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Investigators are focused on a “large, wooded area” in Manorville, near Wading River Road north of the Long Island Expressway, a New York State Police official told the outlet. At least one K9 unit was on scene.
A spokesperson for the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office would not confirm that the search is specifically related to the Gilgo Beach killings, but told Daily Voice that Suffolk County Police, NYPD, and New York State Police are all involved.
“We will make further statements when appropriate,” they said.
Wednesday’s search unfolded not far from where the partial remains of two young murder victims, Valerie Mack and Jessica Taylor, were found in November 2000 and July 2003, respectively.
Both women’s severed skulls and partial limbs were discovered in 2014 nearly 50 miles away, off Ocean Parkway near Gilgo Beach. Their killings remain unsolved.
In July 2023, police arrested 60-year-old Rex Heuermann, an architect living in Massapequa, on murder charges in the deaths of three Gilgo Beach victims: Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Lynn Costello.
In January 2024, Suffolk County prosecutors formally charged him with murdering a fourth victim, 25-year-old Maureen Brainard-Barnes.
She disappeared in July 2007 while working as a sex worker and her remains were discovered along a grassy area of the South Shore in 2010 near those of Barthelemy, Waterman, and Costello.
Investigators said all four were killed between July 2007 and September 2010 in what became known as the Gilgo Beach murders.
Heuermann has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
This continues to be a developing story. Check back to Daily Voice for updates.
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