Alleged Long Island Serial Killer Rex Heuermann Has Been Charged With a Fourth Killing

It’s the case that has put fear into the hearts of Long Island residents for several years. As far back as 2010, law enforcement officials have discovered 11 bodies on Long Island’s Gilgo Beach. As a result, the perpetrator had been dubbed the Long Island Serial Killer. Authorities believe the heinous murders took place between 1996 and 2010.

Finally in July 2023, a 59-year-old architect from Nassau County was arrested by police, per The New York Times. Rex Heuermann was charged with "three counts of first degree murder and three counts of second degree murder in the killings of Amber Lynn Costello, Megan Waterman and Melissa Barthelemy." All three women were in their 20s, diminutive in size, and working as paid escorts. In January 2024, Heuremann was charged with a fourth murder. Here's what we know.

Court documents obtained by People state that the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office have linked Heuermann to the death of 25-year-old Maureen Brainard-Barnes via DNA evidence, and he has been charged with second-degree murder. Heuermann's attorney, Michael Brown, entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. He was then sent back to Suffolk County Jail to await his next trial, which is set for Feb. 6, 2024.

After Heuermann was charged with Brainard-Barnes's murder, her daughter spoke to press about what this means to her family. "I was only 7 years old when my mother was murdered, her loss drastically changed the trajectory of my life, there are countless times I needed her and she was not there," said Nicolette Brainard-Barnes. "I remember she read to me every night and now I can no longer remember the sound of her voice. I wish she was here today, but she was taken from us."

Brainard-Barnes was last seen checking out of a Super 8 Motel in New York City on July 9, 2007. Three years later her body was "found bound with three leather belts, one of which was used to tie her ankles," per People. Police believe of the four women whose deaths are currently being connected to Heuermann, Brainard-Barnes was the first one killed.

The New York Times reported that when "Heuermann was arrested, prosecutors said that the DNA evidence connecting him to the murders included several hairs belonging to his wife, Asa Ellerup, that were found with the women’s remains." There were also strands of hair belonging to a male that "corresponded to a genetic sample taken from pizza crusts Mr. Heuermann discarded outside his office in Midtown Manhattan."

Heuermann's attorney initially rejected the mitochondrial DNA testing stating it was inadequate due to the fact that it could not be used to positively identify his client as a match. That is no longer the case as in January 2024, prosecutors filed court papers that detailed further DNA testing which established "matches with much more certainty than mitochondrial DNA testing."

After the court hearing on Jan. 16, 2024 where Brown was delivered this crushing blow to his case, he told reporters, "This morning was the first time — and this is 13-plus years — that, miraculously, nuclear DNA testing and results have come forward." District Attorney Ray Tierney shared that "Nuclear DNA existed in the hairs since they were discovered, and now the science has caught up. I would say that’s a good break for justice."