Accused Gilgo Beach Serial Killer Could Change Plea to Guilty

Rex Heuermann is due back in court on April 8, when he may admit to the murders of women found near Gilgo Beach.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 12:11am

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Alleged serial killer Rex Heuermann is expected to appear in court on April 8, when he could change his plea to guilty and admit to the murders of women whose remains were found near Gilgo Beach and elsewhere on Long Island, according to sources familiar with the case. Heuermann has pleaded not guilty and was scheduled to stand trial in September, but his attorney said he was having health issues and did not appear at a recent court appearance.

Why it matters

The Gilgo Beach murders have been one of the most high-profile unsolved serial killer cases in recent memory, with the remains of several women found along a remote stretch of Long Island beach over the course of a decade. Heuermann's potential change of plea could bring some closure to the victims' families and the broader community.

The details

Heuermann was charged by the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office in the deaths of seven women. If he changes his plea to guilty, it would mark a significant development in the case, which has been ongoing since the first set of remains were discovered in 2010.

  • Heuermann is next due to appear in court on April 8, 2026.
  • Heuermann was arrested in July 2023.

The players

Rex Heuermann

The alleged serial killer charged with the Gilgo Beach murders.

Suffolk County District Attorney's Office

The office that charged Heuermann in the deaths of seven women.

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What’s next

The judge will decide whether to accept Heuermann's potential guilty plea during the April 8 court appearance.

The takeaway

If Heuermann does change his plea to guilty, it could provide some closure for the victims' families and the broader community that has grappled with the Gilgo Beach murders for over a decade. However, the case has been full of twists and turns, so the final outcome remains to be seen.