'Sadistic, Soulless Monster': Gilgo Beach Killer Confesses To 8 Murders In Voice Devoid Of Emotion

RIVERHEAD, NY — In a stunning turn of events after nearly three years of court proceedings, accused Gilgo Beach killer Rex Heuermann pleaded guilty to killing seven women and took responsibility for the death of an eighth victim, Karen Vergata, in a Riverhead court Wednesday.

During the allocution, Heuermann answered a series of questions posed by Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney, who was prosecuting the case.

Tierney asked, in succession, whether Heuermann had intended to murder his eight victims, including Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, Amber Costello, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Jessica Taylor, Valerie Mack, Sandra Costilla, and now, Vergata.

"Yes," he said simply, in a voice devoid of emotion or remorse. "Yes." "Yes." "Yes." "Yes." "Yes." "Yes." "Yes."

As a condition of the plea agreement, Heuermann waived his right to appeal — and the plea agreement stated that there will be no more prosecutions related to the death of the eight women.

Also, a condition of the plea is that Heuermann must work with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and their behavioral analysis unit.

Heuermann, 62, of Massapequa Park, pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree murder and four counts of second-degree murder, after killing the seven victims previously referenced by the indictment, as well as admitting publicly, as part of his allocution, to killing the eighth victim, Karen Vergata, the DA said.

Heuermann is due back in court for sentencing on June 17, where he is expected to be sentenced to three consecutive sentences of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for killing Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello, the DA said.

Heuermann is also expected to be sentenced to a consecutive sentence of 100 years to life imprisonment for killing Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Jessica Taylor, Sandra Costilla, and Valerie Mack, Tierney said.

In exchange for Heuermann’s admission to the murder of Karen Vergata, the additional murder is covered by Heuermann’s plea to the murders of the seven charged victims, Tierney said.

His voice emotionless, Heuermann admitted to strangulating all the women and wrapping their bodies in burlap.

Heuermann also admitted to a "common scheme of plan," using burner phones, luring each victim with the promise of money, and wrapping the women's bodies "in the same manner — using burlap" to bind their midsections and legs.

He also admitted to dismembering the victims.

Heuermann pleaded guilty voluntarily.

In July 2023, Heuermann was indicted on three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of sex workers Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello, whose remains were found along Ocean Parkway in 2010.

Heuermann was also charged with the murder of a fourth woman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, the DA said. New DNA evidence helped connect Heuermann to all four of the deaths, said Tierney.

Heuermann was next slapped with new second-degree murder charges in the deaths of two additional women, Jessica Taylor and Sandra Costilla, the DA said. Heuermann was also later charged with the death of a seventh victim, Valerie Mack, the DA said.

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Heuermann's attorney Michael Brown spoke after the court appearance, noting that while he pleaded not guilty for years, a client has a right to change his plea.

"When Rex decided that he wanted to accept responsibility and didn't want to proceed to trial, from a defense standpoint we then pivoted and did our best to protect his interests," Brown said.

That included the fact that he's going to cooperate with the Federal Bureau of Investigations, in the behavioral analysis unit, Brown said.

He commended the DA's office for doing a "great job."

"This was an unprecedented case," Brown said.

He added that he hoped the day "brought some peace and some closure to the family members. This case is over, from our standpoint."

When asked about Heuermann's decision to plead guilty, Brown said: "There came a point in this defense where Rex said, 'I want to plead guilty.' It was at that point that we had an objective of protecting his interests."

He added if Heuermann was sorry, Brown responded, "I would hope so."

He said he expected that at sentencing, Heuermann "would have something to say."

Also, Brown agreed his client likely had a sense of relief. "I think by admitting it, it's cathartic to some extent," he said.

Heuermann, he went on, pleaded guilty because "he wanted to save the families of the victims the ordeal" of a trial — and spare his own family the same ordeal, Brown said.

At a press event after the court proceeding, Tierney spoke.

"This defendant walked among us, playacting as a normal suburban dad," he said, all the while plotting to lure them to Nassau County, murder them, and leave their bodies in Suffolk County.

"He thought that by killing them, he could silence them forever — but he was wrong," Tierney said.

The women's families continued over years and decades to advocate for them — and the evidence found on the women's bodies, themselves, told their stories, and "proved to be the defendant's undoing," Tierney said.

"While we mourn the loss of of these victims we're grateful to them, because without them the defendant would never have been brought to justice. He would still be walking among us, portraying himself as harmless father next door instead of what he was —a convicted killer," Tierney said.

Tierney thanked the family members of each of the victims and said, "I'm sorry."

He then thanked everyone involved in the investigation and lauded their hard work and dedication.

Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina also spoke, describing Heuermann's "almost grandfatherly image," which, he said, "was a lie — and an insult to law enforcement and the families. Today he was exposed for exactly what he was — a sadistic, soulless, murderous monster. Thankfully, today, everyone got to see that."

Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon noted, in jail, "how ordinary Heuermann has been. It's a chilling reminder of how those capable of horrific acts can go unnoticed."

Gloria Allred, attorney for many of the victims' families, also spoke about Heuermann, who "thought he had the perfect blueprint and plan for serial murders."

She added: "What he thought was his perfect blueprint did not take into account the courage and persistence of the victims' family members, who refused to give up until the murderer was found, convicted and sent to jail for rest of his life without the possibility of parole. Many became the voices, crying out for them not to be ignored and forgotten —and demanding justice."

And, she said: "It's bittersweet for them to be in court and hear him plead guilty to the murder of their loved ones and the manner of their deaths, but the truth was important to them — and they heard it today."

The victims, she said, were all too often just young mothers aiming to make money to support their children, their parents, their loved ones, or just " trying to survive."

Each of the family members were asked if they would accept a "guilty" plea from Heuermann in lieu of a trial. One by one, the family members spoke to the crowd, accepting the plea.

"The guilty plea brings solace," Melissa Kahn, sister of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, said in an emotional statement. She thanked Allred and the media, "for continuing to keep this in the public eye."

She added: "Today is about the women's lives who were stolen, their voices, their families, their futures," she said.

For 19 years, Kahn said she has lived in a state between "heartbreak and hope," searching for answers, for truth, for justice. "At times, the weight was unbearable. But I never gave up. Maureen, we've never forgotten you. Not for a single moment or breath."

Kahn also noted the strong bonds that have developed between the family members, forged in deep love and understanding, bonds that did not form from "friendship or blood, but from trying to pick up the pieces of our worlds, shattered in tragedy."

To other families still waiting for their own answers, Kahn said, "Don't give up. When it seem impossible, keep going."

And to her beloved sister, she added, through tears: "I made a promise to you, long ago, that I would never stop searching for justice for you. Every year, every step, I carried you with me. And I kept that promise — today, justice has finally found its way to you. Your voice was never silenced. And your life will always mean more than the tragedy that took you. This moment is not the end — but a reminder that even in the darkest moment, justice will find its way."

Heuermann's ex-wife speak publicly for first time at court

Robert Macedonio, attorney for Asa Ellerup, Heuermann's ex-wife, and their daughter, Victoria Heuermann, also spoke about the "emotional" proceedings.

"Today is an extremely difficult day for everyone involved," he said, commending the DA and the Gilgo Beach task force for the "amazing job they did — in solving these crimes that have been traumatizing Long Island for well over three decades."

He added: "First and foremost, our hearts are with the victims and their families. They have suffered unimaginable loss and nothing said here today can lessen that pain."

Discussing his clients, Macedonio said: "Let me be absolutely clear: Rex Heuermann, and Rex Heuermann alone, is responsible for these horrific crimes. Any suggestion that Asa Ellerup or Victoria Heuermann were involved is irresponsible. They had no knowledge, no involvement, or any connection to these heinous acts."

Ellerup and Victoria "accept today's outcome without question," Macedonio said. "She and her family have cooperated, fully, since Day 1 with law enforcement. This situation is deeply personal and profoundly painful for Ms. Ellerup and her family. She never wanted to believe the man she was married to for 27 years, the father of Victoria, could be capable of committing such heinous acts. Like so many others, she is still trying to process what was revealed inside that courtroom and she has to remain strong for her family. On behalf of her family she's asking for privacy, compassion and understanding as she now navigates these circumstances, which nobody could have anticipated a little more than three years ago."

He added: "Today is not about Asa. It's not about Victoria. It's about the victim and their families who have suffered unimaginable loss."

Ellerup then addressed the crowd: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families," she said. "Their loss is immeasurable. And the focus should be on them. I ask that you give some privacy to my family as they navigate through this very difficult time."

A reporter asked: "How did you not see what he had done? You were living with him."

Macedonio said the DA's office had "thoroughly investigated these crimes."

"You were living in the same house with him," the reporter said.

"She was away," Macedonio said, as Ellerup and her daughter walked from the scene.

DA Tierney has repeatedly stated that Ellerup and her children were away at the times the murders were committed and they were not involved.

Also speaking Wednesday was John Ray, attorney for the son of Valerie Mack, who recently filed a suit against Heuermann and his family.

Ray described Heuermann's demeanor in court as "cold, cold as ice — as cold as the bodies he killed." He added that Heuermann's voice, when pleading guilty, was of the same tenor as he might have used in a conversation about architecture, his career. "He was without remorse," he said.

Somber family members of the Gilgo Beach serial killer filled the courtroom Wednesday after years spent seeking answer and justice for their sisters and mothers, friends and daughters.

Family members filed in together and filled three rows, waiting quietly for the proceedings to begin.

Earlier, a massive media presence gathered outside the Arthur M. Cromarty Criminal Courthouse in Riverhead in advance of the anticipated guilty plea.

Media began arriving before 5 a.m., waiting outside for hours in the cold, and later, swarming Ellerup, daughter Victoria Heuermann, and Macedonio as they arrived.

A total of 11 sets of remains were found in the Gilgo Beach murders, which rocked Long Island. The remains included that of a toddler and an Asian male.

Heuermann had previously pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The victims

The remains of Vergata, 34, were first found on Fire Island on April 20, 1996, officials have said: Human remains were located in Davis Park, Suffolk County police said. DNA later linked the remains to a second set of remains found April 11, 2011, at Tobay Beach in Nassau County.

Her skull was found the same day as law enforcement discovered the remains of "Jane Doe No. 3," also known as "Peaches." The skull of Vergata, who lived in New York City, was also found just weeks after the remains of Jessica Taylor were found March 29, 2011, near Ocean Parkway, Tierney has said.

.According to court documents and the defendant’s admissions during his guilty plea allocution, on or about and in between November 19, 1993 and November 20, 1993, Heuermann met with Sandra Costilla, the DA said.

After picking up Costilla, Heuermann subsequently strangled her, causing her death, the DA said.

Subsequently, he transported and left the remains of Costilla in the vicinity of Fish Cove Road, in North Sea, until she was ultimately discovered by hunters on November 20, 1993, the DA said.

At the time of her death, Costilla was just 28 years old and survived by her son, who was about five years old, Tierney said.

In April 1996, Heuermann met with Karen Vergata; after picking up Ms. Vergata, Heuermann subsequently strangled her, causing her death, the DA said. Prior to her identification in 2023 via genetic genealogy, Vergata had been referred to as “Fire Island Jane Doe," the DA said. At the time of her death, Vergata was just 34 years old and left behind two sons, Tierney said.

On or about and between September 1, 2000 and November 19, 2000, Heuermann met with Valerie Mack, the DA said.

After picking up Mack, Heuermann subsequently strangled her, causing her death, the DA said.

Following her death, Mack was dismembered by Heuermann, who then transported her remains to two locations, i.e., Manorville and Ocean Parkway, Gilgo Beach, the DA said.

On November 19, 2000, three hunters discovered a black plastic bag about one mile west of Halsey Manor Road and north of Mill Road in Manorville, the DA said.

Inside, they observed a decapitated set of human remains, which were later identified as those of Valerie Mack, the DA said.

More than 10 years later, on April 4, 2011, as part of the expanded search of the Gilgo Beach area, the skull, hands, and right foot of Valerie Mack were discovered along Ocean Parkway, just east of Gilgo Beach, Tierney said.

Prior to her identification in 2020 via genetic genealogy, Mack had been referred to as “Jane Doe #6," the DA said. At the time of her death, Mack was just 24 years old and survived by her adoptive parents and her son, whose name was tattooed near her right ankle, he added.

On or about and between July 21, 2003 and July 26, 2003, Heuermann met with Jessica Taylor, the DA said. After picking up Taylor, Heuermann subsequently strangled her, causing her death, the DA said.

Following her death, Taylor was dismembered by Heuermann, who then transported her remains to two locations, Manorville and Ocean Parkway, the DA said. On July 26, 2003, Taylor’s remains were discovered just west of Halsey Manor Road in Manorville, the DA said.

Notably, the victim’s arms, hands, and head had been severed from her body and were missing from the remains recovered at the scene, he said. Nearly eight years later, on March 29, 2011, as part of the expanded search of the Gilgo Beach area, the victim’s skull, hands, and forearm were discovered along Ocean Parkway, just east of Gilgo Beach, the DA said.

At the time of her death, Taylor was just 20 years old and survived by her mother, he said.

In July 2007, after seeing an online advertisement, Heuermann utilized a “burner phone” to arrange to meet with Maureen Brainard-Barnes, the DA said. On the night of July 9, 2007, Heuermann picked up Brainard-Barnes and subsequently strangled her, causing her death, he said.

Following her death, Heuermann secured the remains of Brainard-Barnes with three belts and transported the victim to Ocean Parkway, Gilgo Beach, the DA said. More than three years later, on December 13, 2010, Brainard Barnes’ remains were discovered on the north side of Ocean Parkway, near Gilgo Beach, the DA said.

At the time of her death, Brainard-Barnes was just 25 years old and survived by her two children, her sister and brother, as well as her mother, the DA said.

On July 10, 2009, after seeing an online advertisement for her services, Heuermann utilized a “burner phone” to arrange to meet with Melissa Barthelemy, Tierney said. That evening, Heuermann picked up Barthelemy and ultimately strangled her, causing her death, the DA said.

Following her death, Heuermann tied up the remains of Barthelemy with tape and burlap, the DA said.

Subsequently, he transported her remains to Ocean Parkway, Gilgo Beach, Tierney said. More than a year later, on December 11, 2010, Barthelemy’s remains were discovered on the north side of Ocean Parkway, near Gilgo Beach, Tierney said.

At the time of her death, Barthelemy was just 24 years old and survived by her sister, her mother, and stepfather, the DA said.

On June 6, 2010, Heuermann utilized a “burner phone” to arrange to meet with Megan Waterman, the DA said. That evening, Heuermann picked up Waterman from the Holiday Inn in Hauppauge and subsequently strangled her, causing her death, he said.

Following her death, Heuermann tied up the remains of Waterman with tape and burlap and then transported her remains to Ocean Parkway, Gilgo Beach, the DA said.

Just over six months later, on December 13, 2010, Waterman’s remains were discovered on the north side of Ocean Parkway, near Gilgo Beach, the DA said.

At the time of her death, Waterman was just 22 years old and survived by her daughter, mother, and grandmother, the DA said.

Finally, on September 2, 2010, after a “ruse” that occurred the night prior had disrupted Heuermann’s encounter with Costello, Heuermann utilized a “burner phone” to arrange to once again meet with Amber Costello, the DA said.

That evening, Heuermann picked up Costello from her residence in West Babylon and subsequently strangled her, causing her death, Tierney said.

Following her death, Heuermann tied up the remains of Costello with tape and burlap and then transported her remains to Ocean Parkway, he said.

On December 13, 2010, Costello’s remains were discovered on the north side of Ocean Parkway, near Gilgo Beach, Tierney said. At the time of her death, Costello was just 27 years old and survived by her sister, the DA said.

Following a long-term investigation, Heuermann was arrested on July 13, 2023.