According to the United States Census Bureau (via Newsday), Gilgo, New York — located within the Town of Babylon, in Suffolk County — is a hamlet with a population of only 185 people as of the 2020 census. Like many beach communities, most homes in the area, built on public land, are part-time residences as people travel from all over to vacation and spend time in the area. Relatively secluded, Gilgo Beach itself is near both Jones Beach State Park and Fire Island’s Robert Moses State Park, attracting millions of visitors every year.
Drawing people to Gilgo Beach is fishing for blue fish or striped bass, as well as beautiful views, and birdwatchers might also spot protected piping plovers or sea beach amaranth. Rex Heuermann, the man arrested in connection to four of the 11 human remains found at Gilgo Beach, lived less than 6 miles away in Massapequa Park, according to CNN. Referring to the Gilgo murders, Massapequa resident Cheryl Lombard toldThe Times, “We all followed it. It’s scary. I know a lot of people avoided that beach.”
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“It’s an amazing place,” former Long Island State Parks Commissioner Wayne Horsely added (via NYT), referring to Gilgo Beach. “And to have that reputation marred on TV stations about murders and mayhem, it’s just a shame.”
