Who is Ray Tierney? Suffolk County DA who will lead Rex Heuermann's prosecution has gone after groups like MS-13
LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK: Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney has taken on the lead prosecutor role in the highly publicized case of suspected serial killer Rex Heuermann. The alleged perp faces six counts of murder, including one count of first-degree murder and one count of second-degree murder for each of the three identified victims: Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello.
Who is Ray Tierney?
Raymond A Tierney is the current Suffolk County District Attorney. He was elected on November 2, 2021 and assumed office on January 1, 2022. With over 27 years of experience as a career prosecutor at both state and federal levels, District Attorney Tierney is committed to upholding the law ethically and accountably to protect the citizens of Suffolk County. Beginning his career in 1992 as an Assistant District Attorney in the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office, Tierney worked his way up through the ranks, handling a wide range of cases, including felony grand jury cases, homicides, kidnappings, and violent sexual assaults. He then briefly worked at a local law firm managing litigation cases before returning to the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office in 2002.
Throughout his career, District Attorney Tierney has played crucial roles in prosecuting various felony cases, investigating political corruption, organized crime, street gangs, and handling long-term investigations utilizing wiretaps, search warrants, grand jury investigations, and trials. He has received numerous awards and recognition for his successful prosecution of cases, particularly in combating violent criminal organizations like MS-13. Some of these awards include the Federal Law Enforcement Association Prosecutor of the Year and the FBI Long Island Gang Task Force "Meritorious Service Award." Tierney is a Brown University alum with a Bachelor of Arts in History and English, and he earned his Juris Doctor degree from St. John's University School of Law. He resides in Suffolk County with his wife, Erica, and their four children.
Hands-on approach
In a statement released by his office, District Attorney Tierney expressed his commitment to ensuring that justice is served for the victims of this alleged serial killer. "He intends to prosecute this case fully and bring justice to the victims of this alleged serial killer," per the statement. "In addition, the DA’s office will continue to work with our Task Force partners to develop new evidence and prepare the case for trial," the statement added. The case marks the first major prosecution for District Attorney Tierney since taking office in January. He has been actively involved in the investigation and prosecution, personally presenting evidence to a grand jury, which resulted in Heuermann's indictment. Tierney also played a prominent role in Heuermann's arraignment on July 14.
Earlier this week, investigators executed a search warrant at Heuermann's Massapequa Park home, where they seized dozens of guns and other items. These items are being analyzed as potential evidence linking Heuermann to additional victims. The DA's office, in collaboration with the Gilgo Beach Task Force partners, continues to explore new leads and gather evidence to bolster the case. "The DA’s office will continue to work with our [Gilgo Beach] Task Force partners to develop new evidence and prepare the case for trial," spokeswoman Tania Lopez said, emphasizing their dedication to uncovering the truth and bringing justice to the victims.
Heuermann's plea and impact on family
During a court hearing in July, Heuermann pleaded not guilty to all charges. Following the filing of charges, his wife, Asa Ellerup, filed for divorce. Authorities have previously found 11 sets of human remains along a beach highway on Long Island between 2010 and 2011, leading to the suspicion of a serial killer operating in the area. As the investigation into Heuermann's alleged crimes deepens, investigators searched his Long Island residence for additional evidence.
Heuermann, a 59-year-old architect, is married and has two children. Prior to his arrest, he worked as an architect consultant, describing his career as a troubleshooter, having lived on Long Island his whole life and worked in Manhattan since 1987. A February 2022 video interview with Bonjour Realty posted on YouTube provides a glimpse into his professional life, where he mentions his work as an architect consultant and handling routine and non-routine jobs. "I'm an architect. I'm an architect consultant. I'm a troubleshooter. Born and raised on Long Island. Then working in Manhattan since 1987," Heuermann says in the interview. "When a job that should've been routine suddenly becomes not routine, I get the phone call."