What was in the search warrant for Rex Heuermann's homes? Documents reveal chilling details in Gilgo Beach murders case
LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK: A plethora of new unsettling details concerning the Giglo Beach serial killings have come to light with a freshly unsealed search warrant that was executed in relation to property owned in Chester County by Rex Heuermann. The Manhattan architect, 59, is currently in custody on charges related to the murders of three sex workers, whose bodies were found on an isolated Long Island beach in December 2010.
Following Heuermann’s arrest on July 13, law enforcement raided his Long Island home, where they discovered a slew of eerie items including, a child-sized doll and a massive trove of up to 300 firearms. Then, it was revealed that the NY architect also owns a number of other modest properties across several states including Nevada and South Carolina. Records showed that he purchased a $154,000 plot of property in Chester, South Carolina nearly two weeks ago. A neighbor in rural Chester revealed that he was planning to retire on his secluded property and live near his younger brother, Craig. "He told me when I first moved down here that his brother owns that lot across the road, and that his brother's going to retire down here, and when he does, everybody's leaving," the neighbor said, adding their plan was to 'buy everything up'.
What was mentioned in the search warrant?
Earlier this month, South Carolina deputies executed a raid at Craig’s Chester County property, where they seized a rare first-generation Chevy Avalanche that linked Heuermann to the murder of Amber Costello, one of the sex workers who were allegedly murdered by him. A newly released search warrant, obtained by The News & Reporter, listed the dark green 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche as a "person, place or thing" to be searched. According to the warrant, the truck apparently contains "contraband, evidence or instrumentalities regarding the charge of...murder in the first degree (New York State), murder in the second degree (New York State), patronizing a person for prostitution in the third degree (New York State), and conspiracy to commit said offenses."
Once recovered, the automobile was to be driven to Suffolk County, New York, where a forensic examination would take place. The warrant noted that state and federal authorities knew the vehicle was at the Rippling Brooke Drive location and helped the Chester County Sheriff's Office seize it. Authorities cited an extensive number of goods under "property sought" on the warrant, many of which are classified as "trophies" that are private property of murder victims. The items listed in the document included victims' phones, articles of clothing, jewelry, identification, notebooks, ledgers, Bibles, personal effects, and or photographs or recordings depicting the victims.
What is the forensic evidence listed in the warrant?
Other forensic and/or trace evidence listed in the warrant were DNA obtainable through fingernails, toenails, animal hair or fur, human hair and human skin fibers, bodily fluids as well as any latent fingerprints and palm prints. Apart from the DNA evidence, investigators raided the property for electronic devices or computers as well as any records, whether they are digital or physical in origin. These items could include mail, bills, or other similarly situated documents. Broadly, the warrant also mentions "any of the known instrumentalities involved in the commission of the designated offenses including...burlap (the remains of at least one of Heuermann's alleged victims was discovered wrapped in burlap), camouflage burlap fabric, 'jute-like' fabric, hunting blinds, restraints, belts, textile yarns, polyester fibers, cotton fibers," or any variety of tape.