Rex Heuermann, the alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer, is facing a new murder charge, marking the culmination of the four known victims in the case. Prosecutors officially filed a new murder complaint against Heuermann on Tuesday, accusing him of the killing of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, a woman previously linked to the Gilgo Beach case.
Maureen went missing in 2007, and her remains were discovered in 2010. She was the first of the Gilgo Four, a group of women found within days of each other, including Megan Waterman, Amber Costello, and Melissa Barthelemy.
Heuermann was already charged in connection to the murders of the other three women, and this new charge for Brainard-Barnes was expected. Investigators awaited DNA test results from hair recovered from her remains, and now they believe they have enough evidence to implicate Heuermann.
Rex Heuermann Gets Hit With A FOURTH Murder Charge In Gilgo Beach Murders
Despite his not guilty plea, this additional murder charge adds to the legal challenges he must face. Heuermann‘s defense lawyers have cast doubt on the DNA testing, arguing that the technology is faulty and doesn’t provide conclusive evidence but rather eliminates other possibilities. They assert that law enforcement has falsely identified him as the culprit.
Brainard-Barnes’ sister, Melissa Cann, is upset about the way her sister has been shown saying she is, “more than how she’s been portrayed. She was first and foremost a loving mother, a caring sister and a giving friend. With the loss of Maureen came unimaginable pain and panic. My life shattered with the confirmation of Maureen’s death.”
During the course of searching for Gilbert, a number of additional sets of human remains were discovered, including the partially preserved bones of Jessica Taylor, the remains of Valerie Mack, 24, a female toddler, a man, the mother of the toddler, and an unnamed individual.
Heuermann has not been charged in the killings of Gilbert, Taylor, or Mack, nor is he under suspicion in any of the other deaths. The date of his upcoming court appearance is February 6.
What do you think? Could he be involved in more of the murders? Let us know in the comments below.
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