Gilgo Beach killer suspect's wife had 'personal' conversations with him in jail
The estranged wife of the man accused of murdering three women in the long-unsolved Gilgo Beach murders case has reportedly been in touch with him, having "personal" conversations, while he is in jail.
Rex Heuermann, 59, is awaiting trial in Suffolk County jail having been arrested on July 13 on suspicion of murdering three of the women who became known as the 'Gilgo Four'. His estranged wife, Asa Ellerup, 59, who is seeking a divorce from the prominent architect, has been in contact with her husband since his arrest, according to her divorce attorney.
Ms Elleruip has had "personal" conversations with Heuermann over the phone, her lawyer Robert Macedonio told Newsday. He declined to provide further details about their conversations, though said: "They have spoken."
He stressed that his client was shocked by her husband's arrest outside his Manhattan office for the gruesome murders which went unsolved for 13 years. He said: "She was completely blindsided by the whole event".
Heuermann appeared back in court on August 1 for a brief hearing (AP)"It was like getting hit by a Mack truck walking on 42nd Street. Obviously her head was just spinning," he said.
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When asked if Ms Ellerup planned to cooperate with the ongoing investigation into the killings, Mr Macedonio said he "can't even speculate" on the issue.
"We haven't been asked," he explained. Though he noted Ms Ellerup would have spousal immunity and could not be compelled to testify against him about events that occurred before or during the marriage. The couple had been married for more than two decades and shared their Massapequa Park home in Long Island with their daughter and his step-son.
A spokesperson for Suffolk County district attorney Ray Tierney declined to comment on whether investigators were speaking to Heuermann's family, which includes step-son Christopher, 32, and daughter Victoria, 27.
Asa Ellerup and Christopher Sheridan sit outside their Massapequa Park home (SplashNews.com)Mr Tierney previously told reporters there was "no indication" that the family knew of his alleged crimes. Investigators spent 12 days searching the family's home, tearing apart the back garden as a secret soundproof room was discovered in the basement.
On July 14, Heuermann pleaded not guilty to the murders of Melissa Barthelemy, 24, from New York State, Megan Waterman, 22, from Maine, and Amber Lynn Costello, 27, from North Carolina. The three women were among the remains discovered in December 2010, wrapped in burlap in the brush along Ocean Highway, near Long Island's Gilgo Beach.
Along with Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25, from Connecticut, they became known as the 'Gilgo Four'. All four women were sex workers from out of town who had been strangled, according to medical examiners, and their remains were found a tenth of a mile apart. Heuermann is also the prime suspect in the murder of Maureen.
Heuermann's initial arrest warrant noted that Ms Ellerup, originally from Iceland, was away from the couple's home when Melissa, Megan and Amber were believed to have been killed.
Investigators spent 12 days searching Heuermann's home (AP)Mr Macedonio said his client did not know her husband allegedly solicited sex workers and does not remember the events surrounding the specific dates of their disappearances, beginning in 2008.
"It's trying to recollect events more than 10 years ago. She hasn't had the opportunity to sit down and think about it. She's trying to locate passports to jog her memory," Mr Macedonio explained.
When investigators finally left the family home after a 12-day search, the residence was left "uninhabitable", according to Mr Macdeonio. He said: "The floors are ripped up. Mattresses were taken. The couch was cut open. There's holes in parts of the walls. Right now, they're going through everything, sorting through everything, trying to obtain a new mattress."
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Heuermann attended court for a brief hearing on Tuesday, August 1, and remains in custody at the Suffolk County Correctional Facility in Riverhead. Mr Macedonio said ahead of the proceedings that Ms Elleruip "has not visited him at the facility yet".
Police carried out a thorough search of Heuermann's home over the course of 12 days (Courtesy Robert Macedonio)He went on to say that "people from all over the world" have reached out to his firm, with some sending packages for Ms Ellerup. Even the daughter of the infamous Happy Faced Killer has been in touch and launched a GoFundMe to help with Ms Ellerup's divorce expenses and other needs.
"She's taking it day by day", said Mr Macedonio. "SHe's gaining a little bit of self-confidence now and realises she has to be strong for her children."
Heuermann has been accused of being involved in the murders which became part of the Long Island Serial Killer case, which laid cold for 13 years. Melissa was the first to be found, on December 11, 2010, as police searched for missing 23-year-old Shannan Matthews.
Shannan had last been seen at the nearby gated Oak Beach community, where she made a panicked call to 911 saying that people were after her with the intent to harm or kill her. During the search for Shannan, police uncovered numerous remains in the brambles along Ocean Parkway.
The case became known as that of the Long Island Serial Killer, the Gilgo Beach killer, the Manorville Butcher and the Craigslist Ripper. Police have said that one person may not be responsible for the multiple bodies and body parts found in the area.
According to the Gilgo Case website, set up by family members of victims and advocates, there are 10 people/bodies linked to the case, with seven more cases believed to be connected. The officially linked victims are: Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, Amber Costello, Jessica Taylor, Valerie Mack, an unnamed Asian Doe, Baby Doe, an African-American woman given the name 'Peaches' and the Fire Island Jane Doe. Possibly connected cases include: Shannan Gilbert, Andre Isaac, Jacqueline Smith, a victim given the name 'Cherries', Tanya Rush, an Asian Jane Doe and Tina Foglia.
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