59-year-old architect Rex Heuermann has been arrested in connection with the serial killings of at least ten women found dead along Gilgo Beach, Long Island, CBS News reports. The killer, who targeted sex workers, had managed to elude authorities for over a decade.
Heuermann, who works as an architect at his company RH Consultants and Associates, was taken into custody by authorities near his place of work in Midtown Manhattan. Photos also show that police have been searching his home in Massapequa, Long Island.
Heurmann will face three counts of murder in the first degree and three in the second degree in connection to the deaths of Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy and Amber Costello. He's expected to appear in court on Friday afternoon.
"Members assigned to the Gilgo Beach Task Force, which consisted of numerous detectives and investigators from the Suffolk County Police Department, as well as our partners in the FBI, did place one individual under arrest," said Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison in a press conference held on Friday.
The arrest marks the biggest development in the case since one of the victims was identified through genetic genealogy in May 2020.
The remains of four other individuals were found in the area along the Ocean Parkway in December 20. A further six victims, including a toddler and an unidentified Asian male, were identified in March and April 2011. Another suspected victim was discovered in December 2011, although police determined the remains are not related to the other killings. There are at least eight more suspected victims.
"We've been here for about 30 years, and the guy's been quiet, never really bothers anybody," Heuermann's neighbor, Etienne DeVilliers, told CBS New York. "We were kind of shocked, to tell you the truth. ... This is a very, very quiet neighborhood. Everybody knows each other, all of our neighbors, we're all friendly. It's never been a problem at all."
DeVilliers noted that Heuermann is married with two kids.
"This house sticks out like a sore thumb. There were overgrown shrubs, there was always wood in front of the house," neighbor Gabriella Libardi told the Associated Press of Heuermann's Massapequa home, which appears to be in disrepair. "It was very creepy. I wouldn't send my child there." Another neighbor, Barry Auslander, added that Heuermann commuted to work each morning in a suit and tie. "He looked like a businessman," said Auslander. "But his house is a dump."
According to RH Consultants and Associates' website, "Heuermann has provided services to other city agencies, not for profit agencies, builders, developers and individual owners of buildings in regard to ADA, NYC and NY State Codes as well as Zoning Consultation."
Police have yet to announce how many of the serial killings have been linked to Heuermann. The case has long been the subject of speculation and was adapted into the Netflix drama Lost Girls in 2020.
