Authorities began digging with a backhoe in the backyard of Rex Heuermann’s Massapequa Park home Sunday afternoon.
Earlier in the day, News 12 was on the scene when a K-9 and a ground-penetrating radar machine were brought in.
Chopper 12 over house in Massapequa Park, July 23
Heuermann has been charged with first- and second-degree murder in relation to three of Gilgo’s victims: Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello. He is the prime suspect in a fourth death. He pleaded not guilty last week and is due back in court on August 1.
Detectives are trying to determine if any of the murders occurred at the home in Massapequa Park. Chopper 12 was above the scene Saturday where investigators were checking the property.
The deaths of 11 people whose remains were found in 2010 and 2011 have puzzled investigators. Most of the victims were young women who had been sex workers. Several of the bodies were found near Gilgo Beach.
Suffolk police confirmed last week that investigators are looking into possible connections between Heuermann and unsolved cases across the country, including in South Carolina, Nevada and Atlantic City, where four women were killed in 2006.
Neighbors are still trying to process what has unfolded before their eyes in the past week since the architect and father of two was arrested in New York City. They say the addition of a police dog to the scene and a ground-penetrating radar makes them fear the worst.
“For them to find, maybe the remains in their backyard, that’s really, really shocking,” one neighbor said.
Investigators have not released what, if anything, they found in the home over the weekend. According to neighbors, Heuermann lived his entire life on 1st Avenue in Massapequa Park.
Since his arrest, investigators have also searched two storage units related to the case.
News 12 was told Saturday that the investigation is expected to wrap up this week.
