Connect with us

Northeast

Gilgo Beach suspect Rex Heuermann loses bid to toss DNA evidence at upcoming murder trial

Published

on

Gilgo Beach suspect Rex Heuermann loses bid to toss DNA evidence at upcoming murder trial

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann lost a long shot bid to have damning DNA evidence thrown out Wednesday, after a New York judge ruled that prosecutors can use the evidence against him at trial in a decision police expect to impact far more cases.

Heuermann’s shocking arrest came more than a decade after the death of his last known alleged victim. At the time, he was a New York City architect who commuted daily from his home in the suburban village of Massapequa Park. Prosecutors have alleged he tortured and killed his victims in the basement while his wife and children took vacations. 

The sides had been tangling over the evidence since March, when the judge held a Frye hearing to determine whether a new type of DNA testing should be admissible. Heuermann’s attorney, Michael Brown, questioned the validity of new testing on rootless hair samples, which he likened to “magic” and said had not been used in New York state before.

Prosecutors allege that the state-of-the-art technology linked hairs found on six of the seven murder victims to Heuermann. Brown said it’s “a little weird” that each of the bodies is linked to his client by just one hair apiece. The hairs themselves do not all belong to Heuermann. Some were linked to his wife and daughter, whom authorities do not believe were involved in the crimes but whose hairs were allegedly transferred to the victims by Heuermann.

Advertisement

KOHBERGER PROSECUTOR REVEALS CRUCIAL MOMENT: ‘EVERYTHING HINGED ON THAT ARGUMENT’

Alleged serial killer Rex A. Heuermann is escorted into Judge Tim Mazzei’s courtroom at Suffolk County Court in Riverhead for a Frye hearing in Riverhead, N.Y.  July 17, 2025. (James Carbone/Pool/Getty Images)

Judge Timothy Mazzei ruled that the new testing is accepted by the scientific community and therefore valid as evidence.

“This case was very aggressively and effectively litigated by both sides,” Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney told reporters after the hearing. “I think that the reason why we were able to prevail was one simple reason: The science was on our side.”

Tierney called it a “significant step” in forensic DNA analysis and said it looks at hundreds of thousands more points of data than traditional DNA testing, and he said the new method is already being rolled out to county cold case detectives, like any other new law enforcement technology.

Advertisement

FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X

“When you look at old cases that happened that have remained unsolved for whatever reason, one of the first things you do, whether it’s phone evidence, whether it’s DNA evidence, whether it’s anything else, you know, new technology [can] help us to gather more information,” he said.

John Ramsey, the father of 1996 cold case murder victim JonBenet Ramsey, weighed in on the Gilgo case and the new DNA method in Denver at CrimeCon’s 2025 conference Saturday. He said he had already asked police handling his daughter’s case to try the new method.

“This is 21st century technology that should be used, and I expressed that strongly,” he said.

Joseph Giacalone, a retired NYPD cold case investigator and a professor of criminal justice at Penn State Lehigh Valley, called the judge’s decision in the Gilgo case “awesome news.”

Advertisement

“This DNA is leading the way to closing more cases,” he told Fox News Digital. Although he expects an appeal if Heuermann is convicted.

REX HEUERMANN’S FAMILY KEPT GRUESOME PIECE OF EVIDENCE, SOURCE SAYS

Crime scene investigators use metal detectors to search a marsh for the remains of Shannan Gilbert, Dec. 12, 2011 in Oak Beach, N.Y. Her disappearance led to the discovery of 11 bodies and kicked off the investigation into the so-called Gilgo Beach serial killings. (James Carbone/Newsday via AP, Pool, File)

The hearing

Heuermann entered the courtroom at 9:54 a.m. wearing a black suit, blue shirt and a green tie, looming over his attorney as the judge rendered his decision.

His ex-wife, Asa Ellerup, who divorced him after the charges but has publicly maintained she doesn’t believe he could’ve committed the crimes, sat quietly in the gallery. Their daughter, Victoria Heuermann, did not attend Wednesday’s hearing.

Advertisement

Prosecutors said Heuermann killed seven women over a period of at least two decades, dumping most of their remains on a remote parkway near Long Island’s Gilgo Beach. Some victims were dismembered, with parts of their bodies recovered from wooded areas about 50 miles to the east.

EX-WIFE OF ALLEGED GILGO BEACH KILLER STILL DEFENDS HIM, BUT DAUGHTER SAYS HE ‘MOST LIKELY’ DID IT

Rex A. Heuermann appears in Judge Tim Mazzei’s courtroom with his lawyer Michael Brown for a conference in Riverhead, N.Y., Oct. 16, 2024. (Newsday/James Carbone)

The oldest case in which he’s been charged was a cold case murder stretching back to 1993. The alleged crimes include torture and mutilation, and Heuermann allegedly took notes on the crimes, the targets and measures to avoid detection.

The victims were all described as “petite” women, most of them around 5 feet tall and barely over 100 pounds. An eyewitness in the case, who was the last to see one of them alive, described Heuermann, whose identity was unknown at the time, as an “ogre” driving a Chevrolet Avalanche.

Advertisement

SIGN UP TO GET THE TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER

The Gilgo Four, clockwise from top left: Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello. The background shows a wooden cross in the marsh next to Gilgo Beach, N.Y., where their remains were found in the brush just yards from Ocean Parkway. (Suffolk County Police Department/Mega for Fox News Digital)

On July 13, 2023, Suffolk County police arrested Heuermann, who is 61, outside his Manhattan office in three cold case murders — the deaths of Melissa Barthelemy, 24, Megan Waterman, 22, and Amber Costello, 27, in 2010.

SUSPECTED SERIAL KILLER REX HEUERMANN CHARGED WITH SEVENTH SLAYING

Jessica Taylor, left, and Valerie Mack, right, were both murdered and dismembered. Suffolk County police discovered partial remains of each victim in both Manorville, N.Y., and along a stretch of Ocean Parkway near Gilgo Beach. (Suffolk County Police Department/Handout)

Advertisement

Over the next 12 months, they tacked on charges in four additional slayings. First, they charged him with killing Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25, whose remains were near the other three. They filed charges for the alleged murders of Jessica Taylor in 2003 and Sandra Costilla in 1993. Then they added charges in the 2000 murder of Valerie Mack, a 24-year-old from Philadelphia.

Heuermann pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

But Tierney said his office has a lot of evidence prosecutors are ready to introduce at trial.

GET REAL-TIME UPDATES DIRECTLY ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB

“So, we now have nuclear DNA. We have mitochondrial DNA. We have phone records. We have witness statements. We have financial records. We have internet searches. We have phone activity. And we have other [evidence],” he told reporters. “When you look at the interaction of all of that evidence, it’s, we would submit, compelling.” 

Advertisement

Next up for Heuermann is a hearing on whether he should be tried on all the cases together. His lawyer wants them split up, but Tierney said he believes they are all “intertwined” and should be tried at the same time.

It was the disappearance of another woman that set off the whole case and surprised the residents of Long Island, which includes the two easternmost boroughs of New York City and a pair of suburban counties.

In 2010, Shannan Gilbert placed a frantic and incoherent 911 call, begging for help and claiming someone was after her. The search for her went on for months. And before police found her remains, they found 10 other bodies along Ocean Parkway. Her death is the only one that police have said they believe was accidental.



Read the full article from Here

Advertisement

Vermont

Vermont high school playoff scores, results, stats for Thursday, March 5

Published

on

Vermont high school playoff scores, results, stats for Thursday, March 5


The 2025-2026 Vermont high school winter season has begun. See below for scores, schedules and game details (statistical leaders, game notes) from basketball, hockey, gymnastics, wrestling, Nordic/Alpine skiing and other winter sports.

TO REPORT SCORES

Coaches or team representatives are asked to report results ASAP after games by emailing sports@burlingtonfreepress.com. Please submit with a name/contact number.

Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.

Advertisement

Contact Judith Altneu at JAltneu@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter: @Judith_Altneu.

THURSDAY’S H.S. PLAYOFF GAMES

D-III GIRLS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS

At Barre Auditorium

No. 5 Vergennes (17-4) vs. No. 1 Hazen (18-2), 5:30 p.m.

No. 3 Oxbow (16-6) vs. No. 2 Windsor (16-6), 7:30 p.m.

Watch Vermont high school sports on NFHS Network

Advertisement

D-I BOYS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS

Games at 7 p.m. unless noted

No. 8 Mount Mansfield (10-11) at No. 1 Rice Memorial (17-3)

No. 12 Essex (5-16) at No. 4 Rutland (15-6)

No. 7 Burr and Burton (13-8) at No. 2 South Burlington (15-5), 6 p.m.

No. 6 BFA-St. Albans (13-8) vs. No. 3 Burlington (15-5) at Colchester, 7:30 p.m.

Advertisement

D-II GIRLS HOCKEY QUARTERFINALS

No. 8 Stowe (5-16) vs. No. 1 U-32 (13-6-1) at Kreitzberg Arena, 5 p.m.

(Subject to change)





Source link

Continue Reading

Northeast

Rhode Island teacher accused of sexting, kissing high school boy

Published

on

Rhode Island teacher accused of sexting, kissing high school boy

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

A married high school physical education teacher has been indicted on two counts of third-degree sexual assault after being accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a male student. 

Alisha Crins is accused of exchanging sexually suggestive messages and engaging in sexual contact with the student while he was enrolled at Ponaganset High School in Rhode Island as a 17-year-old, according to an affidavit cited by WPRI.

The investigation began after the former student filed a formal complaint with Rhode Island State Police in October, the documents obtained by WPRI show.

According to the affidavit, the student told investigators Crins began texting him while he was a sophomore after allegedly finding his cellphone number online.

Advertisement

A sign marks the main entrance to Ponaganset High School in Rhode Island. (Google Maps)

He said she initially asked him to do work for her while she was on vacation, but the two continued communicating through text messages and social media after that plan fell through.

The student alleged the relationship escalated during his junior year. He told investigators Crins frequently complimented his appearance and once asked to wear his jersey during a school pep rally.

He further alleged Crins invited him to meet near her Cranston home, where they kissed inside his vehicle. During a later encounter, she allegedly climbed into the back seat and engaged in sexual contact, according to the affidavit. The student denied having sexual intercourse with her.

The alleged assaults took place between April 1, 2024, and June 30, 2024, according to WJAR.

Advertisement

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL COACH CHARGED WITH RAPING FOSTER DAUGHTER, SERVING VICTIM TEQUILA SHOTS: REPORT

A Rhode Island State Police cruiser parked near a waterfront with boats visible in the background. (Rhode Island State Police Facebook)

When questioned by investigators, Crins denied “getting physical” beyond a single kiss but admitted to flirting and exchanging text messages that contained “sexual innuendos,” the affidavit states.

She also acknowledged sending photos and videos and told investigators the two discussed plans to have sex once he turned 18, though she said they never acted on those plans.

The Foster-Glocester Regional School District said Crins resigned from her role at the school Oct. 1, 2025, according to WJAR.

Advertisement

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

File image of a woman texting. According to an affidavit, the student told investigators Crins began texting him while he was a sophomore after allegedly finding his cellphone number online. (iStock)

In a statement obtained by the outlet, the district said it is cooperating with authorities and referred further inquiries to state police.

Fox News Digital has reached out to state police for comment.

Advertisement

Related Article

Teacher pleads guilty to sexually abusing 15-year-old student weeks after giving birth: report

Read the full article from Here

Continue Reading

Boston, MA

When did Southie get richy-rich? – The Boston Globe

Published

on

When did Southie get richy-rich? – The Boston Globe


Write to us at startingpoint@globe.com. To subscribe, sign up here.


Born and raised in Southie, Heather Foley has seen her neighborhood morph over the past three decades of scrubbing, renovation, and new construction for higher-income new arrivals.

But even Foley was surprised to discover that her South Boston, where kids once went to the corner to buy milk and cigarettes for parents, has emerged with the city’s second-highest average income, even ahead of Charlestown and Beacon Hill.

Her first thought?: “I gotta start being nicer to my neighbors if that’s the kind of money they’re making.”

Advertisement

What’s a household?

Decades ago, when “Good Will Hunting” was filmed in the neighborhood and Southie was known as a working-class area, there were more kids around and maybe just a single breadwinner in some homes.

Since then, Southie saw more two-earner households, fewer kids, and spiffier rental units where three or four roommates could contribute to a “household.” The changes, along with spillover from the adjacent, pricier Seaport, or South Boston waterfront, are factors in Census data showing more than 40 percent of Southie households earn more than $200,000 a year.

Staying put

Foley, 46, a photo shoot producer, considers herself lucky. She didn’t move out to the South Shore like many neighborhood longtimers. She’s living in a family home on a block with residents — oldtimers and newer arrivals — who aren’t flipping properties for big bucks.

Advertisement

Another blessing, particularly valuable this winter? She has a driveway.

As a kid, she went to church and school at Gate of Heaven, St. Brigid, and St. Peter, and jokes that she’s “so sad I didn’t buy a three-decker with my First Communion money, because I probably could have.”

Waves of gentrification

She remembers the earlier waves of newcomers, when glassy sports bars like Stats Bar & Grille muscled in among longtime restaurants like Amrheins.

But now, even the popular Stats is moving out at the end of the month. The property owner is developing a five-story, mixed-use residential building at the site.

Advertisement

A small silver lining

Foley notes that some of the onetime “newcomers” have been here for three decades — and in some ways, have stabilized the place. Many have raised kids, who, like her son, may return to the neighborhood as young adults (albeit splitting a rented apartment with friends). Stats, the sports bar, says it will also return to the neighborhood’s thriving food scene.

“We have a lot of great restaurants now,” Foley says, “and everyone cleans up after their dog.”

Read: These maps show Boston’s wealthiest and most populous neighborhoods — plus other key trends.


🧩 6 Across: More scarce | 🌧️ 42° Another storm

Advertisement

Grand New Party: How do you build a statewide slate of Republicans in a Democratic state? Nearly half of the Mass. GOP candidates didn’t use to be Republicans.

Farewell advice: After nearly 15 years of health system leadership, the departing CEO of Beth Israel Lahey Health offers this advice to others.

Hitting the brakes? After an ambitious state law, Lexington welcomed a wave of new housing. Now, people there are having second thoughts.

Hyde Park fatal bus crash: The driver has been indicted.

Patriots, strippers, and hookahs: A downtown restaurant’s liquor license is in jeopardy after it allegedly hosted Patriots players and guests after their AFC Championship in January. A decision is expected today.

Advertisement

‘Culture of secrecy’: In a scathing report, R.I. authorities accused the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence of decades of “inaction, concealment, and revictimization” in complaints of clergy sexual abuse of hundreds of children.

Centers of suffering, campaigning: Federal immigration facilities have become backdrops for Democratic politicians seeking to fight President Trump’s immigration policies.

‘The best time to remember God’: Amid crackdowns, the Somali community leans into faith during Ramadan.

When is a reno worth it? Here’s how to judge the return on a home investment.


TED — TV fun in the 1990s, Framingham. Pictured, from left: Max Burkholder as John, Seth MacFarlane as the voice of Ted, Scott Grimes as Matty.Peacock

🧸 ‘Ted’ talk: Seth MacFarlane and the “Ted” cast talk Massholes, potty-mouthed teddy bears, and why Boston may have “the worst accent”

Advertisement

🩰 A ‘Black Swan’ premiere: That’s among 30 sparkling arts events happening this spring around New England. Plus, why are more artists being banned from America?

🎥 Quiz: Test yourself with the Globe’s Academy Awards quiz.

⚽ Will $7.8 million stop the World Cup from coming here? Can Foxborough’s insistence on up-front security payments force the world’s soccer governing body to send matches somewhere else this summer?

♯ Teenage dreams: The future rock stars were teenagers when they wrote songs, influenced by David Bowie and Stevie Wonder, about a fictional nightclub. A half-century later, Squeeze has reworked and is releasing those songs.

💻 Death by chatbot? A new lawsuit alleges Google’s chatbot sent a man on missions to find an android body it could inhabit. When that failed, it set a suicide countdown clock for him. (WSJ)

Advertisement

🍕 And a red cup, please: Fans are tracking down the few Pizza Hut Classic red-roofed restaurants that remain in the 6,200-store chain. (NYT)


Thanks for reading Starting Point.

This newsletter was edited by Heather Ciras and produced by Ryan Orlecki.

❓ Have a question for the team? Email us at startingpoint@globe.com.

✍🏼 If someone sent you this newsletter, you can sign up for your own copy.

Advertisement

📬 Delivered Monday through Friday.


Dave Beard can be reached at dave.beard@gmail.com. Follow him on X @dabeard.





Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending