Accused Gilgo Beach serial killer could change plea to guilty at next court appearance: sources

NEW YORK — Alleged serial killer Rex Heuermann is next due to appear in court April 8, when it is anticipated he could change his plea to guilty and admit to the murders of women whose remains were found near Gilgo Beach and elsewhere on Long Island, New York, sources familiar with the case told ABC News on Thursday.

The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, which charged Heuermann in the deaths of seven women, declined to comment.

An attorney for Heuermann did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Heuermann has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to stand trial in September in Riverhead, where he has been held since his July 2023 arrest.

The expectation of Heuermann’s plea change was first reported by Newsday.

The victims’ remains were found discarded on Long Island between 1993 and 2011.

The first victim was Sandra Costilla, killed in 1993. Valerie Mack was killed in 2000 and Jessica Taylor was killed in 2003. Partial remains of Taylor and Mack were found near Gilgo Beach and in Manorville on Long Island, while Costilla was found in North Sea on Long Island.

Maureen Brainard-Barnes was killed in 2007 and found near Gilgo Beach. Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy and Amber Lynn Costello were killed between 2009 and 2010 and also recovered near Gilgo Beach.