The New York man accused of murdering multiple sex workers and abandoning their corpses on a Long Island beach is facing new charges, as prosecutors allege they have evidence connecting him to the deaths of two more women.
Rex Heuermann, 60, was arraigned on Thursday, in the deaths of Jessica Taylor and Sandra Costilla. These arraignments bring the number of victims explicitly connected to Heuermann up to six. He is also facing charges in the deaths of Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy, Amber Costello and Maureen Brainard-Barnes.
Prosecutors say that DNA evidence found on hairs near the crime scenes connects Heuermann to the murders. In their latest indictment, prosecutors also say that investigators uncovered a "significant collection of violent, bondage and torture pornography, currently dating back to 1994," in the suspect's seized belongings.
"It is alleged that the pornographic images that were accessed by Heuermann are consistent with the crime scenes of both Sandra Costilla and Jessica Taylor," said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney.
The investigation also allegedly uncovered a "blueprint" that the suspect used to "plan out his kills with excruciating detail."
We allege that this document evinces the defendant's intent in committing the charged crimes, that his intent was, specifically, to locate these victims, to hunt them down and to bring them under his control and to kill them," said Tierney at a news conference following the court appearance.
Taylor, a sex worker, was last seen alive in 2003 at a Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan. Her naked and dismembered torso was discovered shortly after her disappearance, while her skill was discovered years later.
Costilla was murdered in 1993 at the age of 28. Her inclusion in the list of Heuermann's alleged victims extends the period during which prosecutors allege he was actively killing by several years.
Heuermann pleaded not guilty to both murder charges; he is currently being held without bail.
