The office of Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney is facing financial challenges as it prepares for the high-profile trial of alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann.
Before New York Supreme Court Justice Timothy Mazzei on Wednesday, Tierney urged the Justice Department to release funds currently frozen due to an ongoing investigation into the office.
He explained that this money would help cover the costs of the prosecution, which he claims presents “a singularly unique strain on our budget.”
(Left to right) Alleged murderer Rex Heuermann and Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. (Left to right) Alleged murderer Rex Heuermann and Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. AP Photo
Newsweek has contacted the offices of the District Attorney and Justice Department for comment.
New York City architect Heuermann, 60, was arrested in July 2023. He faces multiple murder charges related to the killings of six women spanning from the 1990s to 2011.
Initially, Heuermann was charged with the murders of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Lynn Costello, whose remains were discovered near Gilgo Beach over a decade ago.
In June, additional charges were brought for the murders of Jessica Taylor and Sandra Costilla.
The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office previously told Newsweek that Mazzei “made it clear” that Heuermann must be present at every hearing “just in case.”
At the last hearing on July 30, prosecutors shared “voluminous” amounts of evidence with the defense including DNA records, data from electronic devices, and notes from searches of his home.
The home of Rex Heuermann in Massapequa Park, NY. The home of Rex Heuermann in Massapequa Park, NY. Newsweek/Jenna Sundel
A date for the trial has not been set. Heuermann is being held without bail in Suffolk County Jail in Riverhead.
Items from Heuermann’s Long Island home and rented storage units were seized as potential evidence in the case. Last week, officials began returning some of the items to his family.
“The family is thankful and relieved that they’re starting to get some of their personal property back,” Bob Macedonio, the attorney for Heuermann’s estranged wife, Asa Ellerup, told Newsday.
Macedonio said the returned items will not be used as evidence in the case.
“We’ve been in constant contact with the district attorney’s office, and last month we started to receive the return of personal items that prosecutors determined did not have evidentiary value in the prosecution of Rex Heuermann,” he said.
Several unidentified bodies have been discovered near Gilgo Beach, including one known as “Asian Doe.” Last month, authorities sought the public’s assistance in identifying this victim, whose remains were found in 2011. The victim, a biological male wearing women’s clothing, was believed to be of Han Chinese descent. Despite efforts to solve the case, no suspects have been named.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crimestoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS, or via email or mobile app at https://suffolkpd.org/Alerts/Crime-Stoppers.
Tips can be submitted in an individual’s native language and translators are available. A reward of up to $2,500 is being offered for information leading to the identification of “Asian Doe.”
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