Family of Gilgo Beach victim hopes arrest of suspect is beginning of closure

The cousin of Jessica Taylor says the arrest of Rex Heuermann in three of the Gilgo murders gives her hope for long-awaited justice.

News 12 Staff

Jul 14, 2023, 9:15 PM

Updated 527 days ago

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The families of the Gilgo Beach victims have been waiting for answers and an arrest for over a decade. They finally are now a step closer to closure.
Police officers arrested Rex Heuermann in three of the murders Wednesday night in New York City. He has been charged with first- and second-degree murder in the deaths of three Gilgo victims: Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello.
Jessica Taylor, 20, was also among the Gilgo Beach bodies. Her torso was found in a wooded area in Manorville on July 26, 2003.
Additional remains of Taylor were discovered on March 29, 2011, along Ocean Parkway.
Her cousin, Jasmine Robinson, has spent two decades praying for an arrest in the case. She says the arrest of Heuermann gives her hope for long-awaited justice.
“I just want to say that I’m grateful for the hard work that’s been done,” Robinson says. “I’m grateful that today is happening.”
Robinson is now urging police to press on with the investigation of the Gilgo Beach murders and ultimately bring her cousin’s killer to justice.
WATCH: DOCUMENTARY AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION - Gilgo Beach: Unsolved
“I’m fighting for her because she can’t fight for herself,” Robinson says.
Robinson and her attorney, John Ray, say Friday’s arrest is just the beginning and gives them hope that there will be closure for all of the Gilgo victims and their families.