Gilgo Beach Serial Killing Suspect Aims to Exclude DNA Evidence and Request Separate Trials for Seven Homicides

NEW YORK—The New York architect currently facing murder charges linked to a series of deaths identified as the Gilgo Beach killings is contesting the DNA evidence presented against him and is requesting separate trials in this extensive case.

Rex Heuermann’s defense team asserts that the DNA analyses cited by prosecutors lack broad acceptance within the scientific community and should therefore be dismissed from consideration in the trial. Additionally, they seek to divide the case into multiple trials.

Since late 2010, law enforcement has been probing the murders of at least 10 individuals—primarily female sex workers—whose remains were uncovered along a remote stretch of highway near Gilgo Beach on Long Island’s southern coast.

Heuermann was arrested in 2023 and charged with the deaths of three victims between 2009 and 2010: Melissa Barthelemy, Amber Lynn Costello, and Megan Waterman.

Following his detention, he was also charged with the murders of Valerie Mack in 2000, Jessica Taylor in 2003, Maureen Brainard-Barnes in 2007, and Sandra Costilla in 1993.

Heuermann has consistently claimed his innocence and has pleaded not guilty to all allegations.

Michael Brown, Heuermann’s lawyer, stated after a Wednesday court session that his client is at risk of an unjust conviction due to the “cumulative effect” of the evidence submitted by the prosecution.

Brown further contended that there is a “significant disparity” in evidence pertaining to some of the murders, which he claimed feature varying time frames, methods of killing, and body disposal locations.

“The risk of having multiple counts and victims presented in a single trial fosters a mentality of ‘If there’s smoke, there’s fire,’” Brown remarked. “These cases should not be tried together; they are unrelated issues.”

On Wednesday, prosecutors submitted a formal response to the challenge regarding the DNA evidence and stated they would address the motion for separate trials at a later time. Heuermann’s next court appearance is scheduled for February 18.

Among the primary pieces of evidence put forth by the prosecution are DNA results extracted from hair strands found at several crime scenes.

Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney has asserted that the DNA science utilized is robust and that his office will resist any attempts to separate the trials.

In their filing, prosecutors claimed that the “whole genome sequencing” method employed in the investigation has been embraced in peer-reviewed scientific literature and recognized by federal regulators, as well as by paleontologists, virologists, and the medical community.

The results provided by Astrea Forensics, a California lab, were also independently validated through mitochondrial DNA testing, a method that has long been accepted in New York courts, according to prosecutors.

They stated that whole genome sequencing “allows for a more thorough collection and analysis of DNA,” arguing that it is “so widely utilized for scientific, medical, and forensic purposes that there is little doubt regarding its acceptance in the pertinent scientific community.”

Additionally, prosecutors revealed that Heuermann maintained a “blueprint” record of his alleged crimes on his computer, which included a series of checklists detailing tasks to complete before, during, and after the murders, along with practical advice for “next time.”

By Philip Marcelo