Investigators Dig Deeper into Long Island Suspect Rex Heuermann's Past with New Home Search

Nearly a year after his arrest in the Gilgo Beach murder case, Rex Heuermann's home has once again become the focus of investigators as they search for potential evidence in other cold cases linked to the suspected serial killer.

MASSAPEQUA PARK, N.Y. – Rex Heuermann, the suspected serial killer implicated in the Gilgo Beach murders, has come under renewed scrutiny as investigators revisit his home nearly a year after his initial arrest. The search, conducted by investigators from New York State and Suffolk County, is believed to be related to additional cold cases where Heuermann may be connected.

Former NYPD cold case investigator Joseph Giacalone believes that if Heuermann is linked to any of these other unsolved cases, it could elevate the investigation to the federal level, potentially leading to the possibility of capital punishment. "If the feds can attach one of those cases to him, this whole thing goes belly up," Giacalone said. "We know the FBI is involved, and the FBI plays the long game – and they're always working."

The federal government rarely seeks the death penalty, but it has been known to do so in cases involving extreme violence. In this case, the FBI could use the threat of capital punishment to potentially pressure Heuermann into confessing.

Giacalone points to the possibility that Heuermann may have contaminated another crime scene with pet hair, as images from the home search show police removing a dog bed. "Why else take the dog bed unless you have a dog hair or an animal hair to match it up to?" he asked.

Heuermann has been charged with the murders of four women – Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, Amber Costello, and Maureen Brainard-Barnes – whose remains were found near Gilgo Beach along Ocean Parkway. Investigators believe DNA from Heuermann's wife, Asa Ellerup, was transferred to the crime scene, although she is not accused of involvement in the slayings.

However, the Gilgo Beach murders are not the only unsolved cases linked to Heuermann. Police identified 11 bodies total along a span of several miles along the highway, including the initial discovery of Shannan Gilbert in 2010. While Gilbert's death was initially ruled an accident, her family's attorney suspects foul play.

Two other victims, Jessica Taylor and Valerie Mack, were dismembered and found in separate locations. Their partial remains were discovered in Manorville in 2000 and 2003, with additional remains uncovered during the search for Gilbert in 2011.

In April, police from multiple agencies returned to a stretch of woods in Manorville with K-9 units, indicating that the search for evidence in the case continues. It remains unclear what they found, as officials have declined to comment on the ongoing investigation.

David Gelman, a New Jersey defense attorney and former prosecutor, believes that the offer of a waiver of the death penalty could persuade Heuermann to cooperate with the federal government. However, he also notes that the death penalty is rarely imposed, making it an unlikely outcome.

Heuermann has maintained his innocence since his arrest, and his attorneys are aware of the seriousness of the charges against him. They will undoubtedly be exploring all options to defend their client, including challenging the admissibility of evidence and seeking to avoid the possibility of capital punishment.

As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen whether the new search of Heuermann's home and the exploration of other cold cases will provide the necessary evidence to strengthen the prosecution's case and ultimately bring him to justice for all of the crimes he is alleged to have committed.