The Gilgo Beach Murders To Get a Docuseries Treatment on Amazon

Amazon is set to release a new docuseries focusing on the Gilgo Beach murders, one of Long Island’s most notorious criminal cases.

The series, produced by Nacelle Company and Empress Films, will be directed by Emma Cooper, founder of Empress Films.

The case centers on Rex Heuermann, a New York architect who was arrested in 2023 and charged with killing seven women in the Long Island area. Among his alleged victims are the Gilgo Four, Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy, Amber Lynn Costello, and Maureen Brainard-Barnes, as well as Jessica Taylor, Sandra Costilla, and Valerie Mack. Heuermann is currently awaiting trial.

Amazon’s series aims to explore the “inside story” of these murders and the impact on the victims’ families.

Cooper said, “Working on this story has been a profound privilege. To sit with the families, to hear their voices, and to witness the tireless commitment of law enforcement has offered an insight that is as heartbreaking as it is vital. Ultimately this is their story, and I am deeply grateful to Amazon MGM Studios for their trust and support in allowing me to tell it with honesty and care.”

Lauren Anderson, Head of Brand and Content Innovation at Amazon MGM Studios, added, “Sharing the powerful stories of the victims’ families has been both humbling and profoundly moving for everyone involved.”

This is not the first streaming series to cover the Long Island murders. Netflix produced Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer, Peacock released The Gilgo Beach Killer: House of Secrets, and Investigation Discovery aired a series hosted by Nancy Grace.

Brian Volk-Weiss, Cisco Henson, Matt Ochacher, and Phil Donlon are executive producers for Nacelle Company, while Cooper and Eben Davidson executive produce for Empress Films.

Ddocuseries like this provide an important platform to tell the stories of the victims and their families, while also examining how law enforcement worked to solve the case. However, these stories must be handled carefully and respectfully. What do you think about streaming platforms exploring real-life crimes like this? Share your thoughts in the comments.