In 2010, what started as a search for a single missing woman quickly spiraled into one of the largest serial killer investigations in New York’s history.
Over the years, the sands of Gilgo Beach revealed grisly secrets that connected the lives and tragic fates of young women who were barely given a chance to speak for themselves. Thirteen years and a complex web of clues later, authorities closed in on a man they believe is behind a trail of horror — the alleged Long Island serial killer, Rex Heuermann. But justice for the women dubbed “the Gilgo Four” would come only after a decade of exhaustive efforts and heart-wrenching losses.
Shannan Gilbert’s Desperate Call
On May 1, 2010, Shannan Gilbert, a 23-year-old working as an escort, dialed 911 in a frantic plea, telling the operator someone was chasing her. She had been at a client’s home near Gilgo Beach, and her panicked call marked the beginning of an exhaustive, months-long search. But when police finally uncovered remains near the beach in December 2010, they discovered not Shannan but the bodies of four other women. Each was young, petite, and had been working as an escort — a profile that would haunt Suffolk County for years to come.
The women, later known as the “Gilgo Four,” were identified as Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Amber Costello, Megan Waterman, and Melissa Barthelemy. Chief of Detectives Dominick Varrone noted striking similarities: each was under five feet tall, around 100 pounds, in their 20s, and had advertised their services online. Three were wrapped in burlap sacks. For investigators, the chilling realization that a serial killer was at work on Long Island was becoming undeniable.
A Pattern of Disappearances and Phone Calls
The case stretched back years. Maureen Brainard-Barnes vanished in July 2007. Her final phone records show numerous interactions with a burner phone — an anonymous device that couldn’t be traced. In 2009, Melissa Barthelemy disappeared. In the weeks after, Barthelemy’s 15-year-old sister Amanda received disturbing calls from Melissa’s phone. The caller taunted her, eventually telling her he had killed Melissa. It was a cruel, calculated move, showing both the callousness and confidence of the killer.
The next victim, Megan Waterman, was last seen in June 2010, captured by security footage leaving a hotel. Amber Costello, who disappeared in September 2010, was reportedly last seen getting into a client’s car. In each case, the victims had been contacted by a burner phone. The similarities pointed toward a single predator, someone who knew how to manipulate, stalk, and then vanish without leaving much evidence.
A Tip from the Past
By May 2011, ten more sets of remains surfaced, including those of a toddler and an Asian male dressed in women’s clothing, scattered across the area. But police were uncertain if all of these victims shared a single killer. In the case of the Gilgo Four, however, a single disturbing detail emerged from Amber Costello’s roommate: an “ogre-like” client who drove a Chevrolet Avalanche. The tip from Costello’s case would sit dormant in police files for over a decade — until it eventually became key evidence in the pursuit of the killer.
In December 2011, more than a year after Shannan Gilbert disappeared, police found her belongings in a marsh eight miles from Gilgo Beach. Soon after, they uncovered her skeletal remains. Authorities were hesitant to confirm she was murdered, speculating that Gilbert had tragically drowned in the marsh. Despite this, her case became a poignant reminder of the brutal lives lost along the same stretch of beach.
A Breakthrough: Connecting the Killer’s Past
After nearly a decade of frustratingly slow progress, a new task force was formed in 2022, sparking hope that fresh eyes could finally crack the case. Revisiting Costello’s roommate’s description of the “ogre-like” man driving a Chevrolet Avalanche, the task force connected the vehicle’s description to a geographical hotspot for burner phone activity: Massapequa Park on Long Island. Further investigation pointed to a specific block, and it was here that Rex Heuermann — an architect who fit the profile — entered the investigation as a prime suspect.
Law enforcement tracked Heuermann and began piecing together his digital footprint. Heuermann’s cellphone records linked him to the use of burner phones in both Massapequa Park, where he lived, and in Midtown Manhattan, where his architectural firm operated. Authorities observed him in 2023 making a payment on a burner phone — a revelation that showed his potential connection to the crimes. Then came the break they needed: DNA. When Heuermann discarded a pizza box in Manhattan, officers collected it, discovering his DNA on the pizza crust. They matched it with DNA from hair found with Megan Waterman’s remains, further cementing the connection.
Arrest and Charges
On July 14, 2023, Heuermann was arrested, charged with the murders of Barthelemy, Waterman, and Costello, while remaining the prime suspect in Brainard-Barnes’ case. He pleaded not guilty, with his defense attorney denying all accusations. But the evidence, including burner phone records and DNA links, painted a grim picture.
The case against Heuermann only grew stronger. An excavation of his property unearthed more potential evidence, including his first-generation Chevrolet Avalanche, stored on land he owned in South Carolina. Investigators also examined his family’s travel records. They discovered Heuermann’s wife and children were often abroad during the murders, providing him with ample opportunities for his alleged crimes.
A Heartbreaking Legacy for Families
Families of the Gilgo Four, as well as the others whose bodies were found near Gilgo Beach, continue to seek justice and closure. Liliana Waterman, who was only three when her mother Megan vanished, poignantly recalled to CBS how she wished she could tell her mom she loved her — words she never got to say. Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison spoke directly to the tragedy, acknowledging the stolen lives of the victims: mothers, daughters, and sisters who were robbed of their futures.
Expanding the Investigation
Authorities are now investigating properties Heuermann owns in South Carolina and Las Vegas, exploring whether he could be linked to additional unsolved cases in those states. In September 2023, prosecutors revealed that a cheek swab collected from Heuermann matched the DNA taken from the pizza crust, fortifying the case against him. By early 2024, Heuermann was charged in Brainard-Barnes’ death, bringing the total charges to four.
In June 2024, Heuermann faced new charges, this time for the murders of Sandra Costilla and Jessica Taylor, bringing his suspected toll to six. Though he maintains his innocence, investigators are determined to connect every lead and close every cold case tied to his name.
The alleged Long Island serial killer may finally be behind bars, but the scars on Gilgo Beach — and in the lives of the victims’ families — are lasting. The case remains a stark reminder of the darkness hidden behind idyllic facades and the enduring strength of those left behind to pick up the pieces.
