Rex Heuermann, the man suspected to be the notorious Gilgo Beach serial killer, reportedly visited a Long Island gun club just a day before the disappearance of one of his alleged victims, Jessica Taylor.
This visit occurred mere days before Taylor's remains were discovered in a nearby woodland area, as reported by The New York Post.
According to Newsday, Heuermann, who was charged last week with Taylor's murder, had marked his day planner to attend a rifle training event at the Peconic River Sportsmans Club in Manorville on July 20, 2003. This was the day before Taylor vanished, and her partial remains were found approximately a mile from the edge of the gun club property on July 26, 2003.
The Peconic River Sportsmans Club confirmed that Heuermann, now 60, attended several public events in the early 2000s. However, the club was quick to clarify that he was never a member. His last visit was for a shooting competition in April 2010. "Mr. Heuermann was not and is not a member of the Peconic River Sportsmans Club," club spokesperson Kerry Goldberg stated. "Mr. Heuermann did participate in a few high-powered rifle events at the club, which were open to the public."
Goldberg further explained that Heuermann served as one of 30 volunteer coaches for a sanctioned safety program called Small Arms Firing School. This program teaches gun safety and marksmanship for legal competition. "His role was to ensure safety while working directly with an individual student who took the course and assist them while shooting," Goldberg added.
Heuermann's day planner also detailed three other shooting events he may have attended in the month Taylor was killed. A law enforcement source confirmed to Newsday that Heuermann was involved with multiple shooting clubs in the area.
Heuermann, a married father of two, was initially arrested last year for the murders of four young women, known as the "Gilgo Four," whose bodies were found wrapped in burlap within days of each other in late 2010. Last week, he was additionally charged with second-degree murder in the 1993 death of Sandra Costilla and the 2003 death of Taylor.
These charges were filed after authorities searched the area in Manorville where the partial remains of Taylor and another Gilgo Beach victim, Valerie Mack, were discovered over two decades ago. Although Heuermann has not been charged in Macks death, prosecutors suggest that newly-revealed "planning documents" could link him to the crime.
Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney stated, as Heuermann was charged in the latest two slayings last week, "We are going to continue to investigate. Well talk about whatever other investigation were undergoing when and if we bring those charges." This ongoing investigation underscores the commitment of law enforcement to bring justice to the victims and their families, and to ensure that such heinous crimes do not go unpunished.
Login