Crime
Gilgo Beach Serial Killer Rex Heuermann Sentenced to 3 Life Prison Terms Without Parole
Rex Heuermann, known as the Gilgo Beach serial killer, was sentenced on Wednesday, June 17, to three consecutive life prison terms without the possibility of parole.
Judge Timothy Mazzei also sentenced the killer to an additional 100 years to life. The sentencing comes two months after Heuermann pleaded guilty to murdering seven women between 1993 and 2010. He also admitted to killing an eighth woman whose murder was not included in the original charges.
Mazzei spoke directly to Heuermann before handing down the sentence, calling him a “disgusting, small man,” according to People.
“If you’re a man at all,” he added.
The judge also called the former architect a “coward” before ordering officers to “get him out of here.” As Heueurmann was led out of court, the courtroom — filled with some of the victims’ family members — chanted “ogre.”
Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney also addressed the courtroom before the sentencing, declaring that it was too late for any apologies from Heuermann.
“I have no doubt this defendant is sorry. He is sorry he got caught,” Tierney said, according to the outlet.
Heuermann pleaded guilty to killing seven women during an April hearing. He admitted to strangling the women and dismembering some of their bodies before dumping most of them near Gilgo Beach on Long Island.
Heuermann was charged with first-degree murder of Amber Costello, Megan Waterman and Melissa Barthelemy, who were killed within two years of one another. He received a sentence of life without parole for each killing.
He also received consecutive sentences of 25 years to life for the second-degree murders of Jessica Taylor, Sandra Costilla, Valerie Mack, and Maureen Brainard-Barnes.
As part of his plea agreement, Heuermann admitted to killing Karen Vergata in 1996. He was never charged in her death.
Heuermann’s wife, Asa Ellerup, and daughter, Victoria, did not attend the hearing. He also shares a son, Christopher, with Ellerup, who is from her previous relationship.
