Asa Ellerup, the former wife of convicted Gilgo Beach killer Rex Heuermann, says she continues to live in the Long Island home where investigators said several killings took place, according to a new Peacock documentary series.
In the final episode of The Gilgo Beach Killer: House of Secrets, scheduled to air Thursday, Ellerup describes renovating the basement of the Massapequa Park property after learning that Heuermann told authorities he used the space during the murders and dismemberment of victims.
The documentary shows Ellerup in the basement, where on-screen text states she had been sleeping there for about a month before Heuermann entered guilty pleas on April 8. She said the area had been fully renovated, including new flooring, walls, doors, and trim.
Explaining why she chose to move into the basement, Ellerup said she wanted, in her own way, to acknowledge the suffering endured by the victims and express remorse for what happened.
She also said the emotional impact of the case continues to affect her daily life. According to Ellerup, recurring nightmares and psychological distress have persisted since the revelations surrounding her former husband’s crimes.
Heuermann has admitted responsibility for killing eight women whose remains were discovered near Gilgo Beach on Long Island. The killings, which remained unsolved for years, drew national attention before his arrest in July 2023.
As part of the plea process, Heuermann was reportedly allowed to meet privately with Ellerup and their daughter, Victoria Heuermann, before formally entering his guilty pleas in court. Ellerup and Heuermann later divorced following his arrest.
Victoria Heuermann said in the documentary that she and her mother sought answers about his motives, but that he did not clearly explain why he committed the murders. She said he instead referred vaguely to being overcome by “demons.”
She also recounted asking her father whether he had considered the humanity of the women he killed. According to her account, he said he did not view the victims as human.
Victoria described the apparent contradiction between the private family life she knew and the crimes he committed. She said it was difficult to reconcile her image of him as a caring father with the reality that multiple women were killed in the family home.
The documentary also includes recorded jail calls between Heuermann and family members, some involving a therapist. While many exchanges reportedly consisted of routine conversation, one segment showed Heuermann directing relatives on how to begin a discussion, reflecting what the program portrays as a controlling dynamic.
Authorities said Heuermann targeted women who worked in the sex trade, many of whom were physically smaller than him. He is approximately 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighs about 250 pounds.
Among the victims he admitted killing were Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, Amber Lynn Costello, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Jessica Taylor, Sandra Costilla, Valerie Mack, and Karen Vergata.
The documentary adds a personal dimension to a case that has long focused on investigative developments, while also highlighting the lasting trauma experienced by victims’ families and those connected to the accused.
