In a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the Gilgo Beach killings, authorities have announced that the skull found near Gilgo Beach on Long Island in 2011 has been identified as belonging to Karen Vergata, a 34-year-old woman who went missing in 1996. Ms. Vergata's death has not been linked to the killings of three other women whose bodies were found along the beach. The prime suspect in the death of the fourth woman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, is 59-year-old Rex Heuermann, who was arrested last month and charged with the murder of three of the Gilgo Four victims.
The skull of Ms. Vergata, who worked as an escort, was discovered on Tobay Beach at the same time as investigators found the remains of 11 other individuals in the area. Additional remains belonging to Ms. Vergata were found in April 1996 in Davis Park on Fire Island. For years, she was known as "Fire Island Jane Doe" as authorities worked to identify her. It was only in August 2022, after the formation of a task force specifically dedicated to solving the Gilgo Beach killings, that investigators were able to develop a DNA profile from the remains. Using genetic genealogy, the FBI made a presumptive identification in September, which was later confirmed in October after comparing her DNA to that of a relative who provided a sample.
Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney announced the identification of Ms. Vergata's remains on Friday, stating that "the necessary notifications" had been made to her family. He did not disclose any information about the cause of her death but confirmed that she had been working as an escort at the time of her disappearance. Tierney also declined to name any suspect in her death, leaving the investigation ongoing.
The Gilgo Beach killings have attracted international attention, and the focus has turned toward Rex Heuermann, who lived in a ramshackle house in Massapequa Park, in close proximity to the crime scene. Heuermann rarely interacted with his neighbors and maintained a disheveled home, which stood out among the well-manicured houses in the area. He was charged last month with three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree murder in connection with the killings of Amber Lynn Costello, Melissa Barthelemy, and Megan Waterman. He is also the prime suspect in the death of Maureen Brainard-Barnes. All four women, including Ms. Vergata, worked as escorts, and their bodies were discovered in close proximity to each other.
While authorities did not comment on whether Heuermann could be connected to Ms. Vergata's murder, they are actively seeking more DNA evidence to strengthen their case against him. The Suffolk County District Attorney's Office has filed a request for a cheek swab from Heuermann, aiming to obtain further evidence linking him to the crimes. Prosecutors already have a DNA link from a hair found on Megan Waterman's body, and they hope that additional evidence will provide further support for Heuermann's identity as the perpetrator.
State Supreme Court Justice Timothy Mazzei has granted Heuermann's lawyers until the following week to respond to the request for a cheek swab. Assistant District Attorney Michelle Haddad acknowledged that the request carries the risk of presenting a potential trial defense if the DNA from the cheek swab does not match the DNA profile from the pizza crusts and napkin previously submitted as evidence. However, Haddad emphasized the importance of obtaining crucial evidence for the trial.
As the investigation into the Gilgo Beach killings continues, the identification of Karen Vergata's remains marks a significant step forward in bringing justice to the victims and their families. Authorities will now focus on gathering more evidence to strengthen their case against the prime suspect, Rex Heuermann.
