A young Long Island woman’s unsettling encounter on a nearly empty train has been linked to Rex Heuermann, the accused Gilgo Beach serial killer. The incident, captured on video just days before Heuermann’s arrest, adds a new layer to the chilling narrative surrounding the suspect.
As first reported by the New York Post, on July 1, 2023, now 21-year-old Kaylin Morales boarded a Long Island Rail Road train, anticipating a routine journey. However, her commute took a distressing turn when a middle-aged man chose to sit directly beside her despite the abundant vacant seats elsewhere on the train.
“Oh, you don’t have to move your pretty legs. I won’t bother you’”
The man, later identified as Heuermann, made unsolicited and inappropriate remarks, causing Morales to feel increasingly uneasy, she said. Sensing potential danger, she discreetly recorded videos and photos of the man, capturing his behavior as he drank beer and attempted to engage her in conversation, which she tried to avoid by wearing headphones.
According to Morales, Heuermann told her, “Oh, you don’t have to move your pretty legs. I won’t bother you.” She added, “I just thought he was this big, fat, ugly white man…I obviously didn’t know who he was at the time,” and she feared for her safety, “creeped out” by the whole situation. She said she considered moving, but she felt “trapped” by Heuermann’s body.
Morales later shared the footage on TikTok, expressing her discomfort and the fear she felt during the encounter. After Heuermann’s arrest, she submitted her recordings to Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and was interviewed by detectives, confirming the identity of the man in her videos as Heuermann. She only just recently felt safe releasing the footage to the public.
The Gilgo Beach murders and Heuermann’s arest
Heuermann, a 60-year-old architect from Massapequa Park, Long Island, was arrested on July 13, 2023, in connection with the infamous Gilgo Beach serial killings. He was initially charged with the murders of three women—Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello—whose bodies were discovered along Ocean Parkway between 2010 and 2011. In January 2024, he was also charged with the murder of Maureen Brainard-Barnes.
Investigators linked Heuermann to the crimes through a combination of DNA evidence, cellphone data, and witness accounts. A significant breakthrough came when DNA from a discarded pizza crust matched hair found on one of the victims.
Expanding investigations and additional charges
The case against Heuermann has continued to evolve. In June 2024, he was charged with the murders of Jessica Taylor and Sandra Costilla, extending the timeline of his alleged crimes back to 1993. In December 2024, he was indicted for the 2000 murder of Valerie Mack. These developments suggest a broader scope of criminal activity than initially believed.
Authorities have also expanded their search for additional victims, combing through areas like the Otis Pike Preserve in Manorville. While Heuermann has pleaded not guilty to all charges, the ongoing investigations continue to uncover potential links to other unsolved cases.
