Gilgo Beach Murderer Rex Heuermann Admits Guilt, Sentenced

WHO:

Fox News - One of the victims' families told Heuermann to speak up during the sentencing.

Fox News - Rex Heuermann, 62, identified as the Gilgo Beach serial killer.

Fox News - Judge Timothy Mazzei presided over the sentencing.

Fox News - Victims include Sandra Costilla, Karen Vergata, Valerie Mack, Jessica Taylor, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Lynn Costello.

WHAT:

Fox News - Heuermann was sentenced on June 16, 2026, to three consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, followed by four consecutive terms of 25 years to life, totaling seven life sentences.

USA Today - Heuermann's guilty plea was a reversal from his initial denial of responsibility after his arrest in 2023.

Fox News - Heuermann's ex-wife now sleeps in the basement where he had a "Dexter"-style kill room, as revealed in a new docuseries titled "The Gilgo Beach Killer: House of Secrets."

NBC News - During the sentencing, Heuermann was described as a "repulsive monster" and a "demon inside and out" by victims' family members.

USA Today - Spectators erupted in cheers and applause as Heuermann was handcuffed and removed from the courtroom after sentencing.

Fox News - Prosecutors have more evidence against Heuermann that has not yet been made public.

USA Today - Heuermann is expected to be moved quickly from his current jail to a maximum security facility.

Fox News - Heuermann was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, followed by four consecutive terms of 25 years to life, totaling seven life sentences.

Fox News - Heuermann's victims were identified as Melissa Barthelemy, 24; Megan Waterman, 22; Amber Costello, 27; Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25; Jessica Taylor, 20; Sandra Costilla, 28; and Valerie Mack, 24.

Fox News - Heuermann's sentencing marked the conclusion of a decades-old cold case involving the Gilgo Beach murders.

Fox News - Heuermann was described as a "demon" by victims' families during the sentencing.

Fox News - Heuermann's victims included Sandra Costilla, 28; Karen Vergata, 34; Valerie Mack, 24; Jessica Taylor, 20; Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25; Melissa Barthelemy, 24; Megan Waterman, 22; and Amber Lynn Costello, 27.

Fox News - Heuermann was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences without parole, followed by four consecutive sentences of 25 years to life, totaling seven life sentences.

Fox News - Heuermann admitted to the murders of eight women during a 17-year killing spree on Long Island, with victims found concealed across different parts of Long Island, from the Hamptons to Gilgo Beach.

Fox News - Heuermann was sentenced to the maximum possible under New York law, which includes three consecutive life sentences without parole followed by four consecutive sentences of 25 years to life.

Fox News - Heuermann admitted to the murders of eight women during a 17-year killing spree on Long Island.

Fox News - Judge Timothy Mazzei stated, "I know that you’re sorry you got caught. I assume you’re sorry for what you did to your wife and children…Are you at least a little bit sorry for what you did to these eight women?"

Fox News - Heuermann was described by Judge Timothy Mazzei as a "disgusting and despicable small man" and a "coward" during the sentencing.

Fox News - Heuermann admitted in court, "I’m responsible," but added, "The words I would say have no meaning."

Fox News - Heuermann was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences without parole, followed by four consecutive sentences of 25 years to life.

Fox News - Heuermann pleaded guilty to seven murders on April 8 and confessed to an uncharged eighth.

NBC News - Heuermann faced families of his victims during the sentencing, where he was described as a "demon."

WHERE:

Fox News - The sentencing took place in Riverhead, New York, which is about 45 miles east of New York City.

Fox News - The sentencing took place in Riverhead, New York.

Fox News - Victims were found across Long Island, including locations such as North Sea, Fire Island, Manorville, and Gilgo Beach.

WHEN:

Fox News - Heuermann's guilty plea occurred on April 8.

Fox News - Shannan Gilbert's remains were found on December 13, 2011.

WHY:

Fox News - Concerns of a serial killer emerged after the disappearance of Shannan Gilbert in May 2010, leading to the discovery of multiple victims.

HOW:

Fox News - Prosecutors revealed that Heuermann had a "Dexter"-style kill room in his basement, where he is believed to have committed the murders.

Fox News - Investigators recovered a deleted document labeled "HK," which stood for "hunt-kill," detailing his plans for the murders, including supplies needed and locations of traffic cameras.

Fox News - Heuermann noted in his planning document that "small is good," referring to the size of his victims compared to himself, as he stands at about 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighs close to 300 pounds.

Fox News - Prosecutors alleged that Heuermann transferred DNA from his ex-wife and daughter to some of the victims.

Fox News - Evidence included a computer file where Heuermann kept notes on how to get away with crimes, detailing supplies for his kill kits and locations of traffic cameras, as well as a reminder to use push-pins to hang a drop cloth, rather than tape.

Fox News - Evidence included a computer file where Heuermann kept notes on how to get away with crimes, detailing supplies for his kill kits and locations of traffic cameras.

Fox News - Heuermann allegedly transferred DNA from his ex-wife and daughter to some victims.

Fox News - Evidence included a computer file with notes on committing crimes, including details on kill kits and traffic camera locations.

(UPDATED June 18, 2026 16:07 UTC)

Heuermann was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, followed by four consecutive terms of 25 years to life, totaling seven life sentences. His guilty plea marked a significant change from his earlier denial of responsibility after his arrest in 2023, and during the sentencing, family members of the victims described him as a "repulsive monster." Following the sentencing, spectators erupted in cheers and applause as Heuermann was handcuffed and removed from the courtroom, and he is expected to be moved quickly to a maximum security facility.

(UPDATED June 18, 2026 14:01 UTC)

Heuermann has been sentenced to three consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, followed by four additional terms of 25 years to life, totaling seven life sentences for the murders of several young women, including Melissa Barthelemy and Megan Waterman. His sentencing brings closure to a decades-old cold case linked to the Gilgo Beach murders, where prosecutors revealed he had a "Dexter"-style kill room in his basement and had meticulously planned the crimes in a deleted document labeled "HK." This chilling document included details about his victims, whom he referred to as "small" in comparison to his own imposing size of 6 feet 4 inches and nearly 300 pounds.

(UPDATED June 18, 2026 06:35 UTC)

During the sentencing in Riverhead, New York, families of the victims confronted Rex Heuermann, urging him to speak up as they described him as a "demon." The victims included Sandra Costilla, Karen Vergata, Valerie Mack, Jessica Taylor, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Lynn Costello, with ages ranging from 20 to 34. Prosecutors alleged that Heuermann transferred DNA from his ex-wife and daughter to some of the victims, adding a chilling layer to the case.

(UPDATED June 18, 2026 04:18 UTC)

Heuermann has been sentenced to three consecutive life sentences without parole, followed by four additional sentences of 25 years to life, totaling an astonishing seven life sentences. He admitted to the murders of eight women during a 17-year killing spree on Long Island, with the victims found hidden in various locations from the Hamptons to Gilgo Beach. Evidence against him included a disturbing computer file containing notes on evading capture, detailing supplies for his kill kits, locations of traffic cameras, and even a reminder to use push-pins for hanging drop cloths instead of tape.

(UPDATED June 18, 2026 01:45 UTC)

In a significant ruling, Heuermann was sentenced to the maximum penalty under New York law, which consists of three consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, followed by four additional sentences of 25 years to life. During the trial, Heuermann admitted to the murders of eight women over a 17-year killing spree on Long Island, with Judge Timothy Mazzei questioning his remorse by asking if he felt any sorrow for the victims. Evidence presented in court revealed a chilling computer file where Heuermann documented strategies for evading capture, including details about supplies for his kill kits and the locations of traffic cameras.

(UPDATED June 17, 2026 23:23 UTC)

During a recent sentencing, Judge Timothy Mazzei described Heuermann as a "disgusting and despicable small man" and a "coward." Heuermann admitted in court, saying, "I’m responsible," but added that "the words I would say have no meaning." Evidence presented included a computer file where Heuermann kept notes on how to evade capture, detailing supplies for his kill kits and the locations of traffic cameras.

(UPDATED June 17, 2026 17:55 UTC)

Rex Heuermann, identified as the Gilgo Beach serial killer, was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences without parole, along with four additional sentences of 25 years to life, in Riverhead, New York. During the sentencing, Heuermann faced the families of his victims, which include Sandra Costilla, Karen Vergata, and Jessica Taylor, and was described as a "demon" after pleading guilty to seven murders on April 8 and confessing to an uncharged eighth. Evidence against him included DNA allegedly transferred from his ex-wife and daughter to some victims, as well as a computer file containing notes on committing crimes and details about kill kits and traffic camera locations.