(NewsNation) — Dr. Michelle Dupre, a retired forensic pathologist and former medical examiner, speculates that “human remains” could be the motive behind a new search warrant at the home of Rex Heuermann.
Heuermann is the suspect in the deaths of four women whose bodies were found along Gilgo Beach. The medical examiner arrived at the home Monday morning and NewsNation’s Laura Ingle reported seeing very large evidence bags being carried out of the home.
“They must have found something that they think is either human remains,” Dupre said Monday night on “Banfield.” “Or they found some possessions from one or more of the victims in that area. So the medical examiner would be called out to assist in that search … Maybe they even found weapons that were related to the crimes.”
Dupre said medical examiners typically look for things related to the “body, or cloesly related to the victim.”
Last month, authorities conducted a multiday search of the woods in Manorville, New York, though it’s not clear if this second search is connected. No family members were present during Monday’s search, and Heuermann’s estranged wife, Asa Ellerup, confirmed that the home had been searched.
Heuermann is currently awaiting trial, facing murder charges in the deaths of four women known as the Gilgo Four, whose bodies were all found along Gilgo Beach in Long Island, New York.
Investigators previously searched the Heuermann home after he was arrested and charged with the deaths of Amber Lynn Costello, Megan Waterman and Melissa Barthelemy. He was later charged with the death of Maureen Brainard-Barnes.
All four women were sex workers and their bodies, along with several others, were found along Gilgo Beach in 2010 and 2011. At this time, Heuermann has not been linked to any other deaths.
In the initial search of Heuermann’s home in summer 2023, police found what they described as a “huge list” of items, including more than 200 weapons. They also searched the backyard of the home, as well, and Heuermann’s family claimed investigators left the home in chaos.
Ellerup filed for divorce after Heuermann’s arrest. Her DNA was among the evidence used to eventually arrest Heuermann, as police used familial DNA to help identify a suspect.
NewsNation’s Steph Whiteside contributed to this report.