Family Divided: Ex-Wife Defends Alleged Gilgo Beach Killer While Daughter Expresses Doubts

Family Divided Ex-Wife Defends Alleged Gilgo Beach Killer While Daughter Expresses Doubts

Asa Ellerup faces a heartbreaking reality as she copes with the revelation that the man she was married to for nearly three decades stands accused of being the Gilgo Beach serial killer. This situation unfolds amidst the backdrop of shocking allegations against Rex Heuermann, a prominent architect from New York City.

Heuermann has been charged with the murders of seven women, many of whom were involved in sex work. Their bodies were reportedly dumped along a desolate parkway close to Gilgo Beach on Long Island. Heuermann has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Soon after his arrest in late July 2023, Ellerup, aged 61, filed for divorce. This decision came just days after Heuermann was charged with the killings of three of the alleged victims. The family, including Ellerup and her children, is now speaking publicly for the first time in a new docuseries titled ‘The Gilgo Beach Killer: House of Secrets.’

Documentary director Jared P. Scott stated, ‘She’s a very damaged soul from all of this.’ He elaborated on Ellerup’s emotional struggle, emphasizing that denial might serve as both a mechanism for coping and a destination she may have found herself in. ‘It seems like denial was this search,’ he noted, pointing to Ellerup’s attempts to reconcile decades of marriage with a man leading a double life.

Ellerup continues to express disbelief regarding the allegations against her ex-husband. Despite the divorce being finalized in April, she maintains that Heuermann is ‘not capable’ of the crimes he is accused of committing.

Speaking on camera, she stated, ‘They are telling me he has been soliciting sex from sex workers. What? I don’t have sex with my husband? I don’t satisfy him? He comes home and he eats my dinner. It isn’t good enough? No. I don’t believe my husband did this.’

In stark contrast, their daughter, Victoria Heuermann, raised questions about her father’s innocence. Speaking privately, she indicated that she believes her father ‘most likely’ committed the murders. This statement came through producers of the docuseries, highlighting a generational divide in the family’s response to the unfolding investigation.

Scott shared insights into Victoria’s feelings during filming, explaining, ‘She told us several times throughout filming that she was ‘on the fence.’ This uncertainty largely stems from the ages of the family members when the alleged crimes took place, as well as the fact that they were often out of town when the incidents occurred.

Victoria’s perspective shifted after the filming, as she expressed a desire to engage further about her views regarding her father when she reached out to the producers later. Scott explained, ‘She now wants to express that she now feels that, based on what’s been presented and explained to her, she now believes her dad is most likely the Gilgo Beach killer.’ He noted that her use of the phrase ‘most likely’ indicated her hesitance and the turmoil she experiences regarding the allegations.

As the family reflects on their experiences, they recall Heuermann as a loving father and husband. Asa recalled their initial relationship when they were both teenagers growing up on Long Island. She described Heuermann as a heroic figure who saved her from a tumultuous marriage, leading to their wedding in 1996 and the eventual birth of their daughter.

Ellerup reminisced, ‘I was madly in love with the man. There’s no doubt about that.’

While asserting that she detected no signs of abnormal behavior in their marriage, Ellerup did recount an instance from July 2009, a period coinciding with the disappearance of one of his alleged victims. During that time, Heuermann undertook a bathroom renovation while she and their children visited family in Iceland.

‘She does mention that she’s in denial,’ remarked Scott, summarizing Ellerup’s reflections. ‘She told me several times, ‘People are saying I’m in denial. Well, OK, I’m in denial, but what would you do? What would anyone do if they were in my shoes?”

Ellerup has indicated through her lawyer that she remains open to reevaluating her stance should there be a trial. ‘Who would want to believe that their husband of 27 years was capable of this?’ Scott remarked, pointing out the gravity of the situation.

Despite the evidence being amassed against Heuermann, including a detailed computer file allegedly outlining his criminal methods, Ellerup remains resolute. She labeled the claims as ‘absurd’, expressing dismay at the prosecution’s assertion that the document contained checklists for criminal activities.

Moreover, court documents revealed that a substantial collection of bondage and torture pornography was recovered from devices seized from their home, alongside forensic evidence linking Heuermann to the victims. Throughout these revelations, Ellerup continues attending court hearings and maintains communication with her ex-husband, who is currently incarcerated.

Scott emphasized the emotional toll on the family, noting, ‘The family of an accused serial killer is often met with suspicion, revulsion, cruelty – they become collateral damage.’ He added, ‘They inherit the shame, the scrutiny, the guilt.’

Shared experiences foster a deep sense of trauma as the family navigates the fallout of Heuermann’s alleged actions. Scott believes that these inner conflicts mirror the stages of grief, illustrating the myriad challenges they face.

Looking ahead, the family is contemplating a move to South Carolina, a decision they attribute to financial motivations. Victoria mentioned that relocating aims to secure the family assets away from the public eye.

Scott remarked on the larger implications of the Gilgo Beach case, saying, ‘I ultimately hope that justice is served. It’s important that we remember the victims in this story – all the victims. The women who lost their lives were more than how they were labeled.’

Reflecting on the family’s ordeal, Scott articulated, ‘This is a tragic tale, and it’s all the direct result of being in the blast radius of Rex Heuermann’s alleged crimes.’