Rex Heuermann admits to killing 8 women in Gilgo Beach serial killings [View all]

Source: NBC News

U.S. news
Rex Heuermann admits to killing 8 women in Gilgo Beach serial killings

Heuermann pleaded guilty to murdering seven women and intentionally causing the death of Karen Vergata. In exchange for the guilty plea, he will not be charged with Vergata's uncharged murder

April 8, 2026, 6:00 AM EDT / Updated April 8, 2026, 1:02 PM EDT
By Matt Lavietes and Adam Reiss

RIVERHEAD, N.Y. -- A former architect admitted Wednesday to killing eight women and dumping their bodies in Long Island's Gilgo Beach, more than a decade after the discovery of human remains sent shock waves through the New York City suburb and captivated the nation.

Rex Heuermann, 62, changed his plea at an appearance in Suffolk County Court on Wednesday in connection with the murders that occurred over a 17-year period. He pleaded guilty to seven counts and admitted that he intentionally caused the death of Karen Vergata and left her remains.

As part of the plea deal, Heuermann will not be charged with Vergata's currently uncharged murder. In court, he admitted to meeting all eight women, strangling them and dumping their bodies where they were found across Gilgo Beach, Manorville and Southampton. ... Heuermann also agreed to cooperate with the FBI as a part of the plea agreement.


------ Rex Heuermann in court Wednesday.James Carbone / Pool / Newsday

Heuermann is expected to receive a sentence of life in prison without parole, three consecutive life sentences, followed by four sentences of 25 years to life. His sentencing is set for June 17.

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CORRECTION (April 8, 2026, 1:00 p.m. ET): A previous version of this article misspelled the last name of Heuermann's eighth victim. She was Karen Vergata, not Bragata.

Matt Lavietes
Matt Lavietes is a reporter for NBC News.

Adam Reiss
Adam Reiss is a reporter and producer for NBC and MSNBC.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/gilgo-beach-serial-killer-suspect-rex-heuermann-expected-plead-guilty-rcna266547

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The 6:00 a.m. story was that Heuermann would be in court today to enter an expected admission of guilt.

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Sun Jul 16, 2023:
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https://www.democraticunderground.com/100218093056

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilgo_Beach_serial_killings