Rex Heuermann is expected to plead guilty to a string of murders that have haunted the tri-state and beyond for more than a decade and admit responsibility for an eighth death, sources say. Here's what you need to know.

News 12's Cecilia Dowd speaks to a former Suffolk County prosecutor about Heuermann's expected guilty plea.

A news conference on Wednesday addressed the wrongful death suit against suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer, his family.

Heuermann, the suspect in the Gilgo Beach serial killings, is expected to admit to the slayings of seven women at a Suffolk County Supreme Court hearing scheduled for Wednesday in Riverhead, according to sources.

Sources tell News 12 Heuermann is also expected to admit to killing an eighth woman.

Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney has declined to confirm whether a plea agreement has been reached.

Heuermann was arrested in July 2023 in connection with a series of killings. Prosecutors allege he murdered seven women between 1993 and 2010 and disposed of their remains along Gilgo Beach and in other areas of Suffolk County’s East End.

Heuermann has maintained his innocence since his arrest. His defense team spent months attempting to suppress key evidence, including DNA that prosecutors say was recovered from a discarded pizza crust and links him to several of the victims. Those efforts were unsuccessful.

A trial is currently scheduled to begin shortly after Labor Day, and Tierney has previously said his office is prepared to proceed if the case does not resolve before then.

In this Crime Files true‑crime episode, Secrets in the Sand, we take an in‑depth look at the long and complex hunt for the Gilgo Beach serial killer. The documentary retraces how authorities searching for Shannan Gilbert uncovered multiple sets of human remains, setting off one of the most disturbing investigations in Long Island history. Viewers hear directly from victims’ families, including the sister of Amber Lynn Costello, and from police detectives who explain how the case evolved, stalled, and was eventually revived. The episode also examines public criticism of law enforcement leadership, the creation of a Gilgo Beach task force, and why investigators say the case is still not fully closed, even after the arrest of alleged Long Island serial killer Rex Heuermann. From early discoveries in the sand to breakthroughs in DNA evidence, this episode explores how justice slowly came into focus—and why many questions remain.

In this News 12 Originals true crime episode, we walk through the key moments that led to the arrest — from the discovery of human remains near Gilgo Beach to cellphone data, vehicle connections, and the DNA evidence that ultimately broke open the case. The episode explores how investigators linked a Chevy Avalanche to the suspect, how a pizza crust became pivotal evidence, and what officers found as they searched Heuermann’s home. It also examines whether the suspect could be connected to other escort‑related cold cases across the country and how renewed attention has reshaped long‑standing investigations. Viewers also get a closer look at Rex Heuermann’s alleged double life, his early years, and how he remained under the radar for so long while one of Long Island’s most notorious investigations unfolded.