Rex Heuermann Trial September 2026 — Defense Files 178-Page Motion to Dismiss Costilla Charge and Expose Bittrolff Connection

The biggest development in the Gilgo Beach case since Rex Heuermann's arrest. On January 13, 2026, Judge Timothy Mazzei finally set a trial date — right after Labor Day, September 2026. But the defense dropped a massive 178-page omnibus motion the night before that could change everything.

Defense attorneys Michael Brown and Danielle Coysh are asking the court to dismiss the Sandra Costilla murder charge entirely. Costilla was killed in 1993 — the oldest case on the indictment. The prosecution's evidence linking Heuermann to her death: a single hair on her outer shirt. Not on her body. Not in a vehicle. Not in his home. The defense argues there's no eyewitness testimony, no surveillance, no digital evidence, no phone records, no fingerprints, no confession, and no murder weapon.

They're also demanding all discovery related to convicted killer John Bittrolff, who's serving time for two Long Island murders with the same victim profile and geography. A former prosecutor previously stated Bittrolff was "probably responsible" for Costilla's death.

The motion challenges twenty search warrants and argues the pizza crust DNA collection violated Heuermann's Fourth Amendment rights — a novel argument that could set precedent for how DNA evidence is collected in New York.

Meanwhile, Andrew Dykes was just arrested in December for the murder of "Peaches" — long assumed to be a Gilgo victim. Different killer. Same beach.

DA Ray Tierney says he's confident. Prosecution responds March 3rd. Defense replies March 17th. Trial begins September 2026. Seven murder charges. Life without parole on the line.

#RexHeuermann #GilgoBeach #GilgoBeachMurders #LongIslandSerialKiller #SandraCostilla #JohnBittrolff #AndrewDykes #Peaches #GilgoBeachTrial #LISK

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