Rex Heuermann pleads guilty to Gilgo Beach serial killings

The 62-year-old admitted to kidnapping, torturing, and murdering seven women over a 17-year period on Long Island.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 10:50pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up of a tattered piece of yellow police evidence tape, the harsh flash illuminating the rough texture and frayed edges, conceptually representing the long-running investigation into the Gilgo Beach murders.The Gilgo Beach serial killings case, which remained unsolved for over a decade, has been cracked through the use of advanced forensic techniques.Oklahoma City Today

Rex Heuermann, a 62-year-old architect, has pleaded guilty to kidnapping, torturing, and killing seven women as well as scattering their remains across Long Island between 1993 and 2010. The Gilgo Beach serial killings had remained unsolved for over a decade until Heuermann's arrest in 2023.

Why it matters

The Gilgo Beach murders were one of the most notorious unsolved serial killer cases in recent history, sparking a massive investigation that spanned decades. Heuermann's confession and guilty plea provide long-awaited closure for the victims' families and the local community, while also raising questions about how he evaded capture for so long.

The details

According to court documents, Heuermann confessed to luring the women, who were sex workers, to his Massapequa home where he would torture and kill them. He then transported their bodies to remote areas along the Long Island coast, scattering their remains across several beaches. Heuermann was arrested in 2023 after investigators used genetic genealogy to link him to the crimes.

  • Heuermann committed the murders between 1993 and 2010.
  • The victims' remains were discovered along Gilgo Beach on Long Island between 2010 and 2011.
  • Heuermann was arrested in July 2023 after a years-long investigation.

The players

Rex Heuermann

A 62-year-old architect who confessed to kidnapping, torturing, and killing seven women on Long Island between 1993 and 2010.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This case has haunted Long Island for over a decade. With Rex Heuermann's guilty plea, we can finally begin to heal and find some closure for the victims' families.”

— Kimberly Curth, Suffolk County District Attorney

What’s next

Heuermann is expected to be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole at a hearing scheduled for May 2026.

The takeaway

The Gilgo Beach serial killings case highlights the challenges law enforcement can face in solving complex, long-running murder investigations, as well as the importance of new forensic techniques like genetic genealogy in cracking cold cases.