The wait is basically over. After years of speculation, hundreds of thousands of pages of evidence, and more court appearances than anyone can count, we finally have a clear answer. If you're wondering about the Rex Heuermann trial date, mark your calendar for September 2026.
Suffolk County Supreme Court Judge Timothy Mazzei made it crystal clear in a Riverhead courtroom just days ago on January 13, 2026. He told the prosecution and the defense that this trial is starting "come hell or high water" right after Labor Day. That puts the start of the most high-profile serial killer trial in New York history in the first full week of September 2026.
It's been a long road. Honestly, many people thought we’d be seated in a jury box by now. But the sheer volume of "discovery"—that's the evidence the lawyers have to swap—is mind-blowing. We’re talking about more than 400 terabytes of data.
Why the Rex Heuermann trial date took so long
You can't just rush a case like this. The legal system moves at a snail’s pace, but when you have seven different murder charges bundled into one single trial, things get complicated. Fast.
Initially, back in 2024 and 2025, there were whispers that we might see a trial in late 2025. Then the charges kept growing. Heuermann was first arrested for the "Gilgo Four"—Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, Amber Costello, and Maureen Brainard-Barnes. But the list didn't stop there. By early 2026, he’s facing charges for the deaths of seven women:
- The original Gilgo Four.
- Jessica Taylor.
- Valerie Mack.
- Sandra Costilla (a 1993 cold case that surprised everyone).
Judge Mazzei recently made a massive ruling that changed the timeline: he denied the defense's request to split these cases up. This means instead of five or six smaller trials, we are getting one "mega-trial." It’s more efficient for the court, but it's a nightmare for the lawyers to prep for.
The "Magic" DNA and the Pizza Crust
One of the big reasons for the delay in the Rex Heuermann trial date involves a Manhattan trash can. Remember that story about the pizza crust? Investigators trailed Heuermann to his Midtown office and grabbed a discarded pizza box. They used it to link his DNA to hairs found on the victims.
His defense attorney, Michael Brown, hasn't been sitting idle. He’s been fighting to get that evidence thrown out. He calls the cutting-edge DNA technology—specifically "Whole Genome Sequencing"—nothing more than "magic." New York hasn't used this specific type of DNA evidence in a major trial before, so the judge had to hold special hearings, called Frye hearings, to decide if it's even allowed.
In September 2025, the judge gave the green light. That was the last major hurdle. Now, the path to September 2026 is mostly clear, though the defense just filed a massive 178-page motion to try and toss out the Sandra Costilla charges. They’re even trying to blame another convicted killer, John Bittrolff, for that one.
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Life inside for the "Massapequa Architect"
While we wait for the Rex Heuermann trial date, the 62-year-old former architect isn't exactly living it up. He's been held in "protective custody" at the Suffolk County Correctional Facility in Riverhead.
Basically, he's in a cell by himself for 23 hours a day. He gets one hour of recreation. He’s been seen in court looking quite different than he did on the day of his arrest in July 2023—thinner, grayer, and always flanked by a heavy security detail.
His family situation is just as surreal. His ex-wife, Asa Ellerup, has filed for divorce but still shows up to court occasionally. His daughter, Victoria, has actually been quoted through her attorney saying she "most likely" believes her father is guilty. Imagine sitting at the dinner table with that hanging over your head for decades.
What to expect when the trial starts
When Labor Day 2026 rolls around, expect Riverhead to turn into a circus. This isn't just a local news story; it’s international.
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The prosecution, led by District Attorney Ray Tierney, has a "planning document" they found on a deleted hard drive. They say it’s a literal blueprint for murder. It reportedly contains categories like "Body Prep" and notes on how to remove identifying marks. This piece of evidence alone is expected to take weeks to present.
The defense is going to lean hard into the idea that the DNA is contaminated. They’ll point to the fact that the remains sat out in the elements at Gilgo Beach for over a decade. It's going to be a battle of the experts.
Key dates to watch before September 2026
Even though the main event is in September, there are a few "mini-deadlines" coming up:
- March 3, 2026: The prosecution has to respond to the defense's latest attempt to suppress evidence.
- March 17, 2026: The defense gets the last word on those specific motions.
- Late Spring/Summer 2026: Jury selection begins. This could take months because finding people in Suffolk County who haven't heard of this case is almost impossible.
What you should do now
If you're following this case, don't just wait for the headlines in September. There are a few ways to stay ahead of the curve.
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- Watch the Pre-trial Rulings: The motions filed in March 2026 will tell us exactly what the jury will—and won't—be allowed to hear. If the judge tosses the "planning document," the prosecution's case takes a huge hit.
- Follow the "Other" Suspects: Keep an eye on any mentions of John Bittrolff or other cold cases. The defense is definitely going to try to create "reasonable doubt" by suggesting someone else was using Gilgo Beach as a dumping ground at the same time.
- Check the Court Calendar: While the judge said "come hell or high water," small delays can happen. Check the Suffolk County court records periodically for any "status conferences" that might shift the date by a week or two.
The Rex Heuermann trial date is the beginning of the end for a mystery that haunted Long Island for fifteen years. It's going to be a long, grim autumn in that Riverhead courtroom.