AP – A New York architect charged in a string of slayings known as the Gilgo Beach killings was accused on Tuesday in the death of a fourth woman, a Connecticut mother of two who vanished in 2007 and whose remains were found more than three years later along a coastal highway on Long Island.
Rex Heuermann was formally charged in the killing of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, months after having been labelled the prime suspect in her death when he was arrested in July in the deaths of three other women.
Wearing a dark suit, he remained silent in court as his lawyer entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. He will continue to be held without bail until his next court date on February 6.
Police said the breakthrough came from DNA extracted from hair at the scene. A hair found with Brainard-Barnes’ remains is genetically similar to a DNA sample taken from Heuermann’s ex-wife. During the period when Brainard-Barnes disappeared in 2007, Heuermann’s ex-wife and his daughter were staying out of town at a hotel in Atlantic City, the indictment and her attorney confirmed.
Prosecutors also said in Tuesday’s court filing that Heuermann feared getting caught in the months leading up to his arrest.
