Rex Heuermann Charged with 7th Murder in Gilgo Beach Serial Killing Case
Accused Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann has been charged with a seventh murder: the death of Valerie Mack, whose remains were first found 24 years ago, according to a superseding indictment unsealed Tuesday. The horrifying details of Mack’s murder have shocked the nation, shedding light on the dark and disturbing crimes allegedly committed by Heuermann.
The Gruesome Discovery
A hunter’s dog discovered Mack’s decapitated body in a wooded area of Manorville on Long Island on Nov. 19, 2000. Her remains were bound with rope inside a black plastic bag which was wrapped with duct tape, according to a bail application that accompanied the new indictment. Both of her hands had been severed from her body and one of her legs was cut off, the document said. The rest of Mack’s remains were found more than a decade later, in April 2011, along Ocean Parkway near Gilgo Beach, authorities said.
DNA Evidence and Disturbing Finds
Prosecutors said they linked Heuermann to Mack’s death in part through a mitochondrial DNA analysis of a female hair found on Mack’s body. It matched the profiles of Heuermann’s wife and daughter, the bail application said. At the time of Mack’s murder, Heuermann’s daughter would have been between 3 and 4 years old. Investigators also found disturbing evidence on some of the 350 electronic devices seized from Heuermann, including a collection of violent, bondage, and torture pornography dating back to 1994.
Chilling Document and Eerie Souvenirs
Investigators found a document believed to be used by Heuermann to “plan out” his kills. The document listed supplies like “rope/cord,” “saw/cutting tools,” and “foam drain cleaner,” as well as dump sites for his victims’ remains. Additionally, prosecutors discovered that Heuermann kept newspaper and magazine clippings about the Gilgo Beach serial killings as souvenirs of his crimes. These chilling discoveries paint a disturbing picture of the accused serial killer’s alleged actions.
Legal Proceedings and Denial
Heuermann, 61, appeared in court shackled in a suit and maintained his innocence, stating, “Your honor, I am not guilty of any of these charges.” Despite his denial, Judge Timothy Mazzei continued to hold Heuermann without bail. The defense has raised questions about the DNA methods used by prosecutors and may seek to limit the admissibility of certain evidence at trial. With the defense considering various legal strategies, the case against Heuermann is far from over.
The unfolding details of Rex Heuermann’s alleged crimes have gripped the nation, leaving many questioning how such heinous acts could have been committed. As the legal proceedings continue, the search for justice for Valerie Mack and the other victims of the Gilgo Beach serial killings remains at the forefront.
