# Architect, 59, arrested as prime suspect in Long Island serial killings **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 14, 2023, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/architect-59-arrested-as-prime-suspect-in-long-island-serial-killings/987046 "2023-07-14T23:06:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2024, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/architect-59-arrested-as-prime-suspect-in-long-island-serial-killings/987046/41 "2024-06-06T17:37:48Z")
I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s killed more, though we may never know. Murderers like these never have enough. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2024, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/architect-59-arrested-as-prime-suspect-in-long-island-serial-killings/987046/42 "2024-06-06T19:35:45Z")
> Tierney said the discovery of a digital “planning document” on **one of 350 electronic devices** seized from Heuermann’s Massapequa Park, New York, home… That is an awfully big number of electronic devices for a person to have. [Although on thinking it over maybe they are including a bunch of CDs…] ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2024, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/architect-59-arrested-as-prime-suspect-in-long-island-serial-killings/987046/43 "2024-06-07T00:10:06Z")
It’s a reasonable number if you’re trying to be untraceable. For the rest of us, it’s a ginormous red flag. ---
**Author:** ![gkster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gkster/32/14107_2.png) [@gkster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gkster)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2024, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/architect-59-arrested-as-prime-suspect-in-long-island-serial-killings/987046/44 "2024-06-07T00:19:13Z")
The scary part of this to me is the widened timeline and geographic range. Gilgo Beach is just 25 minutes from his home, but North Sea, where the murder victim from 1993 was found, is 60 miles away. It’s horrifying to think that there could be many other possible victims from the 90s and early 2000s that he killed and buried in isolated beach spots. Where he lives on Long Island is quite built up (I live 20 minutes away) but he didn’t have to travel too far to find places to dispose of victims. And this latest case shows that he had other killing grounds. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2024, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/architect-59-arrested-as-prime-suspect-in-long-island-serial-killings/987046/45 "2024-06-10T03:17:00Z")
> For years prosecutors saw a connection in the killings of three young women who disappeared in the winter of 1993 and 1994, their nude bodies found strangled, beaten and left in similar poses in the Long Island brush. In [new charges](https://apnews.com/article/gilgo-beach-long-island-serial-killer-cd010da500bedf2aabded35d1b939629) unveiled Thursday, prosecutors said Rex Heuermann — the man already accused in a string of deaths known as the Gilgo Beach serial killings — was responsible for the death of one of the women, Sanda Costilla. That in turn has raised questions about the [conviction of another man](https://apnews.com/general-news-a5454665731248018bc0815e8fb8f4c1), John Bittrolff, who is incarcerated for the murder of the other two women — Rita Tangredi and Colleen McNamee — and who prosecutors once considered a suspect in Costilla’s death. > **[New charges for alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer cast scrutiny on another...](https://apnews.com/article/gilgo-beach-killings-rex-heuermann-john-bittrolf-eb7dc3c07639f77493d4f01a2c29ea7e)** > > New charges brought against the man accused of a string of killings on New York's Long Island are raising questions about another man’s murder conviction. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2024, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/architect-59-arrested-as-prime-suspect-in-long-island-serial-killings/987046/46 "2024-06-11T01:00:33Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > [Although on thinking it over maybe they are including a bunch of CDs…] Wouldn’t even have to be that. I’m sure I have \>350 electronic devices at my house; maybe \>1000. TVs, monitors, computers, laptops, tablets, game consoles, Raspberry Pis, USB drives, memory cards, cameras, video cards, RAM sticks, hard drives, motherboards, power supplies, etc. Not to mention edge cases like USB chargers, speakers, etc. Not all of this stuff can store files, but undoubtedly the police collected anything that remotely looked like it might store something and simply tagged them all individually. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2024, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/architect-59-arrested-as-prime-suspect-in-long-island-serial-killings/987046/47 "2024-06-11T04:27:06Z")
TL : DR - an innocent man may be in prison for some of these murders. (Chances are, he’s done other stuff, so that’s how he ended up on law enforcement’s radar.) Since his name was found in Rex’s electronic history, one wonders if RH sat there and cackled while this man went to prison for something he may not have done. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2024, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/architect-59-arrested-as-prime-suspect-in-long-island-serial-killings/987046/48 "2024-12-17T16:10:46Z")
> **[Suspect in Gilgo Beach serial killings is charged in the death of a seventh...](https://apnews.com/article/gilgo-beach-serial-killing-rex-heuermann-9b26b12cc6b75b58ef6e56c4871906f0)** > > Rex Heuermann was charged with killing Valerie Mack, whose remains were first found on Long Island in 2000. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2024, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/architect-59-arrested-as-prime-suspect-in-long-island-serial-killings/987046/49 "2024-12-17T20:18:43Z")
Wouldn’t surprise me if there are more. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2024, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/architect-59-arrested-as-prime-suspect-in-long-island-serial-killings/987046/50 "2024-12-21T17:47:38Z")
Here’s another article that also goes into some of the legal process and a rule that might allow them to mail this (alleged) monster. > **[Opinion | New findings in Gilgo Beach serial killer case send an unmistakable...](https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/gilgo-beach-killings-suspect-rex-heuermann-charges-rcna184971)** > > Valerie Mack, initially known as “Jane Doe No. 6,” was a 24-year-old woman from Philadelphia and the latest named victim in the notorious case. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2024, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/architect-59-arrested-as-prime-suspect-in-long-island-serial-killings/987046/51 "2024-12-21T18:06:51Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > that might allow them to mail this (alleged) monster But where will they mail him too? Anywhere they pick will just mark him “Return to Sender” and soon enough he’ll be back in their lap. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2024, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/architect-59-arrested-as-prime-suspect-in-long-island-serial-killings/987046/52 "2024-12-21T20:25:10Z")
I suggest the Arctic. Let the polar bears have their fun. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2024, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/architect-59-arrested-as-prime-suspect-in-long-island-serial-killings/987046/53 "2024-12-21T20:28:41Z")
The Dead Letter Office, perhaps? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Bredin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@John\_Bredin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Bredin)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2024, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/architect-59-arrested-as-prime-suspect-in-long-island-serial-killings/987046/54 "2024-12-22T07:01:45Z")
I’d prefer not to. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2024, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/architect-59-arrested-as-prime-suspect-in-long-island-serial-killings/987046/55 "2024-12-22T20:07:06Z")
> [@](#): > > Police also seized more than 350 electronic devices from Heuermann’s home. So, how many of us possess 350+ “electronic devices”? ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/architect-59-arrested-as-prime-suspect-in-long-island-serial-killings/987046/56 "2024-12-23T03:17:50Z")
It was previously discussed upthread, if you count USBs, DVDs, CDs, & maybe even floppies (remember it’s been 20+ years since the first person he was alleged to have killed) it might not be so many ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2024, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/architect-59-arrested-as-prime-suspect-in-long-island-serial-killings/987046/57 "2024-12-24T11:54:55Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > So, how many of us possess 350+ “electronic devices”? Aha! A stash of drones has been discovered. ETA an old thread popped up into my feed where it was suggested that the killer had a law enforcement background. Pretty far off. > [@LI Serial Killer -- Cop?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/li-serial-killer-cop/577958/1): > > It appears [some](http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/09/nyregion/09bodies.html?_r=1) NY authorities think the LI serial killer may have some law enforcement background, maybe he’s a former cop, etc. It seems like I have heard this idea before on various fictional crime tv shows, books, etc., that the bad cop uses his knowledge of law enforcement procedures to thwart the investigation and avoid capture. My question is, does anyone know of an actual serial killer that was ever a police officer of some sort, either active or retired? Security guards don’t count! ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2024, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/architect-59-arrested-as-prime-suspect-in-long-island-serial-killings/987046/58 "2024-12-24T14:14:02Z")
> [@LI Serial Killer -- Cop?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/li-serial-killer-cop/577958/1): > > My question is, does anyone know of an actual serial killer that was ever a police officer of some sort, Here’s an attempt at a list > **[Category:Serial killers who worked in law enforcement](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Serial_killers_who_worked_in_law_enforcement)** > > This category includes serial killers who also worked as intelligence officers, bailiffs, civil enforcement officers, magistrates and judges as well as constables. > This category has only the following subcategory. > The following 43 pages are in this category, out of 43 total. This list may not reflect recent changes. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2025, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/architect-59-arrested-as-prime-suspect-in-long-island-serial-killings/987046/59 "2025-09-01T15:29:13Z")
> When Maureen Brainard-Barnes’ skeletal remains were found hidden in the roadside scrub near Long Island’s Gilgo Beach in the winter of 2010, there was hardly any physical evidence that might help investigators find her killer, save for a single stray hair. > > But at the time, extracting DNA evidence from the degraded strand was beyond the capabilities of crime labs. Investigators kept looking for other clues that might help them identify a [suspected serial killer](https://apnews.com/article/gilgo-beach-long-island-serial-killer-dd72eacb4c5d24b8bfc059eea805847d) who had scattered women’s bodies along a coastal parkway. > > Then, about seven years ago, investigators turned to Astrea Forensics, a California lab using new techniques to analyze old, highly degraded DNA samples — including rootless hairs like the one [discovered with Brainard-Barnes’ body](https://apnews.com/article/gilgo-beach-long-island-killings-rex-heuermann-40366d420e743a29418ead5576019d61). > **[Gilgo Beach serial killer case a key test in use of advanced DNA techniques...](https://apnews.com/article/gilgo-beach-serial-killings-rex-heuermann-d0da6c8506d02ddcedfbd310d6e004bc)** > > The case against Long Island’s suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer has emerged as a potentially precedent-setting battleground in the use of advanced DNA techniques in criminal cases. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2025, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/architect-59-arrested-as-prime-suspect-in-long-island-serial-killings/987046/60 "2025-09-01T23:19:49Z")
Defense lawyers have opposed allowing DNA evidence from the prosecution from the very beginning. In their view, it’s only an acceptable tool when it gets their clients out of jail. > [@](#): > > Last year, prosecutors revealed they had recovered from Heuermann’s computer files what they describe as a “blueprint” for the killings, including a [series of checklists](https://apnews.com/article/gilgo-beach-long-island-serial-killer-cd010da500bedf2aabded35d1b939629) with reminders to limit noise, clean the bodies and destroy evidence Probably just a harmless exercise of fantasy. 🤔 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/architect-59-arrested-as-prime-suspect-in-long-island-serial-killings/987046.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/architect-59-arrested-as-prime-suspect-in-long-island-serial-killings/987046.md?page=4)