Long Island serial killer Rex Heuermann has been sentenced to to multiple life sentences in prison without the possibility of parole after he pleaded guilty to killing seven women and admitted to killing an eighth.
A Suffolk County, New York, judge handed Heuermann, 62, three consecutive life sentences, as well as an additional 100 years to life, on Wednesday, June 17
“All right, get him out of here,” the judge said as Heuermann was handcuffed and escorted out of the courtroom, according to CNN.
Before his sentence was announced, several of his victims’ loved ones took the stand to address Heuermann.
Sandra Costilla‘s sister Ruth Ramos said she was comforted by the fact that her sibling’s killer will spend the rest of his life in prison.
“While justice cannot bring [the victims] back, it ensures they are no longer forgotten and brings our families peace knowing the person responsible for our irreversible pain can never harm anyone else,” Ramos said, per CNN.
Heuermann, 62, was arrested for the killings in July 2023 and initially pleaded not guilty. However, he later pleaded guilty to the murders during a court appearance in April.
At the time, Heuermann told the judge that he killed Costilla, Valerie Mack, Jessica Taylor, Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Amber Lynn Costello and Karen Vergata.
He made the admission as part of a plea deal and was expected to be handed three consecutive life sentences plus another 100 years. However, he did not learn his official sentencing until two months later on June 17.
The killings took place between 1993 and 2010 and all happened inside of his home with the exception of Costilla, who he said that he spontaneously killed in his car.
Heuermann’s crimes have garnered national attention and have been the subject of several documentaries. His family appeared in Peacock’s The Gilgo Beach Killer: House of Secrets, which featured Heuermann telling his ex-wife, Asa Ellerup, and their daughter, Victoria Heuermann, that he did commit the killings.
Ellerup, 62, initially stood by Rex’s side following his arrest, and she admitted she didn’t believe he was responsible for the murders until he admitted that he was a serial killer to her.
Despite finally coming to terms with the killings, Ellerup said in the docuseries that she continued to visit Rex behind bars.
“I want to get to know this other side of Rex. I want to know why Rex killed these women,” she said in the docuseries, which premiered in April. “What his triggers were. I’m processing the information in a very different way because now I see the evil in him.”
One week before Rex’s sentencing, Us Weekly reported that Ellerup would not attend the hearing.
Ellerup’s attorney, Robert Macedonio, told Us that his client “believes this day should be centered on the victims, their families, and the profound impact these crimes have had on their lives,” Macedonio said. “Out of respect for those who have endured unimaginable loss and suffering, she does not wish her presence to distract from the purpose of these proceedings.”
“Her thoughts remain with the victims and their loved ones as they continue their pursuit of justice, healing, and closure,” Macedonio added.
