Rex Heuermann — the architect accused in the long-running Gilgo Beach killings — has now pleaded guilty to multiple murders tied to the case. He had previously been charged in connection with the deaths of seven women: Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy, Amber Costello, and Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Jessica Taylor, Sandra Costilla and Valerie Mack.
Heuermann was arrested in July 2023 and initially pleaded not guilty, but his April 2026 guilty plea marked a major turning point in a case that has gripped Long Island since the 1990s. Investigators linked him to the killings through DNA evidence, cellphone data and years of forensic work.
In June 2024, Heuermann was charged in relation to the murders of Taylor and Costilla. At the time, a note was found on the door of the 60-year-old’s home, which read, “To any media, representatives, law enforcement, or any other person, we ask that you respect our privacy and contact our attorneys only for any matter. Please do not trespass or loiter on this property,” according to Newsweek.
Learn about Heuermann’s estranged wife and their marriage, below.
Is the Long Island Serial Killer Married?
The suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer, Heuermann, is no longer legally married.
Who Is Rex Heuermann’s Wife?
Heuermann’s ex-wife is Asa Ellerup. The two married in 1996 and were together for nearly three decades before his arrest in July 2023. Just days later, Ellerup filed for divorce, which was finalized on March 27, 2025, according to Suffolk County Supreme Court records.
Following his arrest, Ellerup released a statement saying she would “listen to all of the evidence and withhold judgment until the end of trial,” adding, “I have given Rex the benefit of the doubt, as we all deserve.”
Ellerup’s attorney, Robert Macedonio, insisted that she knew nothing about her estranged husband’s alleged crimes.
“After 27 years with Mr. Heuermann, Ms. Ellerup maintains the belief that her estranged husband is not capable of committing these heinous acts,” Macedonio said, per Newsweek.
As police investigated Heuermann for the murder of Taylor, authorities concluded that Ellerup was not living with him at the time of the alleged killing.
“Today’s indictment further illustrates that Asa Ellerup has no involvement in any of the alleged crimes that her estranged husband, Rex Heuermann, has been charged with,” Macedonio said in a statement obtained by Newsweek.
Does Rex Heuermann Have Children?
Heuermann and Ellerup share two adult children together.
Where Does Rex Heuermann & His Family Live?
Heuermann had been living in his Massapequa Park, New York, home with his wife and children. However, in November 2024, Ellerup decided to move out. According to multiple outlets, their Long Island home has not been sold yet.
Macedonio said Ellerup was relocating to South Carolina because she “lost her attachment to her house of 30 years,” according to NBC New York. The news came after the home had been raided by police multiple times.
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