Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer is a three-part documentary series that premiered on Netflix on March 31, 2025. Directed by Liz Garbus, who previously explored the case in her 2020 scripted film Lost Girls, the series dives into the decades-long investigation of the Gilgo Beach murders on Long Island, New York. It focuses on the victims, their families, and the eventual arrest of Rex Heuermann, a New York architect accused of being the Long Island Serial Killer (LISK).
Melissa Barthelemy was one of the Gilgo Four, the initial group of victims whose remains were discovered in December 2010 along Ocean Parkway near Gilgo Beach. Melissa disappeared on July 10, 2009, after reportedly leaving her apartment to meet a client. Her remains were found wrapped in burlap, a signature of the killer. At TV Acute, we’re breaking it down for you—how Melissa lived, how she died, and who police say is behind her murder.
Who Was Melissa Barthelemy?
Melissa Mary Barthelemy came into the world on April 14, 1985, in Buffalo, New York. She was the kind of kid who lit up her family’s life—her parents, Lynn Barthelemy and Mark Szpila, adored her. Growing up with her siblings, Alexandra and Zachary, she had a pretty typical childhood. After her parents split, Melissa stuck with her mom, Lynn, and got close to her mom’s new partner, Jeff Martina. Jeff treated her like his own, and when her stepsister Amanda Funderburg came along, Melissa stepped up as the cool big sis. They shared everything—secrets, laughs, the works.
After high school, Melissa wasn’t content to just sit still. She bounced down to Texas to live with her dad for a bit, but Buffalo called her back. She had big dreams and wasn’t afraid to chase them. She enrolled at Continental Beauty School, earned her cosmetology license, and started working at a local salon. However, in 2007, she aimed even higher, relocating to the Bronx. She wanted independence, a fresh start, and a chance to make her mark. Little did she know, her journey would take a dark turn.
The Day Melissa Vanished
Fast forward to July 2009—Melissa’s family started to worry. She was the type to call home regularly, checking in with her parents and Amanda. But suddenly, the phone went silent. That wasn’t like her at all. On July 12, she was last seen, reportedly heading out to meet a client. She’d deposited $900 into her bank account that day and later tried calling an ex-boyfriend, but he didn’t pick up. Then, poof—she was gone.
Her family didn’t know it then, but Melissa wouldn’t be coming back. Over a year later, on December 11, 2010, police stumbled across human remains in a burlap sack along Ocean Parkway on Long Island. They were searching for another missing woman, Shannan Gilbert, when they made the grim find. After forensic tests, the truth hit hard: it was Melissa Barthelemy. The cause? Homicidal violence. Her family was crushed, and cops kicked into high gear to figure out what happened.
A Shocking Discovery on Gilgo Beach
Here’s where things get wild. Melissa Barthelemy’s remains weren’t the only ones found that day. Two days later, on December 13, 2010, police uncovered three more bodies nearby—Megan Waterman, Amber Costello, and Maureen Brainard-Barnes. All four women, including Melissa, were wrapped in burlap and dumped within 500 feet of each other along Gilgo Beach. It was clear this wasn’t a one-off crime. A serial killer was at work, and the Melissa Barthelemy Gilgo Beach connection became the start of a massive investigation.
When Melissa initially vanished, the police encountered numerous obstacles. They traced her phone and saw it pinged in places like Manhattan and Massapequa on July 13, 2009, but couldn’t nail down an exact spot. Upon further investigation, they discovered that Melissa had been facing financial difficulties and had resorted to sex work as a means of generating income. She told her mom she was an exotic dancer, but Amanda knew the full story. That last night, she’d gone to meet a client—and never came back.
The Creepy Calls That Haunted Her Family
If this case wasn’t chilling enough, it gets worse. A week after Melissa vanished, her 15-year-old stepsister Amanda started getting calls—from Melissa’s phone. But it wasn’t Melissa calling. A man’s voice came through, spewing vulgar threats and racial slurs. In one call, he told Amanda her sister was dead and he’d “watch her rot.” Can you even imagine? The family immediately reported the incident to the police, but tracking the calls proved to be a challenging task. They came from busy spots like Midtown Manhattan and Massapequa—places too crowded to pinpoint a suspect back then.
Amanda, who’s featured in the Netflix docuseries, still carries the pain. She’s called the killer a “monster” who thought he was untouchable. Those calls were a cruel taunt, and they stuck with her family as they waited for answers.
Rex Heuermann: The Accused Killer
For years, the Melissa Barthelemy murder case—and the others tied to Gilgo Beach—stayed cold. But in 2022, a break came. A witness remembered seeing a guy in a first-generation Chevrolet Avalanche near Rex Heuermann, a Long Island architect and family man, became the prime suspect. On July 14, 2023, cops arrested him in Manhattan, charging him with seven murders, including Melissa’s. He lived just miles from where the bodies were found, and evidence piled up fast—DNA from hairs on the victims, burner phone records, and a creepy “murder blueprint” on his computer. He’s pleaded not guilty, and his trial’s still pending as of April 1, 2025.
Heuermann’s arrest shocked everyone. He worked in Manhattan, had a wife and kids, and allegedly killed when they were out of town. The Netflix docuseries digs into how he stayed under the radar for so long, despite witnesses spotting his truck years earlier. TV Acute has been captivated by this case due to its jaw-dropping twist.
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Read More: Amber Lynn Costello’s Murder: Who Killed Her at Gilgo Beach?
