Where is Rex Heuermann Now? Updates on the Gilgo Beach Murder Trial and Investigation

Introduction: The Mystery Behind Rex Heuermann and the Long Island Serial Killer Case

In the long-running and chilling saga of the Long Island Serial Killer, Rex Heuermann’s name has become synonymous with the unsolved mystery that has haunted Long Island for over a decade. Heuermann, a Manhattan architect, was arrested in 2023 after being linked to the Gilgo Beach murders, which involved the deaths of seven women. These murders, discovered over several years, had puzzled investigators until Heuermann’s arrest. In this article, we dive deep into who Rex Heuermann is, the crimes he is accused of, and where he stands now as his trial looms.

1. Who is Rex Heuermann? A Glimpse Into His Background

Rex Heuermann was born and raised on Long Island, where he attended Berner High School in Massapequa Park. Growing up, Heuermann’s life was marked by isolation and bullying. He was described as a "loner," someone who didn’t fit into any particular social group. Despite this, he managed to pursue a career in architecture, earning a degree in architectural technology from the New York Institute of Technology. In the 1990s, Heuermann launched his own architectural consulting firm, and by then, he had already settled back in his childhood home with his wife, Asa Ellerup, and their children.

Neighbors of Heuermann have described his family as distant, with few interactions. This quiet, unassuming exterior would later be juxtaposed with the horror of the accusations against him, making it all the more shocking to the public when authorities linked him to the Long Island murders.

2. The Gilgo Beach Murders: What Did Rex Heuermann Do?

The killings that have come to be known as the Gilgo Beach Murders were gruesome and horrific. Between 2007 and 2010, the bodies of several women, including Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, Amber Costello, and Maureen Brainard-Barnes, were discovered along Gilgo Beach. These victims, all in their twenties and working as escorts, were found bound, wrapped in burlap, and left in close proximity to each other. For years, the identity of the killer remained a mystery.

It wasn’t until 2023 that authorities finally arrested Rex Heuermann. He is accused of being the Long Island Serial Killer, responsible for these brutal murders. Further investigations revealed that Heuermann was also linked to the deaths of two other women, Sandra Costilla and Jessica Taylor, based on DNA evidence found near their remains. His arrest marked a major breakthrough in the case, which had stalled for many years.

3. How Was Rex Heuermann Caught? The Investigation and Key Evidence

The breakthrough in the investigation came in early 2022 when law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, began monitoring Heuermann. The surveillance operation took months, and it was Heuermann’s vehicle, a Chevrolet Avalanche, that proved crucial in connecting him to the murders. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the vehicle near the location where Costello was last seen, and the truck was eventually traced back to Heuermann’s home.

The investigation also uncovered another piece of critical evidence: Heuermann had been using burner phones that matched the patterns of phone calls made during the murders. Perhaps the most damning evidence came in the form of DNA. A discarded pizza crust, which Heuermann had eaten, was found to contain DNA that matched his wife’s hair, which had been found on some of the victims. This connection sealed his fate as the prime suspect in the case.

4. Rex Heuermann’s Arrest and Legal Developments

On July 18, 2023, Rex Heuermann was arrested and charged with the murders of three women: Barthelemy, Waterman, and Costello. The Suffolk County District Attorney’s office later added charges for the murder of Brainard-Barnes. The investigation did not stop there, as Heuermann was also linked to the deaths of two additional women, Sandra Costilla and Jessica Taylor. This revelation has led to widespread speculation that there may be more victims connected to the Long Island Serial Killer case.

As of early 2024, Heuermann’s legal troubles have only deepened. His trial is in the pre-trial stages, with additional charges still being considered. Heuermann now faces a total of seven murder charges, and authorities believe that the Gilgo Beach killings may be part of a larger pattern of violence that could stretch back decades.

5. Where is Rex Heuermann Now?

As of 2025, Rex Heuermann is incarcerated at the Riverhead Correctional Facility in Suffolk County, New York, awaiting trial. He is currently being held in a small, 60-square-foot cell, where he is kept away from the general prison population due to the nature of his charges. According to Suffolk County Sheriff Dr. Errol D. Toulon Jr., Heuermann has grown accustomed to life behind bars, although initially, he was overwhelmed by the reality of his situation. Toulon explained that Heuermann now interacts with family members via phone calls and visits but remains largely isolated from the other inmates.

Heuermann’s wife, Asa Ellerup, filed for divorce shortly after his arrest but has since resumed visiting him, reportedly once a week. The process has been emotionally difficult for Ellerup, who has struggled to come to terms with the allegations against her husband. In a statement, Ellerup’s attorney revealed that she finds it hard to believe that the man she was married to for 29 years could be responsible for such heinous crimes.

6. The Media’s Role and Public Reaction to the Rex Heuermann Case

The case against Rex Heuermann has received widespread media attention, particularly following the release of the Netflix docuseries Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer. The documentary, which delves into the investigation and the emotional toll it took on the victims’ families, has drawn renewed interest to the case. Director Liz Garbus emphasized that the victims’ families were instrumental in keeping the case alive, pushing for justice despite the systemic challenges they faced.

The case has sparked outrage among the public, especially due to the fact that many of the victims were women working as escorts. The stigma surrounding their profession is believed to have contributed to the slow pace of the investigation in the early years. The media coverage has brought to light the struggles of these women and the need for greater attention to marginalized victims in similar cases.

7. What’s Next for Rex Heuermann? The Road to Trial

As Heuermann awaits trial, the legal process continues to unfold. While no official trial date has been set, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney confirmed that the case is nearing the trial phase. Legal experts speculate that the prosecution will present a strong case, supported by overwhelming physical and forensic evidence.

Rex Heuermann’s trial will likely be one of the most closely watched legal proceedings in recent history, given the high profile of the case and the horrific nature of the crimes he is accused of. The outcome of this trial will undoubtedly have lasting implications for law enforcement, as well as the families of the victims who have waited years for justice.

Conclusion: The Long Road to Justice for the Victims of Rex Heuermann

Rex Heuermann’s arrest in 2023 marked a significant turning point in one of the most perplexing serial killer cases in U.S. history. The investigation that led to his capture was long and arduous, but the evidence now speaks volumes. As Heuermann faces his day in court, the public’s attention remains fixed on the case, eager for justice for the victims who lost their lives too soon. While the trial is still ongoing, one thing is certain: the story of Rex Heuermann is far from over, and the legacy of his crimes will linger for years to come.