So, Asa Ellerup and Rex Heuermann were married for 27 long years. They lived on Long Island in an apartment in Massapequa Park. They had a daughter together, and Heuermann also became a stepfather to Ellerup’s child.
Ellerup still finds it hard to believe that her husband, who has been charged with six murders, could have committed such a “heinous crime.”
Experts are drawing parallels between Heuermann’s alleged “double life act” that caught Ellerup by surprise and other notorious serial killers like BTK Serial Killer Dennis Rader.
Heuermann now faces charges for his fifth and sixth murders. Initially arrested in July 2023 over the deaths of four women found in burlap sacks on New York’s Ocean Parkway more than 10 years ago, he has also been charged with the deaths of Sandra Costilla & Jessica Taylor.
She continued living with the alleged serial killer of Gilgo Beach as his killing spree continued. Heuermann was charged with the murder of Jessica Taylor, who went missing in 2002, with her remains found in 2011.
Other victims like Megan Waterman, Maureen Brainard Barnes, Melissa Barthelemy, and Amber Costello were also involved in this tragic series of events.
BTK killers are similar to BTK
Schug commented, “It sounds as if that’s what Costilla and Taylor were doing.” It’s not surprising that the man allegedly went about seven years before committing a murder while being married.
Ellerup, who used to work at the Long Island Jewish Medical Center, has always maintained that her estranged partner is incapable of such crimes.
The Suffolk County Jail has confirmed that Heuermann has received “frequent” visits from three individuals, whose identities were not disclosed.
Between 1974 and 1991, Rader, known as BTK, murdered 10 people while living a seemingly ordinary life with his family in Kansas.
Similar to Heuermann, Rader’s wife, Paula Dietz, discovered his dark secrets after 34 years of marriage. She had no idea she was married to a serial killer and promptly sought a divorce.
Rader is currently serving 10 consecutive life sentences in a Kansas prison.
Adhia noted that serial killers often employ similar tactics in their personal lives and crimes, including lying and manipulation.
Ellerup filed for divorce shortly after Heuermann’s arrest and indicated she would reserve judgment until the case’s conclusion, a stance echoing that of Paula Dietz.
She has been attending Heuermann’s court hearings over the past months, sparking a debate on whether the Heuermann family will also show up at the upcoming court dates.
Their attorney mentioned that the family plans to remain in Long Island for the trial’s duration but remains undecided on attending Heuermann’s next court appearance.