‘How could that happen?’ Neighbors shocked as sources say investigators believe at least 1 Gilgo Beach murder happened at suspect’s home

Retired NYPD detective and professor for John Jay College of Criminal Justice Michael Alcazar says he is not surprised that one or more of the murders could have happened inside Rex Heuermann’s home.

News 12 Staff

Jul 21, 2023, 12:30 AM

Updated 501 days ago

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Neighbors of the accused Gilgo Beach serial killer were shocked to learn at least one murder could have taken place on their block.
Multiple sources told News 12 Thursday that investigators believe one or more of the Gilgo Beach murders took place at suspect Rex Heuermann’s Massapequa Park home.
“You wonder, how could that happen?” says Betty Vrana. “A lot of people are wondering, was his wife away a lot?”
Vrana says she walked by the house several times and that it seems like they are making a movie, but “it’s real.”
Heuermann lived with his wife and two adult children at a home on First Avenue.
Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney has said that Heuermann’s family was away at the time of the suspected murders.
Retired NYPD detective and professor for John Jay College of Criminal Justice Michael Alcazar says he is not surprised that one or more of the murders could have happened inside Heuermann’s home.
“It’s pretty common, a lot of people have killed their victims, they’ve killed them in their homes because their homes provide them with familiar, security, it’s their comfort zone.”
He says if a murder did take place at Heuermann’s home, it could make the case stronger.
Alcazar says there are many types of evidence that could lead police to a conclusion that a serial killer’s home is where the murders took place.
“It could be something he performed ritualistically like what he did with his victims, it could be trophies, it could be his tools, his arsenal of weapons, maybe he recorded it,” Alcazar says. He says if a murder did take place at Heuermann’s home, it could make the case stronger.
Alcazar says there are many types of evidence that could lead police to a conclusion that a serial killer’s home is where the murders took place.
“It could be something he performed ritualistically like what he did with his victims, it could be trophies, it could be his tools, his arsenal of weapons, maybe he recorded it,” Alcazar says.
Heuermann’s house is still blocked by a police presence so that items can be taken.
WATCH: DOCUMENTARY AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION - Gilgo Beach: Unsolved
The searches of the home have been going on daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. They are not expected to stop anytime soon.