A shooting club helped police in the Gilgo Beach murders investigation.
Peconic River Sportsman’s Club provided evidence to detectives that is believed to place Rex Heuermann near an area in Manorville where partial remains were found at a time when one of the victims disappeared. The club said he was not a member, and never applied to be a member, but he did attend many of their public high-powered rifle events.
Michael McEnroy, president of the Peconic River Sportsman’s Club, said Heuermann would often volunteer as a coach at their Small Arms Firing School (SAFS) program. Coaches stand next to beginners during range firing and offer hands-on safety instruction.
Club members said Heuermann always showed up to their public events alone and mostly kept to himself.
“I have spoken to several of them and he didn’t seem to have any friends at the club or anyone that he socialized with,” McEnroy said.
More than a decade later, club members were shocked to see Rex Heuermann’s picture all over the news as the suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer. Heuermann has been charged with the murders of six women and is a suspect in a seventh murder.
“Shortly after that, we were contacted by the Suffolk County police,” said McEnroy. “We actually have computerized records of these events taking place and that’s how we were able to give this information to Suffolk police.”
The Manorville Shooting Sports Club is located about three miles from where police found the partial remains of victims Valerie Mack and Jessica Taylor.
Prosecutors recovered a calendar from Heuermann’s Palm Pilot that shows he visited the club on July 20, 2003 – a day before Taylor disappeared on July 21.
(James Carbone/Newsday via AP)