Wembley Point Woman Identification Investigation
Rex Heuermann pleaded guilty to the murders of seven women and admitted to an eighth killing on April 8, 2026, facing life in prison without parole. As of June 9, 2026, Heuermann is scheduled to be sentenced on June 17, 2026, for the murders of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, Amber Lynn Costello, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Valerie Mack, Jessica Taylor, Sandra Costilla, and Karen Vergata. Prosecutors alleged Heuermann used burner phones to contact over 60 sex workers more than 500 times and conducted disturbing internet searches, including for a 'murder blueprint' matching the victims' methodology. Separately, Locate International launched a fresh appeal on June 9, 2026, to identify the "Wembley Point Woman," who died in October 2004, with new information from late 2024 and 2025.
Timeline
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June 2026 — 1 developments
Locate International has launched a fresh appeal to identify the "Wembley Point Woman," who died in October 2004.
Locate International has launched a fresh appeal to identify the "Wembley Point Woman," who died in October 2004. New information from late 2024 and 2025 includes a witness report of her distress over her boyfriend's health and the observation of a cowrie shell ring she wore. Tips also suggest she was familiar with the Wembley Point building and had connections to community centers near Seven Sisters Road.
April 2026 — 3 developments
Rex Heuermann pleaded guilty to the murders of seven women and admitted to an eighth killing on April 8, 2026.
Rex Heuermann pleaded guilty to the murders of seven women and admitted to an eighth killing on April 8, 2026. He faces life in prison without parole and is scheduled to be sentenced on June 17, 2026.
Rex Heuermann is expected to change his plea to guilty on April 9, 2026, in the Gilgo Beach murders case.
Rex Heuermann is expected to change his plea to guilty on April 9, 2026, in the Gilgo Beach murders case. This potential plea could include an eighth homicide, the 1996 killing of Karen Vergata. Heuermann, 62, has been in custody since his July 2023 arrest.
Rex Heuermann pleaded guilty on April 8, 2026, to the murders of eight women, admitting to strangling all victims and dismembering some.
Rex Heuermann pleaded guilty on April 8, 2026, to the murders of eight women, admitting to strangling all victims and dismembering some. He confessed to killing Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, Amber Lynn Costello, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Valerie Mack, Jessica Taylor, Sandra Costilla, and Karen Vergata. The investigation into the Gilgo Beach killings began in 2010.
March 2026 — 4 developments
Rex Heuermann is reportedly expected to change his plea to guilty in the Gilgo Beach murders case.
Rex Heuermann is reportedly expected to change his plea to guilty in the Gilgo Beach murders case. A court hearing is scheduled for April 8, 2026, which could mark a significant shift towards resolving the charges in the deaths of seven women.
Rex Heuermann, accused in the Gilgo Beach serial killings, missed a court appearance on March 17, 2026, due to reported health issues.
Rex Heuermann, accused in the Gilgo Beach serial killings, missed a court appearance on March 17, 2026, due to reported health issues. The judge is scheduled to rule on defense requests to exclude evidence on April 8, 2026. Heuermann faces charges in the murders of seven women.
Prosecutors allege Rex Heuermann used burner phones to contact over 60 sex workers more than 500 times and conducted disturbing internet searches.
Prosecutors allege Rex Heuermann used burner phones to contact over 60 sex workers more than 500 times and conducted disturbing internet searches. A deleted file, described as a 'murder blueprint,' containing 87 details matching the Gilgo Beach victims' methodology was also recovered. These new allegations and evidence are part of the prosecution's case to establish Heuermann's identity and modus operandi.
Prosecutors alleged in a court filing that Rex Heuermann, accused of the Gilgo Beach murders, contac…
Prosecutors alleged in a court filing that Rex Heuermann, accused of the Gilgo Beach murders, contacted at least 60 sex workers more than 500 times in the four years before his arrest. The filing also revealed Heuermann searched for images of victims' families mourning and for pornographic "snuff" films depicting murder.
January 2026 — 2 developments
A trial date for Rex Heuermann, accused of the Gilgo Beach murders, has been set for September 2026.
A trial date for Rex Heuermann, accused of the Gilgo Beach murders, has been set for September 2026. The judge expressed frustration with the defense's ongoing challenges to evidence and vowed the trial would proceed regardless. Heuermann faces charges in the deaths of seven individuals.
A trial date is set for September 2026.
A trial date is set for September 2026. The defense files a motion to dismiss the Sandra Costilla murder charge, citing insufficient evidence and pointing to other potential suspects.
November 2025 — 1 developments
A judge has ruled that cutting-edge advanced DNA testing can be used in Rex Heuermann's upcoming trial for the Gilgo Beach murders.
A judge has ruled that cutting-edge advanced DNA testing can be used in Rex Heuermann's upcoming trial for the Gilgo Beach murders. Heuermann is also being ruled out as a suspect in a 1993 murder case. The trial is set to begin after Labor Day.
September 2025 — 2 developments
A judge ruled in September 2025 that advanced DNA evidence, previously unused in New York courts, can be used in Rex Heuermann's trial for the Gilgo Beach murders.
A judge ruled in September 2025 that advanced DNA evidence, previously unused in New York courts, can be used in Rex Heuermann's trial for the Gilgo Beach murders. Heuermann faces one trial for all seven murder charges. A Frye hearing to determine the admissibility of this evidence began in March 2025.
A judge rules that all seven murder cases against Heuermann will be tried together.
A judge rules that all seven murder cases against Heuermann will be tried together. The defense challenges the admissibility of advanced DNA evidence.
December 2024 — 1 developments
Heuermann is indicted for the 2000 murder of Valerie Mack.
Heuermann is indicted for the 2000 murder of Valerie Mack. He pleads not guilty.
June 2024 — 1 developments
Heuermann is charged with the murders of Jessica Taylor and Sandra Costilla.
Heuermann is charged with the murders of Jessica Taylor and Sandra Costilla. He pleads not guilty.
May 2024 — 1 developments
Investigators conduct a week-long search of Heuermann's home.
Investigators conduct a week-long search of Heuermann's home.
April 2024 — 2 developments
Rex Heuermann, who pleaded guilty to seven murders and admitted to an eighth, is being transferred t…
Rex Heuermann, who pleaded guilty to seven murders and admitted to an eighth, is being transferred to the state prison system and has reportedly received and responded to correspondence from the 'Happy Face Killer.' His sentencing is scheduled for June 17, 2026.
Police conduct new searches in Manorville and the Hamptons related to the deaths of Jessica Taylor and Sandra Costilla.
Police conduct new searches in Manorville and the Hamptons related to the deaths of Jessica Taylor and Sandra Costilla.
January 2024 — 1 developments
Heuermann is charged with the 2007 murder of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, based on DNA evidence.
Heuermann is charged with the 2007 murder of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, based on DNA evidence.
July 2023 — 1 developments
Heuermann is arraigned and pleads not guilty to the charges.
Heuermann is arraigned and pleads not guilty to the charges. He is held without bail.
March 2022 — 1 developments
Rex Heuermann is first identified as a suspect after being linked to a vehicle described by a witness and through cell phone records.
Rex Heuermann is first identified as a suspect after being linked to a vehicle described by a witness and through cell phone records.
February 2022 — 1 developments
The Suffolk County District Attorney's office establishes the Gilgo Beach Homicide Investigation Task Force.
The Suffolk County District Attorney's office establishes the Gilgo Beach Homicide Investigation Task Force.
May 2020 — 1 developments
Valerie Mack, one of the unidentified women found near the toddler's remains, is identified.
Valerie Mack, one of the unidentified women found near the toddler's remains, is identified. She had disappeared in 2000.
December 2011 — 1 developments
Shannan Gilbert's remains are located in a tidal marsh near Oak Beach.
Shannan Gilbert's remains are located in a tidal marsh near Oak Beach. Her death is ruled an accidental drowning, though her family remains skeptical.
April 2011 — 2 developments
Two additional sets of remains are found about seven miles from Gilgo Beach.
Two additional sets of remains are found about seven miles from Gilgo Beach. One is identified as the mother of the toddler found earlier.
Three more sets of remains are found near Ocean Parkway, including those of a toddler and a man.
Three more sets of remains are found near Ocean Parkway, including those of a toddler and a man.
March 2011 — 1 developments
Partial skeletal remains of Jessica Taylor are found near where the other bodies were discovered.
Partial skeletal remains of Jessica Taylor are found near where the other bodies were discovered. Her remains had also been found in 2003.
December 2010 — 2 developments
The remains of Maureen Brainard-Barnes are found near the other three victims on Gilgo Beach.
The remains of Maureen Brainard-Barnes are found near the other three victims on Gilgo Beach.
The remains of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello are discovered within a quarter-mile of each other on Gilgo Beach.
The remains of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello are discovered within a quarter-mile of each other on Gilgo Beach.
September 2010 — 1 developments
Amber Costello was last seen alive.
Amber Costello was last seen alive. Her remains were discovered later that year near Gilgo Beach.
June 2010 — 1 developments
Megan Waterman goes missing.
Megan Waterman goes missing. Her remains would later be found near Gilgo Beach.
May 2010 — 1 developments
Police begin searching for Shannan Gilbert, a sex worker who disappeared after fleeing a client.
Police begin searching for Shannan Gilbert, a sex worker who disappeared after fleeing a client. This search would ultimately lead to the discovery of multiple bodies.
July 2009 — 1 developments
Melissa Barthelemy was last seen alive.
Melissa Barthelemy was last seen alive. Her disappearance is one of the earliest linked to the Gilgo Beach discoveries.
July 2007 — 1 developments
Maureen Brainard-Barnes was last seen alive.
Maureen Brainard-Barnes was last seen alive. Her disappearance is considered the earliest in the series of killings linked to Heuermann.
September 2000 — 1 developments
The partial skeletal remains of Valerie Mack are found in Manorville.
The partial skeletal remains of Valerie Mack are found in Manorville. She had been working as an escort in Philadelphia.
June 1997 — 1 developments
The partial remains of an unidentified woman, later nicknamed 'Peaches,' are found in a plastic tub in West Hempstead.
The partial remains of an unidentified woman, later nicknamed 'Peaches,' are found in a plastic tub in West Hempstead. In 2025, she is identified as Tanya Jackson.
February 1996 — 1 developments
Karen Vergata goes missing.
Karen Vergata goes missing. Her partial remains would later be discovered on Fire Island in 1996, and she would be identified in 2022 as a victim connected to Heuermann.
November 1993 — 1 developments
The remains of Sandra Costilla are discovered in a wooded area in North Sea, Hamptons.
The remains of Sandra Costilla are discovered in a wooded area in North Sea, Hamptons. This is the earliest known victim linked to Rex Heuermann, though the connection was not made until much later.