The world of true crime is often stranger than fiction, and the Gilgo Beach murders case is one of the darkest examples.
A new episode of the Daily Mail’s Trial podcast has now laid out unsettling new insights into the killings—murders that stretched on for decades and were allegedly carried out by Rex Heuermann, a Manhattan architect who appeared to be living an ordinary life.
Reporter Ruth Bashinsky joined podcast host Caroline Cheetham to walk through the haunting story, from a desperate phone call made by a missing woman in 2010 to Heuermann’s dramatic arrest in 2023.
The Murders That Shocked Long Island
The case began with the discovery of four bodies in burlap sacks, left along a remote stretch of Long Island highway.
What should have been a straightforward investigation was instead mired in years of police missteps, corruption claims, and missed leads.
It wasn’t until 2022 that a newly formed Suffolk County police team used advanced DNA technology to breathe new life into the case.
Their breakthrough linked Heuermann to seven murders and finally led to his arrest.
A Family Man with a Dark Secret
To the outside world, Heuermann seemed like a quiet professional and devoted father.
But investigators describe his home as nothing short of a “house of horrors.”
Police combed through the property for weeks after his arrest, uncovering disturbing clues about his double life.
Bashinsky recalled how neighbors were stunned.
His rundown house looked out of place in a neighborhood of carefully maintained lawns and well-kept homes.
Reporters swarmed the scene as forensic teams dismantled parts of the house—including a recently renovated bathroom that Heuermann had redone while his wife was away.
Authorities suspect it may have been a crime scene.
A Disturbing Murder Blueprint
Among the evidence seized were Heuermann’s electronic devices.
Prosecutors say they discovered a chilling Word document on his computer that read like a step-by-step murder manual.
Written in block capitals, it appeared to be his way of refining his methods.
According to Bashinsky, the document included reminders to stay hydrated, fill up his gas tank, dispose of tools, and even adjust how tightly he tied ropes around his victims.
She recalled seeing the document in court, saying it felt like reading a chapter straight from a true crime novel—except it was happening in real life.
DNA Technology Breaks New Ground
One of the biggest developments in the case came this week when a judge ruled that prosecutors can use groundbreaking DNA evidence at trial.
The defense had tried to block it, arguing the science was too experimental.
But the prosecution scored a win. The method, known as whole genome sequencing, allowed forensic experts to build a DNA profile from rootless hairs found on the victims.
Dr. Richard Green, whose company specializes in extracting DNA from ancient bones thousands of years old, testified to its accuracy.
His expertise helped validate the evidence in a case that stretches back over 20 years.
What Comes Next
Rex Heuermann, now 61, has pleaded not guilty to all charges, and his trial is expected to begin in 2026.
With groundbreaking science, chilling evidence, and a community still haunted by the crimes, the stage is set for one of the most closely watched trials in New York’s history.
To hear the full breakdown of Bashinsky’s reporting, listeners can tune into The Crime Desk and access The Mail’s Trial Plus series.