Rex Heuermann, the alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer, is reportedly on the verge of accepting a plea agreement in New York, linked to more than seven murders that have haunted the community for decades. Sources indicate that Heuermann is preparing to plead guilty, as revealed to FOX 5 on Thursday.
Negotiations are currently underway between Heuermann’s defense lawyer, Michael J. Brown, and Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. The discussions could lead to Heuermann entering a guilty plea during his scheduled court appearance on April 8, insiders shared with the New York Post.
The families of the victims have been informed of the anticipated guilty plea, as reported by Newsday. This development marks a significant turn in a case that has lingered in the public’s consciousness for years.
In an earlier court session on July 17, 2025, in Suffolk County Court, Riverhead, N.Y., Heuermann, accompanied by his attorney Michael Brown, made an appearance. The image of that tense moment, captured by James Carbone through a pool via Reuters, underscores the gravity of the proceedings.
While the District Attorney’s office has chosen not to comment on the matter, Fox News Digital has reached out to Heuermann’s attorney, Brown, for further insights.
Tierney’s office declined to comment. Fox News Digital reached out to Brown.
Heuermann was indicted for seven murders that authorities say occurred between 1993 and 2010.
About 12 years after police in Suffolk County discovered the first of 11 bodies near the beach, they arrested Heuermann, a 62-year-old architect from suburban Massapequa Park, outside his Manhattan office.
Gilgo Beach is about 45 miles east of New York City along Ocean Parkway and a short drive south of his home.
The “Gilgo Four” clockwise, from top left: Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello. The background shows a wooden cross in the marsh next to Gilgo Beach, where their remains were found in the brush just yards from Ocean Parkway. (Suffolk County Police Department/Mega for Fox News Digital)
He initially faced murder charges for three of the victims: Melissa Barthelemy, 24, Megan Waterman, 22, and Amber Costello, 27.
All of their remains were discovered in 2010 during a search for another woman, Shannan Gilbert.
Tierney’s office tacked on additional charges as the investigation delved deeper.
The next case involved Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25, whose remains were near the other three. Prosecutors then charged him with the 2003 murder of Jessica Taylor and the 1993 slaying of Sandra Costilla.
Jessica Taylor, left, and Valerie Mack, right, were both murdered and dismembered. Suffolk County police discovered partial remains of each victim in both Manorville, N.Y., and along a stretch of Ocean Parkway near Gilgo Beach. (Suffolk County Police Department/Handout)
Last year, they announced charges for the murder of 24-year-old Valerie Mack of Philadelphia.
By then, police had uncovered two other alleged dumping grounds further east on Long Island.
An undated photo of Sandra Costilla. Rex Heuermann was charged June 6, 2024, in the murder of Costilla, whose remains were found in November 1993.
Heuermann, whose defense failed to convince Judge Timothy Mazzei to toss damning DNA evidence before his change of plea, faces up to life in prison without parole.
Prosecutors said the crimes involved torture, mutilation and dismemberment.
Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney after accused Long Island serial killer Rex Heuermann appeared in Suffolk County Court in Riverhead, N.Y., June 6, 2024. (Michael Ruiz/Fox News Digital)
The victims were all described as “petite” women, many of them around 5 feet tall and barely over 100 pounds, all just a fraction of the size of Heuermann, who has been seen in court towering over those standing near him.
In 2010, Gilbert placed a frantic and incoherent 911 call, begging for help and claiming someone was after her. Then she vanished.
Before police found her remains, they found 10 other bodies along Ocean Parkway. Her death is the only one that police have said they believe was accidental.
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