The man suspected of being the Gilgo Beach serial killer reportedly dismissed his arrest with a casual 'What am I here for? I don't know nothing of what you’re talking about,' according to police. Rex Heuermann, 59, was taken into custody on 13 July in midtown Manhattan as he left his architecture office.
He faces charges for three of the 'Gilgo Four' murders – those of Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy and Amber Costello – and is the prime suspect in the killing of Maureen Brainard-Barnes. Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison revealed the first words of the accused killer, adding that Heuermann quickly asked for a lawyer and refused to discuss the matter further.
Sources told CNN that after being processed, Heuermann had another chilling question, this time about his newfound notoriety. The plan to extract a confession during the long drive to Long Island did not materialise, and he has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Investigators have been digging up the backyard of Heuermann’s Massapequa Park home, using cadaver dogs and ground-penetrating radar. A huge wooden deck was dismantled, and a blue tent was erected to shield the search. Commissioner Harrison said they believe at least some of the murders occurred inside the home, but this cannot be confirmed at this stage.
The 'Gilgo Four' were all found in December 2010 within a quarter-mile of each other, bound with belts or tape. Heuermann was linked to the killings through a tip about his pickup truck, a stash of burner phones, 'sadistic' online searches, and his wife’s hair found on the victims’ bodies. Police say they are confident of charging him with the fourth murder soon.
