'Gay cruising' connection may link Gilgo Beach murder suspect Rex Heuermann with ex-police chief James Burke

James Burke led the Suffolk County Police Department for three tumultuous years that culminated in his arrest in 2015

PUBLISHED SEP 4, 2023

Gilgo Beach suspect Rex Heuermann and disgraced police chief James Burke ‘may have met cruising for sex' (Suffolk County Sherrif's Office/PD)

LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK: Rex Heuermann, the suspected serial killer linked to the Gilgo Beach murders, may have crossed paths with disgraced former police chief James Burke while "gay cruising" on Long Island, prosecutors suggest.

Attorney John Ray, who represents the families of two women found dead in the Gilgo Beach case, revealed that he has received information from multiple sources claiming they encountered Heuermann seeking casual sexual encounters in the area.

Rex A. Heuermann appears before Judge Timothy P. Mazzei in Suffolk County Court on August 1, 2023 in Central Islip, New York. Heuermann's arrest comes more than a decade after the disappearance of four women whose bodies were found within a quarter mile of each other wrapped in hunting camouflage burlap along remote Gilgo Beach on Long Island's South Shore. Beside the three women Heuermann is charged with killing, he is a suspect in the fourth, according to public reports citing the Suffolk County district attorney's office. — Rex A Heuermann appears before Judge Timothy P. Mazzei in Suffolk County Court on August 1, 2023 in Central Islip, New York (Getty Images)

This revelation follows Burke's previous arrest for allegedly soliciting oral sex from an undercover male park ranger at a location known for gay cruising — the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Park in Farmingville.

James Burke has been accused of botching Gilgo Beach murders (YouTube/CBS New York)

What is 'gay cruising'?

"Gay cruising" typically involves individuals seeking anonymous, one-time partners while walking or driving around specific areas.

Long Island reportedly has numerous such "gay cruising grounds," including the one where Burke was apprehended, often colloquially referred to as the "pickle park."

Longtime Suffolk County residents, preferring anonymity, have described these locations as hubs for "sexual activity, prostitution, and drugs."

Attorney Ray has delved into these areas in his ongoing efforts to secure justice for the murdered women.

What are the Giglo Beach murders?

The Gilgo Beach case involves the murders of 11 women, primarily prostitutes who advertised on Craigslist, between 1996 and 2011.

The victims' remains were discovered on the South Shore beach over several months in 2010 and 2011, following the disappearance of escort Shannan Gilbert.

(L-R) Top Row: Melissa Barthelemy, Amber Lynn Costello, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, and Megan Waterman: (2nd Row L-R) Shannan Gilbert, Jessica Taylor, Valerie Mack, and unidentified Asian male (Suffolk County Police, New York Post) — (L-R) Top Row: Melissa Barthelemy, Amber Lynn Costello, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, and Megan Waterman: (2nd Row L-R) Shannan Gilbert, Jessica Taylor, Valerie Mack, and an unidentified Asian male
(Suffolk County Police, New York Post)

The investigation eventually revealed the remains of 'The Gilgo Four' in December 2010, with six more sets of remains discovered in early 2011 in Suffolk and Nassau counties.

It is believed that the serial killer responsible for these murders went undetected for over a decade until Heuermann was charged with the murders of three of 'The Gilgo Four' victims: Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy, and Amber Costello.

Is there a possible link between Rex Heuermann and James Burke?

Ray indicated that several sources have informed him of Heuermann's involvement in the local "gay cruising" scene, suggesting a possible connection with Burke.

"I have several people who contact me because they don't want to talk to the police, and they have real fears and they don't want their families to know, but they've shared with me that [Rex Heuermann] is a cruiser," Ray told The Sun.

Burke, already facing charges related to his solicitation in the fifth degree in a "pickle park" area, previously mishandled the Gilgo Beach murder investigation and faced allegations of leading a double life involving drug use, cross-dressing, and involvement with prostitutes.

Ray stated, "Obviously it's all word of mouth, and evidence is hard to come by, but I've had several people tell me the same thing."

Ray is urging Suffolk County Police to investigate any potential social ties between Heuermann and Burke.