LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK: Asa Ellerup, the wife of Rex Heuermann, the architect accused of being the Gilgo Beach serial killer, has opened up about the emotional toll the ongoing media scrutiny and neighborhood gossip have taken on her life. She revealed that her neighbors are demanding the house she shared with the alleged murderer be bulldozed.
Do Rex Heuermann's neighbors want to destroy his home?
Heuermann appeared in court on Tuesday, August 1, marking the first time since his arraignment. Meanwhile, Asa Ellerup, 59, broke her silence to the Daily Mail, expressing her distress over the situation. "Look, I don't want to walk down the street. I heard what people said about us. I heard it," Ellerup said tearfully. "I heard the other people in the neighborhood. They want the house bulldozed. Do you understand? Please, I can't talk anymore."
In response to the mounting legal challenges and to protect herself from potential future lawsuits, Ellerup filed for divorce from Heuermann, her attorney Robert Macedonio confirmed. Macedonio told CNN that the decision was largely a precautionary measure to ensure Ellerup is not held liable for any future compensation claims that may arise from the families of the victims. "It just means you anticipate there may be lawsuits, there may be financial situations she arises in," he said. "She needs to focus on herself and her children moving forward. This criminal trial could take two to three years to play out. And she sees it in moving on with her life and her children's life. And however that works out, she'll deal with that at the time."
Regarding communication with Heuermann since his arrest, Macedonio stated that there has been contact between them. However, he pointed out that any phone calls from the detention facility are recorded, leading them to have only basic conversations. Ellerup is instructed not to discuss anything related to the case, as Heuermann's attorneys also discourage him from discussing the allegations.
Compassionate neighbors and GoFundMe campaign
Amid the hardship, Ellerup received some support from compassionate neighbors, including a GoFundMe started by Melissa Moore, the daughter of the infamous Happy Face Serial Killer, Keith Hunter Jesperson. The campaign raised over $23,000 to help Ellerup through these tough times. However, when asked about whether she deserved the money, Ellerup was unsure how to respond. "I don't know what to say to that, if people don't want to fund me," she said.
Struggling to cope with the ongoing trauma, Ellerup shared her attempts at distraction. "I found a radio to try and distract my mind," she said, speaking about her daily routine. "I found a hat this morning and a pair of sunglasses." Her emotional state is also affecting her dog, who she says is stressed and crying as well.
Home in disarray after police search
The house shared by Ellerup and Heuermann has been at the center of investigations, leading to the discovery of evidence and possible crime scenes. Researchers and forensics teams have thoroughly searched every inch of the property in Massapequa Park, leaving it in disarray. Macedonio revealed that the family was devastated by the destruction: "Everything in the house was turned upside down. Dresser drawers were emptied out. The bathroom tub, which was a vinyl tub, was actually cut open. The floors were ripped up. The couches and the mattresses have been removed, and just piles and piles of debris that were left in the residence where you barely had walking space to get into the house."
Macedonio added, "They haven't even had the opportunity to go through all the items the way it's been left, so they're taking the time to do that as we speak. And each day it's bringing more and more emotion because they're finding items and not finding items, and it's bringing about emotions from them and memories of living in the house and what it was like prior to all this happening."
The couple has two adult children, Victoria Heuermann, 26, and Christopher Sheridan, 33. Asa Ellerup is not believed to have been involved in any way in her husband's alleged crimes. Prosecutors assert that she was out of town every time her husband committed the crimes, and she has not been charged. Melissa Moore, who has experienced a similar situation as her father, has been in contact with Ellerup, offering support and understanding in this challenging period.
