Rex Heuermann, a New York architect accused of a string of killings in Gilgo Beach on Long Island, has now been charged with the death of a seventh victim.
The 61-year-old was charged on Tuesday for killing Valerie Mack, who had been working as an escort in Philadelphia and was last seen by her family in New Jersey in 2000.
Prosecutors said Ms Mack was identified through DNA evidence, and they connected Mr Heuermann to her death in June because of a device found in his Long Island home where he supposedly kept detailed notes about serial killings.
He appeared in court on Tuesday and has pleaded not guilty to the murders.
Mr Heuermann has been held without bail since he was arrested in July 2023 outside his Manhattan architecture office.
He was initially charged with the murders of three women: Melissa Barthelemy, 24, Megan Waterman, 22, and Amber Costello, 27.
He was later charged with the murders of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25, Jessica Taylor, 20, and Sandra Costilla, 28
The women were believed to be working as sex workers at the time of their deaths.
Since 2010, police have been investigating a string of at least 10 deaths on Gilgo Beach, Long Island.
The remains include 10 adults and one toddler, and the killings date back to at least 1993.
At a news conference on Tuesday, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney was joined by family members of the victims, who he said had “steadfastly stood by their loved ones and jealously guarded their memories.
“We have nothing but respect and admiration for those victims’ families.”
Mr Tierney said there were additional suspected murders still under investigation.
“We are not limiting this investigation to Gilgo Beach,” Mr Tierney told reporters. “We will continue to work these cases.”
Prosecutors said the DNA found on Ms Mack’s remains matched that of Heurmann’s family members. His family members are not thought to have been involved in the alleged crimes, but the evidence points to the possibility that the killings were carried out in the family’s home.
Mr Tierney said there was evidence of “careful and meticulous planning” and that the road near where Ms Mack’s remains were found was listed as a “DS” in the document – which investigators believe stands for “dump site”.
Prosecutors previously seized hundreds of electronic devices and 300 guns from the home, and say they found DNA evidence and a detailed “blueprint” of the crimes on Heuermann’s computer.
A document included detailed labels outlining categories such as “problems”, “supplies”, “pre-prep”, “prep” and “post-event”, with references to “DNA”, “tire marks” and “blood stains”.
The document also highlighted lessons from past murders and killing methods that Mr Heuermann had researched.
