NEW YORK (WABC) — Accused Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann might change his plea to guilty and admit to the murders of eight women at his scheduled court appearance today, sources familiar with the case claim.
Heuermann, a New York City architect, was arrested in 2023 and has pleaded not guilty to killing seven women whose remains were found on New York’s Long Island.
Karen Vergata’s murder will now be included, making for a total of eight women.
Karen Vergata was a 34-year-old woman from Manhattan who disappeared in 1996. Vergata was believed to be working as an escort.
Vergata for many years was referred to as “Fire Island Jane Doe” because her legs and feet were found on the Bay Side of Fire Island in April of 1996. Fifteen years later, additional remains of hers were found at Tobay Beach, according to investigators.
Heuermann’s alleged killing spree spans from 1993 through 2010, and he has maintained his innocence since his arrest in July of 2023.
District Attorney Ray Tierney posted on social media on Tuesday, saying there would be a “Major Development in the Gilgo Beach Homicide investigation.”
The first victim was Sandra Costilla, killed in 1993. Mack was killed in 2000 and Jessica Taylor was killed in 2003. Partial remains of Taylor and Mack were found near Gilgo Beach and in Manorville on Long Island, while Costilla was found in North Sea on Long Island.
Maureen Brainard-Barnes was killed in 2007 and found near Gilgo Beach. Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy and Amber Lynn Costello were killed between 2009 and 2010 and also recovered near Gilgo Beach.
Ahead of today’s pivotal court appearance, Benjamin Torres, the son of victim Valerie Mack, also filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Heuermann, along with his ex-wife and daughter.
“Anybody who’s ever lived in a home with a family, especially a tiny little home like that, is not going to tell me or anybody else that if those slaughters were taking place in the basement, that noises, smells, stains and the like, would not have been noticed,” Torres’ attorney John Ray said.
Heuermann’s ex-wife, Asa Ellerup, and his daughter, Victoria Heuermann, say they had no idea anything was amiss. We spoke with their attorney yesterday:
“The Rex Heuermann (Ellerup) knows she did not believe was capable of these crimes,” attorney Robert Macedonio said.
Macedonio also stated that Victoria was too young at the time of the murders to have known anything was amiss.
“The homicide happened someplace in the spring or summer of 2000. Victoria Heuermann was 3 years old, how anybody could stretch a lawsuit, the factual pattern to fit any kind of liability on a 3-year-old is beyond me, attorney Robert Macedonio said. “It’s reckless. It’s irresponsible and it borders on malpractice.”
The family is expected to appear in court later this morning as Rex Heuermann faces a judge.
If he takes changes his plea to guilty or is found guilty at trial, he could spend the rest of his life behind bars.
RELATED | ‘Eyewitness to Gilgo Beach’: The horror by the sea — and the hunt for justice
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