Gilgo Beach Murder Suspect’s Wife Files for Divorce in First Sighting Since His Arrest - Her Hair Led Police to Him

• Rex Heuermann's wife, Asa Ellerup, distanced herself from the gruesome crimes her husband is accused of by filing for divorce days after his arrest.
• She is one of the critical components that played a role in her husband's arrest.

On July 19, 2023, Asa Ellerup, wife of suspected Long Island serial killer Rex Heuermann, was seen for the first time days after her husband's July 13, 2023 arrest. On the same day of her sighting, Ellerup filed for divorce.

The 59-year-old's husband was facing murder charges for killing three women and trying to hide their bodies at Gilgo Beach. Bob Macedonio, Ellerup's lawyer, revealed that their filing was submitted in Yaphank as Heuermann went into the Suffolk County Jail.

Ellerup filed a summons and complaint for divorce against her husband. Macedonio says his client and her children's lives were "completely turned upside-down" as authorities arrived to raid their Massapequa Park home more than an hour after Heuermann's arrest.

Police captured Heuermann on Fifth Avenue near his office in Manhattan. After explaining to Ellerup and their adult children what Heuermann is suspected of doing, authorities retrieved their computers, iPads, cell phones, and passports.

Although the suspect's wife of over 27 years allegedly isn't aware that she might've been married to a serial killer, she is one of the key people who helped police arrest him. One particular thing that belonged to Ellerup was found at the crime scenes.

How Did Asa's Hair Help the Police Find Rex?

In 2010, the bodies of Megan Waterman, 22, Melissa Barthelemy, 24, and Amber Costello, 27, were found by police. A fourth woman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25, is also believed to be Heuermann's victim, and his wife's hair was found on three of the four victims.

The hair could've also traveled from the tape taken from his home.

DNA was one of the main pieces that linked Ellerup's husband to the victims. Waterman's body had two female hairs, with one appearing on the tape her murderer used to wrap around her head.

Costello's body also had a female hair follicle on the tape that secured the burlap she was covered in. The last hair sample was discovered in a belt buckle used to tie up Brainard-Barnes.

Investigators rummaged through Heuermann's home trash to get the DNA to match the hair. Several bottles were found at the Long Island home in 2022 and were tested for DNA before a conclusion was made that the hair samples were Ellerup's.

However, because she and her children had been out of town when the murders occurred, authorities believed Heuermann transferred her hair to the crime scenes through his clothes. The hair could've also traveled from the tape taken from his home.

Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison says the suspect's wife and children were taken aback by the allegations brought against him. adding:

"They were shocked, embarrassed, and disgusted."

Harrison also believed Ellerup and her children were unaware that Heuermann, who worked as a Manhattan architect, was living a double life.

After initially pleading not guilty, the suspect will return to court on August 1, 2023. However, if convicted, he could spend life imprisonment without parole.

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