Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.
LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK: In the wake of the recent arrest of Rex Heuermann in connection with the Gilgo Beach murders, a survivor of the Golden State Killer, Gay Hardwick, expressed her hopes that the families of the victims find solace through understanding their rights as indirect victims of the heinous crimes. Hardwick encouraged the families to be prepared and take advantage of available advocacy to ensure their voices are heard during the ongoing investigation.
Who is Gay Hardwick?
Gay Hardwick and her husband Bob experienced a horrific encounter in 1978 when they fell victim to the infamous Golden State Killer at their residence in Stockton, California. At the time, the assailant was identified as the "East Area Rapist," a serial assaulter operating in the Sacramento area, preying on both women who were alone as well as couples. Following the arrest of Heuermann, Gay stated, "My heart goes out to the families of all the victims. I hope that they will find out what their rights are as indirect victims of losing their loved ones so horrifically. They may have certain rights to attend hearings, possibly to give a victim impact statement before sentencing, should he be convicted. These are things they need to be prepared and to know," speaking to NewsNation.
Joseph DeAngelo, known as the Golden State Killer, received a life sentence for a series of murders and rapes committed throughout California from 1975 to 1986 in 2020. Hardwick pointed out that serial killers often live "double lives," and it is essential for everyone to contribute their part in putting an end to the offender's reign of terror. Furthermore, she highlighted that the use of forensic genetic investigative genealogy has played a crucial role in solving cases like the Golden State Killer. "I’m a big fan of forensic genetic investigative genealogy, and it’s a seismic change for law enforcement," she insisted, adding, "I hope all of us will upload our DNA profiles to a public site like GEDmatch or Family Tree so that law enforcement can expand their database and solve even more crimes."
Unraveling the Gilgo Beach mystery
Heuermann, 59, was arrested on July 14 in connection with at least three of the murders that occurred along Gilgo Beach in Long Island, New York. As the investigation into the prime suspect in the murders continues, authorities are searching a property in South Carolina belonging to Heuermann and looking into unsolved cases in Las Vegas. The Gilgo Beach murders have long been a haunting mystery, but Heuermann's arrest has brought a sense of hope for justice. The suspect has been charged with the murders of Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy, and Amber Costello, as of now. However, law enforcement officials are confident that they will soon be able to charge him with the murder of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, a fourth woman found dead on Gilgo Beach in 2010.
While all the victims were tragically strangled, Suffolk County Police believe that Heuermann's violent tendencies may have led to even more victims if he hadn't been apprehended. Speaking about the ongoing investigation, Suffolk County Deputy Police Commissioner Anthony Carter told CNN that "anything is possible" when it comes to charging Heuermann with additional murders. The police are also exploring the possibility of linking him to six other victims whose bodies were found near Gilgo Beach.
Heuermann's arrest revealed unsettling details about his personal life, including the discovery of an arsenal of weapons in his home. Authorities are currently investigating the legality and registration of these firearms. Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison expressed concerns about such a dangerous individual having access to a significant number of weapons.
Describing the suspect, Harrison said, "He is an ogre," highlighting his imposing physical stature at 6ft 6 and weight of 275 lbs. The suspect remains in jail as the investigation progresses, and his wife, Asa, along with their adult children, are cooperating with law enforcement in their efforts to uncover the truth behind the tragic murders. Suffolk County Deputy Police Commissioner Anthony Carter shared his sense of satisfaction after witnessing Heuermann's arrest following more than a year of surveillance. "I knew that this person was a demon. The fact that we are able to bring some closure and some peace to the families as well as take a violent person off the streets is rewarding, I think, for everyone," Carter expressed.