Decade-Old Murders of Three Women Found Near New York Beach: Man Charged

 Decade-Old Murders of Three Women Found Near New York Beach: Man Charged

Decade-Old Murders of Three Women Found Near New York Beach(Image-Getty)

In an announcement made on Friday, the Suffolk County District Attorney's office revealed that a man has been charged with the murders of three women in New York over a decade ago. The bodies of the victims were found near a Long Island beach, specifically along an isolated stretch of Gilgo Beach, which is approximately 40 miles (64 kilometers) east of New York City.

The discovery of eleven sets of human remains between 2010 and 2011 captured national attention. These remains were connected to nine women, one man, and a toddler girl. The Suffolk County District Attorney, Raymond A. Tierney, addressed the media and stated that Rex A. Heuermann, a 59-year-old architect residing in Massapequa Park, a short distance from Gilgo Beach, faces three counts each of first and second-degree murder.

According to CBS News, Heuermann pleaded not guilty to the charges. He was apprehended on Thursday evening and is currently under investigation regarding the potential murder of a fourth woman, whose disappearance and death exhibit similarities to the other cases, as confirmed by Tierney.

The Suffolk County District Attorney's office requested in a bail application on Friday that Heuermann be detained without bail. They emphasized that if convicted, he could face multiple life sentences in prison without the possibility of parole.

The bail application revealed that detectives utilized DNA samples to link Heuermann to the murders. Additionally, they collected evidence by swabbing leftover crust from a pizza he had consumed after he discarded it in Manhattan in January, as observed by a surveillance team.

According to the application, Heuermann allegedly contacted the three women, who were in their twenties and advertised themselves as sex workers, using a disposable cellphone. He would then restrain them with belts or tape before wrapping some of the bodies in a material resembling burlap.

"This case is just beginning; it is far from over," stated Tierney during a press conference, where he stood alongside Suffolk County law enforcement officers, federal agents, and relatives of the victims.

Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison confirmed that investigations into the other murders are ongoing. He urged the public to come forward with any relevant information.

Law enforcement officials have previously disclosed that at least five of the victims found at Gilgo Beach were identified as missing prostitutes who had advertised their services online, including on platforms such as Craigslist.