The suspect in Long Island serial murders, named Rex Heurmann, stems desire from hearing fear from the victim’s family members during phone calls.
Long Island Serial Murder Suspect Derives Pleasure from Hearing Victims’ Family Fear in Phone Calls. (Photo: NBC News)
Gilgo Beach, Long Island, serial killings span 1996–2011
Rex Heuermann, the suspect in the Long Island serial murders, allegedly made phone calls to the family member of one of the victims to hear the fear in their voice, according to a former FBI profiler. Heuermann is charged with six counts of murder, including first-degree and second-degree murder for each of the three victims: Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello. He pleaded not guilty to all charges. Prosecutors claim that Heuermann used Barthelemy’s cell phone to call her family multiple times, confessing to killing and sexually assaulting her. One of the calls was reportedly made to her sister, during which the suspect insulted Melissa and aimed to derive sexual arousal from the sister’s fear and horror.
According to the article published in Fox News, Former FBI profiler Mary Ellen O’Toole explained that Heuermann likely made the call to hear the fear and distress in the sister’s voice, finding it sexually stimulating. She stated that his actions revealed a lack of remorse or apology, as he sought the emotional pain and anguish of his victims’ loved ones. During a press conference, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney noted similarities among the victims, who were involved in the same line of work and advertised in similar ways. Heuermann is also a prime suspect in the death of Maureen Brainard-Barnes but has not been formally charged in that case.
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Heuermann’s defense lawyer, Michael Brown, argued that the evidence against his client is primarily circumstantial. Brown emphasized that Heuermann repeatedly denied involvement in the murders, expressing his innocence tearfully. The case against Heuermann continues as investigations proceed into the Long Island serial murders and the potential connection to additional victims.
