New Netflix Docuseries Explores Case of Alleged Long Island Serial Killer: Rex Heuermann

Netflix’s new docuseries, “Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer,” delves into the case of alleged serial killer Rex Heuermann, who has been charged with the murders of seven women. The series aims to uncover why it took over a decade for police to identify Heuermann as a suspect in the Long Island killings.

Between 2010 and 2011, the remains of 11 people were found along Ocean Parkway near Gilgo Beach, with four victims discovered in close proximity to each other and under similar circumstances, suggesting a serial killer was at large. However, it wasn’t until July 2023 that authorities arrested Heuermann, a 61-year-old New York City architect residing in Nassau County, in connection with the murders.

Heuermann stands accused of killing women such as Amber Lynn Costello, Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Jessica Taylor, Sandra Costilla, and Valerie Mack. The documentary sheds light on the challenges police faced in apprehending Heuermann, pointing to the fact that all the victims were sex workers, which may have contributed to delays in making an arrest.

Family members and friends of the victims, interviewed in the series, expressed frustration with law enforcement and media responses to their missing loved ones, often feeling dismissed due to their work as sex workers. Some even recall providing police with information about a man resembling Heuermann years before his eventual arrest.

Personal accounts shared by individuals closely connected to the victims, like Dave Schaller and Bear Brodsky, provide additional insight into encounters they had with Heuermann prior to the disappearances. Their recollections, including details about Heuermann’s identity and vehicle, align with the suspect arrested years later, suggesting missed opportunities in the investigation.

While the docuseries does not feature interviews with officers involved in the original investigation, it explores controversies surrounding former Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota and ex-Police Chief James Burke, shedding light on challenges faced by authorities handling the Gilgo Beach murder case. These revelations add layers to the narrative, highlighting the complexities and missteps in the pursuit of justice for the victims.