In a momentous development, authorities have successfully apprehended a suspected serial killer associated with a string of murders in the Long Island area. After an extensive investigation spanning over a year, the individual, identified as Rex Heuermann, aged 59, was captured on Thursday evening. This remarkable achievement was made possible by a crucial piece of evidence—an abandoned pizza crust. Detectives discovered Heuermann’s DNA on the crust, which was found in a discarded pizza box within a trash can in Manhattan. By matching it to a hair found on a restraint used in the killings, they were able to secure his arrest.
The case, famously referred to as the Gilgo Beach murders, gained infamy when the bodies of four women, wrapped in burlap, were discovered in 2010. Over time, the number of victims escalated, totaling ten sets of human remains, including eight women, one man, and one toddler. Although investigators had previously expressed skepticism about a single individual being responsible for all the murders, Heuermann became a person of interest during the extensive investigation.
The arrest of the alleged killer brought immense relief to the community, which had lived in fear for many years. Governor Kathy Hochul of New York acknowledged the commendable efforts of the New York State Police and local law enforcement in apprehending the suspect. Her words offered solace to the families of the victims and the people of New York.
The news of Heuermann’s arrest evoked mixed reactions among his neighbors. Some regarded him as an ordinary individual, a businessman leading an apparently normal life. However, others felt unsettled by his presence, noting the dilapidated state of his house. Heuermann’s attorney entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf, and he is currently being held without bail in jail.
