DNA Evidence Allowed in Gilgo Beach Serial Killer Trial | Crime Alert 8AM 09.04.25

A significant ruling was made by a judge in Suffolk County regarding the case of Rex Heuermann, who is charged with the Gilgo Beach serial murders.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Crime Alart hourly update Breaking Crime Needs Now. I'm Nicole Parton.
A significant ruling has been made by a judge in
Sulfolk County regarding the case of Rex Huermann, who is
charged with the Gilgo Beach serial murders. The court has
permitted the use of DNA evidence obtained from multiple victims
to be presented during the trial, representing a crucial progression

(00:24):
in this widely publicized legal matter. Judge Timothy Maziah delivered
a ruling following a fry hearing determining that nuclear DNA
findings and associated expert testimony are admissible. This evidence includes
rootless hairs discovered own or near six people believed to

(00:44):
be Huerman's victims, Maureene Brainerd Barnes, Megan Waterman, Amber Costello,
Sandra Costilla, Jessica Taylor, and Valerie Mack. Prosecutors assert that
a total of nine hares have been collected, which they
claim can Cureman, a resident of Massapequa Park, to the murders.

(01:04):
He is also implicated in the death of Melissa Barthelemy.
This is a win for us, declared Suffolk County District
Attorney Ray Tierney, viewing the ruling as a triumph for
the prosecution. The science supports our case, he said. On
the other side, the defense expressed dissatisfaction with the decision.
Michael Brown, Huerman's lawyer, had sought to exclude the DNA

(01:27):
evidence from the trial. We aimed to prevent that evidence
from being introduced, Brown said, but now that it will
be allowed, we will challenge it throughout the trial. Heuerman
reportedly did not display any visible reactions in court. His
attorney later mentioned that despite his calm demeanor in public,
Huerman felt dishearted by the ruling. He was disappointed. He

(01:50):
attended the hearing just like all of you, Brown remarked.
The fry hearing, which commenced in March, saw notable attendees,
including Cureman's ex wife. It has been reported that heres
belonging to her and her daughters were found among the evidence.
While his ex wife was present at the hearing on Wednesday,
she chose not to comment when approached by the media.

(02:11):
Family members of several victims were also present in the
courtroom and stood in solidarity with the prosecutor. Following the verdict,
the defense attorney noted that no plea negotiations are currently
under way. Humereman maintains his innocence and has entered a
plea of not guilty or crime and justice. News after
this tragedy struck a small community in southeastern North Carolina

(02:41):
when a house fire claimed the lives of four young children.
The Columbus County Fire Marshall reported that six children between
the ages of two and twelve were home alone when
the blaze broke out around two thirty am. Fortunately, two
twelve year olds managed to escape without him injuries, but
the victims are listed as a two year old, a

(03:03):
four year old, a six year old, and a seven
year old. They all lost their lives in the flames.
Neighbor Melissa Long, who has lived in the area for
nearly twenty years, fondly remembered the laughter and joy of
her neighbors. I could always hear them out playing having
a great time. That's how I'll remember them, she said,
Expressing disbelief over the tragedy. As the mother herself, Long

(03:27):
reflected on just how fragile life is, saying it really
makes you realize how quickly everything can change. When the
first deputy arrived on the scene nine minutes after the
emergency call was placed, the house was already fully engulfed
in flames. Authorities indicated that the fire's intensity made it
impossible for them to enter the building. The cause of

(03:48):
the fire remains unknown, with investigations being conducted by the
State Bureau of Investigations and Fires officials. Also, police are
investigating why those children were alone during those overnight hours.
The bodies of the children have been sent to the
Medical Examiner's office for an autopsy, and the NCSBI has

(04:09):
indicated that further information may be disclosed in the future.
Police in Tulsa, Oklahoma, are asking for the public's help
in locating a missing woman. Her truck was found abandoned
on Wednesday afternoon. Around noon on Wednesday, officers were called
to an area near two hundred West seventy first Street
after receiving reports of an abandoned truck left near the

(04:32):
railroad tracks. Police say when they arrived, they found a
green truck blocking the roadway, parked east of the tracks,
located near the Arkansas River. The truck's windows were down,
its keys were in the driver's seat, and a cell
phone was sitting in the passenger seat. Authorities were able
to determine the green truck belonged to a woman named
Amanda Freeburg. They were able to locate her husband via

(04:55):
the cell phone. Officers said Freeburg's husband told them she
had taken him to work around five point thirty am.
TPD said they've searched for Freeburg using a helicopter, drone,
canine units, and other officers on foot, riding bikes, and
a search team, but have not located the woman. If
you know where Amanda is or have any information regarding

(05:19):
this case, please contact the Tulsa Police Department at nine
one eight five nine six nine two two two. For
the latest crime injustice news. Follow Crime Alert hourly update
on your favorite podcasting app with this crime Alert. I'm
Nicole Carton.