Prosecutors: Gilgo Beach suspect Rex Heuermann's cheek swab matches DNA found on pizza box

By Jennifer McLogan

Updated on: September 27, 2023 / 6:27 PM / CBS New York

RIVERHEAD, N.Y. -- New analysis revealed in court Wednesday appears to link the accused Gilgo Beach serial killings suspect to one of the victims in the case.

Rex Heuermann's cheek swab was the subject of a court appearance.

The 60-year-old walked in with his wrists cuffed behind him, showing a new haircut and speaking for the first time. He told the judge he spends several hours a day in jail reviewing evidence.

READ MORE: Co-worker: Rex Heuermann once unnerved her by tracking her down on a cruise: "I told you I could find you anywhere"

Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney claims that DNA on the pizza box that the alleged serial killer discarded matches Heuermann's cheek swab, and thus links him to a hair from one of the victims.

"The buccal swab of the defendant matches the DNA profile from that of the abandonment sample from the pizza box," Tierney said.

Defense attorney Michael Brown said he wants to see the proof.

"That's assuming a lot of different things, right? Because DNA can be transferred," Brown said.

READ MORE: Gilgo Beach murder suspect, Rex Heuermann, being investigated for 1989 death of Carmen Vargas

Brown said he's still waiting for thousands of pages of discovery, including video of the house, guns, a storage unit, the seized vehicle, and grand jury testimony, "which says there's a pizza crust and they talked about burner phones and talked about 'pinging' in New York City."

More than a decade after the remains of 10 victims were found off Ocean Parkway near Gilgo Beach, Heuermann has been charged with murder in three cases and is a prime suspect in a fourth.

"We're working on the fourth Gilgo victim and now we have expanded our investigation to include other bodies that were recovered in that area," Tierney said.

READ MORE: 2 sex workers describe "violent" encounters with Gilgo Beach suspect, official says

When asked about Heuermann's mood and demeanor, Brown said, "Well, he's somebody who has from the beginning has said he's not guilty. I made it a point to tell him, 'Just get through this, Rex. Get to the point where we can go trial, and don't show emotion.' He's a fella who was working, has never been arrested, has a wife and children."

Heuermann's wife has since filed for divorce.

He is also asking the court to allow his 280 seized firearms be sold to benefit his financially struggling family.

Heuermann is due back in court on Nov. 15.

During her decades-long career, Jennifer McLogan has been recognized for her coverage of breaking news and live reporting on major stories that include the September 11 attacks, Superstorm Sandy, the Gilgo Beach Murders, the Long Island Rail Road massacre, the crash of TWA Flight 800, the Philadelphia Police firebombing of the radical group Move, the Hamptons' Pine Barrens fires, and major snowstorms crippling the Northeast. In sports, she covered Super Bowl XLVI, World Series with both the Yankees and the Mets, NBA Finals with Michael Jordan and the death of Arthur Ashe.

First published on September 27, 2023 / 12:37 PM

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