Investigators believe Gilgo Beach murders suspect Rex Heuermann may have killed at least 1 victim at his home: Sources
FARMINGDALE, N.Y. -- Investigators continued to haul potential evidence out of the Massapequa Park home of accused Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann on Thursday.
Police confirmed they are looking at possible links to unsolved murders around the nation, including in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
"In the coming days, as we continue to gather evidence, anything is possible," an investigator said.
Sources told CBS New York one or more of the Gilgo Beach murders may have taken place at the house he shared with his wife and grown children.
"We're looking for potential trophies, souvenirs, jewelry, anything that could be attached to the four women or other women that he might have been involved with," another investigator said.
- WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT: Read court documents describing the charges against Rex Heuermann
Crime scene vans blocked the view as the dissection of Heuermann's house and workshop continued, but the site still drew the curious and the spooked.
Watch Carolyn Gusoff's report
"I am having a lot of anxiety about it that it's so close to home," one person said.
"Sickening," another said.
We've also learned Heuermann's wife has not been permitted to come home and all of the family's electronics have been seized.
- READ MORE: Gilgo Beach Murders: Despite Rex Heuermann arrest, "no end in sight" for the investigation
The break in the case
So why was there a break in the cold case after 13 years? DNA technology that was not available in 2010. The suspect's DNA from discarded pizza crust allegedly matched a strand of hair on a victim. Now, as little as one cell can be analyzed.
"The technology has proceeded enormously in all ways in the amount, the cost, everything is light years better," said Dr. W. Richard McCombie, Cold Spring Harbor professor of human genetics.
Other connections led to the arrest by a New York State Police investigator, including identifying Heuermann as the owner of a Chevy Avalanche in 2010, in an area of Massapequa Park where victims had received their last phone calls. A new set of eyes in a newly formed task force provided the name attached to the suspected vehicle.
"It really shrunk the universe down once they had a suspect. It was literally flushing a needle out of haystack," State Police Maj. Stephen Udice, Troop L's commanding officer.
- READ MORE: Gilgo Beach murders: Massapequa Park residents worry suspect Rex Heuermann's home will draw gawkers
CBS New York saw the West Babylon house were victim Amber Costello lived. She was last seen alive getting into a Chevy Avalanche. Her neighbors said they hope she will finally get justice.
"Nobody deserves what happened to her, no one, and I'm hoping if he was the one who committed it, because we don't know for sure, I hope they connect him to all the other murders that were up there," Rose Palminteri said.
Meanwhile, at Gilgo Beach, locals said they hope the arrest will mean the name of this surfers' haven will shake its terrible stigma.
"I hope so. These are some of the best beaches," one person said.
"Now, all of a sudden, we are world news for murders," another said.
"The whole area is called Gilgo Beach State Park. The bodies were discovered a half mile from here, so it's now somewhat over, we hope," added Paul McDuffy, owner of the Gilgo Beach Inn.
Heuermann's family has not responded to requests for comment, but his wife filed for divorce on Wednesday.
An attorney for Heuermann's wife issued a statement saying, "The sensitive nature of her husband's arrest is taking an emotional toll on the immediate and extended family."
"If you look at the worst of the serial killers -- David Berkowitz, Ted Bundy, BTK in the midwest -- the ability to compartmentalize a family life where they appear normal, a work life where their encounters are typical, and then a very complex hidden life ... A lot of work goes into it, and it is the hallmark of an organized killer," said John Miller, former NYPD deputy commissioner of intelligence and counterterrorism.
An architecture client of Heuermann's didn't want to speak on camera, but described him as soft spoken and good at navigating New York City permits, adding he was disheveled, sloppy, and missing teeth, but never threatening and spoke of enjoying bear hunting.
Sources added that Suffolk County officials have executed several court-authorized search warrants in South Carolina and Las Vegas, where the alleged killer has ties.
Police in South Carolina are looking into whether a 2014 missing person case could be tied to Heuermann. Eighteen-year-old Aaliyah Bell went missing about 20 miles from where Heuermann owned land, but so far no connection has been found.
