Who is the LONG ISLAND SERIAL KILLER? *ARREST JULY 2023*

Who is the Long Island serial killer? This is a general discussion thread about this terrifying case.

Who is the Long Island Serial Killer?

The Long Island serial killer (also referred to as LISK, the Gilgo Beach Killer or the Craigslist Ripper) is an unidentified suspected serial killer who is believed to have murdered 10 to 16 people over a period of nearly 20 years.

www.crimewatchers.net

MEMBER'S ONLY DISCUSSION/DOCUMENTS: https://www.crimewatchers.net/threa...other-sensitive-information.3498/#post-226869

 

[Regina]

A witness signed an affidavit that stated Asa said she was pregnant in Feb '96.

I read what was presented as her affidavit and I didn't read anything about Asa saying she was pregnant.

 

[Tresir]

In other words, it's an educated guess?
It appears to me it's unlikely she was pregnant at the time but even if she was, I don't agree that it'd back up her story because that wasn't her story. That comes from someone who's trying to make her story make sense.

Call it what you like but unless you have a link to the daughter's exact DOB you can't disprove it. She was quoted as being 26 at his arrest, so you can work it out when she was likely born. We also approximated the age of the son at about 5 at the time too. You think that's wrong too?

 

[Tresir]

I don't know her birthdate, just that when he was arrested, it was reported that she was 26.

Sorry, I didn't give much of a clue as to who the heck is Marge. lol! She's a character from the movie, Fargo, whose dialogue from her and others in the movie (accompanied with a Minnesota dialect, of course) occasionally pops into my mind and out of my mouth, lol!


Yes, I think he's guilty of the crimes he's charged with and no, I don't think Asa knew he was a serial killer.
As for whether they were swingers, even if I knew they were, I still wouldn't believe the Vergata story.

Ok so we know she was 26 in July 2023. So she could have been 26 the day before the arrest or any time 364 days earlier than that ie July 2022 till July 2023. So her birth date could be between July '96 and July '97 in reality. So it would be entirely likely for Asa to be pregnant in Feb '96.

As to whether they were swingers, they advertised on the wall of a swingers club. The reason his first wife divorced him was because even then, he liked escorts and used Craig's list to find them.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Believe it or not, not going to diss or argue that as it isn't the most out there thought in this one/this sh*t. And based on a lot of facts. And I said myself back when I recalled a lot of LE and claims of parties and hookers and LI and as it talked to Gilbert and more.

I mean Burke could have been just shutting all down because he knew if anyone looked to close or went to the areas where hookers of either sex worked and tried to talk to them or hung around in surveillance, his own thing would likely be caught or exposed and he couldn't go do his things.... BUT he beat up the one guy, had his stuff taken with all his what dildos and such and computer Lord imagine... He nixed in every way this investigation into Gilbert and more.

Yes, very well could be.

AND/OR all I see is more and more of it. I mean even the cop that took Karen to Rex's and left her there, more LE and the swinging and so on and all he talk and rumors from way way back when of LI or this part and cops and big name people having parties with sex workers and more....

In some ways Burke seems like too much of a weinie to throttle or kill anyone, dismember, spread parts, etc. but then aren't a lot of killes ones who were never thought to be capable or much of anything...

How he HE77 did someone like him even get into a position of power. That is another subject entirely in that never thing the powers that be and the people that run our world are taking care of us or are the ones that should be. That was such a lie learned in childhood and elementary school. Or at least it is today and has been for a long time.

I am so sick of a tiny worthless keyboard and some auto correct to dumber words than he one I type that is correct. Some typos are my own but most are due to the dumb bs. and tight keyboard and auto correct to LESS valid words. I corrected a few in a couple of posts here but not all. And hen I hit the space bar and it doesn't do a space, etc.

THEN. See? I hit the T but nope it ends up hen. Junkkeyboard. Now it misses the space. Argghhhhh (^(&(&!!#!$^^@^@!!

 

[Tresir]

I am so sick of a tiny worthless keyboard and some auto correct to dumber words than he one I type that is correct. Some typos are my own but most are due to the dumb bs. and tight keyboard and auto correct to LESS valid words. I corrected a few in a couple of posts here but not all. And hen I hit the space bar and it doesn't do a space, etc.

THEN. See? I hit the T but nope it ends up hen. Junkkeyboard. Now it misses the space. Argghhhhh (^(&(&!!#!$^^@^@!!

My phone does this too quite a lot.

 

[Tresir]

Well here is the well regarded Police Commissioner as a guest on a YT channel of a friend, former colleague I believe. It was interesting and worth watching, nothing earth shattering but there was a nugget or few and I read between the lines on a couple of things or have guesses...

One thing is he said they know who RW is, the swinger cop who picked up who his partner alleges was Vergata. Another bit is that; he expects Tierney to come out in the next few weeks with a status on Maureen Brainard Barnes.

It's time that they identify who this RW is right?

I am listening to this again. But he is off the case now though right?

 

[GrandmaBear]

It's time that they identify who this RW is right?

I am listening to this again. But he is off the case now though right?

It is PAST time they identify him. Ray could or Harrison could or LE could as well. Someone needs to imo.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Ok so we know she was 26 in July 2023. So she could have been 26 the day before the arrest or any time 364 days earlier than that ie July 2022 till July 2023. So her birth date could be between July '96 and July '97 in reality. So it would be entirely likely for Asa to be pregnant in Feb '96.

As to whether they were swingers, they advertised on the wall of a swingers club. The reason his first wife divorced him was because even then, he liked escorts and used Craig's list to find them.

I have no reason to believe she wasn't pregnant nor that that claim is false. I did not however do the math myself. I figured why would that be claimed if not likely or even certain. And with all the SM and people looking at this case, someone would have called it out if it coudln't be the case.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Call it what you like but unless you have a link to the daughter's exact DOB you can't disprove it. She was quoted as being 26 at his arrest, so you can work it out when she was likely born. We also approximated the age of the son at about 5 at the time too. You think that's wrong too?

someone by now would have called this out if unlikely or if dates do not fit. I have not doubted it nor had any reason to.

 

[Tresir]

someone by now would have called this out if unlikely or if dates do not fit. I have not doubted it nor had any reason to.

Me neither. Their ages are in the media after all.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I read what was presented as her affidavit and I didn't read anything about Asa saying she was pregnant.

I recall her saying she thought her non interest in sex with her was because of race. However, the figuring was that it may well have been because she was pregnant when all put together is how I follow it. No, Asa never told her she was pregnant and that that was the reason for refusing gay sex with her.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I don't know her birthdate, just that when he was arrested, it was reported that she was 26.

Sorry, I didn't give much of a clue as to who the heck is Marge. lol! She's a character from the movie, Fargo, whose dialogue from her and others in the movie (accompanied with a Minnesota dialect, of course) occasionally pops into my mind and out of my mouth, lol!


Yes, I think he's guilty of the crimes he's charged with and no, I don't think Asa knew he was a serial killer.
As for whether they were swingers, even if I knew they were, I still wouldn't believe the Vergata story.

Yeah I did not follow at all. Fargo was fakely filmed in MN and not ND lol. I think I saw it once but it has been years and years ago and no references to it or names would ever cross my mind lol. I could only think Simpsons which I NEVER watched but of course have had glimpses of from others who do.

Well we agree he is guilty at least.

I am not sure I think Asa was involved but I sure the heck am not convinced she did not know things, condone or cover for. And certainly knows how to protect assets, rebound immediately to a divorce attorney and profit from it. That's a given and that in and of itself is pretty incriminating imo.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I read what was presented as her affidavit and I didn't read anything about Asa saying she was pregnant.

She didn't. She thought it was due to her race. I think that's been established.

 

[GrandmaBear]

It's even is a statement of police corruption.

There are corrupt police and officials, however, it doesn't mean someone did not do a crime or they did in every single case or that the defendant was framed. Burke could be a serial killer or just not have wanted the feds and everyone else near his own hunting grounds for sexual partners or finding out his lifestyle, etc.

Part of your state at least though is quite the little hot BED of much...

 

[Tresir]

This is an old article but I hadn't seen it before. It is from Nov and describes the media scrum when CB's wife shows up with her Peacock media entourage. Their daughter is still described as age 26.

Media circus erupts as Gilgo Beach suspect Rex Heuermann’s wife shows up at NY court

Asa Ellerup showed up at the Riverhead, NY, courthouse with a documentary crew by her side.

nypost.com

 

[Guess Who]

I am so sick of a tiny worthless keyboard and some auto correct to dumber words than he one I type that is correct. Some typos are my own but most are due to the dumb bs. and tight keyboard and auto correct to LESS valid words. I corrected a few in a couple of posts here but not all. And hen I hit the space bar and it doesn't do a space, etc.

THEN. See? I hit the T but nope it ends up hen. Junkkeyboard. Now it misses the space. Argghhhhh (^(&(&!!#!$^^@^@!!

Welcome to my world I can watch the correct word being typed and then look up and see it has changed to whatever my phone wants it to be.

 

[Guess Who]

Yeah I did not follow at all. Fargo was fakely filmed in MN and not ND lol. I think I saw it once but it has been years and years ago and no references to it or names would ever cross my mind lol. I could only think Simpsons which I NEVER watched but of course have had glimpses of from others who do.

Well we agree he is guilty at least.

I am not sure I think Asa was involved but I sure the heck am not convinced she did not know things, condone or cover for. And certainly knows how to protect assets, rebound immediately to a divorce attorney and profit from it. That's a given and that in and of itself is pretty incriminating imo.

So very few of the movies that are supposed to take place in Missouri are filmed here. No tax incentives for them to film here like many other states have.

 

[Tresir]

Article about the Defence attorney questioning Burke's involvement in the case.

Rex Heuermann: New Evidence Turned Over, Defense Questions Former Police Chief James Burke’s Role In Gilgo Case

Suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann was back in court Wednesday. New evidence was turned over from the prosecution to the defense – and Heuermann's defense attorney, Michael Brown, is now questioning if the former Suffolk County Police Chief played a role in the case.

www.longislandpress.com

"Brown clarified to reporters that he was not seeking FBI leads in the Gilgo case, but rather FBI information about former Suffolk Police Chief James Burke’s involvement – and alleged lack of participation with the FBI – in the investigation.

“The Suffolk County Police Department, especially with Chief James Burke in charge, and the FBI were butting heads,” Brown said. “And, to some extent, I think Chief Burke was suppressing the investigation and wouldn’t allow the FBI to participate in it with their expertise.”

Asked if he viewed Burke as a suspect in this case, Brown added that Burke has a “checkered history” with regards to sex workers, and referenced Burke’s jail time for beating suspect Christopher Loeb as well as his recent arrest for soliciting a sex worker at a Suffolk County park.

“It seems contrary to common sense that Chief Burke would not let the FBI into this investigation,” Brown added. “We received almost 3,000 leads on this case. From the leads, there were numerous leads that came into the Suffolk County Police Department suggesting that Chief Burke was involved in this.”

Brown indicated he may call Burke to the witness stand during the trial.

Defense Claims There Was Another Suspect​

Brown also claimed that he filed a Brady letter to receive information on another suspect – who lived in Massapequa Park – a former police officer with the initials “W.H.,” the initials that were found on a belt bounding victim Maureen Brainard-Barnes, whose murder Heuermann is charged with.

Rex Heuermann’s grandfather’s name was William Heuermann.

“Gus Garcia [Roberts] had written a beautiful article about this inner-fighting with the Suffolk County Police Department and the district attorney’s office under then-D.A. [Timothy] Sini,” Brown said. “It’s our belief that they had this other suspect with the initials ‘W.H.'”

Brown said they received more information on that suspect Wednesday morning, and added the defense is “very anxious” to look at that documentation.

Despite the defense’s claims, the evidence against Heuermann includes a DNA link – a male hair was found on victim Megan Waterman that was matched to Heuermann. Other evidence against Heuermann includes the use of burner phones and emails as well as a search history indicating an obsession with the Gilgo Beach case, specifically the four murders Heuermann is charged with.

Judge Timothy Mazzei, who is presiding over the case, said he would like to see a trial begin as soon as July, but acknowledged the defense has much evidence to go through. Heuermann will be back in court June 18 for another hearing.

James Burke, former Suffolk County Police Chief, appears in court on Sept. 11. Michael Brown, Rex Heuermann’s defense attorney, is seeking information from the FBI on Burke’s involvement in the case when he was police chief.Dennis A. Clark via Pool

Rex Heuermann’s Case: From Then Until Now​

Rex Heuermann was identified as a suspect by the Gilgo Beach Task Force in 2022, and was arrested in July 2023. He was immediately charged with the murders of Amber Lynn Costello, Melissa Barthelemy, and Megan Waterman, and named a suspect in the murder of Maureen Brainard-Barnes. These four women have been called “The Gilgo Four.”

Heuermann pleaded not guilty to all three. On Nov. 15, Heuermann’s estranged wife, Asa Ellerup, attended his court appearance – shortly before it was revealed she had a $1 million documentary deal with Peacock. Ellerup filed for divorce shortly after Heuermann’s arrest, but appeared to smile at him in court that day, and has since said she does not believe Heuermann was capable of the murders.

Heuermann was charged with Brainard-Barnes’s murder on Jan. 16, and pleaded not guilty to that as well. His ex-wife as well as his daughter Victoria Heuermann attended that court appearance. Several family members of victims, represented by attorney Gloria Allred, also attended and gave statements afterwards.

Michael Brown, Heuermann’s defense attorney, has made several statements to the media attempting to cast doubt on the DNA evidence allegedly linking Heuermann to the Gilgo Four.

Prosecutors released this map of the Ocean Parkway victims in 2011.

Other Developments in the Case​

There are up to six other victims – possibly more – linked to the Gilgo Beach murders. Valerie Mack and Jessica Taylor’s dismembered, partial remains were found in Manorville in 2000 and 2003, respectively, and were then both found in 2011 on Gilgo Beach. Also found in 2011 on Gilgo Beach were an unidentified Asian male known as “Asian Doe,” and an unidentified toddler.

The toddler was revealed to be the daughter of “Peaches,” an unidentified female whose dismembered, partial remains were found at Hempstead Lake State Park in 1997, and on Jones Beach in 2011. She was nicknamed Peaches due to a distinctive tattoo of a bitten peach on her remains. As recently as 2022, the FBI was seeking relatives of an Elijah Howard, or Howell, of Mobile, Alabama in connection to Peaches’ identity – but there have been no developments since then.

The dismembered, partial remains of “Fire Island Jane Doe” were found on Fire Island in 1996 and on Tobay Beach in 2011. Fire Island Jane Doe was revealed to be Long Island native Karen Vergata in August, roughly two weeks after Heuermann’s arrest.

Miller Place-based attorney John Ray has a sworn affidavit where a witness claims Karen Vergata had been last seen at Rex Heuermann’s Massapequa Park residence.

Heuermann has not been charged with any of the murders outside of the Gilgo Four. Due to a clear difference in modus operandi – the Gilgo Four were all bound and wrapped in burlap, and the others were dismembered – many have speculated through the years if Long Island has more than one serial killer.

However, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney has said that the same grand jury that indicted Heuermann for the Gilgo Four is investigating the other murders on Gilgo Beach. He has not specifically named any of the victims, nor has Heuermann been officially named a suspect."

 

[Cousin Dupree]

Article about the Defence attorney questioning Burke's involvement in the case.

Rex Heuermann: New Evidence Turned Over, Defense Questions Former Police Chief James Burke’s Role In Gilgo Case

Suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann was back in court Wednesday. New evidence was turned over from the prosecution to the defense – and Heuermann's defense attorney, Michael Brown, is now questioning if the former Suffolk County Police Chief played a role in the case.

www.longislandpress.com

"Brown clarified to reporters that he was not seeking FBI leads in the Gilgo case, but rather FBI information about former Suffolk Police Chief James Burke’s involvement – and alleged lack of participation with the FBI – in the investigation.

“The Suffolk County Police Department, especially with Chief James Burke in charge, and the FBI were butting heads,” Brown said. “And, to some extent, I think Chief Burke was suppressing the investigation and wouldn’t allow the FBI to participate in it with their expertise.”

Asked if he viewed Burke as a suspect in this case, Brown added that Burke has a “checkered history” with regards to sex workers, and referenced Burke’s jail time for beating suspect Christopher Loeb as well as his recent arrest for soliciting a sex worker at a Suffolk County park.

“It seems contrary to common sense that Chief Burke would not let the FBI into this investigation,” Brown added. “We received almost 3,000 leads on this case. From the leads, there were numerous leads that came into the Suffolk County Police Department suggesting that Chief Burke was involved in this.”

Brown indicated he may call Burke to the witness stand during the trial.

Defense Claims There Was Another Suspect​

Brown also claimed that he filed a Brady letter to receive information on another suspect – who lived in Massapequa Park – a former police officer with the initials “W.H.,” the initials that were found on a belt bounding victim Maureen Brainard-Barnes, whose murder Heuermann is charged with.

Rex Heuermann’s grandfather’s name was William Heuermann.

“Gus Garcia [Roberts] had written a beautiful article about this inner-fighting with the Suffolk County Police Department and the district attorney’s office under then-D.A. [Timothy] Sini,” Brown said. “It’s our belief that they had this other suspect with the initials ‘W.H.'”

Brown said they received more information on that suspect Wednesday morning, and added the defense is “very anxious” to look at that documentation.

Despite the defense’s claims, the evidence against Heuermann includes a DNA link – a male hair was found on victim Megan Waterman that was matched to Heuermann. Other evidence against Heuermann includes the use of burner phones and emails as well as a search history indicating an obsession with the Gilgo Beach case, specifically the four murders Heuermann is charged with.

Judge Timothy Mazzei, who is presiding over the case, said he would like to see a trial begin as soon as July, but acknowledged the defense has much evidence to go through. Heuermann will be back in court June 18 for another hearing.

James Burke, former Suffolk County Police Chief, appears in court on Sept. 11. Michael Brown, Rex Heuermann’s defense attorney, is seeking information from the FBI on Burke’s involvement in the case when he was police chief.Dennis A. Clark via Pool

Rex Heuermann’s Case: From Then Until Now​

Rex Heuermann was identified as a suspect by the Gilgo Beach Task Force in 2022, and was arrested in July 2023. He was immediately charged with the murders of Amber Lynn Costello, Melissa Barthelemy, and Megan Waterman, and named a suspect in the murder of Maureen Brainard-Barnes. These four women have been called “The Gilgo Four.”

Heuermann pleaded not guilty to all three. On Nov. 15, Heuermann’s estranged wife, Asa Ellerup, attended his court appearance – shortly before it was revealed she had a $1 million documentary deal with Peacock. Ellerup filed for divorce shortly after Heuermann’s arrest, but appeared to smile at him in court that day, and has since said she does not believe Heuermann was capable of the murders.

Heuermann was charged with Brainard-Barnes’s murder on Jan. 16, and pleaded not guilty to that as well. His ex-wife as well as his daughter Victoria Heuermann attended that court appearance. Several family members of victims, represented by attorney Gloria Allred, also attended and gave statements afterwards.

Michael Brown, Heuermann’s defense attorney, has made several statements to the media attempting to cast doubt on the DNA evidence allegedly linking Heuermann to the Gilgo Four.

Prosecutors released this map of the Ocean Parkway victims in 2011.

Other Developments in the Case​

There are up to six other victims – possibly more – linked to the Gilgo Beach murders. Valerie Mack and Jessica Taylor’s dismembered, partial remains were found in Manorville in 2000 and 2003, respectively, and were then both found in 2011 on Gilgo Beach. Also found in 2011 on Gilgo Beach were an unidentified Asian male known as “Asian Doe,” and an unidentified toddler.

The toddler was revealed to be the daughter of “Peaches,” an unidentified female whose dismembered, partial remains were found at Hempstead Lake State Park in 1997, and on Jones Beach in 2011. She was nicknamed Peaches due to a distinctive tattoo of a bitten peach on her remains. As recently as 2022, the FBI was seeking relatives of an Elijah Howard, or Howell, of Mobile, Alabama in connection to Peaches’ identity – but there have been no developments since then.

The dismembered, partial remains of “Fire Island Jane Doe” were found on Fire Island in 1996 and on Tobay Beach in 2011. Fire Island Jane Doe was revealed to be Long Island native Karen Vergata in August, roughly two weeks after Heuermann’s arrest.

Miller Place-based attorney John Ray has a sworn affidavit where a witness claims Karen Vergata had been last seen at Rex Heuermann’s Massapequa Park residence.

Heuermann has not been charged with any of the murders outside of the Gilgo Four. Due to a clear difference in modus operandi – the Gilgo Four were all bound and wrapped in burlap, and the others were dismembered – many have speculated through the years if Long Island has more than one serial killer.

However, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney has said that the same grand jury that indicted Heuermann for the Gilgo Four is investigating the other murders on Gilgo Beach. He has not specifically named any of the victims, nor has Heuermann been officially named a suspect."

I'm glad they're steering the investigation into others. I don't think they'll find anything to get RH off, but it may help nail the other killer who was working around the same time.

 

[Guess Who]

Article about the Defence attorney questioning Burke's involvement in the case.

Rex Heuermann: New Evidence Turned Over, Defense Questions Former Police Chief James Burke’s Role In Gilgo Case

Suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann was back in court Wednesday. New evidence was turned over from the prosecution to the defense – and Heuermann's defense attorney, Michael Brown, is now questioning if the former Suffolk County Police Chief played a role in the case.

www.longislandpress.com

"Brown clarified to reporters that he was not seeking FBI leads in the Gilgo case, but rather FBI information about former Suffolk Police Chief James Burke’s involvement – and alleged lack of participation with the FBI – in the investigation.

“The Suffolk County Police Department, especially with Chief James Burke in charge, and the FBI were butting heads,” Brown said. “And, to some extent, I think Chief Burke was suppressing the investigation and wouldn’t allow the FBI to participate in it with their expertise.”

Asked if he viewed Burke as a suspect in this case, Brown added that Burke has a “checkered history” with regards to sex workers, and referenced Burke’s jail time for beating suspect Christopher Loeb as well as his recent arrest for soliciting a sex worker at a Suffolk County park.

“It seems contrary to common sense that Chief Burke would not let the FBI into this investigation,” Brown added. “We received almost 3,000 leads on this case. From the leads, there were numerous leads that came into the Suffolk County Police Department suggesting that Chief Burke was involved in this.”

Brown indicated he may call Burke to the witness stand during the trial.

Defense Claims There Was Another Suspect​

Brown also claimed that he filed a Brady letter to receive information on another suspect – who lived in Massapequa Park – a former police officer with the initials “W.H.,” the initials that were found on a belt bounding victim Maureen Brainard-Barnes, whose murder Heuermann is charged with.

Rex Heuermann’s grandfather’s name was William Heuermann.

“Gus Garcia [Roberts] had written a beautiful article about this inner-fighting with the Suffolk County Police Department and the district attorney’s office under then-D.A. [Timothy] Sini,” Brown said. “It’s our belief that they had this other suspect with the initials ‘W.H.'”

Brown said they received more information on that suspect Wednesday morning, and added the defense is “very anxious” to look at that documentation.

Despite the defense’s claims, the evidence against Heuermann includes a DNA link – a male hair was found on victim Megan Waterman that was matched to Heuermann. Other evidence against Heuermann includes the use of burner phones and emails as well as a search history indicating an obsession with the Gilgo Beach case, specifically the four murders Heuermann is charged with.

Judge Timothy Mazzei, who is presiding over the case, said he would like to see a trial begin as soon as July, but acknowledged the defense has much evidence to go through. Heuermann will be back in court June 18 for another hearing.

James Burke, former Suffolk County Police Chief, appears in court on Sept. 11. Michael Brown, Rex Heuermann’s defense attorney, is seeking information from the FBI on Burke’s involvement in the case when he was police chief.Dennis A. Clark via Pool

Rex Heuermann’s Case: From Then Until Now​

Rex Heuermann was identified as a suspect by the Gilgo Beach Task Force in 2022, and was arrested in July 2023. He was immediately charged with the murders of Amber Lynn Costello, Melissa Barthelemy, and Megan Waterman, and named a suspect in the murder of Maureen Brainard-Barnes. These four women have been called “The Gilgo Four.”

Heuermann pleaded not guilty to all three. On Nov. 15, Heuermann’s estranged wife, Asa Ellerup, attended his court appearance – shortly before it was revealed she had a $1 million documentary deal with Peacock. Ellerup filed for divorce shortly after Heuermann’s arrest, but appeared to smile at him in court that day, and has since said she does not believe Heuermann was capable of the murders.

Heuermann was charged with Brainard-Barnes’s murder on Jan. 16, and pleaded not guilty to that as well. His ex-wife as well as his daughter Victoria Heuermann attended that court appearance. Several family members of victims, represented by attorney Gloria Allred, also attended and gave statements afterwards.

Michael Brown, Heuermann’s defense attorney, has made several statements to the media attempting to cast doubt on the DNA evidence allegedly linking Heuermann to the Gilgo Four.

Prosecutors released this map of the Ocean Parkway victims in 2011.

Other Developments in the Case​

There are up to six other victims – possibly more – linked to the Gilgo Beach murders. Valerie Mack and Jessica Taylor’s dismembered, partial remains were found in Manorville in 2000 and 2003, respectively, and were then both found in 2011 on Gilgo Beach. Also found in 2011 on Gilgo Beach were an unidentified Asian male known as “Asian Doe,” and an unidentified toddler.

The toddler was revealed to be the daughter of “Peaches,” an unidentified female whose dismembered, partial remains were found at Hempstead Lake State Park in 1997, and on Jones Beach in 2011. She was nicknamed Peaches due to a distinctive tattoo of a bitten peach on her remains. As recently as 2022, the FBI was seeking relatives of an Elijah Howard, or Howell, of Mobile, Alabama in connection to Peaches’ identity – but there have been no developments since then.

The dismembered, partial remains of “Fire Island Jane Doe” were found on Fire Island in 1996 and on Tobay Beach in 2011. Fire Island Jane Doe was revealed to be Long Island native Karen Vergata in August, roughly two weeks after Heuermann’s arrest.

Miller Place-based attorney John Ray has a sworn affidavit where a witness claims Karen Vergata had been last seen at Rex Heuermann’s Massapequa Park residence.

Heuermann has not been charged with any of the murders outside of the Gilgo Four. Due to a clear difference in modus operandi – the Gilgo Four were all bound and wrapped in burlap, and the others were dismembered – many have speculated through the years if Long Island has more than one serial killer.

However, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney has said that the same grand jury that indicted Heuermann for the Gilgo Four is investigating the other murders on Gilgo Beach. He has not specifically named any of the victims, nor has Heuermann been officially named a suspect."

So many cases have other suspects before they were ruled out or they had much better evidence for person being tried for the crime. If this is their defense, they are don't seem to have much of one.