Heuermann was charged with killing Valerie Mack, a 24-year-old from New Jersey who had been working as an escort in the Philadelphia area, in 2000. For years, she was known only as "Jane Doe #6." Her partial remains were found in Manorville, Long Island in 2000, and more of her remains were found on Gilgo Beach more than 10 years later.
"Your honor, I'm not guilty of any of these charges," he told the judge.
Mack's parents were in court, and declined comment.
"The lives of these women matter," Tierney said. "At least we can provide them with a small measure of closure."
The trial date has not yet been set, but the judge said more hearings will held in February.
Court documents reveal new details
According to the court documents, hairs found near Mack's severed wrist were linked to Heuermann's estranged wife Asa Ellerup and daughter, to the exclusion of 99.65% of the North American population. Heuermann's daughter would have been a young child at the time of Mack's killing, and neither has been accused of any wrongdoing in the case.
Court documents also reveals pornographic images of sexual torture that were found on Rex Heuermann's electronic devices showed bindings similar to rope ligatures found on Mack's remains. Records also show he reached out to a plumbing company for draining of his home's pipes after Mack was murdered.
Court documents further allege in Heuermann's planning document, he references a dump site as Mill Road. Mack's remains were discovered near Mill Road in Manorville.
"All of it is consistent with the murders occurring in the home," Tierney said.
Court documents allege a similar cutting instrument was used to dismember Mack and another victim, Jessica Taylor. The indictment also alleges Mack's tattoos were removed. The removal of tattoos is also allegedly on a document Heuermann allegedly had that authorities have described as a blueprint for how to get away with murder, complete with checklists of things to do before, during and after killing someone.
Court documents also reveal that inside Heuermann's office they found many magazines and articles about the serial killer case.
"People [Magazine]. There wasa New York Times article in the safe, other news articles," Tierney said.
Heuermann accusations to date
Heuermann, 61, has previously pleaded not guilty to murder charges in the deaths of six women between 1993 and 2011. The remains of 11 people were discovered around Gilgo Beach during that period, and investigators believe Heuermann may be linked to other killings. The Suffolk County DA has said there could be future indictments.
Four of the victims had their bodies disposed of near Gilgo Beach. Two others were murdered as far back as 2003 and 1993. Each of them had been involved in sex work.
Prosecutors allege Heuermann is linked to the murders through DNA, burner phone data, a description of his truck, internet searches and what they described as a blueprint for how to get away with murder.
The women he is accused of killing to date are Amber Lynn Costello, Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Sandra Costilla, Taylor and now Mack.
Attorneys wrangle over DNA, volume of evidence
A key point of contention in the new DNA evidence is called SNP, which prosecutors say links the hairs of victims to Heuermann. The defense has called an outside lab's methods of genetic testing unproven and "magic."
Another hurdle for prosecutors is the sheer volume of evidence. The DA says they're struggling to keep up with the costs of processing the 120 terabytes of data and 400 electronic devices seized.
Heuermann's attorney says his client is looking forward to his day in court and will be pursuing a change of venue, claiming the jury pool in Suffolk has been "poisoned."
