Family members deliver emotional victim impact statements during Rex Heuermann's sentencing
"What you have done to our family is beyond what words can express. Even though justice is done, it cannot be replaced with what you have taken from us," said Valerie Mack's adoptive mother, JoAnn Mack.
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The families of Rex Heuermann’s victims were emotional in court on Wednesday as many of them explained what each of these women meant to them.
"What you have done to our family is beyond what words can express. Even though justice is done, it cannot be replaced with what you have taken from us," said Valerie Mack's adoptive mother, JoAnn Mack.
"She was a warm, bubbly, funny, intelligent and artistic person. Most of all, she had the biggest heart of anyone I'd ever known," said Nicolette Brainard-Barnes, daughter of Maureen Brainard-Barnes.
"Her loss has caused unmeasurable hardship for our family...Megan was a mother, daughter, niece, sister and vibrant young woman," said Elizabeth Meserve, Megan Waterman's aunt.
During each of their testimonies, Heuermann was seated just feet away from them. He never looked at them, even when several family members demanded his attention.
"You can look at me while I'm talking. It's been about 17 years since we spoke," says Amanda Funderburg, sister of Melissa Barthelemy. "Don't even bother saying you're sorry because no one believes it."
"Seeing your last court appearance and the way you smirked as you finally confessed to what you did to my mother proves you need to be locked away for the safety of the community," says Brainard-Barnes.
Prosecutors spoke on behalf of two families.
"It was always my hope that the person responsible for destroying my family and others would be held accountable," prosecutors said on behalf of Sandra Costilla's family.
"Amber's quick thinking lit the match and ignited fits of rage in the egotistical, evil, narcissist Rex Heuermann," prosecutors said on behalf of Amber Costello's family.
"That weekend, she was supposed to come home that weekend. Family and friends were looking for her. Loved ones were calling her. She wasn't going to miss that weekend. She never picked up the phone," said Jessica Taylor's cousin in the courtroom.
