Gilgo Beach Serial Killer Rex Heuermann’s Wife May Be Aware of Husband’s Crimes; Suspect Could Be Freed

The attorney representing the families of two Gilgo Beach victims raised doubts about the duration of accused serial killer Rex Heuermann’s wife’s presence in town. It is suggested that she might have been present during one of the killings, potentially for a longer period than investigators initially believed.

Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney has stated that “Heuermann’s estranged wife Asa Ellerup was away during the time of the murders”. However, attorney John Ray raised doubts about this conclusion during an event at St. John’s University in Queens on Tuesday night.

According to Ray, who is advocating for the families of Shannan Gilbert and Jessica Taylor, he had a conversation with a hotel manager in Atlantic City.
The hotel manager allegedly stated that “Ellerup and her children arrived at the location later than what investigators believe”.This suggests that they would have been present in town during at least one of the murders.

Bob Macedonio, Ellerup’s attorney, strongly refuted Ray’s allegations, stating that “if Tierney’s assessment of Ellerup was incorrect, it would undermine the entire case against Heuermann”.

An independent legal expert, who has no affiliation with the case, informed Fox that it would be illogical for the District Attorney to present an argument that he lacked confidence in.

Neama Rahmani informed the outlet that the DA’s statement could pose a potential issue if it turned out to be incorrect. But why would the district attorney argue something they were unsure of?

The Gilgo Four Murders

Heuermann, 60, is facing charges for the murders of the sex workers whose remains were found on Gilgo Beach in 2010, known as the “Gilgo Four” killings.

The bodies of Amber Lynn Costello, 27, Melissa Barthelemy, 24, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25, and Megan Waterman, 22, were discovered wrapped in burlap on the beach within a short period of time between December 2010 and April 2011.

Heuermann, a New York City architect and married father of two, was arrested this past July in connection to the notorious case. He was linked to three of the women through DNA found on a discarded pizza.

The arrest occurred following the reopening of the case in January 2022 by former NYPD chief Rodney Harrison, who was serving as Suffolk County police commissioner at the time. 

Harrison initiated a dedicated task force for the Gilgo Beach Homicide Investigation in February 2022, which promptly identified Heuermann as a potential suspect.
Heuermann has been detained without bail since his arrest.