After taking Rex Heuermann into custody last week, the Suffolk County police conducted a search of his home, finding more than 200 guns inside a vault.
Commissioner Rodney Harrison told reporters that the police are still working to determine whether or not the guns are legally registered. He said that, “He had an arsenal in a vault that he had downstairs. . . any time somebody has that type of arsenal, we have some concerns.”
The police are being careful about what information they are releasing, and a police spokesperson said that they will not be “releasing anything further about items/evidence seized.” District Attorney for Suffolk County, Ray Tierney, told news reporters that Heuermann’s arrest was made outside of his Manhattan office in order to “take him into custody somewhere outside the house because of access to those weapons.”
After his arrest last Thursday, by Friday Heuermann was charged with 3 counts of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree murder. These charges are for the deaths of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Lynn Costello, all found on Gilgo Beach in 2021. The police also suspect that he is involved in the death of a fourth woman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, also found near Gilgo Beach.
From 2010-2011, police discovered and unearthed remains of nearly 11 separate victims. Two sets of these remains were discovered in Nassau County, home to Heuermann. Although Heuermann is not being charged with all of the deaths, police have gathered cellphone data and DNA evidence to link him to at least three of the victims.
Heuermann’s attorney, Michael J. Brown, told reporters that the allegations are “extremely circumstantial in nature” and maintains his client’s innocence. Brown discussed how Heuermann is handling the situation with reporters, saying “the only thing he did say, as he was in tears, was ‘I didn’t do this.’ He’s distraught. He’s clearly distraught about the charges here.”
Heuermann has pleaded not guilty and is currently being held without bail. After this case being cold for so long, it seems unlikely that investigators will give up now that they are on the trail.