A new TMZ Documentary airing on streaming service Hulu alleges that the investigation into the infamous Gilgo Beach murders was "mishandled" for the 12 years leading up to the arrest of the suspect, Massapequa Park resident Rex Heuermann, who may have killed "many more" victims than the three he is currently charged with.
"TMZ Investigates: Gilgo Beach Serial Murders: Missed Warning Signs" looks into allegations that the former chief of the Suffolk County Police Department, James Burke, had intentionally blocked the investigation into the Gilgo Beach killings, due in-part to the fact that the disgraced former member of law enforcement had been consorting with prostitutes - which made up the majority of the 11 overall victims in the Gilgo Beach case - and wanted to keep a low profile.
According to the TMZ documentary, many of those interviewed - including members of police, as well as criminologists and psychologists - claimed that the numerous roadblocks put in the way of the investigation that caused it to lay dormant for so many years most likely resulted in the needless deaths of more innocent victims.
This, the documentary claims, despite existing evidence that could have uncovered Rex Heuermann's purported involvement in the murders far sooner.
In addition to the Gilgo Beach homicides - of which Heuermann is charged with three and is the prime suspect in a fourth - officials also note that he has owned properties in Las Vegas and South Carolina, and authorities in those regions are currently searching to see if he is connected with any murders there as well.
All in all, officials suspect that Heuermann may be responsible for "many more" killings, TMZ says.
"TMZ Investigates: Gilgo Beach Serial Murders: Missed Warning Signs" is currently available to watch on Hulu.