A man suspected of killing three prostitutes in Gilgo Beach, New York several years ago has been charged with fourth-degree murder.
Fresh Fee Charges were filed Tuesday against a suspect identified as Rex Heuerman in the death of 25-year-old Maureen Brainard Burns, according to NBC News. The newspaper noted that her body was found near Gilgo Beach, but Heuerman has pleaded not guilty to her latest charges.
According to ABC News, the victim worked as an escort.
BREAKING NEWS: Alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuerman has been charged with the murder of Maureen Brainerd Burns, the fourth woman who disappeared in 2007 while working as a bodyguard. https://t.co/DL4H5sFsg7 pic.twitter.com/kVMHqFMrC7
— ABC News (@ABC) January 16, 2024
Heuerman was previously charged in the deaths of 24-year-old Melissa Barthelemy, 22-year-old Megan Waterman, and 27-year-old Amber Costello. Their bodies were found in tall grass near Gilgo Beach.
Long Island authorities searched for the suspect for more than a decade before he was identified and arrested in July, Breitbart News reported at the time.
A recent NBC News report cited court documents that say her daughter, Brainard Burns, who was 7 years old at the time of her mother's death, was bound with three leather belts.
Rex Heuerman was charged with murder in the death of Maureen Brainard Burns. https://t.co/zXkVUKWfhd
— ABC 7 Chicago (@ABC7Chicago) January 16, 2024
A piece of the woman's hair was later found on a buckle attached to one of the belts. Authorities allege Heuerman was involved in the crime. The outlet continued:
Officials said Mr. Heuerman was linked to the deaths of Mr. Barthelemy, Mr. Waterman and Mr. Costello by his wife's hair. It was found at the crime scene, leading authorities to believe that the items used in the killing, including gunny bags and tape, came from the home.
Cell phone data and DNA obtained from a discarded pizza slice were also used to link Heuerman to the death, authorities said. Court documents released Tuesday show how undercover agents followed Heuerman's 26-year-old daughter onto the Long Island Railroad and tried to link a can of Java Monster that her daughter had discarded to the murder. It also details how it was used.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Heuerman's lawyer said: Said“We entered a not guilty plea this morning,” he added, adding that the suspect has maintained his innocence throughout the investigation.
#breaking news: #RexHeuerman He was formally charged with the death of a fourth person. #Gilgo Beach Murder Case.
of #longislandserialkiller The suspect is accused of killing Connecticut mother Maureen Brainard Burns and three other women.#Court TV – #Long Island serial murder case pic.twitter.com/1G991txlBQ
— Court TV (@CourtTV) January 16, 2024
At a recent press conference, Brainard Burns' daughter told listeners that losing her mother changed the trajectory of her life. She also recalled that she read books to her when she was a child, but she now no longer remembers what her mother's voice was like.
“I wish she were here today, but she was taken away from us,” the young woman added.
After his arrest in July, Heuerman, who worked as an architect, reportedly asked the police officers taking him to prison: “Is this on the news?”
“Rex Heuerman is a demon who walks among us, a predator who has destroyed families,” officials said at a news conference after the man's arrest.
