Gilgo Beach Case Update

As of July 14, 2023, Suffolk County Police have arrested Rex Heurermann in connection to the Long Island Serial Killer case. For more information, our coverage can be found here. This is a developing story.

Maureen Brainard-Barnes

Melissa Barthelemy, an aspiring hairstylist, was last seen on July 12, 2009, outside her apartment on Underhill Avenue in the Bronx. Sometime that day, a bank security camera recorded her by depositing $1,000. Her boyfriend/pimp, John "Blaze" Terry, said Melissa had arranged for another $1,000 date the next night somewhere on Long Island.

Shortly after Melissa's disappearance, her sister received a series of phone calls from a man using Melissa's cell phone and claiming to be her killer. It has been reported that the first calls were on July 16, July 19, and July 23, and the final call was on August 26 or 27. The calls were placed from crowded locations in New York City, including Madison Square Garden and Times Square. Cell phone records also showed that Melissa's voicemail was accessed at some time on July 12 from Massapequa, NY.

Melissa's body was discovered on December 11, 2010, beside Ocean Parkway near Gilgo Beach. She had been strangled.

(Information provided by: Gilgo Case)