Rex Heuermann, the architect identified as the Long Island Serial Killer, pleaded guilty to seven murders during a hearing in Suffolk County Supreme Court in Riverhead, New York on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.

The 62-year-old from Massapequa Park admitted to three counts of first-degree murder and four counts of intentional murder. His guilty plea covers the deaths of Megan Waterman, Amber Costello, Melissa Barthelemy, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Valerie Mack, Sandra Costilla, and Jessica Taylor. In a significant development, Heuermann also confessed to killing Karen Vergata, an eighth victim not originally charged in the indictment.

According to court records, Heuermann admitted to strangling all eight victims between 1993 and 2010. He dismembered some victims and disposed of their remains across multiple locations in Suffolk County, including Gilgo Beach, Manorville, and Southampton. Investigators discovered that he used burner phones to contact his victims, many of whom were sex workers.

Under the plea agreement, Heuermann will serve three consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole for counts 1-3, followed by four consecutive 25-years-to-life sentences. The agreement includes a provision that he will not face further prosecution and has waived his right to appeal. Sentencing is scheduled for June 17, 2026.

The guilty plea came during a pre-trial hearing, nearly three years after his arrest in July 2023. Heuermann had initially pleaded not guilty, and a trial was scheduled to begin in September 2026. According to his defense team, Heuermann decided to plead guilty to protect his interests, displaying what courtroom observers described as an unemotional demeanor throughout the proceedings.

Heuermann's ex-wife Asa Ellerup and their daughter Victoria were present in court. Their lawyer, Robert Macedonio, stated that neither had knowledge of or involvement in the crimes.

The investigation into the Gilgo Beach murders had spanned more than a decade. Bodies began surfacing around 2010, though Heuermann's crimes dated back approximately 18 years. The case gained international attention as one of America's most significant serial killer investigations in recent decades.

A critical piece of evidence in the investigation involved DNA extracted from a discarded pizza crust that linked Heuermann to the victims. His defense team had unsuccessfully attempted to suppress this evidence during pre-trial motions.

As part of his plea agreement, Heuermann has agreed to cooperate with the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit. This cooperation could provide law enforcement with insights that may help identify other serial offenders.

Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney addressed the media following the plea hearing, highlighting the resolution of one of Long Island's most notorious criminal cases.

The case had gripped the region for years, with investigators working to identify victims and connect them to a single perpetrator. The guilty plea brings closure to the families of seven confirmed victims and one additional victim whose case was previously unresolved.

**Sources:** - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOLsc3m6FfU - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9XKa4mgwbw - https://www.police1.com/serial-killer/gilgo-beach-murders-rex-heuermann-admits-to-8th-killing-in-guilty-plea - https://joniejohnstonpsyd.substack.com/p/rex-heuermann-pleaded-guilty-to-protect - https://longisland.news12.com/rex-heuermann-expected-to-plead-guilty-in-gilgo-case-on-wednesday-heres-what-you-need-to-know