Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office by Getty Images
10:14 AM EDT
Shannan Gilbert: Where it All Began
In 2010, the discovery of 11 human remains on a Suffolk County property initiated the search for potential serial killers. The investigation kicked off after the disappearance of Shannan Gilbert, a 24-year-old sex worker from New Jersey.
The search initially uncovered remains of young women in their early 20s: Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, Amber Lynn Costello, and Maureen Brainard Barnes. The remains of Jessica Taylor and Valerie Mack, missing for years, were also found. Heuermann was recently accused of Taylor’s murder.
Among the 2010 findings were the remains of a young girl and a male Asian. An unidentified woman, presumed to be the girl’s mother, and Karen Vergata, missing since 1996, were also discovered.
Gilbert was found in late 2011 after ten victims were discovered.
10:04 AM EDT
Press Conference Revealing New Details
Attorney John Ray will hold a press conference in New York at 11:15 AM to disclose more about Rex Heuermann, the Gilgo Beach Serial Killer. Heuermann faces charges for the murders of Sandra Costilla and Jessica Taylor.
In July 2023, the 60-year-old architect was arrested for the murders of four women, whose remains were found in burlap bags along Ocean Parkway more than a decade earlier near New York. He showed no emotion during the court hearing last week where charges were brought against him.
Heuermann was previously charged for the murders of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, Amber Lynn Costello, and Maureen Brainard Barnes, known as the Gilgo Four.
Speculation suggests that Heuermann’s alleged crimes may have spanned coast-to-coast.
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