The Gilgo Seven: 5 Key Updates On When Rex Heuermann's Blockbuster Trial Will Start

The question of "When is Rex Heuermann's trial date?" continues to dominate true crime headlines, but as of December 13, 2025, the short answer is that no definitive trial date has been set. The legal proceedings against the alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer, charged with the murders of seven women, are currently mired in a complex series of pre-trial motions and discovery that suggest a trial is still months—if not a year—away.

This high-stakes case, which seeks to finally bring closure to the infamous Long Island Serial Killer (LISK) mystery, is progressing through the Suffolk County court system, with the defense and prosecution battling over crucial evidence admissibility. The sheer volume of evidence and the complexity of the DNA technology being used mean that while the world waits for justice for the victims, the formal trial is unlikely to begin until at least 2026.

Rex Heuermann: The Architect's Profile and The Seven Victims

The man at the center of the Gilgo Beach murders case, Rex Andrew Heuermann, presents a stark contrast between his public life and the horrific crimes he is accused of committing. Understanding his background and the lives of the seven victims he is charged with is essential to grasping the gravity of the upcoming trial.

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Rex Heuermann Biography & Professional Life

• Full Name: Rex Andrew Heuermann
• Born: September 13, 1963
• Age (as of arrest): 59 (Arrested July 13, 2023)
• Residence: Massapequa Park, Long Island, New York
• Education: Attended Berner High School in Massapequa Park.
• Profession: Architect and founder of RH Consultants & Associates, an architecture firm based in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. His firm’s clients included major retailers and city agencies.
• Family: Married to Asa Ellerup, with whom he has two children. His wife filed for divorce shortly after his arrest.

The Gilgo Seven: The Victims Heuermann is Charged With

Rex Heuermann is currently charged with the murders of seven women, a group that includes the original "Gilgo Four" whose remains were found near Gilgo Beach in December 2010. The prosecution, led by Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney, has successfully argued for a single trial to cover all seven cases, a major victory for the state.

The seven victims Heuermann is charged with are:

• Maureen Brainard-Barnes: Disappeared in 2007.
• Melissa Barthelemy: Disappeared in 2009.
• Megan Waterman: Disappeared in 2010.
• Amber Costello: Disappeared in 2010.
• Valerie Mack: Her remains were found in 2000 and 2011. Heuermann was charged with her murder in a superseding indictment.
• Jessica Taylor: Her remains were found in 2003 and 2011.
• Sandra Costilla: Murdered in 1993.

The Legal Battle: Why the Trial Date is Pushed to 2026

The delay in setting a trial date is a direct result of the complex legal maneuvering and the extensive discovery process inherent in a capital murder case of this magnitude. The defense team, including attorneys Michael J. Brown and Danielle Coysh, have stated that the earliest they anticipate the trial beginning is sometime in 2026.

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The sheer volume of evidence is staggering, including thousands of pages of documents, hundreds of hours of video footage, and highly technical forensic reports. The defense needs adequate time to review all materials to prepare a proper defense, a process that can take many months.

Key Dates and Rulings Shaping the Schedule

While an official trial date is pending, several key milestones have set the stage and provided a timeline for the case’s progression:

• September 2025 Ruling: A major victory for the prosecution occurred when the judge ruled that Heuermann would face a single trial for all seven murder charges. The defense had sought to separate the cases into multiple trials, which would have significantly prolonged the entire process.
• DNA Admissibility Ruling: The court allowed the use of advanced DNA evidence, a critical component of the prosecution's case, to be admitted at trial. The defense had challenged the reliability of the methods used.
• January 13, 2026 Deadline: This is the firm deadline set by the court for the defense to file any additional pre-trial motions. This date marks the end of a major phase of the discovery process.
• Earliest Trial Estimate: Based on the current schedule and the defense’s statements, the earliest the trial is likely to commence is sometime in 2026, with some speculation pointing toward a possible September 2026 start, though this remains at the discretion of the court and presiding Justice Timothy Mazzei.

The Core Evidence: DNA and Digital Footprints

The prosecution’s case hinges on a confluence of forensic and digital evidence, a modern approach that utilizes technology unavailable at the time the murders occurred. This evidence is crucial to establishing topical authority in the case and includes several compelling factors that link Heuermann to the victims.

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The DNA Evidence

The most compelling forensic link is the DNA evidence. Prosecutors allege that a male hair found on one of the victims, Megan Waterman, was a match for a DNA sample taken from a pizza crust discarded by Heuermann outside his Manhattan office. Furthermore, advanced DNA analysis is being used on hairs found at multiple crime scenes, which the defense has attempted to have excluded, arguing the results are unreliable.

Cellphone and Digital Tracking Data

Cellphone records have played a major role in the investigation. Authorities used cell tower data to track a disposable "burner" phone allegedly used by the killer. This data reportedly placed the phone in the same general area and proximity to the victims' last known locations and Heuermann's home and office at crucial times. The digital trail also includes evidence of alleged disturbing search histories found on Heuermann’s devices, linking him to the Gilgo Beach investigation and the victims themselves.

What Happens After the January 13, 2026 Deadline?

The January 13, 2026 deadline for pre-trial motions will be a watershed moment in the case. Once this phase is complete, the court, under Justice Mazzei, will be in a position to rule on all outstanding motions, including those related to suppressing evidence.

Following the rulings, the focus will shift entirely to the logistics of the trial itself. Jury selection for a case of this profile—the Long Island Serial Killer—is expected to be an extremely lengthy and complex process, potentially taking weeks or even months. The trial itself is anticipated to be one of the longest and most scrutinized in Suffolk County history, with District Attorney Ray Tierney and his team presenting a case that spans decades and multiple victims.

For the families of the seven victims—Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, Amber Costello, Valerie Mack, Jessica Taylor, and Sandra Costilla—the wait for the trial to begin continues to be agonizing. The legal calendar suggests that while the wheels of justice are turning, the full proceedings will not begin until well into 2026, making the earliest possible start date for the Rex Heuermann trial a matter of months, not weeks.