Rex Heuermann showed little emotion as he admitted to the killing of eight women ending a serial killer mystery that plagued a New York community for decades.
The Gilgo Beach serial killer, Heuermann, pleaded guilty to the deaths of seven women during his Wednesday court appearance in Long Island, while also admitting to an eighth homicide he was not charged with. He showed little emotion and the family of his victims wiped away tears as they hear him admit to the deaths.
He told the judge that the victims were strangled, but did not provide additional details. Heuermann’s daughter appeared visibly upset, and someone next to her rubbed her shoulder as his father pleaded guilty.
The high-profile case dates back more than a decade. Between 2010 and 2011, authorities say that 11 sets of human remains were found in Gilgo Beach, located about 45 miles from Manhattan.
Investigators spent years probing the killings with little progress, until a breakthrough came in January 2023, when DNA from a discarded pizza box outside Heuermann’s Manhattan office matched a hair found near a victim’s remains. He was arrested later that year and ultimately charged with killing seven women.
He is set to be sentenced on June 17.
Killer’s estranged wife and daughter exit the courtoom
Rex Heuermann’s estranged wife, Asa Ellerup, and his daughter Victoria were seen leaving the Long Island courthouse on Wednesday.
Ellerup started to answer questions outside, but she was whisked away by her attorney when a reporter asked how she could not have known that Heuermann was a killer.
Brendan Rascius8 April 2026 17:03
Sentencing is scheduled for June 17
Heuermann, 62, is set to be sentenced on June 17.
The district attorney recommended he be given three consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, in addition to four consecutive 25-life sentences.
Brendan Rascius8 April 2026 16:57
Heuermann showed little emotion as he admitted to each murder
Heuermann showed little emotion, nodding and shrugging as he admitted to each murder.
He said that all the victims were strangled, but did not provide additional details.
Brendan Rascius8 April 2026 16:41
Family members of victims wipe away tears, alleged killer’s daughter is visibly upset
The courtroom reacted to Heuermann’s guilty plea with a mix of emotions.
Family members of victims wiped away tears as Heuermann was asked about each of the murdered women.
Heuermann’s daughter Victoria was visibly upset. Someone next to her rubbed her shoulder.
Andrea Cavallier8 April 2026 16:21
Heuermann pleads guilty to seven murders and admits to murder of eighth woman
Speaking before the judge, Heuermann pleaded guilty to the murders of seven women and admitted to the murder of Karen Vergata.
“Do you understand that by pleading guilty, you waive your rights to a fair trial?” the judge asked.
“Yes, your honor,” Heuermann responded.
Brendan Rascius8 April 2026 16:18
District attorney says alleged serial killer will plead guilty
The district attorney said that Rex Huermann will plead guilty to seven counts, and plans to admit as part of his plea that he “caused the death” of Karen Vergata and transported her body. Vergata, a Manhattan woman, disappeared in 1996.
Huermann is speaking now and answering questions from the judge. He also waived his right to appeal.
Andrea Cavallier8 April 2026 16:14
Rex Heuermann has entered the courtroom
Rex Heuermann has entered the packed Long Island courtroom.
When he arrived, Asa Ellerup, his estranged wife, leaned forward in her seat. Prior to this, she had been sitting still, with her hands clasped in front of her.
Victoria Heuermann, their daughter, and their attorney Robert Macedonio are seated nearby.
Andrea Cavallier8 April 2026 16:08
Attorneys are in conference with the judge
Michael Brown, Rex Heuermann’s attorney, and Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney entered the courtroom and are now in conference with the judge.
The families of the victims and attorney Gloria Allred — who represents many of them — are now in the courtroom.
Andrea Cavallier8 April 2026 15:45
The courtroom is extremely crowded, and two overflow rooms have been opened
The Long Island courtroom is packed with reporters, family members of victims, members of the Gilgo Beach Task Force and investigators who worked on the case for years.
In addition to the main courtroom, officials have opened two overflow rooms.
Andrea Cavallier8 April 2026 15:31
Why might Heuermann change his plea? Legal expert weighs in
Since his arrest in 2023, Rex Heuermann has maintained his innocence. But now, three years later, he is expected to change his plea from not guilty to guilty.
What might be the reason for this shift?
“First and foremost, it can be an acceptance of responsibility,” New York Law School professor Anna Cominsky told CBS News.
“But also it can be things like not wanting to go through the trial,” she added. “There can be things that he may not want to put his own family through. It’s hard to know exactly why, but there’s many reasons why defendants decide to plead guilty.”
Brendan Rascius8 April 2026 15:27
