Latest updates: Gilgo Beach serial killings investigation

Updated August 11, 2023

Follow every step of the investigation into the Gilgo Beach serial killings with comprehensive coverage from Newsday. From breaking updates to expert analysis, stay informed with our full coverage.

Wife of suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer battling cancer, attorney says

Asa Ellerup is undergoing treatment and requires an additional 12 to 18 months of care, attorney Robert Macedonio said during a news conference in Islip Terrace.

Gilgo Beach killings: Exclusive interview with Suffolk County police commissioner

Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney K. Harrison came to the NewsdayTV studios for a one-on-one interview on the state of the investigation with Newsday's Joye Brown.

Gilgo Beach killings suspect must submit to cheek swab for DNA testing, judge orders

State Supreme Court Justice Timothy Mazzei, the presiding judge in the case of the Massapequa Park architect accused of killing three women, ruled prosecutors have enough probable cause to obtain the sample from suspect Rex A. Heuermann.

Gilgo serial killer suspect's defense opposes DNA testing, court filing shows

A lawyer for Rex A. Heuermann is opposing a prosecution request to take a cheek swab from him, arguing that prosecutors have failed to demonstrate probable cause that Heuermann killed three women.

Gilgo investigators identify victim known as 'Jane Doe No. 7' as Karen Vergata

Vergata, who lived on West 45th Street in Manhattan and was last seen Feb. 14, 1996, worked as an escort, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said.

'Fire Island Jane Doe' identified

Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney announced Friday that the FBI has positively identified the Gilgo Beach victim previously known as "Jane Doe No. 7," as Karen Vergata of Manhattan. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn reports.

Gilgo Beach killings: Exclusive interview with Suffolk district attorney

Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney came to the Newsday studios for a one-on-one interview on the state of the investigation with Newsday columnist Joye Brown.

Prosecutors turn over documents, evidence at suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer's court appearance

Evidence included photographs from the crime scenes where the bodies of the women Rex Heuermann is accused of killing were found, autopsy reports, anthropological and DNA evidence, and surveillance footage from around Heuermann's home.

Accused Gilgo killer Rex Heuermann did projects costing tens of millions

The architect's business filings offer a window into the apparent contrasts underpinning the life of a man charged with murdering three women, and suspected in a fourth case.

'It's not an inviting area': Ocean Parkway thickets masked dumping ground in Gilgo Beach killings

The stretch where victims were found, including those linked to the accused serial killer Rex A. Heuermann, is hidden by thick overgrowth but is not far from residences.

Wife of accused Gilgo serial killer asks for privacy in neighborhood

Asa Ellerup said the lives of her family and especially her elderly neighbors have been turned upside down by "the enormous police presence, in addition to the spectators and news crews."

Family of Gilgo Beach killings suspect Rex Heuermann returns to LI home

His estranged wife, Asa Ellerup, daughter, stepson and the family dog were seen in the front yard of the house on First Avenue in Massapequa Park.

Search for evidence done at Rex Heuermann's house

The police search has ended at the Massapequa Park home of accused Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann. The street has reopened, and neighbors say they're hoping their community can try and get back to normal. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn reports.

Authorities done searching for evidence at Gilgo killings suspect's house, DA says

Investigators have ended their search of Rex A. Heuermann's Massapequa Park home and property after 12 days, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said.

Search of Gilgo Beach killings suspect's house 'has been fruitful,' police commissioner says

"I will say that we will go into every single crevice to make sure that there's not something that we missed and things that are beneficial to this investigation," said Rodney K. Harrison.

Gilgo Beach killings: Excavating equipment brought in for Heuermann home search

The equipment was brought to the rear of suspect Rex A. Heuermann's Massapequa Park home. The focus of the investigation appears to have shifted to the backyard.

Probe at home of suspected Gilgo Beach killer likely will wrap up next week, police commissioner says

The commissioner said there are "a lot of items in the house" in Massapequa Park that investigators are sorting through. He credited the patience of neighbors during the probe, which has lasted more than a week.

Accused Gilgo Beach killer's neighbors, colleagues paint a complex picture

Rex Heuermann, the Massapequa Park architect at the center of the Gilgo Beach investigation, lived in a rundown house and had tense run-ins with neighbors.

Who is alleged Gilgo killer Rex Heuermann?

Rex Heuermann, 59, is accused of killing at least three women in connection with the Gilgo Beach case. Neighbors share their experiences dealing with the Massapequa Park man. NewsdayTV's Macy Egeland reports.

At crime lab, Gilgo investigators turn focus to pickup truck Heuermann once owned

More than a dozen investigators meticulously searched the Chevy Avalanche, a critical piece of evidence that helped lead to his arrest.

Key questions, answers about the Gilgo Beach killings

The Gilgo Beach serial murder case went unsolved for more than 12 years, but it finally saw a breakthrough this month. Here are some key questions and answers about the case.

What happens to the other unsolved Gilgo cases?

Rex Heuermann is linked to four victims at Gilgo Beach, but authorities are searching for a possible connection to the six other victims. NewsdayTV's Jasmine Anderson and Newsday criminal justice reporter Michael O'Keeffe report.

Unsolved Gilgo killings: Police say they are scouring for connection to Rex Heuermann

"We have his DNA, and we can see if he is connected to other violent acts," Suffolk Police Commissioner Rodney K. Harrison says.

Gilgo investigators looking for blood, DNA and 'trophies' as evidence, DA says

"Normally people keep mementos of significant times in their life, so that's what we're looking for," said Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney, who declined to discuss evidence investigators have so far removed from Rex Heuermann's home.

Special precautions being taken at the Suffolk County jail to guard Rex Heuermann

According to the Sheriff's department, the 59-year-old defendant is being housed in a special unit with only authorized personnel granted access. The specific unit isn't being identified though. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn and Newsday's investigative reporter Sandra Peddie report.

Investigators seize more than 200 guns from Gilgo suspect's home, police say

The investigation into Heuermann, who has a condo in Las Vegas and owns land in South Carolina, expanded. "We are currently reviewing our unsolved cases to see if he has any involvement," the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police said.

Wife of suspected Gilgo killer Rex Heuermann files for divorce, court record shows

"I can confirm a summons and a complaint has been filed," her attorney said by phone late Wednesday afternoon. "We have no further comment."

Gilgo serial killings timeline: How the investigation unfolded

See the latest in the case against Rex A. Heuermann of Massapequa Park and catch-up on key moments from the 13-year probe.

Gilgo Beach killings probe leads to Amityville storage facility

Suffolk County and New York State police on Monday were searching the facility on Sunrise Highway in connection with suspect Rex A. Heuermann.

Inside the Gilgo task force war room

"Most of us were standing, I don't remember anyone sitting down," Suffolk County Deputy Chief Anthony Carter said, recalling the moments before alleged Gilgo Beach killer Rex Heuermann was arrested.

Gilgo Beach residents relieved arrest was made in killings after nearly 13 years

Residents of the Gilgo Beach area expressed relief that an arrest was made in several of the unsolved killings that, to many, have become synonymous with their picturesque ocean front community.

How a special task force got Rex Heuermann: a Chevrolet Avalanche, pizza crust and burner cellphones

A break in the Gilgo Beach investigation came on March 14, 2022, when a New York State investigator linked the Avalanche to the Massapequa Park resident.

Police searches in Gilgo Beach serial killer case continue in Massapequa Park and Manhattan

Police continued to seize evidence Saturday from Rex Heuermann's home and office, a day after he pleaded not guilty to multiple murder charges.

Rex Heuermann, suspect arrested in Gilgo Beach killings, seemed to be 'typical business owner'

Rex Heuermann, who neighbors and authorities said is married with children, was considered a "regular neighbor" who took the train to work into the city.

'It's a shocker': Massapequa Park crowd stunned by Gilgo Beach arrest

Curious neighbors, true crime buffs and media gathered outside alleged serial killer Rex A. Heuermann's home after the news broke, in one of four simultaneously surreal scenes across the Island and in Manhattan.

Gilgo Beach killings relatives say they are grateful, relieved a suspect has been charged

"Thank God," said an emotional Tricia Fulton Hazan of New Jersey, the half-sister of homicide victim Valerie Mack. "Thank the Long Island police, the media and everybody who did the investigation."

Sini: 'The cellphone evidence is critical here'

NewsdayTV's Joye Brown sat down with former Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy Sini Friday to discuss the arrest made in the Gilgo investigation.

See the charges Heuermann is facing

The bail application lays out the charges Rex Heuermann of Massapequa Park is facing in connection with the Gilgo Beach killings.

Suspect arrested and charged in Gilgo Beach killings, police commissioner says

Rex A. Heuermann, 59, pleaded not guilty to three counts each of first- and second-degree murder relating to the deaths of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello during his arraignment in Suffolk County Court in Riverhead Friday.

The case that has gripped Long Islanders for more than 10 years

In December 2010, human remains were discovered along Ocean Parkway in Gilgo Beach, the first of what would become 10 victims. NewsdayTV's Macy Egeland takes a look back at the Gilgo investigation.

Suffolk police release video of Gilgo victim

"The public help in identifying potential suspects or additional leads is critical," Suffolk Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison said Tuesday at a news conference in Oak Beach.

Gilgo Beach murders 12 years later: Part one — Past mistakes

Twelve years later, the Gilgo Beach murders remain unsolved. NewsdayTV's Ti-Hua Chang looks at what some call flaws in the investigation, including the Suffolk police department keeping the FBI out of the case for years.

Suffolk police release new details about first 4 Gilgo victims

It's the latest in a series of public information releases intended to help solve the mystery into who killed 10 people and dumped their bodies along Ocean Parkway.

911 Gilgo-related call: 'There's somebody after me'

Attempts by law enforcement to locate Shannan Gilbert's body in late 2010 and early 2011 ultimately led authorities to the remains of 10 other victims in what has become one of the country's most notorious serial killer cases.

'Like stepping into a nightmare.' Family of Gilgo victim Valerie Mack speaks

Mack was 24 years old when she abruptly disappeared from her family's lives around October 2000. Two decades later, DNA testing provided answers but also confirmed their worst fears.

Gilgo Murders: Full inverview with former Suffolk County District Attorney Tim Sini

The former prosecutor dicusses where the developments in the case stand now.

Cops release new belt images in Gilgo Beach killings probe

The Suffolk County Police Department released two more photos of a belt investigators believe may have been handled by a potential suspect.

How DNA websites helped ID Gilgo's 'Jane Doe No. 6'

Genetic genealogy, once only of interest to people curious about finding their long lost relatives, has become one of law enforcement's most sought-after forensic tools for solving difficult cases.

Wife of suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer has not been interviewed by investigators, her divorce lawyer says

But Asa Ellerup has spoken to her husband by telephone in "personal" conversations while Rex A. Heuermann awaits trial in the Suffolk County Jail, her divorce lawyer said Tuesday. "They have spoken," Islip Terrace-based attorney Robert Macedonio said.

Investigators seek swab from suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer for DNA testing, court papers show

Prosecutors said they want a cheek swab from suspect Rex A. Heuermann to test against DNA that could be linked to the remains of one of the victims.

Great white shark spotted off Montauk coast