Gilgo Beach serial killings suspect expected to plead guilty in death of eighth victim

The US architect charged with seven murders in Gilgo Beach on Long Island is expected to plead guilty on Wednesday over the death of an eighth victim, the BBC has learned. The case relates to the death of Karen Vergata. Her partial remains were found on a New York beach after she vanished in 1996, and were identified years later in 2023. Rex Heuermann, who was arrested in 2023, has previously pleaded not guilty in seven other killings that took place between 1993 and 2011. Lawyer John Ray, who represents some of the victims' families, has told the BBC that Heuermann is expected on Wednesday to change his plea to guilty in those cases, as well as admitting guilt over Vergata's death. Investigations of the string of serial killings began in 2010 when police discovered the remains of up to 18 people on Long Island's Gilgo Beach. Officials believe that the killings stretch back to 1993, after remains discovered on Gilgo Beach matched partial remains discovered on Fire Island in that year. Most of the victims' remains were found not far from Heuermann's Long Island home, authorities said. The women were believed to have been sex workers at the time of their deaths. Heuermann was arreste