The suspected serial killer Rex Heuermann agreed to plead guilty on Wednesday to murdering eight women on Long Island, admitting to a new killing that he was not initially charged in.
Heuermann had previously pleaded not guilty and was expected to go to trial on seven murder charges. The case began with the discovery of the bodies of missing young women near Gilgo Beach in 2010.
Heuermann’s latest admission was to the killing of “Fire Island Jane Doe” Karen Vergata, in addition to the killings of the seven women he previously faced charges for: Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, Amber Costello, Jessica Taylor, Valerie Mack and Sandra Costilla.
The Suffolk County District Attorney said in court that Heuermann would plead guilty to the Gilgo Beach killings. Heuermann acknowledged that he was entering his plea of his own free will when questioned by the judge.
“Are you pleading guilty voluntarily and of your own free will?” the judge asked. “Yes,” Heuermann answered and nodded.
Heuermann responded “guilty” as the judge listed the crimes.
Tierney questioned Heuermann about how he killed some of his victims. When asked about Barthelemy, Heuermann said, “strangulation,” which he repeated for Waterman and Costello.
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