Architect Suspected in Gilgo Beach Murders Charged with Two More Homicides

Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect, Rex Heuermann, faced indictment on Thursday for the murders of two additional women in a case that continues to grip the nation.

The grand jury in Suffolk County Court brought charges against the 60-year-old architect, expanding the list of victims to six. Heuermann was arraigned in connection with the deaths of Jessica Taylor and Sandra Costilla, altering the narrative of the infamous Gilgo Beach murders.

Suffolk County District Attorney, Raymond Tierney, emphasized during a press briefing that all evidence pointed towards Heuermann acting alone in the heinous crimes.

Heuermann had originally been apprehended in 2023 for the murders of Megan Waterman, Amber Lynn Costello, and Melissa Barthelemy, subsequently adding Maureen Brainard-Barnes to the list of victims.

The new revelations illuminate a different modus operandi with the addition of Sandra Costilla, whose murder was historically attributed to John Bittrolff, but recent evidence has led authorities to reevaluate and link her demise to Heuermann.

Investigators established this connection through DNA extraction from hair recovered on Costilla’s body, dismissing previous suspicions around Bittrolff’s involvement.

Noteworthy in the recent bail filing were findings from a planner discovered at Heuermann’s residence detailing elaborate plans related to selecting, killing, and disposing of victims, painting a chilling picture of premeditation.

One of the new victims, Jessica Taylor, was found ten years after Costilla in a manner distinct from the original Gilgo Four, which further compounded the complexity of the case.

Family members of the victims, including Taylor, expressed both grief and a desire for justice, underscoring the emotional toll these crimes have exacted on their lives.

The defense team, led by Michael J. Brown, acknowledged the gravity of the new charges but emphasized the need for a thorough examination of the evidence before making substantial comments.

Heuermann’s arraignment shed light on the evolving narrative of the Gilgo Beach murders, reopening wounds for the families of victims and sustaining public interest in this long-standing case.