Rex Heuermann’s Home in in Massapequa Park, New York.Photo:Howard Schnapp/Newsday RM via Getty Images
Howard Schnapp/Newsday RM via Getty Images
More family members of the man police allege is the Long Island Serial Killer are expressing their “profound” shock at his arrest earlier this month.Rex Heuermann, a 59-year-old architect and father of two, was charged with three of the victims' murders tied to the Gilgo Beach case and is considered the primary suspect in a fourth victim’s death.
Heuermann was taken into custody in Midtown Manhattan on July 13 and detectives quickly began searching Heuermann’s house – in Massapequa Park, N.Y., the town where the victims allegedly disappeared from – in search of forensic evidence.
Suffolk County Police CommissionerRodney K. Harrisontold PEOPLE last week that Heuermann’s family was in “shock” and “disbelief” when they learned of his alleged double life.
“We had to kind of show them some type of proof to let it be known who their father was behind the curtain,” Harrison said. “But they’re cooperating.”
Harrison said Heuermann’s wife Asa Ellerup – who retained a lawyer and filed for divorce last Wednesday – has been staying at a hotel with their two adult children.
Now, Heuermann’s sister-in-law has spoken out in an email toNBC Newsexpressing her disbelief at her brother-in-law’s arrest.
Rex Heuermann.
His sister-in-law, Dr. Johanna Ellerup, said in an email to NBC News that she’s been “stunned” over Heuermann’s arrest.
“This disbelief alone is profound and altering,” his sister-in-law wrote, NBC News reports.
“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,” she continued. “My ego has great difficulty processing the idea that I looked Rex in the eye and was unable to discern any murderous intentions.”
People magazine July 31, 2023 cover.
Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.
Harrison said Heuermann was“very quiet”when he was arrested earlier this month and has remained so while in protective custody.
“I’m being told he’s keeping to himself, very somber, very quiet,” the police commissioner said. “Not too much talking coming from Mr. Rex Heuermann right now.”
source: people.com
