same stretch of Gilgo Beach between 2010-11, linked to nine women, one man and a toddler. The identities of four, including the toddler, her mother and the man, remain unidentified.
Ms Gilbert’s remains were eventually found, and an official post-mortem examination was inconclusive. Her family believes she may have been murdered – a theory supported by an independent autopsy that they commissioned.
A new task force to investigate the Gilgo Beach murders was formed in February 2022. Mr Heuermann became the focus of the investigation within a month, Mr Tierney said. More than 300 subpoenas and search warrants were issued by investigators on the case.
Since the task force was formed, Mr Heuermann allegedly also used a burner phone to conduct more than 200 searches about topics related to serial killers and the Long Island investigation.
This included a search for “why hasn’t the Long Island serial killer been caught” and “mapping the Long Island murder victims”, court documents show.
Mr Tierney added that “torture porn” and “depictions of women being abused and being killed” were found on Mr Heuermann’s computer.
The investigation into the other victims is ongoing.
Mr Heuermann is the owner of RH Consultants and Associates, a Manhattan architecture firm that describes itself as “New York City’s premier architectural firm”.
The Associated Press has reported that he has a daughter and a stepson. A neighbour described the 6ft 4in suspect going to work every morning, dressed in a suit and tie and carrying a briefcase.
Mr Tierney said that Mr Heuermann had licences for 92 guns and a “very large safe” in which firearms were kept.
In a YouTube interview for a real estate-focused channel last year, he said he had been working in the heart of New York City since 1987, describing himself as a “trouble shooter”. He added that his work helped teach him to “understand people”.
People who lived near his home in Long Island’s Massapequa Park expressed surprise at his arrest.
“The guy’s been quiet, never really bothers anybody,” neighbour Etienne DeVilliers told CBS, the BBC’s US partner.
“We’re shocked. Because this is a very, very quiet neighbourhood. Everybody knows each other, all of our neighbours, we’re all friendly.”
Source: BBC