No. 01 / 27 The first pattern
November 1, 1993
This part of the story begins in East Patchogue On that evening, a woman had been seen hitchhiking in East Patchogue, NY. Her name was Rita Tangredi.
Rita Tangredi November 2, 1993
Rita Tangredi's remains are found in a wooded area The details are an important part of identifying her killer: she had been beaten, strangled, a specific item of her clothing was missing, her body was found in a distinct pose, and wood chips were used to cover her.
Rita Tangredi November 20, 1993
Sandra Costilla's remains are found She was found in a wooded area by a group of hunters. She had been strangled, but reports don't state that the same level of violence was present as with Rita Tangredi.
Sandra Costilla January 5, 1994
Colleen McNamee is last seen She was getting into a small blue car at the Blue Dawn Diner.
Colleen McNamee January 30, 1994
Colleen's remains are found Similarly to Rita Tangredi, she was found in the woods. She, too, was beaten, strangled, and left in the same pose.
Colleen McNamee April 20, 1996
Partial remains of Karen Vergata are found Along Blue Point Beach, people found her legs wrapped in plastic. She was known as Jane Doe No. 7 until she was identified.
Karen Vergata June 28, 1997
Partial remains of Jane Doe No. 3, aka “Peaches”, are found Her torso was discovered in a green Rubbermaid container at Hempstead Lake State Park. Authorities released the information about her tattoo in hopes of identifying her, but there still is not an official match.
Jane Doe No. 3 November 19, 2000
Partial remains of Valerie Mack are found Her torso was found in Manorville, wrapped in garbage bags. In addition to her head and hands like the others, her right foot was removed, assumedly to hide a distinguishing mark.
Valerie Mack July 26, 2003
Partial remains of Jessica Taylor are found She was on a plastic sheet, and the killer had removed her head and hands, and attempted to obscure a tattoo.
Jessica Taylor July 9, 2007
Maureen Brainard-Barnes is last seen by a friend Her friend, Sara, left her at the Super 8 Midtown in Manhattan. Maureen said that she would stay until that Wednesday, July 11.
Maureen Brainard-Barnes July 10, 2009
Melissa Barthelemy is last seen by neighbors The last known sighting of Melissa was her on her porch, talking on her phone.
Melissa Barthelemy May 1, 2010
Shannan Gilbert calls 911 at 4:51 a.m. She ran from a client's house in Oak Beach and away from her driver, knocking on doors and calling 911. She went missing, and searches for her led to many of the following discoveries.
Shannan Gilbert June 6, 2010
Megan Waterman is last seen on hotel camera footage She had been staying at a motel, placing ads on Craigslist, and was last seen walking toward a gas station.
Megan Waterman September 2, 2010
Amber Costello is last seen A friend, and roommate, walked her toward the car of a client, down the street from their home in West Babylon.
Amber Lynn Costello December 11, 2010
Police find the remains of Melissa Barthelemy During a search near Gilgo Beach, a cadaver dog reacted and an officer found her partially decomposed remains, wrapped in burlap.
Melissa Barthelemy December 13, 2010
Police find three more sets of remains They were later identified to be Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello. Like Melissa, they were each in a burlap sack and spaced apart pretty evenly. The group became known as the Gilgo Four.
Maureen Brainard-Barnes Megan Waterman Amber Lynn Costello Melissa Barthelemy March 29, 2011
Police find Jessica Taylor's remains Her skull and forearm, found along Ocean Parkway, were matched with her prior remains in Manorville.
Jessica Taylor April 4, 2011
Police find three more sets of remains One set of remains was later matched to Jane Doe No. 6, who was identified in 2020 as Valerie Mack, connecting this site to Manorville.
Valerie Mack April 4, 2011
Baby Doe is discovered as part of the group While she was laid close to one of the other victims, she was later found to be the daughter of Jane Doe No. 3, aka “Peaches”, whose torso had been found at Hempstead Lake State Park in 1997. There were no signs of trauma.
Baby Doe Jane Doe No. 3 April 4, 2011
John Doe, aka “Asian Male”, is discovered The only male victim in this group, he died of blunt-force trauma and was wearing women's clothing.
John Doe April 11, 2011
Police find two more sets of remains These remains were later matched to Karen Vergata and Jane Doe No. 3, aka “Peaches”, connecting them to the partial discoveries from 1996 and 1997.
Karen Vergata Jane Doe No. 3 December 13, 2011
Police find the remains of Shannan Gilbert She was found in a marsh not far from where she had called 911. The findings of her autopsy have been debated, with the original ruling of “death by misadventure”.
Shannan Gilbert July 21, 2014
Police arrest John Bittrolff for two of the murders He lived in Manorville, and DNA connected him to two of the victims, Rita Tangredi and Colleen McNamee. Twenty years passed between the last murder he is convicted of and his arrest.
John Bittrolff Rita Tangredi Colleen McNamee July 5, 2017
John Bittrolff is convicted of two murders There was physical evidence linking him to Rita Tangredi and Colleen McNamee. He has been named a person of interest in other cases, but the Suffolk County District Attorney has said there is no evidentiary or investigative link between his case and Gilgo.
John Bittrolff Rita Tangredi Colleen McNamee July 13, 2023
Rex Heuermann is arrested He was arrested in relation to the Gilgo Four, initially facing charges for three of the murders, with ongoing work in the Maureen Brainard-Barnes investigation. The bail documentation has extensive information about the evidence against him, including a list of searches and articles that were viewed. In what I can only describe as surreal, the article this page grew from is in that list.
Rex Heuermann Melissa Barthelemy Megan Waterman Amber Lynn Costello Maureen Brainard-Barnes June 6, 2024
Two more charges: Jessica Taylor and Sandra Costilla Suffolk County confirmed that Rex Heuermann was charged with two more of the murders. The charges reach beyond Ocean Parkway, to the Manorville site from 2003 and to Sandra Costilla's case from 1993.
Rex Heuermann Jessica Taylor Sandra Costilla December 17, 2024
A seventh charge: Valerie Mack Rex Heuermann is charged with the murder of Valerie Mack. He now stands charged with the murders of Sandra Costilla, Jessica Taylor, Amber Costello, Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, and Valerie Mack.
Rex Heuermann Valerie Mack Maureen Brainard-Barnes
The most important thing we can do is remember that they are people, like you and me. Select someone to see
their story and their places on the map.
The victims Rita Tangredi John Bittrolff convicted, 2017 Sandra Costilla Rex Heuermann charged, 2024 Colleen McNamee John Bittrolff convicted, 2017 Karen Vergata Murder unsolved Jane Doe No. 3 Unidentified Valerie Mack Rex Heuermann charged, 2024 Jessica Taylor Rex Heuermann charged, 2024 Maureen Brainard-Barnes Rex Heuermann charged Melissa Barthelemy Rex Heuermann charged, 2023 Shannan Gilbert Ruling debated Megan Waterman Rex Heuermann charged, 2023 Amber Lynn Costello Rex Heuermann charged, 2023 ? Baby Doe Unidentified John Doe Unidentified Charged or convicted John Bittrolff Convicted of two murders, 2017 ? Rex Heuermann Charged with seven murders Rita Tangredi John Bittrolff convicted, 2017
Last seen November 1, 1993
Discovered November 2, 1993
Location East Patchogue, NY Rita was seen hitchhiking in East Patchogue on the evening of November 1, 1993. Her remains were found in a wooded area the next day. The details of the scene later became an important part of identifying her killer, and in 2017 John Bittrolff was convicted of her murder.
In the timeline November 1, 1993 This part of the story begins in East Patchogue November 2, 1993 Rita Tangredi's remains are found in a wooded area July 21, 2014 Police arrest John Bittrolff for two of the murders July 5, 2017 John Bittrolff is convicted of two murders Sandra Costilla Rex Heuermann charged, 2024
Discovered November 20, 1993
Location North Sea, NY Sandra was found in a wooded area by a group of hunters on November 20, 1993. She had been strangled, though reports don't state the same level of violence seen with Rita Tangredi. In June 2024, Rex Heuermann was charged with her murder.
In the timeline November 20, 1993 Sandra Costilla's remains are found June 6, 2024 Two more charges: Jessica Taylor and Sandra Costilla Colleen McNamee John Bittrolff convicted, 2017
Last seen January 5, 1994
Discovered January 30, 1994
Last seen at Blue Dawn Diner Colleen was last seen on January 5, 1994, getting into a small blue car at the Blue Dawn Diner. Her remains were found in the woods on January 30. Like Rita Tangredi, she had been beaten, strangled, and left in the same pose. John Bittrolff was convicted of her murder in 2017.
In the timeline January 5, 1994 Colleen McNamee is last seen January 30, 1994 Colleen's remains are found July 21, 2014 Police arrest John Bittrolff for two of the murders July 5, 2017 John Bittrolff is convicted of two murders Karen Vergata formerly Jane Doe No. 7
Murder unsolved
Partial remains April 20, 1996
Further remains April 11, 2011
Known as Jane Doe No. 7 Partial remains of Karen were found along Blue Point Beach on April 20, 1996, wrapped in plastic. Further remains were found near Ocean Parkway in April 2011. She was known as Jane Doe No. 7 until she was identified.
In the timeline April 20, 1996 Partial remains of Karen Vergata are found April 11, 2011 Police find two more sets of remains Jane Doe No. 3 “Peaches”
Unidentified
Discovered June 28, 1997
Further remains April 11, 2011
Identifying mark Peaches tattoo
Relation Mother of Baby Doe Her torso was discovered in a green Rubbermaid container at Hempstead Lake State Park on June 28, 1997. Authorities released the image of her peaches tattoo in hopes of identifying her, but there still is not an official match. Further remains were found in April 2011, and she was later found to be the mother of Baby Doe.
In the timeline June 28, 1997 Partial remains of Jane Doe No. 3, aka “Peaches”, are found April 4, 2011 Baby Doe is discovered as part of the group April 11, 2011 Police find two more sets of remains Valerie Mack formerly Jane Doe No. 6
Rex Heuermann charged, 2024
Partial remains November 19, 2000
Further remains April 4, 2011
Identified 2020
Known as Jane Doe No. 6 Her partial remains were found in Manorville on November 19, 2000, and more were found near Ocean Parkway in April 2011. She was known as Jane Doe No. 6 for two decades. In December 2024, Rex Heuermann was charged with her murder.
In the timeline November 19, 2000 Partial remains of Valerie Mack are found April 4, 2011 Police find three more sets of remains December 17, 2024 A seventh charge: Valerie Mack Jessica Taylor Rex Heuermann charged, 2024
Partial remains July 26, 2003
Further remains March 29, 2011
Locations Manorville · Gilgo Partial remains of Jessica were found in Manorville on July 26, 2003, and her skull and forearm were matched near Ocean Parkway in March 2011. In June 2024, Rex Heuermann was charged with her murder.
In the timeline July 26, 2003 Partial remains of Jessica Taylor are found March 29, 2011 Police find Jessica Taylor's remains June 6, 2024 Two more charges: Jessica Taylor and Sandra Costilla Maureen Brainard-Barnes Rex Heuermann charged
Last seen July 9, 2007
Discovered December 13, 2010
Last seen at Super 8 Midtown, Manhattan
Group The Gilgo Four Maureen was last seen by a friend at the Super 8 Midtown in Manhattan on July 9, 2007. Her remains were found along Ocean Parkway on December 13, 2010, one of the group that became known as the Gilgo Four. Rex Heuermann has been charged with her murder.
In the timeline July 9, 2007 Maureen Brainard-Barnes is last seen by a friend December 13, 2010 Police find three more sets of remains July 13, 2023 Rex Heuermann is arrested December 17, 2024 A seventh charge: Valerie Mack Melissa Barthelemy Rex Heuermann charged, 2023
Last seen July 10, 2009
Discovered December 11, 2010
Group The Gilgo Four Melissa was last seen by neighbors on July 10, 2009, on her porch, talking on her phone. On December 11, 2010, a cadaver dog led an officer to her remains along Ocean Parkway, the discovery that began the Gilgo Beach searches. Rex Heuermann has been charged with her murder.
In the timeline July 10, 2009 Melissa Barthelemy is last seen by neighbors December 11, 2010 Police find the remains of Melissa Barthelemy December 13, 2010 Police find three more sets of remains July 13, 2023 Rex Heuermann is arrested Shannan Gilbert Ruling debated
Last seen May 1, 2010
Discovered December 13, 2011
Date of birth October 24, 1986
Age at the time 23
911 call 4:51 a.m.
Location Oak Beach, NY Shannan called 911 at 4:51 a.m. on May 1, 2010, after running from a client's house in Oak Beach. Searches for her led to many of the Gilgo Beach discoveries. Her remains were found in a marsh in December 2011, and the original ruling of “death by misadventure” has been debated ever since.
In the timeline May 1, 2010 Shannan Gilbert calls 911 at 4:51 a.m. December 13, 2011 Police find the remains of Shannan Gilbert Megan Waterman Rex Heuermann charged, 2023
Last seen June 6, 2010
Discovered December 13, 2010
Group The Gilgo Four Megan was last seen on hotel camera footage on June 6, 2010, walking from her motel toward a gas station. Her remains were found along Ocean Parkway on December 13, 2010, one of the Gilgo Four. Rex Heuermann has been charged with her murder.
In the timeline June 6, 2010 Megan Waterman is last seen on hotel camera footage December 13, 2010 Police find three more sets of remains July 13, 2023 Rex Heuermann is arrested Amber Lynn Costello Rex Heuermann charged, 2023
Last seen September 2, 2010
Discovered December 13, 2010
Location West Babylon, NY
Group The Gilgo Four Amber was last seen on September 2, 2010, when a friend walked her toward a client's car down the street from their home in West Babylon. Her remains were found along Ocean Parkway on December 13, 2010, one of the Gilgo Four. Rex Heuermann has been charged with her murder.
In the timeline September 2, 2010 Amber Costello is last seen December 13, 2010 Police find three more sets of remains July 13, 2023 Rex Heuermann is arrested
Discovered April 4, 2011
Relation Daughter of “Peaches”
Signs of trauma None Discovered as part of the group found on April 4, 2011. While she was laid close to one of the other victims, she was later found to be the daughter of Jane Doe No. 3, aka “Peaches”. There were no signs of trauma.
In the timeline April 4, 2011 Baby Doe is discovered as part of the group John Doe “Asian Male”
Unidentified
Discovered April 4, 2011
Sex Male
Cause of death Blunt-force trauma The only male victim in the group found on April 4, 2011. He died of blunt-force trauma and was wearing women's clothing.
In the timeline April 4, 2011 John Doe, aka “Asian Male”, is discovered John Bittrolff Convicted of two murders, 2017
Arrested July 21, 2014
Convicted July 5, 2017
Residence Manorville, NY
Evidence DNA A Manorville resident arrested in July 2014, twenty years after the murders of Rita Tangredi and Colleen McNamee, when DNA connected him to both. He was convicted in 2017 and has been named a person of interest in other cases, though the Suffolk County District Attorney has said there is no evidentiary link between his case and Gilgo.
In the timeline July 21, 2014 Police arrest John Bittrolff for two of the murders July 5, 2017 John Bittrolff is convicted of two murders Rex Heuermann Charged with seven murders
Arrested July 13, 2023
Charges Seven murders
Residence Massapequa Park, NY
As of December 17, 2024 A Massapequa Park resident arrested on July 13, 2023. As of December 17, 2024, he has been charged with the murders of Sandra Costilla, Jessica Taylor, Amber Costello, Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, and Valerie Mack.
In the timeline July 13, 2023 Rex Heuermann is arrested June 6, 2024 Two more charges: Jessica Taylor and Sandra Costilla December 17, 2024 A seventh charge: Valerie Mack