Gilgo Beach murderer’s arrest and DWIs lead crime news
A breakthrough in the Gilgo Beach case and a series of devastating DWI crashes stood out to Anton Media Group in 2023.
Rex Heuermann Arrested in Gilgo Beach Murders
On July 13, Massapequa Park resident Rex Heuermann was arrested in the unsolved case of the Gilgo Beach murders. The case had been unsolved since the 2010 discovery of nine human remains near Ocean Parkway.
Heuermann is charged in the first degree and second degree for the 2009 murder of 24-year-old Melissa Barthelemy, the 2010 murder of 22-year-old Megan Waterman and the 2009 murder of 27-year-old Amber Lynn Costello. While the defendant is not yet charged with any crimes related to the 2007 disappearance and murder of 25-year-old Maureen Brainard-Barnes, he is the prime suspect in her death and the investigation.
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney explained that when he took office in January of 2022, he sought to prioritize the Gilgo investigation. The Gilgo Beach Homicide Task Force of investigators, analysts, prosecutors and law enforcement was formed, utilizing the Grand Jury for its power and reach in obtaining documents, interviewing witnesses and keeping secrecy.
The defendant pleaded not guilty and has not yet been sentenced for these crimes.
A Series of Tragic Deaths Caused by DWIs
This year was yet another wake-up call to just how serious driving while intoxicated or under the influence could be.
On May 3, Amandeep Singh allegedly drove a 2021 Dodge Ram TRX south at high speed in the northbound lanes on North Broadway in Jericho. The defendant then reportedly crashed his vehicle into an oncoming Alfa Romeo that contained four teenage passengers. Due to the force of the impact, 14-year-olds Drew Hassenbein and Ethan Falkowitz, who were seated on the right side of the Alfa Romeo, were killed instantly.
Singh allegedly fled the crash scene and was apprehended nearby by members of the Nassau County Police Department. He is facing charges including driving while ability impaired by a combined influence of alcohol and a drug and two counts of driving while intoxicated.
On Aug. 6, Michael Deangelo, 32, of Lindenhurst, was allegedly driving westbound at a high rate of speed on Sunrise Highway in Massapequa when he collided with three additional vehicles. Patrice Huntley, 60, of Flushing, and his children Jeremiah, 10, and Hannah Huntley, 13, both of Uniondale, were pronounced dead at the scene. Chantel Solomon, 6, of Uniondale. later succumbed to her injuries. Deangelo was charged with driving while ability impaired.
On Aug. 12, Sotirios Spanos, 32, of Syosset, was traveling eastbound on Northern Boulevard in the vicinity of Moores Hill Road in Laurel Hollow when he crossed over the yellow divider and collided with a Ferrari Convertible traveling westbound, killing Ismenia and Odalis Urena, both 37, of Syosset. Spanos was charged with driving while intoxicated. The Urenas are survived by two young children.
