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Gilgo Killer Confesses: 8 Strangled Women
8 Apr
Summary
- Rex Heuermann confessed to strangling eight women over 17 years.
- He pleaded guilty on April 8, 2026, to murders in a Riverhead courtroom.
- Heuermann will serve three consecutive life sentences plus 100 years.
Rex Heuermann, 62, admitted he is the Gilgo Beach serial killer, confessing to strangling eight women whose bodies were found along a Long Island highway. He changed his plea on April 8, 2026, in Riverhead, acknowledging the murders occurred in his Massapequa home's basement. The former architect's confession marks a significant turning point in one of the region's most extensive criminal investigations.
Heuermann faces sentencing of three consecutive life sentences plus 100 years as part of his plea agreement. He also agreed to cooperate with the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit. Prosecutors presented evidence, including DNA from a discarded pizza crust and extensive online searches under aliases, linking him to the killings over 15 years.
Heuermann was arrested in July 2023, with his defense challenging the constitutionality of DNA collection from discarded items. His ex-wife and daughter were present in court during his guilty plea. A civil lawsuit was also filed against Heuermann by a victim's child, seeking damages for loss of care and support.
