Investigators Wrap Search Of Accused Long Island Serial Killer’s Home

After Heuermann’s arrest in Manhattan, his home became a crime scene and the center of what has become a national news story.

calling the investigation of Heuermann’s home “fruitful.” jcorr@antonmediagroup.com

At the corner of Michigan Avenue and First Avenue in Massapequa Park, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney, on July 25, visited the home of Rex Heuermann, who was arrested July 13 in the murders of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Lynn Costello. He is the prime suspect in the death and disappearance of Maureen Brainard-Barnes.

“Investigation is continuing in regards to Maureen Brainard-Barnes as well as other aspects of the case,” Tierney said. “That’s being done in the grand jury, or through the grand jury process.”

An arrest in the case, which has been known as the “Gilgo Beach Murders”, is a long time coming. The investigation, sparked by a discovery along Ocean Parkway of 11 sets of human remains, began in 2010.

Reporters asked Tierney during a press conference in front of the home if there was any indication that the victims were murdered in the home.

“I don’t believe at this time we could say one way or the other,” Tierney said. “I would say we have obtained a massive amount of material, all of which has to be catalogued and analyzed.”

This process will take time, Tierney said.

Another reporter asked Tierney to elaborate on a comment made by Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison,

“I think what he’s referring to is the amount of evidence, which is quite a lot,” Tierney said. “Now its up to the job of the task force to go through that evidence. That’s a process. And we need to do that process. We won’t know exactly what we have for quite some time, just giving the sheer volume of evidence that was taken.”

Tierney discussed how ground piercing technology used in the backyard did not turn up any human remains.

“There is a trace analysis we have to go through with the house, with regards to hair fibers, DNA, blood,” Tierney said. “The house in general was cluttered and there were a lot of guns taken from the house. The defendant had 92 hand gun permits. In addition to hand guns, he had quite a few long guns as well.”

In total, Tierney said, approximately 279 weapons were recovered from the home. Police searched a number of properties in addition to the home, Tierney said. Police were seen searching a storage unit in Amityville and seizing a Chevrolet Avalanche, which was described by a witness early on in the investigation, from South Carolina.

A reporter also asked if Heuermann’s DNA was entered into a database and related to any other unsolved crimes, as investigators are looking into his ties with Atlantic City, Las Vegas and South Carolina, and unsolved cases there.

“With regards to state and national DNA databases, there are specific rules with that under New York and federal law,” Tierney said. “Usually, that only happens when a person is convicted of a crime. As far as specifically the database, the DNA has not been entered in that database.”

In regards to Heuermann’s family; his wife and two adult children, Tierney said there’s no indication that they had any knowledge of Heuermann’s alleged double life. During the commission of three of the murders, the family was out of state. Reportedly, Heuermann’s wife has filed for divorce. Tierney said the family is represented by council.

For more information, contact 516-465-4774 or email htract@tscli.org. HONORING

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