The Gilgo beach killings suspect arrested after being a cold case for 13 years later
[ 객원 에디터 5기 / 민찬홍 기자] The GIlgo Beach Killings, noted as a series of murders committed by the same man, has led to the arrest of a prime suspect. On May 1st, 2010, Shannan Gilbert went missing after she had visited a client. In an estimated 20-minute call with authorities before 5 AM, the 24-year-old reported that her life was in danger and was soon after filed as a missing person after her disappearance.
On December 10th, the police discovered the bodies of four other women along Cedar beach and Gilgo Beach, which were notably close to where Gilbert had reportedly disappeared. Gilbert, however, was not found herself. In April of 2011, another group of remains was discovered in an area around Jones Beach State Park, including the body of a toddler. Still, investigation authorities were far from catching the mass killer.
In December of the same year, police divers finally located Gilbert’s body in a marshland near Oak Beach. Since then, more evidence has been compiled with the initials “HM” or “WH”. A film and book was published on the matter, bringing public attention to the case and triggering the formation of a new task force in February of 2022. The alleged killer was living a double life in Long Island, only a short drive from the murder sites.
On July 13th, 2023, 59-year-old Rex Heuermann was arrested at his home located at Massapequa Park in New York. He is an architect with a wife and two children. Several neighbors described him as quiet and non-intrusive. This arrest came after investigators took a swab from leftover pizza crusts that were linked to a piece of hair from Heuermann’s wife found on a case. Though Heuermann denied the allegations, he was charged with three counts of first-degree murder in connection to three of the victims the next day and is also a current suspect in the death of a fourth victim. Further evidence indicates that Rex’s wife and children were out of the state when the killings took place.
While attorneys continue to drop the charges against the suspect, it is clear that the allegations were a definite shock to the convict’s family.
