A New York architect was charged on Tuesday with the killing of a seventh woman, adding to the Gilgo Beach serial murder death toll dating back to 1993.
He pled not guilty to the charge.
Mack’s remains were discovered in 2000 in the town of Babylon on Long Island, New York, by hunters. She was a 24-year-old escort from Philadelphia.
Heuermann lived with his wife and children in Massapequa Park on Long Island.
He was working at an architecture firm in Manhattan when he was arrested in July 2023 and charged with the murders of Amber Costello, Megan Waterman, and Melissa Barthelemy.
He continues to be detained without bail.
He was later charged with the murders of Jessica Taylor, Sandra Costilla, and Maureen Brainard-Barns.
Heuermann also pled not guilty to these first- and second-degree murder charges.
The victims’ remains were all found along the highway bordering Gilgo Beach, where the remains of 11 other victims were located.
Tierney spoke, surrounded by the families of the victims.
“The lives of these women matter,” he said. “We, as investigators, understand that. No one understands that more than the families.”
Tierney said that a DNA test of human hair found on a portion of Mack’s body matched the genetic profile of Heuermann’s daughter, who was likely 3 to 4 years of age when the killing took place and is not accused of any wrongdoing.
Several news articles on the murder investigation were found in Heuermann’s safe, including articles detailing when Mack’s remains were identified, Tierney said.
There were also internet searches of the investigation on Heuermann’s computer, Tierney said, in addition to a “significant collection of violent, bondage, and torture pornography, currently dating back to 1994.”
In March 2024, the Gilgo Homicide Task Force pulled a Microsoft Word document from Heuermann’s computer that investigators said had details about planned murders.
The document was created in 2000, “which notably coincides with the year Valarie Mack was murdered,” and has a four-category troubleshooting section with the headings “Problems,” “Supplies,” “DS,” and “TRG.”
Investigators later determined that “DS” stood for “dumping site” and “TRG” referenced the target victim.
Under “TRG” is written “SMALL IS GOOD.” Investigators noted that at the time of Ms. Mack’s murder, she was “approximately 5’0” and weighed less than 110 pounds.”
Prosecutors are continuing to investigate the death of Karen Vergata, whose remains—found in 1996—were identified in 2022.
