James Burke, a former New York police chief, is facing increased scrutiny over his handling of the Gilgo Beach killings investigation in a newly released Netflix documentary series.
Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer, a three-part documentary series, premiered on Monday.
Why It Matters
Rex Heuermann, 61, is accused of killing at least seven women in Long Island from 1993 to 2010. The killings remained unsolved for over a decade.
In 2023, Heuermann was arrested and charged in the deaths of the “Gilgo Four,” Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Lynn Costello. The four women’s bodies were found in 2010 near Gilgo Beach in Long Island.
Heuermann was arraigned on additional charges for the killings of Jessica Taylor and Sandra Costilla in June of last year and the killing of Valerie Mack in December.
What To Know
Burke served as Suffolk County Police Chief from 2012 to 2015. During his tenure, he supervised the investigation into the sets of remains found near Gilgo Beach.
Several individuals interviewed in Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer spoke about how Burke discouraged collaboration with other law enforcement agencies.
Rob Trotta was a detective with the Suffolk County Police Department assigned to the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force at the time. He said that Burke denied subpoenas for records related to cell phone towers.
“Burke said, ‘That’s too invasive,'” Trotta said.
Trotta showed a department directive signed by Burke, which instructed officers to notify a supervisor when contacted by an outside law enforcement agency.
Geraldine Hart, senior agent with the Long Island division of the FBI, said it was “apparent” that Burke and Suffolk County District Attorney Tom Spota did not want to work with the FBI.
“There was a lot of work done on cell phones early on,” Hart said. “And then it kind of, you know, dissipated after that,” Hart said.
Timothy Sini, Suffolk County Police Commissioner from 2015 to 2017, said detectives were blocked from sharing information with the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit, which would have assisted with the profiling of the killer.
“That was the doing of Tom Spota and James Burke,” Sini said.
Burke also faced internal investigations for allegations of drug use, engaging in relationships with sex workers and other misconduct during his time as chief.
“So, you have a serial murderer killing prostitutes on Long Island, and your police chief is a guy who patronizes prostitutes,” Trotta said.
Trotta said Burke did not view the murder investigation as a “high priority.”
Burke resigned in 2015. He was then federally charged for allegedly beating a man in handcuffs.
In this Dec. 9, 2015 file photo, former Suffolk County Police Chief James Burke is escorted to a vehicle by FBI personnel outside an FBI office in Melville, N.Y. In this Dec. 9, 2015 file photo, former Suffolk County Police Chief James Burke is escorted to a vehicle by FBI personnel outside an FBI office in Melville, N.Y. Steve Pfost/Newsday via AP, File
Burke pleaded guilty to reduced charges in 2016 and was sentenced to 46 months in prison. He completed his sentence in 2019.
In 2023, Burke was arrested for public lewdness after he allegedly exposed himself to a park ranger at Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park in Farmingville.
According to the documentary, Burke’s lawyer denied all allegations against him, including those relating to his handling of the Gilgo Beach murder case.
What People Are Saying
Trotta, in an interview: “Basically, they didn’t want anyone talking to the FBI anymore. It’s like, you know, the FBI is offering to help you. They’re giving you the people that are going to do it. They’re paying for the expense of it. But, Jimmy Burke, he didn’t want the FBI involved in Suffolk County in any way, shape or form.”
What Happens Next
Heuermann’s next court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday.
Burke’s next court date is set for April 16.
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Update 3/31/25 4:47 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with Burke’s lawyers statement from the documentary.
