Rex Heuermanthe Long Island architect convicted in the Gilgo Beach serial murders, is now serving multiple life sentences without the possibility of parole after pleading guilty in April 2026. He admitted to killing seven women – Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy, Amber Costello, Maureen Brainard Barnes, Jessica Taylor, Sandra Costella and Valerie Mac He also confessed to an eighth murder Karen Vergata.
Heuerman was first arrested in July 2023 for the murders of four women, whose remains were discovered in burlap bags along New York’s Ocean Parkway more than a decade ago. Heuerman initially pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The Gilgo Beach murders, a case that has haunted Long Island for decades, sparked one of the most comprehensive homicide investigations in New York. At the time of his arrest, Heuerman was living in Massapequa Park with his ex-wife, Asa EllerupAnd their children. As the case developed, his family remained largely out of the public eye, even with intense media interest in their home.
“To any media outlets, representatives, law enforcement or anyone else, we ask that you respect our privacy and contact only our attorneys in any matter,” the memo said. “Please do not trespass or loiter on this property.”
In his sentencing in June 2026, Judge Timothy Mazzie He questioned whether Heuerman was truly remorseful, saying he assumed the convicted killer was sorry for what he did to his “wife and children” before he was convicted of the murders.
Find out more about his family below.
Is Herman married?
Heuerman is no longer married to his ex-wife now. Asa Ellerup. The former couple married in 1996, according to Newsweek.
Days after Heuerman’s arrest in July 2023, Ellerup filed for divorce from her husband. Despite the charges against him, she issued a statement in which she said that she “will listen to all the evidence and postpone judgment until the end of the trial.”
“I gave Rex the benefit of the doubt, as we all deserve,” Ellerup added.
Ellerup lawyer, Robert MacedonioShe confirmed that she was not aware of the alleged crimes of her estranged husband. “After 27 years of working for Mr. Heuerman, Ms. Ellerup believes her estranged husband is incapable of committing these heinous acts,” Macedonio said. Newsweek.
While police were investigating Heuerman in connection with the murder of Jessica Taylor, authorities determined that Ellerup was not living with him at the time of the alleged murder.
“Today’s indictment also confirms that Asa Ellerup was not involved in any of the alleged crimes for which her estranged husband, Rex Heuerman, has been charged,” Macedonio stated in a statement obtained by the agency.
The divorce filing was noted as “uncontested,” according to ABC News. In March 2025, court records revealed that their divorce had been settled.
Does Heuerman have children?
Heuermann and Ellerup have two adult children together: Victoria Heuerman and Christopher Sheridan.
Following their father’s high-profile arrest in 2023, Victoria, then 26, and Christopher, who was 24 at the time, hired a lawyer Face mitef To represent them. Mitev told CNN in August of that year that the two were “completely innocent bystanders caught in hell.”
In June 2024, Mitev spoke to Newsweek“, adding: “They are two young men caught in the crosshairs of this very unfortunate case that they had nothing to do with, other than their association with Mr. Heuerman. It is a very dark time in their lives. They are looking forward to the legal process running its course, whatever that path may be.”
