Rex Heuermann, a 61-year-old architect, has been at the center of a chilling investigation involving the murders of seven women connected to the notorious Gilgo Beach killings. Arrested in July 2023, Heuermann faces multiple murder charges as the legal proceedings unfold against him. Recently, a Netflix documentary titled Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer was released, detailing Heuermann's family life, which has drawn significant public interest and scrutiny.
The Gilgo Beach killings, a series of murders that took place between 1993 and 2011, gained notoriety after the remains of several victims were discovered in 2010. The grim discovery was sparked by the disappearance of Shannan Gilbert, an escort who vanished on May 1, 2010. After a lengthy search, her body was found half a mile from where she was last seen, leading police to uncover the bodies of four other women: Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello. This led to the identification of the perpetrator as the Long Island Serial Killer.
Heuermann's early life in Massapequa Park, where he lived with his wife Asa Ellerup, stepson Christopher Sheridan, and daughter Victoria Heuermann, has been scrutinized in light of the allegations against him. Asa, originally from Iceland, married Heuermann in 1996 and filed for divorce shortly after his arrest. Despite the shocking circumstances, she has maintained her belief in his innocence. "After 27 years with Mr. Heuermann, Ms. Ellerup maintains the belief that her estranged husband is not capable of committing these heinous acts," stated Robert Macedonio, Asa's attorney.
Asa and her children returned to their family home in Massapequa Park after authorities completed a search of the property. As of November 2024, both Victoria, 28, and Christopher, 35, continue to live there. Victoria graduated from the New York Institute of Technology with a degree in fine arts and has previously worked for her father's architecture consulting firm. Christopher, who has developmental disabilities, has been described by his attorney as being caught in the crossfire of a deeply unfortunate case.
Heuermann has been charged with the murders of several women, including the aforementioned victims as well as Jessica Taylor and Valerie Mack, who were believed to have been killed in the early 2000s. The police investigation linked Heuermann to the crimes through various pieces of evidence, including hair found on the body of Valerie Mack. Heuermann has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has denied any wrongdoing.
The Gilgo Beach case has been a complex and lengthy investigation, with the first known victim, Sandra Costilla, believed to have been murdered in November 1993. Her body was discovered 60 miles north of Gilgo Beach, and forensic evidence later connected her murder to Heuermann. The chilling details surrounding the murders reveal a pattern, as many of the victims were petite women involved in sex work.
Maureen Brainard-Barnes, one of the Gilgo Four, disappeared on July 9, 2007, after traveling from Connecticut to New York City. Her case took a sinister turn when a mystery man called her friend, claiming she was alive and staying at a "whorehouse in Queens." Melissa Barthelemy went missing in June 2009, also working as a sex worker. Her sister received disturbing phone calls from a man who taunted her with information about Melissa's death.
In June 2010, two more women, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello, vanished under similar circumstances. Amber's flatmate provided a detailed description of a client who later was identified as Heuermann. The police investigation, which spanned years, ultimately led to Heuermann's arrest based on extensive evidence linking him to the murders.
As the trial progresses, Heuermann's family has had to navigate a public relations nightmare. Asa filed for divorce just six days after his arrest, moving to South Carolina with her two adult children. Despite the separation, Asa and Victoria have shown support for Heuermann during pre-trial hearings, a move that has drawn mixed reactions from the public.
Asa's attorney emphasized her lack of involvement in the alleged crimes. "Today's indictment further illustrates that Asa Ellerup has no involvement in any of the alleged crimes that her estranged husband, Rex Heuermann, has been charged with," Macedonio stated to Newsweek. Meanwhile, Vess Mitev, representing Victoria and Christopher, described the situation as a "dark time" for the family, highlighting their innocence in the unfolding tragedy.
Heuermann's next court appearance is set for April 2, 2025, but a trial date has not yet been established. As the legal proceedings continue, the families of the victims and the public await answers regarding this horrific series of crimes.
