July 14, 2023 - New York architect arrested in Long Island serial killings

By Matt Meyer and Meg Wagner, CNN

Updated 6:08 a.m. ET, July 15, 2023

What we covered here

A New York architect pleaded not guilty Friday after he was charged with six counts of murder in connection with the deaths of three of the four women known as the “Gilgo Four.”
Rex Heuermann is also the "prime suspect" in the death of the fourth woman, authorities said. After his court appearance, he was remanded without bail.
Authorities moved to arrest him Thursday for reasons of "public safety," as he had been closely monitoring the investigation, while still patronizing sex workers and using fake IDs and burner phones, the Suffolk County district attorney said.
The arrest was part of an investigation into what became known as the Gilgo Beach murders after the discovery of at least 10 sets of remains since 2010 in Long Island. Authorities did not publicly connect today's arrest to the other cases.

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2:15 p.m. ET, July 14, 2023

Gilgo Beach murder investigation suspect identified as New York City-based architect

From CNN’s John Miller, Brynn Gingras and Carroll Alvarado

In 2022, Rex Heuermann gave an interview on the YouTube channel Bonjour Realty. In the interview, he talked about his career in architecture. From Bonjour Realty

Rex Heuermann, a registered architect, is in custody in connection with the Gilgo Beach murder investigation, multiple sources tell CNN.

Authorities executed a search warrant at an address registered to him in Massapequa, Long Island, on Friday morning, the sources said.

Heuermann has owned the New York City-based architecture and consulting firm RH Consultants & Associates since 1994, according to his company’s website.

“RHC has extensive experience providing over thirty years of service dealing with the New York City Building Code, the New York State Code, the NYC Department of Buildings and all major city agencies,” the company’s website reads.

“Throughout the years, Rex Heuermann has provided services to other city agencies, not for profit agencies, builders, developers and individual owners of buildings in regard to ADA, NYC and NY State Codes as well as Zoning Consultation," the website continued.

In 2022, Heuermann gave an interview for the YouTube channel “Bonjour Realty,” where he spoke about his career in architecture. In the interview, Heuermann said he was born and raised in Long Island and began working in Manhattan in 1987.

CNN has reached out to Heuerman’s company for comment.

2:00 p.m. ET, July 14, 2023

The Gilgo Beach murder suspect was arrested Thursday in New York City

From CNN's Kristina Sgueglia

Authorities delved more into the arrest of the Gilgo Beach murder suspect who was taken into custody Thursday night in New York City.

Speaking at a news conference, Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison said the suspect was arrested Thursday night shortly after 8:30 p.m. ET around 35th Street and 5th Avenue in New York City.

He was transported back to Suffolk County Police headquarters in the hamlet of Yaphank on Long Island, Harrison said.

“The case is in grand jury, we anticipate an indictment later on this afternoon,” Harrison said at an earlier news conference.

2:10 p.m. ET, July 14, 2023

Suspect is connected to the murder of women known as the "Gilgo Four," district attorney's office says

From CNN's Carolyn Sung and Kristina Sgueglia

Melissa Barthelemy, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Amber Lynn Costello and Megan Waterman Suffolk County Police Department

The suspect in the Gilgo Beach murder investigation, who was arrested Thursday, is connected to the murder of four women who have come to be known as the “Gilgo Four,” according to a spokesperson for the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office.

Authorities initially prompted by the search for missing Shannan Gilbert would come to discover the remains of four other women along a stretch of Ocean Parkway in 2010. All of the women worked as Craigslist escorts, according to officials.

The four women, who were wrapped in burlap and discovered within days of each other, were later identified as Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25; Amber Lynn Costello, 27; Megan Waterman, 22; and Melissa Barthelemy, 24.

They were last seen between July 2007 and September 2010.

By the time Gilbert’s body was found one year later on neighboring Oak Beach, investigators had unearthed 10 sets of human remains strewn across two Long Island counties.

Authorities later said they believe Gilbert’s death may have been accidental and not related to the Gilgo Beach slayings.