Crime scene investigators dig in the back yard of Gilgo Beach murder suspect Rex A. Heuermann's Massapequa Park home Monday.
Credit: Peter Frutkoff. The recent arrest of Rex A. Heuermann in the Gilgo Beach murder investigation has residents expressing relief that a killer has finally been apprehended. But many are asking why it took so long. One significant reason is the dysfunctional relationship law enforcement has with sex workers.
The trajectory of this case illustrates the need for police to listen to sex workers. When bodies first turned up on Gilgo Beach, the Suffolk County Police Department, under the leadership of now-disgraced former Police Chief James Burke, refused to grant sex workers immunity from prostitution charges if they came forward with information.
Had law enforcement prioritized potential leads over arresting sex workers, this case might have been resolved years ago. To add insult to injury, Dominick Varrone, then Suffolk's chief of detectives, suggested at a news conference that the general public could remain at ease because the killer was only targeting a very specific type of individual.
This claim, dismissive of the value of the lives already lost, and disrespectful to their suffering families, reflected a culture of dismissiveness of sex workers. His actions ultimately led to Heuermann's arrest. By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy.
