Timeline: Investigating the Long Island serial killings
What began as a search for one missing woman — Shannan Gilbert — led to multiple bodies and the capture of Rex Heuermann.
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What began as a search for one missing woman — Shannan Gilbert — led to multiple bodies and the capture of Rex Heuermann.
After decades of waiting, the victims of Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann finally faced him in a courtroom that became a space for grief, rage, and release. In this episode, we focus on the emotional heart of the sentencing — from raw statements to the quiet devastation of children who grew up without their mothers — and what it meant to finally say these words, face-to-face.
Rex Heuermann, the man known as the Gilgo Beach serial killer, was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison without parole. Families of the victims spoke out at his sentencing. Tom Hanson reports.
The Long Island architect who lived a secret life as the Gilgo Beach serial killer was sentenced to life in prison without parole on Wednesday. Former Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison, who formed the task force that ultimately led to Rex Heuermann's arrest, joins with analysis.
Rex Heuermann was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the series of murders known as the Gilgo Beach serial killings.
In a Long Island courtroom Wednesday, Rex Heuermann received three life sentences for choking and dismembering eight women, most of them in his basement, over the course of more than 15 years. The 62-year-old addressed the court before he was sent away. Tom Hanson reports.
A judge on Wednesday sentenced Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann to life in prison without parole. CBS News New York's Jennifer McLogan was in the courtroom and joins with details.
Rex Heuermann was sentenced to life in prison without parole Wednesday after pleading guilty to a series of murders known as the Gilgo Beach serial killings. Heuermann spoke at the hearing where the sentence was handed down. CBS News' Shanelle Kaul reports.
Rex Huermann, the man who pleaded guilty to a series of murders known as the Gilgo Beach serial killings, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. CBS News' Shanelle Kaul reports.
Rex Heuermann, the man who pleaded guilty in April to the Gilgo Beach murders, is set to be sentenced on Wednesday. Tom Hanson reports on how the case unfolded.
Serial killer Rex Heuermann admitted to killing eight women on Long Island over the span of 17 years, ending in 2010. He will now spend the rest of his life in prison. Tom Hanson reports.
Rex Heuermann on Wednesday changed his plea to guilty for killing seven women on New York's Long Island between 1993 and 2011. The string of murders came to be known as the Gilgo Beach serial killings. CBS News' Bradley Blackburn and Caroline Polisi have more.
Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann pleaded guilty to seven counts and admitted guilt in the death of an eighth woman.
Rex Heuermann, the man charged with several counts of murder in the Gilgo Beach killings probe, pleaded guilty in court on Wednesday. CBS News' Tom Hanson has more.
The man accused of killing seven women between 1993 and 2011 is expected to change his plea in court on Long Island. CBS News' Jarred Hill has more.
Rex Heuermann, the suspect in the notorious Gilgo Beach killings, is expected to change his plea to guilty on Wednesday. He previously pleaded not guilty to murdering seven women over 17 years. Tom Hanson reports.
Accused Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann is likely to change his plea to guilty when he next appears in court, a source with knowledge of the case tells CBS News New York's Carolyn Gusoff.
The bound bodies of four women are found along a desolate stretch of beach. Disturbing new details about the architect police say is a serial killer. "48 Hours" correspondent Erin Moriarty reports.
The bound bodies of four women are found along a desolate stretch of beach. Disturbing new details about the architect police say is a serial killer. "48 Hours" correspondent Erin Moriarty reports.
The man accused of killing seven women whose bodies were found on Long Island's Gilgo Beach lost a bid to split the case into multiple trials on Tuesday. New York State Supreme Court Justice Timothy Mazzei stated in his six-page ruling that the case would proceed as a single trial. CBS News' Shanelle Kaul has more.
Suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann was linked to his alleged victims using DNA testing known as whole genome sequencing, prosecutors say.
Investigators say they have identified human remains found near a group of murder victims on Gilgo Beach after partial remains were first discovered in 1997. Police say the remains may not be connected to Rex Heuermann, who has pleaded not guilty to killing seven women, six of whom were found near Gilgo Beach.
Exclusive details about the NYC architect accused of being the Long Island serial killer, his life and how he may have been hiding in plain sight for more than a decade.
Asa Ellerup has come under public scrutiny following her husband's arrest for three of the Gilgo Beach murders, but the daughters of notorious serial killers BTK and the Happy Face Killer have come to her defense.
The Gilgo Beach murder case is moving toward trial, but Rex Heuermann's attorneys are challenging something called nuclear DNA testing.
The Supreme Court divided 6-3 in granting the Trump administration's request for emergency relief.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said new sanctions being imposed on Iran would amount to the "greatest financial offensive" ever.
Lindsay Clancy trial testimony ended abruptly Monday in Plymouth Superior Court when a witness began speaking about religion and the defense unsuccessfully called for a mistrial.
President Trump said tariffs on Canadian automotive and steel imports will rise to 50% on January 1, 2027, in a social media post.
Karen Solomon, wanted for questioning in the death of her Worcester, Massachusetts, police officer husband, has been found dead after a massive search.
Shifting winds challenged firefighters battling the Hawk Fire in Reno, Nevada, that was keeping tens of thousands of people evacuated.
Lara Korte, a Stars and Stripes reporter who was dismissed last week, told CBS News on Monday that the paper's editorial independence remains paramount.
The attack happened the same month Iranian-linked hackers are believed to have targeted the water systems of a dozen U.S. states.
Researchers say residents of Slough, just outside London, are likely very literally feeling the heat from a massive cluster of data centers in their town.
The Supreme Court divided 6-3 in granting the Trump administration's request for emergency relief.
Lillian Smart, 8, has died after being infected by an extremely rare brain-eating amoeba that is found in warm freshwater, her family said.
Although some Canadian goods will get more expensive in the U.S., trade experts don't expect a broader inflation spike.
Millions of Generation X Americans expect to depend on Social Security as their main — or only — source of retirement income.
Federal regulators alleged that a $100 million deal between Redfin and Zillow stifled competition for apartment listings.
Although some Canadian goods will get more expensive in the U.S., trade experts don't expect a broader inflation spike.
Millions of Generation X Americans expect to depend on Social Security as their main — or only — source of retirement income.
Federal regulators alleged that a $100 million deal between Redfin and Zillow stifled competition for apartment listings.
President Trump said tariffs on Canadian automotive and steel imports will rise to 50% on Jan. 1, 2027, in a social media post.
The U.S. and Canada have wrangled for decades over trade, and somehow, they still managed to remain friends, allies and trading partners.
The Supreme Court divided 6-3 in granting the Trump administration's request for emergency relief.
Although some Canadian goods will get more expensive in the U.S., trade experts don't expect a broader inflation spike.
Lara Korte, a Stars and Stripes reporter who was dismissed last week, told CBS News on Monday that the paper's editorial independence remains paramount.
The Trump administration is trying to pull all economic levers at its disposal to cripple Tehran.
President Trump said tariffs on Canadian automotive and steel imports will rise to 50% on Jan. 1, 2027, in a social media post.
Lillian Smart, 8, has died after being infected by an extremely rare brain-eating amoeba that is found in warm freshwater, her family said.
Researchers and disability rights advocates warn that the dismantling of the Education Department and its erosions of civil rights oversight risk widening the disparities autistic children face.
This year, ER visits for tick bites have increased dramatically, corresponding with a new threat: a rise in Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), where one bite from a lone star tick can make you violently allergic to red meat. How can you best avoid tick bites?
This year, emergency room visits for tick bites have increased dramatically, corresponding with a new threat: a rise in Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), where one bite from a lone star tick can make you violently allergic to red meat. Correspondent David Pogue looks at how residents of Martha Vineyard are addressing an epidemic of Alpha-gal, and talks with experts about how best to avoid tick bites.
Hosted by Steve Hartman. Featured: The explosion of tick bites and Alpha-gal syndrome; singer Kenny Chesney; botanist and bestselling author Robin Wall Kimmerer; origami artist Robert Lang; one artist's very quirky home; an iconic photo of Harlem jazz legends; and a retirement home for musicians in Milan.
The attack happened the same month Iranian-linked hackers are believed to have targeted the water systems of a dozen U.S. states.
Researchers say residents of Slough, just outside London, are likely very literally feeling the heat from a massive cluster of data centers in their town.
The Trump administration is trying to pull all economic levers at its disposal to cripple Tehran.
A Chinese robotics developer tells CBS News humanoids won't turn against humans as they're just machines: "It all depends on who controls them."
Zolani Tete made history in 2017 when he took just 11 seconds to knock out his opponent with his first punch to retain his WBO bantamweight crown.
Levi Zhang and his parents share some recipes from their new cookbook and talk about how their viral videos started.
Bunny Levine worked as a school librarian for 25 years before pursuing her passion for acting and performing.
Botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer, a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, is author of the New York Times bestsellers "Braiding Sweetgrass" and "The Serviceberry" – books that advocate for living and working in collaboration with the Earth. She talks with correspondent Martha Teichner about the importance of respecting both Western scientific knowledge and Indigenous knowledge, planting trees, and sharing the gifts of nature.
In his recent memoir, "Heart Life Music," Kenny Chesney describes his life's journey, from Knoxville, Tenn., to No Shoes Nation and beyond. Chesney sits down with Lee Cowan in the Florida Keys, where the country superstar is just another laid-back local, to talk about family, touring, and how he recovered from a 2009 concert which he describes as "hitting a wall." [Originally broadcast Oct. 26, 2025.]
Opera great Giuseppe Verdi, one of history's most successful composers, used his fortune to create a retirement home for professional musicians "not favored by fortune." Residents of Casa Verdi in Milan not only share their lifetimes of artistry, they also provide master classes to young musicians. Chris Livesay reports.
While hiring for AI companies is booming, women are getting left behind, according to new research from LinkedIn. It found that female candidates accounted for 26% of hires for jobs requiring AI skills in the U.S., compared to 50% of women hired into non-AI positions. Sarah Steinberg, the head of global public policy partnerships at LinkedIn, joins CBS News to discuss.
Researchers say residents of Slough, just outside London, are likely very literally feeling the heat from a massive cluster of data centers in their town.
From labor shortages to environmental impacts, farmers are looking to AI to help revolutionize the agriculture industry. One California startup, Farm-ng, is tapping into the power of AI and robotics to perform a wide range of tasks, including seeding, weeding and harvesting.
A Chinese robotics developer tells CBS News humanoids won't turn against humans as they're just machines: "It all depends on who controls them."
Robots are competing in China, showcasing new skills that may beat records set by humans. CBS News' Anna Coren reports from Beijing.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park told visitors Tuesday that invasive Joro spiders "may be hanging in a web near you."
July was the hottest month ever in the Lower 48 States – another escalation of our world into a hotter, more dangerous planet, where extreme weather events – such as heat waves, wildfires and hurricanes – will become more common and more extreme.
July was the hottest month ever in the Lower 48 States, breaking a record last set during the Dust Bowl – just another step in the escalation of our world into a hotter, more dangerous planet. Correspondent Jonathan Vigliotti talks with climate journalist Jeff Goodell and atmospheric scientist Maria Molina about how changes in Earth's climate are increasing the likelihood that extreme weather events – such as heat waves, wildfires and hurricanes – will become more common and more extreme.
A total solar eclipse was visible in parts of Europe for the first time since 1912. Rob Marciano reports.
A total solar eclipse turned day into night across a slice of Europe and North America on Wednesday, and put millions in unique contact with the heavens above. Meteorologist Rob Marciano reports from Spain.
Lindsay Clancy's defense team asked for a mistrial Monday after a witness began speaking about Catholic religion. The judge in the case denied the request. CBS News' Shanelle Kaul has more.
Defense attorneys for Lindsay Clancy, the Massachusetts mother who admitted to killing her children, called for a mistrial on Monday, citing a witness who used the phrase "moral sin." The judge denied the request. CBS News correspondent Shanelle Kaul reports.
Karen Solomon, a Massachusetts woman wanted for questioning in the death of her police officer husband, has been found dead, Worcester authorities announced on Monday. Law enforcement called the case a "tragic murder-suicide."
The judge presiding over the Lindsay Clancy murder case rejected the defense's push for a mistrial on Monday. Clancy has admitted to killing her children but has pleaded not guilty, arguing that postpartum psychosis caused her actions. CBS News correspondent Shanelle Kaul and legal contributor Jessica Levinson have the latest.
The prosecution in the Lindsay Clancy trial continues to call rebuttal witnesses, mainly focusing on the psychological aspects of Clancy's state of mind when she killed her 3 children. CBS News' Shanelle Kaul and legal contributor Jessica Levinson have more.
President Trump plans to award the Congressional Space Medal of Honor to the crew of NASA's Artemis II mission in a ceremony Aug. 28.
The mission to save NASA's sinking space telescope has been called off, dooming the telescope to a fiery reentry later this year.
A NASA spacecraft circling the moon is providing the sharpest views yet of the crater carved by a crashing SpaceX rocket.
The newly discovered object looks like a star the size of our solar system, but produces 100 billion times more energy than any star.
The only total solar eclipse of 2026 crossed the Northern Hemisphere Wednesday, with a path of totality across parts of Greenland, Iceland and northern Spain. See photos and video from the best viewing locations.
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
Sylvie Cachay was found dead in an overflowing bathtub at the exclusive Soho House in New York City on Dec. 9, 2010. A water leak at the hotel gave away a timeline that may have revealed her killer.
Summer is the time to enjoy live music, indoors and out. Scroll through our gallery of some of 2026's leading musical acts, featuring images by CBS News photojournalist Jake Barlow and photographers Ed Spinelli and Kirstine Walton.
The Obama Presidential Center, museum and library opens in Chicago with a star-studded grand opening ceremony and public watch party on Midway Plaisance.
Family seeks answers in death of newlywed who disappeared in 2005 while on Mediterranean honeymoon cruise.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday laid out the Trump administration's plan for a campaign to create "economic onslaught" against Iran and its partners. "Face the Nation" coordinating producer Richard Escobedo has more.
Lindsay Clancy's defense team asked for a mistrial Monday after a witness began speaking about Catholic religion. The judge in the case denied the request. CBS News' Shanelle Kaul has more.
According to The New York Times, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries recently held a private meeting with President Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Political strategists Joel Payne and Todd Ricketts join with analysis.
Urban warfare expert and Ret. U.S. Army Maj. John Spencer is sharing life lessons he learned from his many near-death experiences in a new book titled "20 Times I Almost Died." Spencer joins "The Takeout" to discuss.
It feels like there's been a new food recall every week this summer, but former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb says the number of recalls has been on par with other years. CBS News medical correspondent Dr. Céline Gounder joins "The Takeout" with more.