Rex Heuermann, the New York architect at the center of the infamous Gilgo Beach murders, has been charged with the killing of a seventh woman, Valerie Mack. On Tuesday, Heuermann entered a plea of not guilty to the charges surrounding Mack’s death. Mack, who was 24 years old at the time and working as an escort in Philadelphia, was last seen by her family in New Jersey in 2000.
Mack’s remains were discovered in two locations: her skeletal remains were initially found in Manorville, New York, while additional remains surfaced over 10 years later in Gilgo Beach, 50 miles west. Her identity remained a mystery until 2020, when advancements in genetic testing identified her. Investigators recently matched human hair samplesfrom Mack’s remains to Heuermann’s daughter’s genetic profile, though the daughter has not been implicated, as she was a child at the time of Mack’s death.
The 61-year-old Heuermann already faces charges in connection with six other victims whose bodies were discovered in Long Island. He maintains his not-guilty stance in all cases. Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney highlighted the importance of the victims’ lives and expressed shared grief alongside their families. Following the court proceedings, Mack’s parents declined to speak with the media, though other victims’ families offered gestures of support, bringing flowers to honor the victims’ memories.
Attorney Gloria Allred, representing families of other victims, emphasized the enduring sorrow these families face. Meanwhile, Heuermann’s attorney, Michael Brown, questioned the evidence linking Heuermann to Mack’s murder. He criticized the DNA techniques used, claiming they are not deemed reliable in New York, and highlighted the absence of the victims’ DNA in Heuermann’s residence, despite weapons and tools being recovered there.
The Gilgo Beach investigation began in 2010 when law enforcement discovered ten sets of human remains while searching for a missing woman, leading to fears of a serial killer. Many of the victims were identified as sex workers, and the investigation reopened unsolved homicide cases across Long Island. However, the case has faced challenges, including five leadership changes within law enforcement and skepticism about the serial killer theory.
Heuermann, a resident of Massapequa Park, was arrested on July 13, 2023. The original charges were for the murders of Barthelemy, Waterman, and Amber Lynn Costello, but his alleged involvement has since expanded to include other victims.
Prosecutors revealed in a court filing that a hard drive recovered from Heuermann’s basement contained detailed “checklists” and plans related to his alleged crimes, with references to “Mill Road,” near where Mack’s remains were found. Phone records show Heuermann contacting plumbing companies around the time of Mack’s disappearance, corresponding with items like “foam drain cleaner” listed in the files.
Additionally, authorities uncovered newspapers and magazines featuring articles on the Gilgo Beach investigation, including a 2003 edition of the New York Post discussing Mack’s remains, suggesting Heuermann may have kept them as keepsakes.
Prosecutors believe some of the murders may have occurred at Heuermann’s residence when his family was away, though the whereabouts of his relatives during Mack’s death remain unclear.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities also looking into the death of Karen Vergata, whose remains were discovered in 1996 and identified in 2022 through DNA testing. New renderings have also been released for an unidentified victim found in 2011, who was initially believed to be male but may have presented as female before their death in 2006.
The Gilgo Beach case continues to unravel, as authorities work to piece together the complex timeline and growing list of victims linked to Heuermann.
