Gilgo Beach Serial Killer

What were the Gilgo Beach serial killings?

The Gilgo Beach serial killer or Long Island Serial Killer was responsible for a series of murders in Long Island, New York, between 1993 and 2011. In late 2010, police searching for missing woman Shannan Gilbert discovered the remains of four women near Gilgo Beach. These victims, later called the “Gilgo Four,” were found close together along Ocean Parkway.

In 2011, six more sets of remains were uncovered in nearby Suffolk and Nassau counties and investigators believed these remains are older than those of the Gilgo Four.

The search began after Shannan Gilbert disappeared in May 2010. Like many of the victims, Shannan worked as a sex worker and advertised on Craigslist. Her body was found in December 2011, nearly nine miles from the other remains. Authorities believe she died from exposure or accidental drowning, however this remains disputed.

Who was Rex Heuermann

Rex Heuermann is a 59 year old architect and consultant who founded RH Consultants and Associates, a Manhattan-based architecture firm. His company’s website (now removed) claimed high-profile clients such as Target, Foot Locker, American Airlines, and Catholic Charities. Known professionally as a building code specialist and zoning consultant, Heuermann described himself in a 2022 YouTube interview as a “troubleshooter” with decades of experience in navigating New York City’s complex regulatory environment.

Rex Heuermann

Heuermann lived in Massapequa Park, a quiet Long Island suburb about 40 miles from Manhattan. Neighbors described him as reserved and unremarkable, one even said, “He never really bothers anybody.” However, his home stood out in the area due to its poor condition and eerie appearance.

A Quiet Life with a Dark Allegation

Despite the horrifying nature of the crimes he’s accused of, Heuermann maintained the image of a professional. In the 2022 interview, he described himself as someone who enjoys reading old building code books and said he was “born and raised on Long Island.” When asked what tool best represents him, he said “a cabinet maker’s hammer,” calling it “persuasive” and always yielding “excellent results.”

Even actor Billy Baldwin reacted to the arrest, tweeting that he had attended Berner High School with Heuermann and graduated in 1981.

He lived with his wife, Asa Ellerup, and their two children: Christopher Sheridan, Ellerup’s son from a previous relationship, and their daughter, Victoria Heuermann. Victoria Heuermann worked at her father’s architectural firm, RH Consultants and Associates.

How the Killings Began

The first known victim connected to Heuermann was Sandra Costilla, a 28-year-old woman from Trinidad and Tobago. Her body was discovered in November 1993 in a wooded area in North Sea, Long Island. Costilla is the earliest known victim in the set of murder charges against Heuermann, indicating that he allegedly began killing in the 1990s or earlier, and that he disposed of bodies in locations beyond the Gilgo Beach area.

The Discovery of the Gilgo Four

The investigation began in earnest after the disappearance of Shannan Gilbert in May 2010. Gilbert, a 24-year-old escort, called 911 claiming someone was trying to kill her before vanishing in Oak Beach.

Crime scene investigators use metal detectors to search a marsh for the remains of Shannan Gilbert on December 12, 2011, in Oak Beach, New York. James Carbone/Pool/Newsday/AP/File

During a search for Gilbert, police discovered the remains of Melissa Barthelemy, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Megan Waterman, and Amber Lynn Costello in December 2010. These four women, known as the “Gilgo Four,” had all worked as escorts and were petite in stature.

Gilgo Four

• Melissa Barthelemy, 24, went missing in July 2009.  She had been living in the Bronx in New York and working as a sex worker through Craigslist. She was known to use the alias “Chloe”. On the night she went missing, she met with a client, deposited $900 in her bank account, and attempted to call an old boyfriend, but did not get through. A week after her disappearance, her younger sister received multiple taunting phone calls from someone using Melissa’s phone. The calls continued for 5 weeks.

• Megan Waterman, 22, disappeared in June 2010 after advertising escort services on Craigslist. The previous day, she had told her boyfriend that she was going out and would call later. At the time of her disappearance, she was staying at a motel in Hauppauge, New York, 15 miles (24 km) northeast of Gilgo Beach. She was reported missing by family members on June 8, 2010, after failing to check in on her three-year-old daughter, whom she had left in their care. Her body was found months later.

• Amber Lynn Costello, 27, was last seen in September 2010 after going to meet a client. Her roommate described the suspect’s vehicle, which years later helped identify Heuermann. At the time of her disappearance, her family believed that she was in a drug rehabilitation center. They did not immediately report her as missing.

• Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25, vanished in July 2007. She he had been out of the sex industry for seven months but had to return to sex work temporarily to pay bills and was last seen at a Manhattan motel. She was last seen on July 9, 2007, saying that she planned to spend the day in New York City. Her body was found in December 2010. Maureen was found restrained with three leather belts. DNA found on one of the belts matched the wife of suspect Rex Heuermann

Gilgo Four

More victims discovered in March and April 2011

Between March and April 2011, six more victims were found in the surrounding area. Among them:

• Jessica Taylor, 20, and Valerie Mack, 24, whose dismembered remains had previously been found in Manorville years earlier, suggesting a dumping ground used by the killer.

• Karen Vergata, last seen in 1996, was identified in 2023 through genetic genealogy.

• Tanya Jackson and her daughter Tatiana Dykes were identified in 2025. Jackson was found dismembered and had been known as “Peaches.” Dykes, also known as “Baby Doe,” was found nearby.

• An unidentified Asian victim, known as “Asian Doe,” was discovered wearing women’s clothing and may have been a transgender woman.

These discoveries indicated that the killer had been active for years and used multiple dumping sites, including Gilgo Beach, Manorville, and Fire Island.

The locations where eight of 10 bodies were found near Gilgo Beach since December 2010 are seen in this Suffolk County Police handout image released to Reuters, Sept. 20, 2011. Courtesy of Suffolk County Police via Reuters, FILE

Gilgo Beach Serial Killer Victims

The Investigation

Due to the controversy about Gilbert’s death, in September 2014, forensic pathologist Michael Baden agreed to conduct an independent autopsy of Gilbert’s remains in hopes of determining a clear cause of death. Upon examination of the remains, Baden found damage to her hyoid bone suggesting strangulation may have occurred. It was also noted that her body was found face-up, which is not common for drowning victims. Despite this, her death is still officially listed as an accident.

• FBI involvement

On December 10, 2015 Suffolk County Police Commissioner Tim Sini announced that the FBI had officially joined the investigation. The announcement came one day after former police chief James Burke was indicted for civil rights violations and conspiracy. Burke, who resigned from the department in October 2015, was reported to have blocked FBI involvement in the Gilgo Beach cases for years.

The case was marred by missteps and internal conflicts. The FBI officially joined the investigation in 2015 after years of being kept out. In 2020, Suffolk County Police released previously withheld evidence, including a belt found at a crime scene. Genetic genealogy helped identify multiple victims, including Valerie Mack and Karen Vergata.

• Evidence Released to the Public in 2020

On January 16, 2020, Suffolk County Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart made a significant announcement in the Gilgo Beach case. She released images of a black leather belt found near Ocean Parkway during the early stages of the investigation. The belt had the initials “HM” or “WH” embossed on it, depending on how it was viewed. Investigators believe the belt was handled by the killer and did not belong to any of the known victims. While police declined to reveal exactly where the belt was discovered or its full evidentiary value, they confirmed it was considered a crucial piece of potential evidence.

Alongside this update, Suffolk County Police also announced the use of new forensic technology and the launch of a dedicated website, Gilgonews.com, which allows the public to submit tips and stay updated on the case.

• Breakthroughs Through Genetic Genealogy

In June 2019, authorities began exploring the use of genetic genealogy to identify unidentified victims and possibly link suspects to the Gilgo Beach murders. This method led to a major breakthrough. On May 28, 2020, “Jane Doe No. 6” was officially identified as Valerie Mack, a woman who also went by the alias Melissa Taylor. On August 4, 2023, investigators confirmed that “Jane Doe No. 7” was Karen Vergata, who had been missing since 1996. Her identity had been established in 2022 but was not made public until the following year.

• A Person of Interest: John Bittrolff

In September 2017, Suffolk County prosecutor Robert Biancavilla named John Bittrolff as a potential suspect in the Gilgo Beach killings. Bittrolff, a Suffolk County resident, had been convicted of murdering two sex workers and was suspected in a third homicide. The prosecutor noted strong similarities between the Gilgo Beach crime scenes and the murders Bittrolff had been linked to.

John Bittrolff

Bittrolff was arrested in 2014 after DNA evidence connected him to the 1993 and 1994 murders of Rita Tangredi and Colleen McNamee. This connection was made through a DNA sample submitted by his brother in an unrelated case. In 2017, Bittrolff was convicted of both murders and later sentenced to two consecutive 25-year prison terms and while prosecutors believed he could be involved in the Gilgo Beach murders, Suffolk County police did not publicly comment due to the ongoing investigation.

Bittrolff’s attorney denied any connection to the case. Notably, Bittrolff lived in Manorville, the same area where the dismembered remains of Jessica Taylor and Valerie Mack were found. Additionally, the adult daughter of Rita Tangredi was a close friend of Melissa Barthelemy, one of the Gilgo Beach victims.

Indictment of Rex Heuermann

On July 13, 2023, authorities arrested a suspect in New York City in connection with the Gilgo Beach murders, marking the first major breakthrough in the long-unsolved case. The following day, the suspect was identified as Rex Heuermann, a licensed architect and owner of RH Consultants & Associates.

Rex Heuermann Arrest

Investigators built the case over two years using grand jury subpoenas, search warrants, and forensic evidence. In June 2024, Heuermann was indicted for the murders of Jessica Taylor and Sandra Costilla, bringing the total number of murder charges to six. He pleaded not guilty.

Jessica Taylor’s remains were discovered in Manorville in 2003, with additional remains found in 2011 along Ocean Parkway. A hair found beneath her remains was matched to Heuermann. Sandra Costilla’s body was found in 1993 in North Sea, Long Island.

Prosecutors allege Heuermann is responsible for the murders of Taylor, Costilla, and the “Gilgo Four.” In September 2024, authorities also appealed for public assistance in identifying “Asian Doe,” a young male victim found in 2011 who may or may not be connected to Heuermann.

Where is Rex Heuermann now?

Rex Heuermann is currently held at the Riverhead Correctional Facility in Suffolk County, New York. Heuermann is expected to remain incarcerated there as his legal proceedings unfold.

In court, Heuermann requested that the charges against him be split into five separate trials, arguing that combining the cases could unfairly influence the jury. His lawyer claimed it would create a “where there’s smoke, there’s fire” effect. The court denied this request, maintaining that the interconnected nature of the alleged murders warrants a single trial to preserve the full narrative.

As of now, a trial date has not been set. A series of hearings began on March 28 to evaluate the admissibility of DNA evidence tied to six of the murder cases.

Sources:

A timeline of the investigation of the Gilgo Beach killings

CBS News

CNN