Rex Heuermann admitted to killing multiple women over decades, including several of the victims long associated with the Gilgo Beach case.

Hi, I’m Crystal, a Senior Editor based in Los Angeles and creator of BuzzFeed’s “That Got Dark” newsletter.

Warning: Graphic content ahead, including stories of sexual assault and murder.

Trigger for Reopening: Task force reboot (2022)Outcome / Current Status: Rex Heuermann arrested and charged in 2023, pled guilty on April 8, 2026.

Trigger for Reopening: New DNA review (2020s)Outcome / Current Status: Suspect indicted in 2025

Trigger for Reopening: DNA genealogy (2022)Outcome / Current Status: Suspect pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 22 years (2025)

Trigger for Reopening: Forensic genealogyOutcome / Current Status: Identified two deceased suspects (2023–2024)

Trigger for Reopening: Renewed media attention and podcastOutcome / Current Status: Paul Flores convicted and sentenced (2023)

Trigger for Reopening: Genetic genealogy (2018)Outcome / Current Status: Jerry Burns convicted (2020)

Trigger for Reopening: Genealogy and DNA phenotypingOutcome / Current Status: John Miller confessed (2018)

Trigger for Reopening: DNA genealogyOutcome / Current Status: Gary Hartman convicted (2024)

Trigger for Reopening: DNA match from genealogyOutcome / Current Status: Robert Washburn pled guilty (2019)

Trigger for Reopening: Cold-case DNA reviewOutcome / Current Status: Stephanie Lazarus convicted (2012)

Trigger for Reopening: Forensic genealogyOutcome / Current Status: David Sinopoli pleaded guilty (2023)

Trigger for Reopening: Advanced DNA testingOutcome / Current Status: Glen McCurley pled guilty and was sentenced (2021)

Trigger for Reopening: Familial DNA testOutcome / Current Status: Timothy Bass convicted and sentenced (2019)

Trigger for Reopening: Forensic genealogy (2022)Outcome / Current Status: Victim identified as Joseph Zarelli (2022)

Trigger for Reopening: Legal reform and cold-case reviewOutcome / Current Status: Two men convicted and sentenced (2012)

Trigger for Reopening: Renewed DA investigationOutcome / Current Status: Pedro Hernandez’s 2017 conviction overturned; new trial ordered (2025)

Trigger for Reopening: Reopened police inquiryOutcome / Current Status: Charges dropped (2019); case remains unsolved