Accused Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann, who is facing charges in the high-profile murder case, is being ordered to undergo DNA testing by a Long Island judge, despite objections from his lawyer. Suffolk County Supreme Court Judge Timothy Mazzei issued a three-page decision, stating that there is probable cause to believe Heuermann committed the crimes and therefore, a basis to compel a buccal swab. The ruling is a major setback for Heuermann, a 59-year-old architect, who is accused of the killings of Amber Lynn Costello, Megan Waterman, and Melissa Barthelemy - three women whose bodies were found dumped along Gilgo Beach in 2010.

The case remained unsolved until last year when Suffolk County police reopened it and identified Heuermann as the suspect based on phone records, eyewitness accounts, and a single strand of hair found on one of the bodies. The hair was linked to a person of Caucasian/European descent through DNA analysis. Heuermann was arrested outside his Midtown offices on July 13 and charged with the killings. He is also considered the prime suspect in the death of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, with all four victims collectively known as the "Gilgo Four."

The strand of hair, which was found in a burlap bag used to conceal one of the bodies, was a loose match for DNA collected from a discarded napkin and pizza crust near Heuermann's office. The defense team argued that there is only reasonable suspicion and not probable cause to justify the DNA testing. However, Judge Mazzei disagreed with this argument and ordered the testing to proceed.

In addition to DNA testing, New York State and Suffolk County police have conducted searches for body parts or “trophies” from the murder cases, including digging up the backyard of Heuermann's residence. Although they discovered a walk-in, concrete-lined gun vault, it is unclear if any evidence linking Heuermann to the slayings was found.

Meanwhile, Heuermann's wife has filed for divorce following his arrest, expressing shock and disgust at the allegations against him. The arrest and subsequent investigation have taken a toll on Heuermann's family, particularly his two adult children, Victoria Heuermann and Christopher Sheridan. The attorney representing the children described their situation as living in a "surreal, waking horror show." They are trying to regain some sense of normalcy but are constantly affected by the conditions left behind in their home after the police search.

As the legal case progresses, the defense team is fighting against the request for a cheek swab for further DNA testing. They argue that there is no evidence to prove that Heuermann came into contact with the pizza crust and napkin that authorities claim are linked to the murders. The defense maintains that the nexus between Heuermann and the items is based on conjecture and assumption, rather than fact.

Heuermann has pleaded not guilty to the charges and remains in jail awaiting trial. The Suffolk County District Attorney's Office has provided extensive evidence to the defense, including documents, crime scene photos, autopsy reports, and video surveillance footage. The investigation is ongoing, and the legal case is being referred to as the "legal case of the century" due to its high profile and the potential implications for Heuermann's children, whose role in the case has yet to be determined.