Inside the Shocking Fallout for Rex Heuermann’s Wife and Kids After His Serial Killer Arrest

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In 2023, the apprehension of Rex Heuermann could potentially mark a significant advancement for the relatives of several women who were brutally murdered, as their cases had been stagnating and growing cold for nearly twenty years.

Investigators claim that Heuermann, an architect residing in Massapequa Park, New York with his family, is believed to be a multiple murderer whose criminal activities can be traced back to at least 1993. This is the year when the remains of Sandra Costilla, aged 28, were found in a wooded location on the eastern side of Long Island.

After his apprehension, he stands accused of killing seven females. On each charge, he’s denied any wrongdoing. At present, the 61-year-old continues to be detained at Riverhead Correctional Facility in Suffolk County, preparing for his upcoming trial.

Additionally, in the aftermath of the investigation portrayed in Netflix’s “Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer,” Heuermann’s family was also significantly impacted. Notably, his wife, Asa Ellerup, and their children, Christopher Sheridan (Ellerup’s child from a prior relationship) and Virginia Heuermann, were deeply affected by the events.

Despite some people perceiving Heuermann as unfriendly and even creepy, causing neighbors like Nicholas Ferchaw to cross the street to avoid him, he continued to live a seemingly ordinary life. (New York Times quoted Ferchaw after his arrest.)

Frankie Musto mentioned to the Long Island Press that the family keeps largely to themselves and is quite reserved. He added that his daughter attended school with their daughter, yet they never noticed anything unusual or suspect in their interactions.

Here are some details about Ellerup, Heuermann’s wife, and their children following his arrest for multiple murder charges:

1. Ellerup is a mother of three children.
2. She has been cooperating with authorities in the investigation.
3. The couple had been married for several years.
4. Their children are all minors and have not been involved in any wrongdoing.
5. The family resided in [location].
6. Ellerup is said to be shocked and saddened by her husband’s actions.

Who is suspected serial killer Rex Heuermann’s wife, Asa Ellerup?

Heuermann was apprehended on July 13, 2023, marking over a year since the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office established a dedicated task force to investigate the unresolved Gilgo Beach Murders. These chilling killings are known by this name because the remains of at least ten individuals were discovered in 2010 and 2011 at the Gilgo Beach site. As reported by Suffolk County officials, three sets of remains still remain unidentified.

27 years into their marriage, Ellerup petitioned for divorce six days following the arrest of Heuermann.

In simpler terms, Commissioner Rodney Harrison stated to CNN in July 2023 that he doubts whether Mr. Heuermann’s family knew about his secret life. However, he emphasized that the authorities are still investigating to find out if they might have been aware of what Mr. Heuermann was doing behind closed doors.

How did Rex Heuermann’s wife Asa Ellerup and kids react to his arrest?

Harrison shared that Ellerup and her daughter felt a combination of shock, revulsion, and mortification upon learning about the accusations against Heuermann.

Ellerup and her children are experiencing a very difficult period in their lives, as stated by their attorney Robert Macedonio to NBC News. The sensitive circumstances surrounding her husband’s arrest are causing significant emotional distress not only for the immediate and extended family but particularly for their older relatives.

Prior to Heuermann’s detention, investigators carried out a 12-day exploration of the Massapequa Park residence that Heuermann shared with Ellerup and their two adult children.

During the dead of night, I suddenly awoke feeling cold and anxious,” Ellerup explained to the New York Post several weeks afterwards.

As a lifestyle advisor, I’d rephrase that statement as follows: My child, Christopher, experiences developmental challenges, and the recent arrest of my partner left him sobbing himself to sleep at night.

Virginia’s daughter shared with the New York Post that she felt more like an inhuman entity during the investigation. Her attorney, Macdeonio, clarified to the publication that by “not human,” she meant the authorities had acted in ways that were beyond cruel and inhumane towards them and their family. They described the treatment as barbaric, as if the investigators had treated them like wild animals.

But what was important was that she and the kids were together, Ellerup noted. 

She remarked, “What truly counts at the moment is this – us being here together. We’ll make it through this situation.

A while after, it was disclosed by her lawyer that Ellerup had been waging a long fight against both breast cancer and skin cancer over the past few years.

In terms of her emotional state, she’s making progress daily, not just coping with the cancer, but also grappling with the unexpected change in her life – the need to safeguard herself and her children. (Macedonio made these remarks during a press conference on August 11, 2023.)

Currently, Macedonio stated that Ellerup was undergoing a treatment plan lasting between 12 to 18 months. Additionally, he mentioned that her health insurance, tied to her husband’s, was due to expire within the next 60 days.

What has Rex Heuermann’s wife said about the murder charges against him?

Ellerup initially chose to file for divorce swiftly; however, she later clarified that she held off on making a final decision until she observed the progress of her husband’s case. Simultaneously, she expressed compassion towards the bereaved families of the victims.

In her statement made in March 2024, as reported by NBC New York, she expressed that no one should meet such an unfortunate end. She vowed to wait for the conclusion of the trial before rendering a verdict, maintaining an open mind and giving Rex the presumption of innocence, just as we all deserve.

How did Rex Heuermann’s wife play a role in his arrest for murder?

Despite repeated statements by authorities that they don’t think Ellerup was aware of Heuermann’s alleged offenses, and given that she was away at the time the murders for which he’s been indicted occurred, it turns out she unknowingly played a significant part in his apprehension.

2023 bail application documents revealed that DNA analysis indicated a match between female human hair discovered close to the bodies of four victims and that of the defendant’s spouse, as stated by prosecutors. At the time this application was filed, the defendant’s wife wasn’t explicitly mentioned in it.

In court documents, prosecutors stated that records showed the defendant’s wife was in Iceland at the time when Melissa Barthelemy was murdered in 2009, and phone data suggested she was outside the state during the killings of Megan Waterman and Amber Lynn Costello in 2010. This evidence led them to conclude that the hairs found at the crime scenes either originated from his home or were transferred onto his clothing.

Initially, Heuermann was indicted for the murders of Barthelemy, Waterman, and Costello back in July 2023, and was also identified as a person of interest in the 2010 slaying of Maureen Brainard-Barnes. In January 2024, he was formally accused in that case. Later, in June 2024, he was charged with the murders of Costilla (in 1993) and Jessica Taylor (2003), followed by a charge for the murder of Valerie Mack (2000) in December 2024. He has denied any guilt regarding all seven accusations.

Where is Rex Heuermann’s family now?

Despite the thorough search conducted by investigators that left their home in disarray, Ellerup expressed to the NY Post in July 2023, “It’s all I have left.

However, her lawyer Macedonio stated in November 2024 that she intends to move to South Carolina, with the expectation that her children will follow later on.

According to the statement from her lawyer, as reported by NBC New York, Ellerup is finding it difficult to hold onto her home that she’s lived in for 30 years. In order to help herself recover, she intends to make a fresh start and relocate.

At the time, it was reported that the house in Massapequa Park had not been put up for sale, despite the fact that authorities had carried out multiple searches there following the arrest of Heuermann.

There seems to be no confirmation that Ellerup has relocated at this point. Our team from TopMob News contacted her legal representative for a statement, but have not received a response as of now.

According to Macedonio, there are always people stopping by the house to stare, gesture, and snap photos. The emotional bond she once held for the property has been broken due to all the events that have transpired, and the only means for her to heal is by relocating.

Regarding his children, Victoria previously worked with her father at his New York City business, which is now closed. Currently, she’s finding it difficult to secure employment, and she and her sibling are making an effort to stay out of the limelight.

According to their attorney Vess Mitev, Chris finds it impossible to walk his dog just around the block because he’s constantly being photographed, approached by people who want pictures, and catcalled. It’s become such a hassle that even checking the mail has become difficult. This level of attention is not something my clients are accustomed to or wish for. They didn’t ask for it.

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2025-05-19 23:17