RIVERHEAD, N.Y. — Rex Heuermann, the man who has been charged with the murders of three sex workers on Gilgo Beach, New York, was charged Tuesday with a fourth killing, according to court documents.
The charges in the suspected serial killings, unsealed Tuesday at the Suffolk County Courthouse in Riverhead on Long Island, are in connection with the death of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25, whose remains were found near Gilgo Beach.
Heuermann was considered a prime suspect in her death. He has already been charged in the deaths of Melissa Barthelemy, 24; Megan Waterman, 22; and Amber Lynn Costello, 27, all found in high weeds near Gilgo Beach.
He pleaded not guilty to the new charges, his attorney said Tuesday.
Heuermann remained silent during Tuesday’s brief court appearance. His estranged wife, Asa Ellerup, was in attendance.
“He’s looking forward to fighting these charges and we’re doing that,” attorney Michael Brown said at a news briefing.
He’s being held without bail.
The remains of all four women — known as the “Gilgo Four” — were discovered in December 2010 when authorities were searching for Shannan Gilbert, a sex worker who vanished May 1, 2010.
Gilbert, 23, was reportedly last seen running through the gated community of Oak Beach after leaving a client’s home, according to a police case timeline. Her remains were not found until December 2011.
Brainard-Barnes was restrained by three leather belts, according to the court documents. Female hair found on a buckle of one of the belts tied Heuermann to the crime.
Heuermann was connected to the deaths of Barthelemy, Waterman and Costello in part by his wife’s hair, officials said. It was found at the crime scenes and led authorities to believe that items used in the killings, such as burlap sacks and tape, came from their home.
Cellphone data and DNA obtained from a discarded slice of pizza were also used to link Heuermann to the deaths, authorities said.
Heuermann’s wife and children were…
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