In a recent development in the notorious Gilgo Beach murder case, Rex Heuermann is expected to face a fourth murder charge for the death of Maureen Brainard-Barnes.
Heuermann, a 60-year-old New York City architect, was previously charged with the murders of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Lynn Costello. These women, part of the so-called “Gilgo Four,” were found near Gilgo Beach in December 2010, marking a horrifying chapter in Long Island’s history.
The breakthrough in the investigation came from a discarded pizza crust, leading to a DNA match that linked Heuermann to the victims. This unconventional evidence, coupled with a decade-old tip about Heuermann’s distinctive pickup truck, helped piece together a case that had frustrated investigators for over a decade.
Maureen Brainard-Barnes, who disappeared in 2007 at the age of 25, was linked to Heuermann through DNA and a distinctive belt found at the crime scene. Her murder is believed to fit the pattern of the other Gilgo Beach killings, where all victims were working as escorts and advertised their services online.
Suffolk County created a special task force in February 2022, focusing on the Gilgo Beach homicides. The meticulous collection and analysis of DNA played a crucial role in consolidating the case against Heuermann, particularly because the sample recovered was degraded. The evidence helped establish a connection between Heuermann, his wife Asa Ellerup, and the victims.
Despite the mounting evidence, Heuermann’s defense team, led by Michael J. Brown, remains poised to challenge the DNA evidence’s reliability and constitutionality. The defense is expected to scrutinize every aspect of the genetic specimens’ collection, transport, and testing.
The four confirmed victims are only part of the story; a total of 12 disappearances have been reported in the area from the years during which Heuermann was active, although no connection has yet been established by authorities.
