Serial killer who murdered eight women in Long Island town imprisoned for life

Rex Heuermann, known as the Gilgo Beach serial killer, who admitted to brutally murdering eight women, received the maximum sentence on Wednesday.

He will serve three life sentences for first-degree murder, plus 25 years to life on four second-degree murder charges, all running consecutively.

The sentencing followed a series of angry, poignant statements on Wednesday, as victims' family members described how the brutal losses created "lifelong devastation" for them.

In April, Heuermann confirmed that he strangled and bound his victims before scattering their remains along Long Island's remote beaches.

"You are a disgusting and despicable, small man, if you're a man at all. And you're a coward," said Judge Timothy Mazzei as he handed down the maximum sentence in a Riverhead, Long Island courtroom. "Get him out of here."

Heuermann, who appeared in a dark suit, blue shirt and grey tie, gave a brief statement before the sentence, claiming responsibility, then acknowledged that at this point, his words had "no meaning." When asked by the judge if he was "a little bit sorry", he replied, "yes".

The murders took place between 1993 and 2010, but the case took over a decade to solve.

After initially pleading not guilty, Heuermann ultimately admitted to the murders of: Melissa Barthelemy, 24; Megan Waterman, 22; and Amber Costello, 27; Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25; Jessica Taylor, 20; Valerie Mack, 24; Sandra Costilla, 28; and Karen Vergata, 34.