In Riverhead, New York, a well-known architect named Rex Heuermann is now facing murder charges connected to a seventh victim in the infamous Gilgo Beach killings. Heuermann, 61, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Valerie Mack, whose tragic story spans decades.
Valerie Mack, a 24-year-old working as an escort in Philadelphia, disappeared in 2000. Her family last saw her in New Jersey. Parts of her remains were discovered later that year in Manorville, New York. Over ten years later, more of her remains were found about 80 kilometers away at Gilgo Beach. For years, her identity was a mystery until genetic testing in 2020 confirmed who she was.
Prosecutors now say hair found with Mack’s remains matched the genetic profile of Heuermann’s daughter. To be clear, his daughter was just a young child at the time of Mack’s death and isn’t accused of any involvement. This detail, however, is part of the evidence linking Heuermann to the case.
Heuermann, who lived in Massapequa Park on Long Island and worked in Manhattan, is already charged with the murders of six other women. Their remains were discovered in the same area, leading to the name “Gilgo Beach serial killings.” He has maintained his innocence in all cases.
At a news conference, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney stood alongside Mack’s parents and other victims’ families. He emphasized that these women’s lives mattered deeply. Mack’s family remained silent, but relatives of other victims offered them roses and hugs, showing their support during this difficult time.
Prosecutors argue that Heuermann meticulously planned his crimes, pointing to a file found in his basement. This chilling document reportedly outlined steps for his killings, including lists of supplies and locations for disposing of remains. A reference to “Mill Road,” close to where Mack’s remains were first found, was also discovered in the document.
Investigators believe Heuermann committed the murders at his home, often when his family was away. They say he kept items like old newspapers and magazines about the Gilgo Beach killings as grim souvenirs. These included a 2003 article that mentioned Valerie Mack and another victim, Jessica Taylor.
Heuermann’s lawyer, Michael Brown, has pushed back against the evidence, questioning the reliability of the DNA technology used and arguing that no victims’ DNA has been definitively tied to Heuermann’s property.
The Gilgo Beach case dates back to 2010 when police stumbled upon the remains of ten people while searching for a missing woman. Over time, investigators identified many of the victims, most of whom were sex workers. Despite progress, some victims’ deaths remain unsolved, including a man who may have presented as a woman and Karen Vergata, whose remains were found in 1996 but were only identified in 2022.
Heuermann’s wife and children have issued statements saying they’re committed to seeing the legal process through, no matter how challenging it may be. His estranged wife has said she still cannot believe he could be responsible for such horrific crimes.
While this case continues to unravel, it’s clear that the families of the victims are determined to seek justice for their loved ones, whose lives were tragically cut short.
