Suspected Gilgo Beach Serial Killer Rex Heuermann Charged in Deaths of Two More Women, Expanding Timeline by Nearly Two Decades
Rex Heuermann, a New York architect and suspected serial killer, has been charged with the murders of two more women: Jessica Taylor and Sandra Costilla. The new charges expand the timeline of Heuermann's alleged crimes by nearly two decades.
Jessica Taylor's partial remains were found near Gilgo Beach in 2011 and linked to other remains from 2003. Her body was discovered in a wooded area of Manorville, farther east on Long Island. Sandra Costilla's remains were found in North Sea, in the town of Southampton, and she was killed in 1993.
Heuermann is believed to have mutilated the victims to inhibit identification via facial recognition, fingerprints and/or tattoo identification. DNA from a male human hair recovered from Taylor's body linked Heuermann to her death. Phone records showed that Heuermann's wife and children were out of town at the time of Taylor's killing.
The investigation into the Gilgo Beach murders dates back to late 2010, when investigators discovered the first of ten victims along a desolate stretch of Ocean Parkway running east from Jones Beach. The latest charges against Heuermann follow a recent flurry of activity in the investigation, including a nine-day canine search completed last month in Manorville and Southampton and six-day search of his home in Massapequa Park.
Heuermann has been charged with the murders of four women: Shannan Gilbert, Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy, and Amber Costello. He pleaded not guilty to all charges in connection with their deaths and remains in jail awaiting trial.
The Gilgo Beach investigation is ongoing.