Riverhead, NY — A New York architect, Rex Heuermann, was accused Tuesday of a chilling 2000 murder, marking the seventh charge against him in a notorious series of killings near Gilgo Beach on Long Island. The latest indictment, which was unveiled in court, concerns the brutal death of Valerie Mack, whose mutilated remains were discovered over two decades ago.
Mack’s remains were initially found on Nov. 19, 2000, in a secluded area of Manorville, Long Island. Her body had been dismembered and parts of her remains were encased in a black plastic bag secured with duct tape. Tragically, additional parts of Mack’s remains were not discovered until April 2011, near Gilgo Beach along Ocean Parkway, an area now synonymous with a series of grim findings linked to Heuermann.
Prosecutors have attributed the connection to Heuermann through meticulous forensic analysis. Notably, mitochondrial DNA testing on a hair recovered from Mack’s remains matched the genetic profiles of Heuermann’s wife and daughter. Additionally, Heuermann’s possession of extensive violent and explicit material, dating back to at least 1994, was pivotal in reinforcing the charge. Officials noted that at least 350 electronic devices confiscated from Heuermann contained contents that aligned with the nature of the crimes.
Following the indictment, Heuermann, 61, faced the court, maintaining his innocence. Clad in a suit and restrained, he addressed the judge, asserting, “Your honor, I am not guilty of any of these charges.” This court appearance follows his June pleadings of not guilty in the cases of Jessica Taylor and Sandra Costilla.
In July, the architect was also charged with the murders of four other women, all of whom were believed to be sex workers whose lives tragically ended near the same desolate stretch of Ocean Parkway. These victims were identified as Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Amber Lynn Costello, Melissa Barthelemy, and Megan Waterman.
Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney expressed the significance of progressing the investigations during a press briefing. He conveyed sentiments from Mack’s family, emphasizing their gratitude for the resolution, albeit partial, that the ongoing legal actions offered.
The presiding Judge Timothy Mazzei decided to hold Heuermann without bail. This case continues to unfold, encapsulating the horrific legacy of a location now marred by the memory of these unresolved tragedies. As the legal process endeavors to bring justice, the community and the victim’s families await closure in a case that has haunted Long Island for over two decades.