Law enforcement intensifies Gilgo Beach murders investigation with K-9 search linked to 1993 murder case

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK: Law enforcement authorities have ramped up their efforts in the ongoing investigation into the Gilgo Beach murders, dispatching K-9 units to scour a particular area on Long Island linked to a murder case from 1993.

This meticulous search, spearheaded by multiple law enforcement agencies, is a pivotal development in the ongoing investigation into the infamous Gilgo Beach murders, as reported by News 12.

Sandra Costilla's murder and John Bittrolff's connection

The focal point of this recent search operation lies in North Sea, Long Island, where the body of Sandra Costilla was discovered in 1993.

Costilla's tragic murder has lingered in the minds of investigators for years, adding to the array of unanswered questions surrounding the Gilgo Beach murders.

One of the individuals previously examined in connection to the Gilgo Beach murders is convicted serial killer John Bittrolff.

Although Bittrolff lived near the search area, he has never been charged directly in connection with Costilla's murder. However, he is presently serving a 50-year sentence for the killings of two other women.

Multi-agency join forces in search operation

The Suffolk County District Attorney's office has remained tight-lipped about the specifics of the recent search efforts.

"The Suffolk County Police Department, the New York Police Department and the New York State Police are working with the District Attorney's Office on an ongoing investigation," the DA's statement stated.

This recent search operation follows a series of proactive measures undertaken by Suffolk County detectives, including the exploration of wooded areas in Manorville, New York, earlier in the week.

Local residents have witnessed the intense investigative efforts firsthand, with one resident, Mike, expressing, "I have five acres. I told the guys we know every god damn dirt trail from Manorville to Calverton and then some. There is one pond called Deep Pond that more than 70 feet deep of black water - I’d have divers in the lake I’d tell you that - that is what I would do."

Insights into Rex Heuermann's investigation 

Meanwhile, Rex Heuermann, a 60-year-old New York City architect and father of two, has emerged as a central figure in the Gilgo Beach murders investigation.

He stands accused of the murders of four female sex workers whose remains were discovered more than a decade ago along the remote stretch of Gilgo Beach.

Despite being arrested in July of last year, Heuermann asserts his innocence and awaits trial while in custody. The discovery of the women's remains, originally prompted by the search for Shannan Gilbert, has revealed a tangled network of relationships and suspicions.

The victims of the heinous crimes — Melissa Barthelemy, 24; Megan Waterman, 22; Amber Costello, 27; and Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25 — are all believed to be sex workers who disappeared between 2007 and 2010. 

July marked a pivotal moment in the case with Heuermann's arrest, triggered by DNA evidence linking him to three of the victims discovered alongside a discarded pizza.

The investigation gained momentum in January 2022 when former NYPD chief Rodney Harrison, who was then Suffolk County police commissioner, reopened the case and formed the Gilgo Beach Homicide Investigation Task Force. Heuermann's upcoming court proceedings are set for June 18th.