A New York judge sentenced serial killer Rex Heuermann to life in prison without parole Wednesday, after he quietly admitted responsibility for the deaths of eight women.
Heuermann appeared before State Supreme Court Justice Timothy Mazzei at the Arthur M. Cromarty Court Complex in Suffolk County, to face sentencing for a string of murders in the Long Island area.
The defendant briefly spoke, stating, “I am responsible for all that was said in this room,” according to CNN.
“The words I say have no meaning.”
As Criminal Enterprise reported, Heuermann pleaded guilty to murdering eight women between 2010 and 2011.
Members of the victims’ families delivered emotional statements at Wednesday’s hearing, including Jasmine Robinson (cousin of victim Jessica Taylor), who stated her “eviscerating hatred” for Heuermann.
“I can’t even put into words the eviscerating hatred I have for you. You fill me with so much repugnance, I can’t stand it.”
“A million years isn’t enough. Nothing will ever make this right. You will spend the rest of your forever in prison, and it will never be satisfying.”
Heuermann, a former Manhattan architect, was initially indicted for the deaths of four victims, collectively known as “The Gilgo Four.” They were identified as:
- Melissa Barthelemy
- Maureen Brainard-Barnes
- Megan Waterman
- Amber Lynn Costello
They were found wrapped in burlap and dumped near Gilgo Beach in Long Island, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. All four women were discovered within days of each other, in December 2010.
“Each of the four victims were found similarly positioned, bound in a similar fashion by either belts or tape,” court documents read.
Authorities later indicted Heuermann for the deaths of Jessica Taylor, Valerie Mack, and Sandra Castilla. The women’s remains were found scattered along different areas in Long Island.
As part of a plea deal, Heuermannalso pleaded guilty to killing Karen Vergata, although he was never formally indicted.
Other families added recalled traumatic memories that Heuermann inflicted:
- Megan Waterman’s daughter, Liliana Waterman stated, “The damage he caused extends far beyond the day he committed this crime.”
- Megan Waterman’s aunt, Elizabeth Meserve, claimed Heuermann “was not a fearsome predator, but rather a cowardly opportunist.”
- Amanda Funderburg, sister of Melissa Barthelemy, demanded Heuermann to “look at me while I’m talking.”
- Maureen Brainard-Barnes’ daughter, Nicolette Brainard-Barnes, told Heuermann, “You are a pathetic man who thinks he is better than women. You make me sick and I don’t forgive you.”
- Maureen Brainard-Barnes’ song, Dyllan Haggett, son, lamented, “I never had her when I needed her. She never got to see who I have become.”
Following Heuermann’s brief statement, Mazzei confronted the him, asking if he felt remorse for the lives he destroyed.
Mazzei: “Are you a little bit sorry for what you did [to] these poor, innocent women? Are you at least a little bit sorry for that?”
Heuermann: “Yes, I am.”
Law enforcement led Heuremann out of the courtroom to applause from the victims’ families, with some shouting “ogre” as he left.
Heuremann will serve three consecutive life sentences behind bars, along with four 25 years-to-life sentences, to run consecutively.
[Featured image via Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office]
