Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.
LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK: Rex Heuermann's sister-in-law reportedly expressed "profound" surprise after learning of his arrest in connection to the killing and dumping of the remains of three sex workers on a beach of Long Island, New York. In a statement, Dr Johanna Ellerup, the half-sister of Heuermann's estranged wife Asa Ellerup, opened up about her "stunned" response to the accusations against her brother-in-law, in an interview with NBC News.
Heuermann, 59, is presently facing charges of first-degree murder of three "Gilgo Four" victims, Amber Lynn Costello, 27, Melissa Barthelemy, 24, and Megan Waterman, 22, whose remains were discovered at Gilgo Beach in 2010.
'My ego has great difficulty processing the idea'
"This disbelief alone is profound and altering, I vacillate between desperately wanting my niece and nephew's life returned to its previous state, intact, without a father accused of being a serial killer to being pleased and secure in knowing that someone is in custody," said Dr Johanna. "My ego has great difficulty processing the idea that I looked Rex in the eye and was unable to discern any murderous intentions," she expressed, adding, "My half-sister is going through a particularly trying time." NBC stated that she objected to further discussion.
Notably, after 25 years of marriage, Asa, filed for divorce from Heuermann on Wednesday, July 19. Heuermann's family, consisting of his wife, daughter, and son, was allegedly "shocked" and "embarrassed" when he was arrested outside of his Manhattan office and accused of the gruesome murders, according to the police. The suspect, an architect by career, lived in a tranquil Massapequa Park house with his family. Heuermann allegedly killed the women while his family was away from home, according to a law enforcement source who spoke to The Washington Post. Authorities have even shed light on how it would have been simpler to take the remains from his house rather than a hotel where he may be seen than from the burlap bags in which most of the victims were discovered.
Rex Heuermann's as the 'prime suspect' in the Gilgo Beach killings
Even though Asa's hair was found in the material used to wrap some of the victims, the Icelandic national is not a suspect, according to the authorities investigating Heuermann's case. Notably, the victims whose bodies were found were sex workers who advertised their services on Craigslist, and ample evidence was found linking Heuermann to three of them. He was also identified as the 'prime suspect' in the killing of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25, but authorities were unable to charge him with her death due to missing phone records. After learning about Heuermann's connections to Atlantic City, Las Vegas, and South Carolina, the police have broadened their probe to find other possible victims, as reported by the New York Post.
