Rex Heuermann, a 59-year-old architect residing in Massapequa Park, Long Island, has been apprehended and charged in connection with the infamous Gilgo Beach serial killings. Heuermann entered a not guilty plea to six murder charges during a court appearance in Yaphank, New York, on Friday. He is accused of the murders of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello, whose remains were among those discovered along Ocean Parkway in December 2010. If found guilty, Heuermann faces life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

Following the arrest, law enforcement initiated searches of Heuermann's Long Island residence and his Manhattan office. The investigation into the Gilgo Beach murders has spanned over a decade, beginning with the search for missing escort Shannan Gilbert in 2010, which subsequently led to the grim discovery of 11 sets of human remains along the beach highway between 2010 and 2011. Suffolk County Executive Steven Bellone affirmed the ongoing commitment of law enforcement to this case, emphasizing the tireless pursuit of justice for the victims and their families.

Heuermann, a married father of two, has worked as an architect and consultant in Manhattan since 1987. He described himself as a "troubleshooter" in a 2022 interview, stating he handles non-routine architectural issues. Neighbors in Massapequa Park expressed shock at the arrest, with some describing Heuermann as a "neighborhood creep." One neighbor recounted an unsettling encounter where Heuermann inquired about her brother's emotional response at their father's funeral.

The Gilgo Beach killings have remained a mystery for over a decade. The initial discovery of the remains was prompted by the search for Shannan Gilbert, who disappeared after placing a frantic 911 call in May 2010. The first four victims found, known as the "Gilgo Four," were identified as Amber Lynn Costello, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Megan Waterman, and Melissa Barthelemy. Subsequent discoveries included the remains of Jessica Taylor, Valerie Mack, an unidentified toddler, an unidentified Asian male or transgender woman, and "Peaches," believed to be the toddler's mother. Some of these remains had been found in other locations years earlier, adding complexity to the long-running investigation. Suffolk County Police and prosecutors provided an update on the case late Friday afternoon.