'Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer,' Netflix documentary on Rex Heuermann, reveals alleged childhood abuse

Alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann’s extended family was "in shock and disbelief" after learning of his 2023 arrest, a relative reveals in a new Netflix documentary series released Monday.

"Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer" examines in three episodes the highs and lows of the investigation that led to the Massapequa Park architect’s arrest and contains exclusive interviews with family members of the alleged victims known as the "Gilgo Four" and one member of his own family.

"It’s hard to reconcile that he was able to disguise himself so well," said the woman, identified as "Margaret," the wife of one of Heuermann’s cousins. "He wasn’t an outsider in the family. He was an organizer of the family reunions. He was called Dear Rex, our Dear Rex."

The relative said it wasn’t until after Heuermann’s arrest that she began to hear stories about "rage and anger" and abuse she alleges Heuermann suffered from his father growing up in the house where he stayed to raise his own family.

"I don't know, if it were me, I'd want to leave that house," Margaret told the filmmakers in the third episode, which also features previously unpublished photos of Heuermann over the years. "And not only did he stay in that house, he just kept it like a capsule of time from his childhood."

The series is split into three chapters: the first telling the story of how the disappearance of Shannan Gilbert led to the discovery of multiple sets of human remains; a middle section focused on how corruption involving former Suffolk District Attorney Thomas Spota and former Suffolk Police Chief James Burke may have slowed the investigation; and the final episode covering the events leading up to and since Heuermann’s arrest.

The series includes sit-down interviews with more than a half dozen past and present Suffolk County officials, including Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney, former police commissioners Geraldine Hart and Stuart Cameron, Legis. Rob Trotta and past County Executive Steve Bellone.

Representatives of Spota declined to comment for the series and an attorney for Burke, who along with Spota was under federal investigation when the FBI was blocked from participating in the Gilgo Beach case, denied allegations made in the documentary. Both Spota and Burke were convicted in federal court for their roles in covering up a police beating of a handcuffed prisoner by Burke and others.

Bellone is asked in the documentary whether the "extent Spota ended up defending Burke" should have "raised alarm bells" for the county executive.

"I trusted some people that didn’t really merit that trust and I regret that I didn’t see that earlier," Bellone answered after a long pause.

Two women who claim they had unusual encounters with Heuermann are also featured in the series, along with the former roommates of alleged victim Amber Lynn Costello who say they gave a description of the suspect and his vehicle that helped lead to an arrest more than 15 years later.

The Gilgo Four families speak in the series about their experiences during the investigation and the bonds they have formed in the 14 years since their remains were discovered along Ocean Parkway.

"I think us as families coming together is very important because you have people that are going through the same thing as you, that understand," said Melissa Cann, sister of alleged victim Maureen-Brainard Barnes.

Michael J. Brown, of Central Islip, lead attorney for Heuermann, declined to comment on the series, which he is not featured in. He has said his client, who is accused in seven killings between 1993 and 2010, maintains his innocence.

A separate documentary series announced for Peacock is expected to tell the story of Heuermann's immediate family, their attorneys have said.

All three episodes of "Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer" are now streaming.

By Grant Parpan

grant.parpan@newsday.com@GrantParpan

Grant Parpan covers Suffolk County courts and federal courts for Newsday. A Long Island native, he joined Newsday in 2022.