Investigators have returned to the home of Rex Heuermann, the suspected Long Island serial killer, nearly a year after his arrest on multiple murder charges. The search is part of a new investigation into other cold cases where Heuermann may be involved, potentially leading to federal charges and the possibility of the death penalty.
New York State and Suffolk County investigators have once again descended upon the home of Rex Heuermann, the suspected Long Island serial killer, to retrieve additional evidence. Nearly a year after his arrest on multiple murder charges in the Gilgo Beach case, Heuermann's home has become a focal point for a renewed investigation.
Investigators are focusing on evidence related to other cold cases, potentially expanding Heuermann's involvement beyond the four murders he currently faces charges for. Joseph Giacalone, a former cold case investigator with the NYPD, believes that if Heuermann is linked to any additional cases, it could trigger federal charges and the potential for the death penalty.
"If they attach one of those cases to him, this turns federal and this whole thing goes belly up," said Giacalone. "The feds can then bring death penalty charges into it, even in New York state."
The possibility of federal charges raises the stakes for Heuermann, as prosecutors can wield the death penalty as leverage to extract confessions or earn leniency in other cases. "That's the ace in the hole for having the feds take over," said Giacalone. "They can get somebody to talk and save their own miserable life."
The search for evidence this week has been shrouded in secrecy, with much of the material concealed in boxes and bags. Giacalone believes that the investigators' focus is not on the murders Heuermann is already charged with, but on a separate cold case.
Heuermann's connection to other cases is largely based on circumstantial evidence, such as the presence of his wife's hair on materials found with the victims. Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney has publicly stated that his wife's DNA was transferred by Heuermann, although she is not accused of involvement in the killings.
Giacalone adds that Heuermann may have similarly contaminated another crime scene with pet hair, which could be the reason investigators removed a dog bed from his house.
Heuermann is facing charges for the murders of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, Amber Costello, and Maureen Brainard-Barnes, whose bodies were discovered near Gilgo Beach. However, the search for Shannan Gilbert, who vanished and later died near the same area in 2010, has also cast a shadow over the investigation. Her attorney believes that foul play was involved in Gilbert's death, despite it being initially ruled an accident.
In 2011, the dismembered remains of Jessica Taylor and Valerie Mack were found in separate locations, adding to the list of victims linked to the Gilgo Beach case. In April, police returned to the Manorville area with K-9 units to search for additional evidence, but the findings have not been disclosed.
The ongoing investigation and potential federal charges could significantly alter the course of Heuermann's case. If convicted, it is unlikely that he would face the death penalty, but the possibility serves as a powerful bargaining chip for prosecutors seeking information about other unsolved cold cases.
