Gilgo Beach Murders: A DNA and Legal Timeline

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Detailed Timeline: The Gilgo Beach Murders and DNA Evidence in the Legal System

Before 1923:

• "General-acceptance" Test Development: This standard, later articulated in Frye v United States, existed for deciding scientific evidence admissibility, requiring the underlying theory and methodology to be generally accepted within the relevant scientific community.

1923:

• Frye v United States Ruling: This influential federal case articulates the "general-acceptance" standard for scientific evidence admissibility.

Mid-1990s - 2011:

• Serial Killings Begin (Gilgo Beach): A serial killer begins murdering primarily petite, young female sex workers and disposing of their remains along Ocean Parkway near Gilgo Beach, Long Island.

1985:

• Ake v Oklahoma Ruling: The Supreme Court reverses a conviction because the trial court refused to appoint a psychiatric expert for an indigent defendant relying on an insanity defense. This case sets a precedent for providing indigent defendants with expert assistance.

1986:

• First Use of PCR in a Criminal Case: Commonwealth v Pestinikis in Pennsylvania marks the first instance of forensic DNA testing (an early form of DQA test) in a U.S. criminal case.

• First Wave of Criminal DNA Cases: The initial period of criminal cases involving DNA identification begins, focusing on transferring molecular biology technology to forensic labs.

1987:

• Rex Heuermann Moves to Massapequa Park: Rex Heuermann begins living in a small, weathered house on First Avenue in Massapequa Park, where he would remain for over 30 years.

1988:

• Andrews v State Ruling: The first appellate opinion on the admissibility of DNA testing in the U.S. is issued, involving VNTR profiling.

1991:

• Commonwealth v Curnin Ruling (Massachusetts): The court holds that Cellmark DNA evidence in a rape case was erroneously admitted due to a lack of showing of general acceptance of the validity of the product rule.

• State v Schwartz Ruling (Minnesota): The court concludes that "DNA typing has gained general acceptance in the scientific community" but excludes statistical conclusions due to concerns about juries giving "undue weight" to such evidence.

1992:

• National Research Council (NRC) Report Publication: The NRC publishes a report on DNA forensic science, advocating for full discovery of data and laboratory records, suggesting judicial notice of DNA typing's scientific underpinnings, and cautioning against "uniqueness" assertions due to limited data. The report also describes a "substantial controversy" regarding population structure in DNA profile frequency estimation.

1993:

• Daubert v Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals Ruling: The Supreme Court holds that the Federal Rules of Evidence implicitly abandon "general acceptance" as an absolute prerequisite for scientific evidence, prescribing a broader framework for scientific validity and reliability (the "sound-methodology" standard).

• Sandra Costilla Murder: Sandra Costilla's body is found in North Sea around November 1993, one of the earliest victims linked to Rex Heuermann.

1996:

• NRC Publishes "The Evaluation of Forensic DNA Evidence": This report, an update to the 1992 report, discusses legal implications, procedural rules, and disputed scientific facts related to forensic DNA evidence. It notes that mitochondrial analysis has been used in forensic investigations since 1996.

2000:

• Valerie Mack Disappearance and Discovery: Valerie Mack disappears, and her mutilated body is discovered by hunters later in the year in a plastic bag.

2003:

• Jessica Taylor Last Seen & Partial Remains Found: Jessica Taylor is last seen in 2003. Later that year, her torso, decapitated head, and severed arms are found mutilated.

July 9, 2007:

• Maureen Brainard-Barnes Disappearance: Maureen Brainard-Barnes, a sex worker from Connecticut, is last seen in New York City.

July 12, 2009:

• Melissa Barthelemy Disappearance: Melissa Barthelemy, a sex worker from the Bronx, is last seen. Her cell phone is later used to make taunting calls to her family.

June 6, 2010:

• Megan Waterman Disappearance: Megan Waterman, a sex worker from Maine, is last seen in Hauppauge, Long Island.

September 2, 2010:

• Amber Costello Disappearance: Amber Lynn Costello, a sex worker, is last seen in West Babylon, New York. Her roommate, Dave Schaller, provides a description of the man and his black Chevrolet Avalanche to police.

December 11, 2010:

• Gilgo Beach Body Discovery (Initial): Suffolk County Police Officer John Mallia, searching for missing Shannan Gilbert with his canine partner, inadvertently discovers the skeletal remains of a woman (later identified as Melissa Barthelemy) wrapped in burlap near Gilgo Beach.

December 14, 2010:

• Discovery of the "Gilgo Four": Three more bodies are found near the first discovery at Gilgo Beach, all wrapped in burlap and identified as Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello, and Maureen Brainard-Barnes. These four become known as the "Gilgo Four."

2011:

• Jessica Taylor Remains Found: The rest of Jessica Taylor's body parts are found near the remains of the "Gilgo Four."

• Valerie Mack Remains Found: Valerie Mack's skull, hands, and foot are found near the "Gilgo Four" remains.

• Case Goes Cold (Initial): The investigation goes dormant for over a decade due to alleged dysfunction within the Suffolk County Police Department and District Attorney's Office, including turf wars and obstruction by Chief James Burke.

2012:

• Chief James Burke Installed: James Burke becomes Chief of the Suffolk County Police Department, inheriting the cold Gilgo Beach case. He rejects FBI assistance, contributing to the case's dormancy.

July 1, 2013:

• Florida Rule of Evidence 90.702 Amended: Florida's standard for expert testimony admissibility shifts from Frye to Daubert, intending to prohibit "pure opinion" testimony and apply to all expert testimony.

2018:

• Geraldine Hart Appointed Commissioner: Geraldine Hart is appointed Suffolk County police commissioner and resurrects the Gilgo Beach investigation.

December 7, 2022:

• Chevrolet Avalanche Identified as Vehicle of Interest: The newly formed Gilgo Beach Task Force re-examines old evidence and identifies a first-generation black Chevrolet Avalanche, matching Rex Heuermann's vehicle, as a crucial clue.

January 2023:

• Pizza Crust DNA Obtained: Police obtain a pizza crust discarded by Rex Heuermann from a public trash can in Manhattan. DNA extracted from it is sent for comparison.

• DNA Match Confirmed: DNA from the pizza crust matches a male hair found on the burlap wrapping Megan Waterman's body, definitively linking Rex Heuermann's familial line to the crime scene.

July 13, 2023:

• Rex Heuermann Arrested: Rex Heuermann is taken into custody on his front lawn in Massapequa Park and is charged in connection to three Gilgo Beach murders: Amber Costello, Melissa Barthelemy, and Megan Waterman.

• Heuermann's Home Raided: Investigators begin a twelve-day raid of Heuermann's Massapequa Park home, discovering a hidden room in the basement containing filing cabinets, binders, and over 200 firearms, along with burner phones, digital maps, and a "planning document."

January 2024:

• Superseding Indictment (Maureen Brainard-Barnes): A superseding indictment adds Maureen Brainard-Barnes as a fourth victim charged against Rex Heuermann.

June 2024:

• Additional Victims Added to Indictment (Jessica Taylor & Sandra Costilla): Rex Heuermann is charged with the murders of Jessica Taylor and Sandra Costilla, bringing the total to six victims.

October 30, 2024:

• Jellypod Publishes "The Perfect Guide to Starting a True Crime Podcast in 2025": This guide provides advice for aspiring true crime podcasters, noting the genre's popularity.

November 2024:

• Astrea Forensics and DNA Admissibility Hearing Discussed: Defense attorney Michael J. Brown indicates his intention to challenge the admissibility of SNP DNA evidence from Astrea Forensics, which has not been previously used in New York courts. Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney concedes a Frye hearing is necessary.

December 2024:

• Additional Victim Added to Indictment (Valerie Mack): Valerie Mack is added as the seventh victim charged against Rex Heuermann.

• NIST Publishes Review of DNA Mixture Interpretation Methods: (December 21, 2024)

• NIST Publishes Comprehensive Report on DNA Mixture Interpretation Methods: (December 29, 2024)

January 3, 2025:

• Simply Forensic Publishes "Crime Scene Reconstruction: Unveiling the Truth behind the Puzzle": This article discusses the broader topic of crime scene reconstruction.

• Simply Forensic Publishes "Capturing the Killer Nurse: Charles Cullen Documentary": (January 31, 2025)

February 13, 2025:

• Rapid DNA Evidence Now Approved for CODIS Searches: News regarding forensic science advancements.

February 28, 2025:

• Simply Forensic Publishes "Unraveling the Gilgo Beach Murders through mtDNA Analysis": This article details the crucial role of mitochondrial DNA analysis in the Gilgo Beach murders case, particularly linking Rex Heuermann to victims through degraded hair samples.

• Bybit’s $1.4B Crypto Hack – How It Happened & What’s Next: News unrelated to the Gilgo case.

March 18, 2025:

• Forensic Science News Roundup March 18, 2025: (March 19, 2025)

March 22, 2025:

• The BTK Killer’s Fatal Mistake: How a Floppy Disk Ended a 30-Year Manhunt: Forensic case file.

March 23, 2025:

• Meerut Murder Case: Forensic Insights into a Gruesome Betrayal: Forensic case file.

March 28, 2025:

• Frye Hearing Commences (Heuermann Case): A hearing is held in Rex Heuermann's case to determine the admissibility of the SNIPS (single nucleotide polymorphism) DNA technique used by investigators. Kelley Harris, a population geneticist, testifies for the prosecution, stating Astrea's IBDGem software is "elegant and powerful" and its likelihood ratios are widely accepted in science.

March 31, 2025:

• Jared Hatcliffe Publishes "The Gilgo Beach Murders – The Defense’s Attempt to Preclude DNA Evidence": This article details the circumstantial and DNA evidence against Rex Heuermann, the "SNIPS" DNA technology used, and the Frye hearing regarding its admissibility.

April 3, 2025:

• Ancient DNA: Unraveling the Mystery of Chinese Emperor Wu: Simply Forensic post.

April 6, 2025:

• The John Toms Case: How a Torn Newspaper Revolutionized Forensic Science in 1784: Forensic case file.

April 17, 2025:

• Richard Green Testifies at Frye Hearing: Richard Green, co-founder of Astrea Forensics, testifies that whole genome sequencing is prevalent in criminal cases and his lab's proprietary technology will soon be the primary method for generating forensic genetic data.

April 27, 2025:

• New Software Revolutionizes DNA Evidence Analysis in Forensic Labs: Simply Forensic post.

May 21, 2025:

• Tsar Nicholas II and the Romanov Family: A Landmark Case Study: Forensic case file.

June 5, 2025:

• Simply Forensic Publishes "Unlock the Secrets of Your DNA with mtDNA Analysis": This article highlights mtDNA analysis.

July 4, 2025:

• Simply Forensic Publishes "Discover Your Paternal Ancestry Through Y Chromosome DNA": This article discusses Y-chromosome DNA analysis.

July 18, 2025:

• Cassian Creed Publishes "GILGO: The Architect of Fear": This book, written in partnership with AI-AL (Forensic Analysis Engine), provides a true crime and forensic AI analysis of the Gilgo Beach murders.

• Dan Krane Testifies at Frye Hearing: Dan Krane, a defense witness, describes Astrea's analysis as a "paradigm shift" and "radically different" from established methods.

July 22, 2025:

• Judge Mazzei Announces DNA Admissibility Ruling Date: State Supreme Court Justice Timothy Mazzei announces he will issue a decision on the admissibility of nuclear DNA evidence in the Gilgo Beach case on September 3, 2025.

August 15, 2025:

• Deadline for Defense Briefs: Deadline for Heuermann's defense attorneys to file closing briefs on the DNA issue.

August 22, 2025:

• Deadline for Prosecution Briefs: Deadline for prosecutors to file their brief on the DNA issue.

September 3, 2025:

• Judge Mazzei's DNA Admissibility Ruling: Judge Mazzei is set to issue his decision on the admissibility of the nuclear DNA evidence. This decision will dictate whether the evidence is generally accepted in the relevant scientific community.

July 17, 2025 (Projected):

• Frye Hearing Date: A Reddit post indicates a Frye hearing for July 17, 2025, which may refer to a continuation or related hearing.

Cast of Characters

Victims & Their Families:

• Maureen Brainard-Barnes: (Disappeared July 9, 2007) One of the "Gilgo Four" and an early victim charged against Rex Heuermann. A mother from Norwich, Connecticut, who engaged in escort work. Familial DNA from Rex Heuermann's wife (Asa Ellerup) was found on a belt recovered from her body.

• Melissa Barthelemy: (Disappeared July 12, 2009) One of the "Gilgo Four" and an early victim charged against Rex Heuermann. A woman from the Bronx, known for her strong family bonds. The killer allegedly used her cell phone to make taunting calls to her family after her disappearance.

• Megan Waterman: (Disappeared June 6, 2010) One of the "Gilgo Four" and an early victim charged against Rex Heuermann. A mother from Scarborough, Maine, her life revolved around her daughter. A male hair found on the burlap wrapping her body was a DNA match to Rex Heuermann. Two female hairs on her body matched Rex Heuermann's wife or daughter.

• Amber Lynn Costello: (Disappeared September 2, 2010) One of the "Gilgo Four" and an early victim charged against Rex Heuermann. A sex worker living in West Babylon, New York, who had a system for client interactions. A female hair found near her head area matched Rex Heuermann's wife or daughter.

• Jessica Taylor: (Last seen 2003) One of the earliest victims linked to the Gilgo Beach murders, her mutilated remains were found in 2003 and 2011. A male hair from a surgical drape underneath her body parts was a 99.96% DNA match to Rex Heuermann. Her cousin, Jasmine Robinson, expressed gratitude for Rex Heuermann's arrest.

• Sandra Costilla: (Murdered November 1993) One of the earliest victims linked to Rex Heuermann. Hairs found on her body matched Rex Heuermann and a woman he had been living with at the time.

• Valerie Mack: (Disappeared 2000) Her mutilated body was discovered in 2000 and additional remains in 2011. Hairs recovered from her corpse matched Rex Heuermann's wife and daughter.

• Shannan Gilbert: (Disappeared May 2010) An escort whose disappearance prompted the initial search that led to the discovery of the Gilgo Four victims. Her remains were found a year later, but police ruled she was not a victim of the serial killer, a conclusion disputed by her family.

• Jasmine Robinson: Cousin of victim Jessica Taylor, who expressed gratitude for the arrest of Rex Heuermann.

• Allie Pertel: Sister of victim Megan Waterman, who described her sister as "vulnerable, naive, drug addict girl."

• Bonnie Sasse: Aunt of victim Amber Costello, who remembered her niece as "sweet, loving, giving" and expressed elation at the arrest.

• Mari Gilbert: Mother of Shannan Gilbert, highlighted for her relentless advocacy that kept the investigation alive.

Legal & Law Enforcement Figures:

• Rex Heuermann: (Born ~1964) A 61-year-old architect from Massapequa Park, New York, charged with the murders of seven women in the Gilgo Beach serial killings. Described as a "demon that walks among us" by Rodney Harrison. He lived a "double life," meticulous as an architect and as a predator, extensively researching the Gilgo Beach murders online.

• John Mallia: Suffolk County Police Officer who, along with his canine partner, inadvertently discovered the first body at Gilgo Beach while searching for Shannan Gilbert.

• James Burke: Former Chief of the Suffolk County Police Department (installed 2012), who allegedly obstructed the Gilgo Beach investigation by refusing FBI assistance due to his own criminal activities (including assaulting a suspect). He was later prosecuted by the FBI.

• Thomas Spota: Former Suffolk County District Attorney, who was under FBI investigation and eventually prosecuted, contributing to the dysfunction that stalled the Gilgo Beach investigation.

• Geraldine Hart: Former FBI agent and Suffolk County Police Commissioner (appointed 2018), who resurrected the Gilgo Beach investigation at the urging of victims' families.

• Rodney Harrison: Former Suffolk County Police Commissioner (succeeded Hart in 2022), who continued the work of resurrecting the Gilgo Beach investigation and described Rex Heuermann as a "demon that walks among us."

• Ray Tierney: Suffolk County District Attorney, leading the prosecution team against Rex Heuermann. He conceded the necessity of a Frye hearing for the novel SNP DNA evidence.

• Michael J. Brown: Defense attorney representing Rex Heuermann. He is challenging the admissibility of the SNP DNA evidence, arguing it does not meet the Frye standard.

• Timothy Mazzei: State Supreme Court Justice presiding over the Gilgo Beach serial killings case. He is overseeing the Frye hearing for the DNA evidence and will rule on its admissibility.

• Nicholas Santomartino: Assistant Suffolk County District Attorney, part of the prosecution team.

• Debra P. Klauber, Esq.: Medical Malpractice Attorney, co-presenter on "Expert Testimony-Daubert vs. Frye."

• Richard B. Schwamm, Esq.: Medical Malpractice Attorney, co-presenter on "Expert Testimony-Daubert vs. Frye."

Scientific & Legal Experts/Commentators:

• David Dalrymple: Convicted in Idaho in a 40-year-old cold case using the SNIPS DNA technique.

• Richard Green: Co-founder of Astrea Forensics (Santa Cruz, California). He testified at the Frye hearing that whole genome sequencing is prevalent and his lab's proprietary technology (IBDGem) will soon be primary for forensic genetic data.

• Kelley Harris: Population geneticist and associate professor of genome sciences at the University of Washington. Testified for the prosecution at the Frye hearing, describing Astrea's IBDGem software as "elegant and powerful" and its likelihood ratios as "widely accepted in science."

• Dan Krane: Professor of biological sciences at Wright State University in Ohio and president/CEO of Forensic Bioinformatic Services. Testified for the defense at the Frye hearing, calling Astrea's analysis a "paradigm shift" and "radically different" from established methods.

• Jared Hatcliffe: Author of the article "The Gilgo Beach Murders – The Defense’s Attempt to Preclude DNA Evidence," a legal commentator.

• Cassian Creed: Author of "GILGO: The Architect of Fear," who employs a proprietary Forensic Analysis Engine (AI-AL) to analyze the case.

• AI-AL (Forensic Analysis Engine): A proprietary AI tool used by Cassian Creed for forensic analysis, profiling, and simulating legal battles in the Gilgo Beach case.

• Jon Klein, Brian Cody, Isabella E: Commenters on Jared Hatcliffe's article, expressing positive feedback.

• Jason Alafgani: Author of "The Perfect Guide to Starting a True Crime Podcast in 2025."

• Simplyforensic: Online platform providing news and articles on forensic science, including the Gilgo Beach murders.

Other Individuals Mentioned:

• Asa Ellerup: Rex Heuermann's wife, whose DNA was found on Amber Costello, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Megan Waterman, and Valerie Mack.

• Victoria Heuermann: Rex Heuermann's daughter, whose DNA shared a mitochondrial DNA profile with Asa Ellerup and was found on Amber Costello, Megan Waterman, and Valerie Mack.

• Witness 3 (in Sandra Costilla case): A woman Rex Heuermann was living with at the time of Sandra Costilla's murder, whose DNA matched a hair found on Costilla. (Potentially Asa Ellerup, but listed as separate in the DNA chart).

• Dave Schaller: Amber Costello's roommate, a key eyewitness who described the suspect and his black Chevrolet Avalanche, and observed the "forgotten wallet" ruse.