Authorities made a chilling discovery on Saturday as they searched the childhood residence of Rex Heuermann, the alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer. Among the items removed from the dilapidated house was a child-sized doll, carefully encased in a large wooden and glass display.
Photos from the scene depict two investigators wearing gloves, gingerly handling the doll inside its ornate case. The doll's fair hair, arranged in multiple braids, gave it a distinctive appearance. A red bow adorned its head, complementing the doll's red outfit. The case itself featured intricate floral carvings.
"We are thoroughly examining his residence for any potential evidence, including trophies," revealed a police source involved in the search of the accused killer's home.
The doll was just one of the many items packed into boxes and removed by law enforcement during the operation. Among the retrieved belongings were cat food and a cat scratch pole, a framed picture, and an empty bookcase. Investigators donned hazmat suits, gloves, and head coverings, systematically filling blue bins with the household items before transferring them to a waiting truck.
Rex Heuermann's arrest is linked to the infamous "Gilgo Four" case, involving the murders of four women—Melissa Barthelemy, 24; Megan Waterman, 22; Amber Lynn Costello, 27; and Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25—who were discovered wrapped in burlap within a short period in 2010. The first victim, Barthelemy, was found along Ocean Parkway on December 11, 2010, sparking widespread concerns about a potential serial killer operating in the area.
Although it remains unclear whether the doll has any connection to the ongoing investigation at Heuermann's Massapequa Park residence, the discovery raises unsettling questions. Heuermann, a 59-year-old married father of two, employed as an architect in Manhattan, was apprehended earlier this week. He now faces charges of first- and second-degree murder in relation to three victims whose bodies were found wrapped in burlap along Ocean Parkway.
While Heuermann is considered a primary suspect in the fourth victim's killing, he has not yet been charged in connection with that particular crime. During a court appearance on Friday, the accused, who pleaded not guilty, insisted to his lawyer, "I did not do this."