On January 16, 2024, The New York Times reported that Rex Heuermann faced charges in connection with the murder of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, a case among the notorious Gilgo Beach murders. Brainard-Barnes, a 25-year-old sex worker from Connecticut, went missing in 2007, and her remains were discovered near Gilgo Beach in 2010.
Heuermann, arrested in July 2023, initially faced charges related to three other murders near Gilgo Beach, with Brainard-Barnes’ case making him a prime suspect. By January 2024, a significant development occurred as a hair found on Brainard-Barnes’ remains was linked through DNA to Heuermann’s estranged wife, Asa Ellerup. Phone and online records revealed that Heuermann had contacted Brainard-Barnes shortly before her disappearance. Additionally, Brainard-Barnes’ remains were discovered wrapped with a belt inscribed with “WH,” possibly connected to Heuermann’s father. Despite the mounting evidence, Heuermann pleaded not guilty.
Maureen Brainard-Barnes engaged in sex work in Manhattan, meeting clients for “out-call” appointments in hotels or motels. She was last heard from on July 9, 2007, when she informed a friend about meeting a client. Brainard-Barnes was reported missing five days later, and her remains, part of the “Gilgo Four,” were found near Gilgo Beach. This discovery marked the beginning of a larger investigation into the Long Island Serial Killer (LISK), believed to be responsible for multiple sets of remains found in the same area.
Brainard-Barnes, a devoted mother of two, was described as an intellectual and artistic person who cared deeply for her loved ones. Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney emphasized her qualities, stating that she was sorely missed by those who loved her. In addition to Brainard-Barnes, Heuermann was accused of killing three other women – Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy, and Amber Costello – all in their 20s. At the time of the report, the investigation into the other six victims found around Gilgo Beach was ongoing.
