In a chilling development, Rex Heuermann, the alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer, has been slapped with an additional murder charge, bringing the total to seven.
The latest indictment pertains to the murder of Valerie Mack, a 24-year-old New Jersey native who was working as an escort in Philadelphia at the time of her death in 2000. Mack's partial remains were discovered in Manorville, Long Island in the same year, with additional remains surfacing on Gilgo Beach over a decade later.
As reported by CBS News, Heuermann, standing before the court on Tuesday, vehemently denied the charges. "Your honor, I'm not guilty of any of these charges," he declared. The announcement of the new murder charge was made at a news conference on Tuesday morning, where Suffolk County DA Raymond Tierney was accompanied by the grieving families of the seven victims.
Court documents reveal intriguing details about the case. Hairs discovered near Mack's wrist and inside garbage bags were reportedly linked to Heuermann's estranged wife, Asa Ellerup, and his daughter. This connection excludes 99.65% of the North American population. However, it's crucial to note that Heuermann's daughter was a minor at the time of Mack's murder, and neither she nor Ellerup have been implicated in any wrongdoing related to the case.
The court documents also shed light on disturbing images of sexual torture found on Heuermann's electronic devices. These images reportedly showed bindings similar to the rope ligatures found on Mack's remains. Furthermore, the documents allege that Heuermann's planning document referred to a dump site as Mill Road, which is the exact location where Mack's remains were discovered.
The indictment also suggests a chilling modus operandi. It alleges that a similar cutting instrument was used to dismember Mack and another victim, Jessica Taylor. Mack's tattoos were reportedly removed, a detail that aligns with a document in Heuermann's possession, described by authorities as a blueprint for murder, complete with checklists for actions before, during, and after the act.
Heuermann, 61, has previously pleaded not guilty to murder charges relating to the deaths of six women between 1993 and 2011. The remains of 11 individuals were found around Gilgo Beach during this period, leading investigators to suspect Heuermann's involvement in other murders. The Suffolk County DA has hinted at the possibility of future indictments.
The victims, all involved in sex work, were disposed of in a similar manner. Four bodies were found near Gilgo Beach, while two others date back to 2003 and 1993. Prosecutors believe Heuermann is linked to these murders through DNA, burner phone data, a description of his truck, internet searches, and the aforementioned murder blueprint.
The defense, however, has challenged the new DNA evidence, known as SNP, which prosecutors claim links the victims' hairs to Heuermann. They have dismissed the outside lab's genetic testing methods as unproven and "magic."
The sheer volume of evidence presents another challenge for the prosecution. The DA has admitted to struggling with the costs of processing the 120 terabytes of data and 400 electronic devices seized.
Heuermann's attorney has stated that his client eagerly awaits his day in court and plans to request a change of venue, alleging that the jury pool in Suffolk has been "poisoned." Currently, Heuermann remains in isolation in jail, awaiting the next chapter in this gruesome saga.
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