In a surprising move, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney has announced that he will personally prosecute the case against accused serial killer Rex Heuermann. This marks the first time Tierney has taken on the role of lead prosecutor since assuming office in January of this year. Spokeswoman Tania Lopez stated, "Tierney will be the lead prosecutor in the case against Rex Heuermann. He intends to prosecute this case fully and bring justice to the victims of this alleged serial killer."

Heuermann, a 59-year-old architect, was charged on July 13th with the slayings of three women known as the “Gilgo Four” - Amber Lynn Costello, Melissa Barthelemy, and Megan Waterman. Their remains were discovered on Gilgo Beach in 2010. Prosecutors have also named Heuermann as a "prime suspect" in the killing of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, whose body was found near the other victims. Investigators have seized numerous guns and other items from Heuermann's property and are analyzing them as potential evidence linking him to other unsolved cases.

The trial is expected to be high-profile, and Tierney has already taken an unusually hands-on role in the proceedings. He presented evidence to a grand jury, which resulted in Heuermann's indictment. Now, as the lead prosecutor, Tierney is determined to bring justice to the victims and their families.

The investigation into Heuermann's Long Island property continues, as authorities search for further evidence. Heuermann has been charged with six counts of murder, with one count of first-degree murder and one count of second-degree murder for each of the three victims. The victims - Barthelemy, Waterman, and Costello - have been identified, and their families are anxiously awaiting the trial.

Tierney, who began his career in 1992, has expressed his commitment to fully prosecuting this case. The Suffolk County District Attorney's office will continue working with their Task Force partners to develop new evidence and ensure a strong case for trial.

Heuermann, who owns a Las Vegas timeshare, pled not guilty to all charges during a court hearing earlier this month. Following the filing of charges, his wife, Asa Ellerup, filed for divorce. Heuermann, an architect in his late 50s, lived just a short distance from Gilgo Beach in Massapequa Park. Selfie photographs taken from his fictitious AOL account were presented by the District Attorney's office as part of a bail application.

Authorities have previously discovered 11 sets of human remains on a beach highway in Long Island between 2010 and 2011. The investigation into Heuermann's possible involvement in these cases is ongoing. He has two children and had been working as an architect on Long Island.

During the search of Heuermann's home, a "massive amount" of evidence was recovered. District Attorney Tierney described the house as cluttered and stated that the search had concluded after nearly two weeks. However, Tierney refrained from speculating about whether any murders had occurred inside the property. He explained that the evidence collected would need to be cataloged and analyzed, a process that would take time.

Heuermann's arrest outside his home marked a significant development in the long-running investigation into the bodies found along Gilgo Beach. Police have been meticulously searching his house and yard for evidence related to the deaths of the three identified victims and any other potential victims. Heuermann has pleaded not guilty, and his defense lawyer, Michael Brown, has maintained his client's innocence. Heuermann is currently being held without bail.