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Newsweek
3 days ago
- Newsweek
Daughter of Gilgo Beach Murder Suspect Breaks Silence in New Docuseries
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The daughter of Rex Heuermann told producers of a new documentary series that she believes her father is most likely responsible for killing several women whose bodies were found near Gilgo Beach. Victoria Heuermann, 28, was interviewed in the three-part Peacock documentary series The Gilgo Beach Killer: House of Secrets. In the final episode, a statement displayed on screen read, "A week before the series' release, Victoria Heuermann told producers that based on the publicly available facts that have been presented and explained to her, she now believes her father is most likely the Gilgo Beach killer." In Victoria's interview, she said she was "on the fence" about the allegations being made about her father. "As always my clients maintain their privacy and reiterate that they will wait for the legal action process to run its course in a courtroom and not in the court of public opinion," Vess Mitev, an attorney representing Heuermann's children, told Newsweek. Newsweek reached out to attorney Michael Brown, who is representing Rex Heuermann, for comment. Victoria Heuermann attends the FRYE hearing for Rex Heuermann on March 28, 2025, at the Suffolk County Criminal Court in Riverhead, New York. Victoria Heuermann attends the FRYE hearing for Rex Heuermann on March 28, 2025, at the Suffolk County Criminal Court in Riverhead, New York. The Context The Gilgo Beach case, centering on the remains of multiple women found along Long Island's South Shore, became a national focus in 2010 after authorities searching for missing woman Shannan Gilbert uncovered several bodies near Ocean Parkway. The investigation intensified over the next decade, leading to the 2023 arrest of Rex Heuermann, a Manhattan architect charged with the murders of seven women, including the so-called "Gilgo Four"—Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Lynn Costello. In subsequent months, authorities added charges relating to the deaths of Jessica Taylor, Sandra Costilla and Valerie Mack, all of whom disappeared between 1993 and 2010. Heuermann has pleaded not guilty to all charges and remains in custody as legal proceedings continue. What To Know The new Peacock docuseries, The Gilgo Beach Killer: House of Secrets, offers exclusive interviews with Rex's daughter, Victoria, and ex-wife, Asa Ellerup, alongside insights into the aftermath of his arrest. The series features commentary that reveals the personal impact and complexity surrounding the ongoing case. Executive produced by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, the documentary covers both the accused's family and the stories of the victims. Victoria, who previously worked at her father's architecture consulting firm, discussed her evolving feelings about the allegations in the series, noting the difficulty of reconciling public accusations with her own memories. "Now that I do look back on my childhood, I do find it very hard to believe my dad actually did all this," Victoria said. She said she was "inspired" to work alongside her dad at the architecture firm. "I looked up to him. I felt 'damn, I have some really big shoes to fill,'" she said. Victoria recalled her dad coming home from work "frustrated" at times. "He never hit any of us," Victoria said. "The worst he would do was he would throw a plate in the sink." Ellerup and her children still lived in the family's Massapequa Park home at the time the documentary series was filmed, but Ellerup indicated that they planned to move out. "Now that this life in this house is coming to an end, it makes me feel like there's a new beginning," Ellerup said. The family's public profile has grown since the arrest, with both Ellerup and Victoria participating in court appearances and sharing their perspectives in the documentary. What People Are Saying Victoria Heuermann, in The Gilgo Beach Killer: House of Secrets: "I feel like I can't know whether or not he did or didn't because I was not around, I was too young to understand." Asa Ellerup, in The Gilgo Beach Killer: House of Secrets: "I would need to hear it from Rex, face-to-face, for me to believe he killed these girls." What Happens Next The broader investigation into the Gilgo Beach killings has linked over ten sets of remains to the area since 2010. Authorities recently identified Tanya Denise Jackson and her daughter, Tatiana Marie Dykes, among the victims discovered, though it remains unclear if their cases are directly connected to the main Gilgo Beach homicides. Police and prosecutors continue to encourage public tips and caution against online speculation as the case unfolds. Rex Heuermann's next court appearance is scheduled for June 17. Do you have a story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Newsweek
Accused Gilgo Beach Killer's Ex-Wife Breaks Silence in New Doc: Watch Clip
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Asa Ellerup, the ex-wife of Rex Heuermann, the man accused of killing several women whose remains were found near Gilgo Beach on Long Island, New York, has spoken out in a new Peacock documentary series about the case. Ellerup, who has attended several of Heuermann's court appearances, filed for divorce from him following his arrest. Her attorney, Robert Macedonio, announced that the divorce was finalized in March. "The investigator says to me, 'Have you heard about the murders on Gilgo Beach?' I've heard of them," Ellerup said in a trailer for The Gilgo Beach Killer: House of Secrets. "Does everybody really believe everything they hear?" Asa Ellerup and her daughter Victoria Heuermann attend the FRYE hearing for Rex Heuermann on March 28, 2025 at the Suffolk County Criminal Court in Riverhead, New York. Asa Ellerup and her daughter Victoria Heuermann attend the FRYE hearing for Rex Heuermann on March 28, 2025 at the Suffolk County Criminal Court in Riverhead, New York. Who Is Rex Heuermann? Heuermann, 61, is facing murder charges in connection with the deaths of seven women between 1993 and 2010. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. He was arrested in 2023 in connection with remains found over a decade prior near Gilgo Beach. A police dog found the remains of Melissa Barthelemy while searching for missing woman Shannan Gilbert in 2010. Officials then found the remains of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Megan Waterman and Amber Lynn Costello. The victims have been called the "Gilgo Four." Heuermann was later charged with the murders of Jessica Taylor, Sandra Costilla and Valerie Mack. Additional remains have been found by officials near Gilgo Beach. Heuermann has not been charged in relation to those victims. What to Know About 'The Gilgo Beach Killer: House of Secrets' The new true-crime series, which is executive produced by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, follows the aftermath of the Gilgo Beach murders. According to Peacock, the series goes "inside the suspect's home for the first time where exclusive commentary from his own family reveals a chilling portrait of a man accused of living a double life." The documentary series also provides an in-depth look at the lives of the victims. Heuermann and Ellerup's daughter, Victoria Heuermann, is interviewed in the series. "One person's saying this, one person's saying that, but my memory says this," Victoria said. The trailer ends with a phone conversation between Ellerup and Heuermann. "Hello," Heuermann can be heard saying in the call. The two ask each other how they are doing, and Heuermann can be heard saying he is "alright." "I'm doing great, now that I've got you on the phone," Ellerup replied. How to Watch The series premieres on Tuesday on Peacock, with all three episodes available to stream upon its release. Where Are Asa Ellerup and Her Kids Now? As of November 2024, Ellerup's children still reside with her at the Heuermann home in Massapequa Park, New York, according to People. Ellerup, 61, previously worked at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, according to The U.S. Sun. Victoria, 28, graduated from the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT), with a degree in fine arts, according to her LinkedIn profile. She previously worked as a sales associate at Macy's. The New York Times also reported that Victoria worked for her father's architecture consulting firm prior to his arrest. Vess Mitev, a lawyer for the children, told the outlet last year that Victoria has faced difficulty getting a job. Ellerup also has a son from her previous marriage, Christopher Sheridan. Ellerup revealed that he has developmental disabilities in a 2023 interview with the New York Post. Do you have a story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@
