In a significant breakthrough, Suffolk County police have made a major stride in the investigation of the Long Island serial killer case, with DNA evidence extracted from a pizza box leading to the arrest of Rex Heuermann. The breakthrough comes after years of tireless efforts to bring the perpetrator to justice.
The pivotal DNA evidence was found on a piece of crust inside a pizza box that Heuermann had discarded in Manhattan on March 23, 2023. Detectives from a surveillance team had been tailing Heuermann and seized the opportunity to collect the pizza box for analysis. The DNA extracted from the crust was compared to a male hair discovered in 2011 on the bottom of a burlap bag used to wrap the remains of one of the victims, Megan Waterman. Astonishingly, the DNA samples were found to be a match, providing crucial evidence connecting Heuermann to the crime scene.
Heuermann, a successful New York City architect, was subsequently arrested on Thursday night outside his Manhattan office. The arrest has sent shockwaves through the community, as Heuermann was leading a seemingly normal life, concealing his alleged involvement in the series of heinous crimes.
The Long Island serial killer case has haunted the community for over a decade, with the remains of four female victims discovered in burlap sacks on Gilgo Beach in 2011. These victims, often referred to as the “Gilgo Beach four,” were young prostitutes in their twenties. The investigation initially gained momentum during the search for Shannon Gilbert, a 24-year-old escort from New Jersey, who went missing in 2010 after visiting a client’s home in Oak Beach, Long Island. Gilbert’s body was found in December 2011 in a swamp in Oak Beach, showing signs of a broken neck and a small hole drilled into her neck.
The arrest of Heuermann brings a sense of relief and closure to the families of the victims who have suffered for years. Sherre Gilbert, Shannon Gilbert’s sister, expressed her relief at the arrest, stating that she hopes Heuermann “rots in prison for the rest of his life.” She added that while the arrest cannot bring back their loved ones, it does provide some solace knowing that “one less monster is off the streets, and he can’t ever hurt anyone else.”
Following Heuermann’s arrest, a thorough search was conducted at his residence in Massapequa Park, Long Island. Forensic teams meticulously combed through the premises, removing items of interest for further examination. Among the seized items was a freezer, the contents of which have not yet been disclosed.
The investigation into the Long Island serial killer case has uncovered a chilling pattern, suggesting that the body count could be as high as 17 victims, including an Asian man and a toddler. The dedicated efforts of law enforcement and the persistence of the victims’ families have played a crucial role in bringing this case closer to resolution.
As the legal proceedings against Rex Heuermann unfold, the community remains hopeful that justice will be served for the victims and their families.
Written by
Dana Sterling-Editor
