According to a report by NBC News on Friday, a pizza box has allegedly provided a link between a Long Island man and the serial murders of three women, whose remains were discovered on Gilgo Beach in 2010.
According to the NBC News report, Rex Heuermann, a 59-year-old resident of Massapequa Park, Long Island, was charged on Friday with the murders of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello.
Heuermann reportedly entered a plea of not guilty in response to the charges.
In January, authorities reportedly observed Rex Heuermann, an architect employed in Manhattan, disposing of a pizza box into a trash can on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. According to an NBC report, analysis of DNA extracted from the pizza crust in the box revealed a potential match to the mitochondrial DNA profile of male hair found on the burlap used to restrain and transport victim Megan Waterman.
Additionally, familial DNA was reportedly employed as supplementary evidence implicating Heuermann in the case.
Heuermann is accused of utilizing various methods to conceal his identity and activities, including employing multiple fictitious email addresses, fake identities, and burner phones.
Shockingly, he allegedly used Melissa Barthelemy’s phone to torment her sister after the teenager’s disappearance. Authorities suspect that Heuermann solicited the services of sex workers, some of whom turned out to be the three victims, raising concerns that he may pose a continued threat.
In connection with the case, law enforcement discovered a Chevrolet Avalanche in Heuermann’s possession, a vehicle that was reportedly described by a witness and linked to the disappearance of one of the victims.
During his court appearance, Heuermann purportedly became emotional and vehemently maintained his innocence. He is currently being held without bail as authorities continue their investigation into a potential fourth death, for which he is considered a primary suspect.
Moment cops swoop on Gilgo Beach 'serial killer' in NYC street before arresting him pic.twitter.com/u9k6kl5s0p
— Daily Mail US (@DailyMail) July 15, 2023
According to an additional NBC report, Heuermann is alleged to have engaged in disturbing online behavior, including researching sadistic and torture-related pornography.
The report further states that he conducted over 200 online searches, specifically targeting the victims by name and seeking updates on the infamous “Long Island serial killer” case.
The Suffolk County Police Department has reported the discovery of eleven bodies between 1996 and 2011 in what is now known as the Gilgo Beach homicides.
