DNA Evidence Ties Accused Long Island Serial Killer to "Gilgo Beach Four" Murders

Catching the Long Island Serial Killer

Accused Long Island serial killer Rex Heuermann faces new charges after DNA evidence linked him to the notorious "Gilgo Beach Four" murders. In an indictment unsealed in Suffolk County court, Heuermann, 60, was charged with the murder of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, one of the victims whose remains were discovered along the Sound Shore in 2010. These murders had remained unsolved for 13 years.
The breakthrough in the case came as investigators connected Brainard-Barnes' murder to Heuermann through DNA evidence. Specifically, a female hair found on the victim's body was matched to samples collected from Heuermann's wife, Asa Ellerup, and their 26-year-old daughter, Victoria. Remarkably, both women were out of town when all four of the murders took place, including the time of Brainard-Barnes' death in Atlantic City, as detailed in the indictment.
Prosecutors revealed disturbing details about Heuermann's alleged activities. He reportedly texted escorts while his wife and children were away, engaging in sick online searches such as "Very skinny white teen tied up porn," "tied up fat girl porn," "medieval torture of women," and "how I was raped audio." Investigators also discovered a collection of violent, bondage, and torture pornography on Heuermann's electronic devices. Furthermore, they found that he had used his computer to contact escorts, using the names "Andy" or "Andrew," which correspond to his middle name.
One of the escorts allegedly received a text message from Heuermann on March 1, 2020, stating, "Hi, I saw your ad and wanted to see if we could set something up later." This chilling exchange occurred as the escort asked if the following day would work, to which Heuermann responded, "I am working all day. I was free today; my wife is out for the day… working Monday."
While Rex Heuermann pleaded not guilty to these new charges, his wife, Asa Ellerup, and daughter, Victoria Heuermann, were present at the arraignment but did not address reporters.
Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney had previously identified Rex Heuermann as the primary suspect in the death of Maureen Brainard-Barnes. He had expressed that his office was close to linking Heuermann to her case.
Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25, was the first of the "Gilgo Four" to disappear on July 9, 2007. Her body was later discovered on December 13, 2010, and she was reportedly bound with a belt stamped with the initials "WH," which investigators have suggested may have belonged to Heuermann's late grandfather, William Heuermann.
The "Gilgo Four" case involved the discovery of more than ten sets of human remains along Ocean Parkway between December 2010 and April 2011. Three other victims who worked as escorts, Amber Lynn Costello, Melissa Barthelemy, and Megan Waterman, became known as the "Gilgo Four."
Maureen Brainard-Barnes had a life prior to her tragic disappearance. She was originally from Groton, Connecticut, and was described as a straight-A student who dropped out of school at 17 after becoming pregnant. She held various jobs, including working as a card dealer at the Foxwoods Resort Casino, at a local ShopRite, and at a gas station in the area.
As this shocking case unfolds, investigators continue their efforts to seek justice for the victims and their families, as well as to provide answers in a case that has haunted Long Island for over a decade.
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