New York City architect Rex Heuermann has been charged with three murders and is a prime suspect in a fourth, a major breakthrough in a police investigation into a spate of murders on Long Island that have remained unsolved for over a decade.
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Heuermann — whose firm, RH Consultants & Associates, worked on projects including the redesign of the Target at 600 Broadway in SoHo — was identified after being matched to DNA evidence in the case, known as the Gilgo Beach murders, per multiple reports Friday.
He has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of three women, according to press reports.
In all, human remains of 11 people — nine women, a man and a toddler — were found on Long Island between 2010 and 2011, with many of them around the town of Gilgo Beach. Prosecutors say DNA testing showed Heuermann’s wife’s hair was on or surrounding some of the bodies. Cellphone evidence and DNA taken from a pizza crust are also key elements to the case, NBC reported.
The victims, who have come to be known as the Gilgo Four, were sex workers found in late 2010 near the town wrapped in burlap, The Washington Post reported.
“We’re happy to see that they’re finally active, the police, in accomplishing something. Let’s wait and see what it all leads to,” said John Ray, the attorney for the families of two victims, Shannan Gilbert and Jessica Taylor.
He said, however, he thinks Heuermann could only be connected to the Gilgo Four. He said there “undoubtedly is” another suspect, per NBC.
Prosecutors claim Heuermann searched on the internet for “sadistic materials, child pornography, images of the victims and their relatives,” The Washington Post reported, citing court documents.
His arrest took place in Manhattan Thursday night, and he was indicted on Friday. Prosecutors said they were able to narrow down their investigation by tracking the location of disposable cellphones they believe the killer used to contact the victims.
"In a 14-month period, [Heuermann] had over 200 searches pertaining to the Gilgo (Beach serial killings) investigation," Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney told reporters Friday. "He was looking at investigative insight. He was looking, trying to figure out, 'How is the task force using cell phones to try to figure out what is happening? What are the developments with regard to the task force?'"
Heuermann’s company website was still active Friday and described the 59-year-old as providing services to city agencies, not-for-profit agencies, builders, developers and “individual owners of building in regard to ADA, NYC and NY state Codes as well as Zoning Consultation.”
The Meet the Team page on the website appeared to have been deleted. As well as Target, RH Consultants lists the Foot Locker at 30 East 170th St. in the Bronx as one of its projects, as well as the renovation of the retail space at 410 West 14th St. Heuermann is married with two children, the New York Post reported.
UPDATE, JULY 14, 6:55 P.M. ET: This story has been updated with new information about the charges and investigation.
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