Victims' families speak out after guilty plea

Attorney Gloria Allred spoke on behalf of the families of Rex Heuermann's victims at Wednesday's news conference.

Heuermann pleaded guilty Wednesday to seven murders and admitted to killing an eighth woman. All eight women were said to have engaged in sex work, according to officials.

"Some of these murder victims were young mothers just trying to earn a little extra money to support their children, because many did not have the funds to go to college or get a decent job...They turned to sex work in order to help their families," she said. "It wasn't what they wanted to do, but it was what they felt forced to do because they had no meaningful alternatives."

She added, "Little did they know that the defendant, Rex Heuermann, did not care about their hopes and dreams, or that they had families and friends who loved them. He appeared to care only for himself and executing what he thought was his birthright for murder."

Allred was joined by several members of the victims' families, including the mother of Jessica Taylor.

"I'm glad that it is over, as far as him pleading guilty," said Taylor's mother, Elizabeth Baczkiel. She said she and other family members "wholeheartedly" accepted Heuermann's plea.

Nicollette Brainard-Barnes, the daughter of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, said she also accepted Heuermann's plea.

Maureen Brainard-Barnes's sister, Melissa Cann, addressed her deceased sibling tearfully: "The promise I made to you so long ago was simple. I would have never stop searching for justice for you through every year, every setback, every unanswered question...I kept that promise and today, it has been done. Justice has finally found its way to you."

She added, "Your voice was never silenced, your story never forgotten, and your life will always be more than the tragedy that took you. This moment is not the end, but a reminder that loving does prevail and hope never fades. Because even in the darkest moments, justice will find a way."