Whether or not law enforcement shocked Rex Heuermann when they arrested the architect outside his midtown Manhattan office for murdering the “Gilgo Four”, Suffolk County prosecutors’ application to keep the alleged “Long Island Serial Killer” behind bars without bail tells a damning and compelling narrative of the beachside homicides. Called the “Manorville Butcher” and “Craigslist Ripper” in the media, a Suffolk County Grand Jury indicted Heuermann, a resident of Massapequa, on three counts of both First and Second Degree Murder for the deaths of Melissa Barthelemy on or about July 10, 2009, Megan Waterman on or about June 6, 2010, and Amber Costello on or about September 2, 2010. Although Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney has not charged Heuermann with the murder of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, or other murders some believe are tied to Heuermann, his application to have Heuermann remanded, or held without bail, made it clear that their investigation into Brainard-Barne’s death “is continuing and is expected to be resolved soon.”
The following is a brief examination of the joint investigation by county, state, and federal law enforcement, the evidence and techniques pursued to secure it, and the crimes and penalty Heuermann faces. As we learn more and find out what, if anything, search warrants at Heuermann’s home reveal, there may be many more questions asked, but hopefully more answered as well.