By Hank Russell
Rex Heuermann entered Suffolk County Supreme Court in Riverhead on April 8 where he pleaded guilty to the murders of seven women and also admitted to killing an eighth. He is expected to serve three consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole for killing Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello and 100 years to life in prison for the murders of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Jessica Taylor, Sandra Costilla, and Valerie Mack.
Heuermann, 62, of Massapequa Park, pleaded guilty to three counts of Murder in the First Degree and four counts of Murder in the Second Degree, for causing the deaths of the seven victims previously referenced by the Indictment, as well as admitting publicly, as part of his allocution, to killing an eighth victim, Karen Vergata.
According to The New York Times, Heuermann was asked by Judge Timothy P. Mazzei if he “felt it is in your best interest” to enter a guilty plea.
“Yes, I do,” Heuermann replied.
On or about and in between November 19, 1993 and November 20, 1993, Heuermann met with Sandra Costilla. After picking up Costilla, the defendant subsequently strangled her to death. Subsequently, he transported and left the remains of Costilla in the vicinity of Fish Cove Road in North Sea until she was ultimately discovered by hunters on November 20, 1993. At the time of her death, Costilla was just 28 years old and survived by her son, who was approximately five years old.
In April 1996, Heuermann met with Karen Vergata. After picking up Vergata, the defendant subsequently strangled her to death. Following her death, Vergata was dismembered by Heuermann, who then transported her remains to various locations. On April 20, 1996, Vergata’s severed legs were discovered on Blue Point Beach. Almost 15 years later, on April 12, 2011, as part of the expanded search of the Gilgo Beach area, Vergata’s skull was recovered on Ocean Parkway, in the vicinity of Tobay Beach. Prior to her identification in 2023 via genetic genealogy, Vergata had been referred to as “Fire Island Jane Doe.” At the time of her death, Vergata was just 34 years old and left behind two sons.
On or about and between September 1, 2000 and November 19, 2000, Heuermann met with Valerie Mack. After picking up Mack, the defendant subsequently strangled her to death. Following her death, Mack was dismembered by Heuermann, who then transported her remains to two locations — Manorville and Ocean Parkway, near Gilgo Beach. On November 19, 2000, three hunters discovered a black plastic bag approximately one mile west of Halsey Manor Road and north of Mill Road in Manorville. Inside, they observed a decapitated set of human remains, which were later identified as those of Mack’s.
Over 10 years later, on April 4, 2011, as part of the expanded search of the Gilgo Beach area, Mack’s skull, hands, and right foot were discovered along Ocean Parkway, just east of Gilgo Beach. Prior to her identification in 2020 via genetic genealogy, Mack had been referred to as “Jane Doe #6.” At the time of her death, Mack was just 24 years old and survived by her adoptive parents and her son, whose name was tattooed near her right ankle.
On or about and between July 21, 2003 and July 26, 2003, Heuermann met with Jessica Taylor. After picking up Taylor, the defendant subsequently strangled her to death. Following her death, Taylor was dismembered by Heuermann, who then transported her remains to two locations — Manorville and Ocean Parkway. On July 26, 2003, Taylor’s remains were discovered just west of Halsey Manor Road in Manorville. Notably, the victim’s arms, hands, and head had been severed from her body and were missing from the remains recovered at the scene.
Nearly eight years later, on March 29, 2011, as part of the expanded search of the Gilgo Beach area, the victim’s skull, hands, and forearm were discovered along Ocean Parkway, just east of Gilgo Beach, in Suffolk County. At the time of her death, Taylor was just 20 years old and was survived by her mother.
In July 2007, after seeing an online advertisement, Heuermann utilized a “burner phone” to arrange to meet with Maureen Brainard-Barnes. On the night of July 9, 2007, Heuermann picked up Brainard-Barnes and subsequently strangled her to death. Following her death, Heuermann secured Brainard-Barnes’ remains with three belts and transported the victim to Ocean Parkway.
Over three years later, on December 13, 2010, Brainard-Barnes’ remains were discovered on the north side of Ocean Parkway. At the time of her death, she was just 25 years old and survived by her two children, her sister and brother, as well as her mother.
On July 10, 2009, after seeing an online advertisement for her services, Heuermann utilized a “burner phone” to arrange to meet with Melissa Barthelemy. That evening, Heuermann picked up Barthelemy and ultimately strangled her to death. Following her death, Heuermann tied up Barthelemy’s remains with tape and burlap. Subsequently, the defendant transported the victim’s remains to Ocean Parkway.
Over a year later, on December 11, 2010, Barthelemy’s remains were discovered on the north side of Ocean Parkway. At the time of her death, Barthelemy was just 24 years old and survived by her sister, her mother, and stepfather.
On June 6, 2010, Heuermann utilized a “burner phone” to arrange to meet with Megan Waterman. That evening, Heuermann picked up Waterman from the Holiday Inn in Hauppauge and subsequently strangled the victim to death. Following her death, Heuermann tied up Waterman’s remains with tape and burlap and then transported the victim’s remains to Ocean Parkway. Just over six months later, on December 13, 2010, Ms. Waterman’s remains were discovered on the north side of Ocean Parkway, near Gilgo Beach. At the time of her death, Ms. Waterman was just 22 years old and survived by her daughter, mother, and grandmother.
Finally, on September 2, 2010, after a “ruse” that occurred the night prior had disrupted Heuermann’s encounter with Costello, Heuermann utilized a “burner phone” to arrange to once again meet with Amber Costello. That evening, Heuermann picked up Costello from her residence in West Babylon and subsequently strangled her to death. Following her death, Heuermann tied up Costello’s remains with tape and burlap and then transported her remains to Ocean Parkway. On December 13, 2010, Costello’s remains were discovered on the north side of Ocean Parkway, near Gilgo Beach. At the time of her death, she was just 27 years old and survived by her sister.
Following a long-term investigation, the defendant was arrested on July 13, 2023.
Heuermann is due back in court for sentencing on June 17, 2026, where he is expected to be sentenced to three consecutive sentences of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for the murders of Barthelemy, Waterman, and Costello. Heuermann is also expected to be sentenced to a consecutive sentence of 100 years to life imprisonment for killing Brainard-Barnes, Taylor, Costilla, and Mack. In exchange for Heuermann’s admission to the murder of Karen Vergata, this additional murder is covered by Heuermann’s plea to the murders of the seven charged victims.