A stretch of sand, a whisper of waves, and a trail of horror buried just beneath the dunes.
For years, the beaches of Gilgo and Oak in Long Island held a dark secret—hidden in plain sight. What began as a missing persons case unraveled into one of the most chilling unsolved serial murder investigations in American history. The victims, mostly young women working as escorts, vanished without a trace—until their remains surfaced along a lonely barrier highway, discarded like ghosts the world forgot.
This is the story of the Long Island Serial Killer—known to some as LISK, to others as a faceless monster who thrived in silence. A case marked by police missteps, shifting theories, and a growing list of questions that refused to stay buried.
13 Chilling Facts
1. Remains were found along Gilgo Beach.
In December 2010, police searching for a missing woman discovered four sets of remains wrapped in burlap near Gilgo Beach, Long Island. This would become the starting point of the investigation into a possible serial killer.
2. The victims were mostly sex workers.
The majority of the known victims were women who had advertised escort services online and were later reported missing by family or friends.
3. More remains were discovered in 2011.
As police expanded their search, they found six more sets of remains in the spring of 2011—bringing the total to ten victims linked to the same area.
4. Cell phone data played a crucial role.
Investigators traced burner phones and victim contact data, which helped them narrow in on a suspect years later—data that was preserved long after the initial crimes.
5. A suspect wasn’t named until 2023.
In July 2023, Rex Heuermann, a Manhattan architect living in Massapequa Park, was arrested and charged in connection with the deaths of three women.
6. Heuermann had a family and no criminal record.
The suspect lived with his wife and children in a quiet suburban neighborhood, hiding in plain sight for years. He had no prior record.
7. DNA from pizza crust helped crack the case.
Investigators collected a discarded pizza crust from Heuermann and matched the DNA to hair found on one of the victims, sealing a major forensic link.
8. The case remained cold for over a decade.
Despite media attention and police efforts, the case stalled for years, until a special task force was formed in 2022 that rapidly accelerated progress.
9. The media dubbed him the “Gilgo Beach Killer.”
Due to the location where the bodies were discovered, the unknown murderer became known in headlines as the “Gilgo Beach Killer” or “Long Island Serial Killer.”
10. Some victims remain unidentified.
While some of the ten victims have been identified, others—like “Peaches” and “Baby Doe”—remain nameless, with their origins still a mystery.
11. Heuermann is currently in custody.
As of 2025, Rex Heuermann remains in custody and has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Prosecutors continue building their case while investigating other potential connections.
12. The killer used burner phones and fake emails.
To contact victims and evade police, the killer reportedly used disposable phones and anonymous email addresses—a calculated, tech-savvy approach.
13. The case reignited national interest in cold cases.
The breakthrough in the Gilgo Beach murders inspired renewed focus on long-unsolved crimes, showcasing the power of digital forensics and cold case task forces.
Long Island’s sand still shifts with the wind, but the shadows remain.
For over a decade, the Long Island Serial Killer haunted the margins—where technology, corruption, and human lives intersected in chilling silence. Even as recent developments have brought suspects to light, many families still wait. For justice. For answers. For the day the full truth finally emerges from the marsh.
Because monsters don’t always live in darkness. Sometimes, they walk the shorelines—unnoticed—while the world looks the other way.
