Lifetime to re-release the Gilgo beach killer movie with new info

Thanks to the recent arrest of accused serial killer Rex Heuermann, Lifetime will re-release its true crime movie “The Gilgo Beach Killer” updated with new information.

Airing Sunday, August 6 at 8 p.m., the movie is part of the network’s  “Ripped from the Headlines” August programming.

Previously titled “The Long Island Serial Killer: A Mother’s Hunt for Justice,” the movie originally aired in Feb. of 2021. 

It depicted a fictionalized version of the true story of Mari Gilbert (Kim Delaney), a grieving mother who searched for what happened to her sex-worker daughter Shannan (Katharine Isabelle, “Hannibal”) who vanished after a ‘date’ on Long Island. 

Mari’s dogged pursuit of the truth eventually led to the police uncovering 19 bodies of young women discovered buried in shallow graves along Ocean Parkway in the area of Jones Beach State Park in 2010 and 2011. 

Tragically, Mari Gilbert was stabbed to death by her other daughter in 2016, before she could see Shannan’s killer get caught.

In the movie’s original synopsis, it said, “Though the search for the killer is still ongoing, Mari’s passionate dedication to giving her daughter and other forgotten women a voice, and the attention they deserve, has kept the case alive with hopes of a breakthrough soon.” 

However, there was a breakthrough in the case on July 14.

Rex Heuermann, 59  –  a New York city architect and married dad of two – was arrested and charged in three of the killings: Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy, and Amber Costello. 

He was caught after DNA from the hair of victim Megan Waterman matched his DNA, which investigators took from a discarded pizza crust in January.

Lifetime’s “The Gilgo Beach Killer” will feature new content from executive producer and Emmy Award-winning journalist Deborah Norville, who will provide updated and new details about the case. 

Lifetime did not immediately respond when The Post reached out for comment about what the new information will be. 

However, there’s plenty of material, including the reactions of the suspected serial killer’s “embarrassed” family and friends. 

“When we initially informed them about their husband, their father, they were shocked,” Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison told CNN. 

“They were disgusted — they were embarrassed. So, if you ask me, I don’t believe they knew about this double life that Mr. Heuermann was living.”

More sex workers have also come forward alleging that they had encounters with Heuermann, and his “disgusted” wife Asa Ellerup, 59, has filed for divorce. 

Details have also emerged about his behavioral patterns, including stalking and butchering animals.

Actor Billy Baldwin, who is the brother of Alec Baldwin, has also revealed that the accused killer was his former classmate. 

Lifetime’s special airing of “The Gilgo Beach Killer” will air Aug. 6 at 8 p.m.