings after nearly two decades of investigation

Apr. 9, 2026 at 2:25am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single piece of police evidence related to the Gilgo Beach serial killer case, such as a discarded item or a fragment of evidence, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the grim details of this long-unsolved murder investigation.A grim relic from the Gilgo Beach serial killer case, this forensic evidence offers a stark reminder of the tragedy that haunted Long Island for nearly two decades.Massapequa Park Today

After nearly two decades of investigation, the so-called 'Long Island Serial Killer' case has come to a close. Rex A. Heuermann, a 62-year-old resident of Massapequa Park, New York, was arrested in July 2023 and has now pleaded guilty to seven of the murders that have haunted the region for years.

Why it matters

The Gilgo Beach murders have been one of the most high-profile and perplexing serial killer cases in recent history, with investigators struggling for years to identify the perpetrator. Heuermann's confession and guilty plea bring a sense of closure to the victims' families and the broader Long Island community that has lived in the shadow of this case.

The details

Heuermann, an architect by trade, confessed to seven of the Gilgo Beach murders that occurred between 2010 and 2013. The victims, all women, were found buried along a remote stretch of coastline on Long Island. Heuermann's arrest in 2023 came after a lengthy investigation that utilized new forensic techniques and technology to link him to the crimes.

  • The Gilgo Beach murders occurred between 2010 and 2013.
  • Heuermann was arrested in July 2023.
  • Heuermann pleaded guilty to the murders on April 8, 2026.

The players

Rex A. Heuermann

A 62-year-old resident of Massapequa Park, New York, who has confessed to seven of the Gilgo Beach murders that occurred between 2010 and 2013.

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What they’re saying

“This case has haunted our community for far too long. While nothing can undo the pain and suffering caused by these horrific crimes, we hope that Heuermann's confession and guilty plea can provide some measure of closure for the victims' families.”

— Suffolk County District Attorney

What’s next

Heuermann is expected to be sentenced to life in prison for his crimes.

The takeaway

The resolution of the Gilgo Beach serial killer case, one of the most notorious unsolved murder mysteries in recent history, serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of persistent, meticulous police work and the use of evolving forensic techniques to bring even the most elusive criminals to justice.