Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann sentenced to life in prison without parole

Rex Heuermann was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole Wednesday after he pleaded guilty to a series of murders known as the Gilgo Beach serial killings.

The 62-year-old was arrested in 2023 for the murders dating back to 1993. He admitted in April that he strangled eight sex workers to death, dismembered and hid their bodies across Long Island. 

The courtroom was packed as emotional families read victim impact statements. 

The judge yelled at Heuermann after he spoke for a few seconds.

“I assume you are a little bit sorry for the eight women you strangled. Eight that we know of,” Judge Timothy Mazzei said. “You’ve been described as a big man, but you are a disgusting and small man if you’re a man at all, and you’re a coward.” 

Applause and cheers erupted after the judge handed down the sentence. 

Rex Heuermann changes his plea to guilty

Heuermann was convicted of three counts of first-degree murder and four counts of second-degree murder. Police said the murders took place between 1993 and 2010. 

Heuermann was charged with killing Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, Amber Costello, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Sandra Costilla, Jessica Taylor and Valerie Mack. 

He originally pleaded not guilty but admitted in April to killing those seven women and also to killing an eighth victim, Karen Vergata. 

The additional killing of Vergata is covered by Heuermann’s plea agreement, the district attorney said.  

Heuerrmann has also agreed to cooperate with the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit to help catch other serial killers.  

He has been housed in the county jail in Riverhead since his arrest in July 2023, but will serve out his term in a state prison.

“The case was insurmountable”

Most of the victims’ remains were found buried along Ocean Parkway in Babylon between December 2010 and May 2011. Costilla’s body was found in a wooded area in the North Sea.

Most of the victims had been working as escorts in the Tri-State Area before going missing.

Prosecutors submitted a slew of evidence against Heuermann, including DNA evidence they said tied Heuermann to the victims. There was also a so-called “blueprint” he allegedly used to “plan out his kills,” along with records from burner phones and electronic devices.

Attorney Richard Schoenstein, who is not affiliated with the case, said we will never know for sure why Heuermann suddenly changed his plea to guilty. 

“It could’ve been because the case was insurmountable. The way the case played out, some of the developments in the legal proceedings. I don’t think he had any shot at an acquittal at all,” he said. 

Investigators believe Heuermann may be linked to additional killings.