NEW YORK – A piece of pizza was one of the keys that helped authorities track down an alleged serial killer connected to a series of murders involving women on a New York beach more than 10 years ago, the AP reports.
Rex A.Heuermannan architect who has lived for years with his family in Massapequa, New York, was arrested Thursday night in connection with several of the crimes, which occurred along Gilgo Beach, Long Island.
Heuermann, 59, works as an architect at a firm in Manhattan. On Friday he pleaded not guilty before the judge hearing the case.
But how did they find the alleged serial killer and dismemberer after so many years?
According to The Associated Press, investigators focused on a van, cell phone calls, empty bottles and even a slice of pizza.
Witnesses testified that a Chevrolet Avalanche pickup was seen parked outside the home of one of the victims, Amber Costello, the night before she was killed.
The investigation took an unexpected turn when it was found that the suspect had a similar truck, according to AP.
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It was also verified that calls from several of Heuermann’s cell phones were located in the area where the murders occurred. Apparently, the suspect harassed the relatives of one of the victims with calls.
From the suspect’s cell phones, according to AP, massage parlors and escorts were contacted as recently as this year. At the time of his arrest, Heuermann was carrying one of these cell phones.
To get DNA samples from Heuermann, investigators resorted to old tactics, like going through his trash.
From their trash can, they took 11 bottles. And from a sidewalk in Manhattan, they picked up pieces of pizza left behind by the suspect, where they found DNA samples from him that matched a hair found on the body of one of the victims.
Authorities charged Heuermann with three of the murders and he is expected to be charged with a fourth crime.
The suspect, who has pleaded not guilty, remains in custody.
