Gilgo Beach serial killer sentenced to life in prison without parole

Rex Heuermann, the former Manhattan architect who murdered several women and dumped their bodies on Gilgo Beach, was sentenced Wednesday to life without the possibility parole. 

The sentencing followed emotional statements from relatives of Heuermann's victims, NBC News reported. 

Melissa Cann, sister of victim Maureen Brainard-Barnes, sobbed as she called Heuermann a "coward who preyed on vulnerable, innocent women." Amanda Funderburg, a sister of victim Melissa Barthelemy, called him a "repulsive monster." 

Heuermann kept his down as the statements were read, and some of the speakers demanded he look them in the eye. 

In early April, Heuermann pleaded guilty to charges related to the murdering and dismembering of seven women. He also admitted he intentionally caused the death of an eighth woman, but he wasn't charged with her murder as part of a plea deal.