Gilgo Beach

Despite the matching swabs, prosecutors have cleared the suspect's estranged partner

DNA from Asa Ellerup's hair has raised questions about her knowledge of her husband's activities

The "direct DNA” closes the loop of evidence connecting Heuermann to the victims

According to Long Island law enforcement, investigators have identified a fifth Gilgo Beach victim as Karen Vergata. Until now, authorities had referred to the unidentified victim as Fire Island Jane Doe. Vergata was 34 at the time of her disappearance...

Rex Heuermann has been held in solitary confinement since mid-July, when he was arrested

A direct sample, unlike the mitochondrial DNA already in possession of prosecutors, can be entered into statewide and nationwide databases

Prosecutors want to compare biological samples found on a pizza crust, which the defendant denies are his own

The woman, formerly known as "Fire Island Jane Doe", had disappeared on Valentine's Day 1996

Their return came after authorities ended an exhaustive search of the property