The sister of one of the Gilgo Beach victims revealed that accused killer Rex Heuremann tormented their family by calling them, even using the victim’s personal cellphone on at least seven occasions.
In an interview with PIX 11 in 2020, Amanda F., who identified herself as the sister of murder victim, Melissa Barthelemy, said Heuremann, 59, used her sister’s phone to taunt her after Barthelemy’s 2009 disappearance.
“He knew my name,” she said. “He had a strong accent, New York, Long Island. He was very monotone when he talked, like a middle-aged white guy.”
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Heuermann, of Massapequa Park, has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello, prosecutors said.
On Friday afternoon, he made his first court appearance and entered a plea of not guilty to the murders, as well as additional charges linked to the deaths of the women that occurred over a decade ago.
Barthelemy vanished from NYC in July 2009; police said after her disappearance, her phone was used near two different locations after he disappeared, including Penn Station in Manhattan and Massapequa.
According to The New York Times, Barthelemy disappeared after telling a friend she was meeting up with a man on July 12, 2009, and would return later. Six days later, her mother reported her missing when she failed to return home.
Amanda said she started receiving the calls following her sister’s disappearance. The male caller never identified himself but told Amana that he killed Barthelemy.
“He killed her; he raped her,” Amanda said, recalling what the caller said. “Maybe one day he’d tell me where she was.”
On December 11, 2010, Barthelemy’s remains were near Gilgo Beach. Police found her body wrapped in camouflage burlap, typically used for duck hunting. District Attorney Ray Tierney said last week that the defendant was a duck-hunting fan and investigators found several of the women wrapped in burlap.
“He killed Melissa after having sex with her,” Amanda added. “In the final call, he said he’d killed her.”
Heuremann remains behind bars without bail. Check back for updates.
See earlier reporting from CrimeOnline about the Gilgo Beach murders.
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[Feature Photo: Melissa Barthelemy/Handout; Rex Heuermann/RH Consultants and Associates]
