Architect Rex Heuermann Pleads Guilty to Gilgo Beach Murders of Eight Women

Heuermann pleaded guilty to murdering seven women and admitted killing an eighth.

The pleas included three counts of first-degree murder and four of intentional murder.

ABC News

He confessed to strangling all victims and dismembering some before dumping their bodies.

The architect appeared calm as victims' relatives wept in the courtroom.

The plea avoids a trial and sentencing is scheduled for June 17.

Heuermann admitted killing the Gilgo Four and four earlier victims including Karen Vergata.

Investigators connected him through DNA from a pizza crust and cell phone records.

ABC7 New York

He confessed to contacting victims via burner phones and luring them with money.

He committed the murders while his family was away, indicating careful planning.

Heuermann's family is accepting the reality and struggling like everyone else.

“SUFFOLK COUNTY, Long Island (WABC) -- Rex Heuermann's guilty plea in the Gilgo Beach serial killer case is offering a measure of justice for the families of his victims and some closure to his own family”

ABC7 New York

Victims' families expressed relief that justice was finally served.

Defense attorney said Heuermann wanted to spare families the ordeal of a trial.

District Attorney Tierney said Heuermann thought he could silence them forever but was wrong.

He faces three consecutive life sentences without parole, followed by four 25-to-life terms.

amNewYork

The plea includes cooperation with the FBI and no further prosecutions.

The guilty pleas bring finality to a case that haunted Long Island for three decades.