More than a decade after human remains were found across Gilgo Beach, Manorville and Southampton, New York, architect Rex Heuermann pleaded guilty yesterday to a series of murders of young women that began in 1993 and stretched to 2010.
In a surprise twist, in addition to the seven murders he was charged with, Heuermann admitted to intentionally causing the death of Karen Vergata, an eighth victim who disappeared in 1996 and was not identified until 2023.
According to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, Heuermann is expected to receive three consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole in the killing of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello, plus four additional sentences of 25 years to life in the killing of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Jessica Taylor, Sandra Costilla and Valerie Mack. Sentencing is scheduled for June 17.
In exchange for admitting to Vergata’s murder, Heuermann will not be charged in that as-yet-uncharged case. As part of his plea deal, Heuermann has also agreed to cooperate with the FBI.
Investigators linked Heuermann to the victims through a combination of DNA evidence and location tracking of the disposable cell phones he used to contact the victims, all of whom worked as escorts. He was arrested in Midtown Manhattan by officers from a special task force on July 13, 2023.
Heuermann founded RH Consultants & Associates Inc., an architecture firm specializing in “the New York City building code, the New York State code, the NYC Department of Buildings and all major city agencies,” according to its website. The firm’s clients included Catholic Charities, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, American Airlines and other major corporate clients such as Nike, Target and Burlington Coat Factory.
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