CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (AP) — Rex Heuermann, the suspect in the infamous Gilgo Beach murders case, is set to appear in Suffolk County Supreme Court next week, amid speculation that he may face charges in connection with a fourth killing.
Heuermann, 60, has already pleaded not guilty to the murder of three sex workers whose remains were discovered on Long Island more than a decade ago. He has also been officially named as a suspect in the murder of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, whose body was found alongside the other three victims in December 2010.
Although the reason for Heuermann’s new court date has not been confirmed, prosecutors have previously announced that a special grand jury was considering an indictment specifically related to the killing of Brainard-Barnes. Heuermann is scheduled to appear before Justice Timothy Mazzei on Tuesday morning, according to reports from Newsday.
The married father-of-two had been due to return to court next on February 6 for a conference on the original indictment. His premature return to court has fueled speculation that additional separate charges may be imminent.
Heuermann has been held without bail since his arrest for the murders of Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy, and Amber Lynn Costello, all of whom were among 11 victims found on the desolate stretch of coastline close to Heuermann’s Long Island home between 2010 and 2011.
DNA evidence found on the victims’ bodies has tied Heuermann to the killings, including a 99.96 percent match to samples collected from items linked to the suspect. The indictment has also outlined the use of burner phones to contact each of the victims and accusations that Heuermann used one victim’s phone to make taunting calls to her family.
The case has expanded to include a potential link to the deaths of two additional sex workers, Valerie Mack and Karen Vergata. As the investigation continues, Heuermann’s personal life, including his ex-wife filing for divorce and controversial documentary deals, has also come under scrutiny.
Heuermann’s trial and the ongoing developments in the case have been closely followed by the public, with implications that stretch beyond the initial charges.