Shivangi Sinha
In July 2023, Rex Heuermann was arrested for the murders of several women from the Massapequa Park area of Long Island in New York. One of the most widely discussed aspects of his life was his marriage to Asa Ellerup and their children. Although she lived in the same house as Heuermann, she maintained that she had no knowledge of his crimes and was not connected to the murders in any way. Netflix’s ‘Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer’ delves into various aspects of Heuermann’s life, including his relationship with Asa and her reactions to the shocking revelations.
Asa Ellerup’s DNA Was Found Near the Remains of Multiple Women in Long Island
Asa Ellerup, originally from Iceland, married Rex Heuermann in April 1996. At the time, she had a son named Christopher Sheridan from a previous relationship. Reports suggest that Christopher had some learning disabilities and relied on Asa’s care. After their marriage, she moved with him son into Heuermann’s house in the Massapequa Park area of Long Island, New York. The couple later welcomed their daughter, Victoria Heuermann, completing what seemed like an ordinary family. Although Heuermann had grown up in the same house, the family maintained a relatively low profile, with limited interaction or connection with neighbors. With Heuermann operating his own construction and renovation business, they enjoyed a comfortable lifestyle.
Heuermann was arrested on July 13, 2023, in connection with the deaths of Amber Lynn Costello, Megan Waterman, and Melissa Barthelemy. One of the most significant pieces of evidence the police uncovered was the presence of Asa and her daughter’s hair on or near three of the four victims. However, investigators determined that the murders were committed during times when the family had been away from the house with her children. In fact, around the time period when the women disappeared, Asa was on vacation to various destinations, including Iceland and Aspen. Despite the discovery of her hair, there was no evidence suggesting that she had any involvement in the crimes. Authorities concluded that she had no knowledge of her husband’s actions.
Asa Ellerup Believes Rex Heuermann is Innocent Even Today
Asa Ellerup filed for divorce from Rex Heuermann on July 19, 2023. Following the arrest, the police obtained a search warrant for their house, prompting Asa and her children to move into a hotel for a few days while the search was conducted. The search concluded on July 25, after which she and her children returned to their home. She was seen sitting in the backyard multiple times, and reports indicated she grew frustrated with the media presence. On one occasion, she even expressed her irritation and requested to be left alone. Her attorney later stated that she was considering pursuing legal action against the authorities and alleged that the search had caused significant damage to her home.
At the end of July 2023, Asa released a public statement requesting privacy from the media and urging them to be considerate of her neighbors. In August, her lawyer revealed that she had been battling skin and breast cancer. A fundraiser was organized to support her, and it emphasized that she needed financial assistance as her health insurance had been tied to her estranged husband. The fundraiser raised a total of $22,000 before it was discontinued. In November, Asa caused a media stir when she made a public appearance at one of Heuermann’s court hearings.
In March 2024, she released a statement expressing that she was choosing to give Heuermann “the benefit of the doubt” and would withhold her judgment until the trial concluded. While she extended her sympathy to the victims and their families, she also voiced her belief that Heuermann was not capable of committing the crimes he had been accused of. Her attorney also said that she had been visiting him in jail almost every week and did not believe in his culpability. In November 2024, it was reported that Asa had decided to move out of her Long Island home and relocate to South Carolina with her children.
According to her attorney, she had “lost her attachment to her house of 30 years” after it had been extensively searched by authorities. On March 27, 2025, a settlement was reached in her divorce case with Rex Heuermann, although the specific details of the agreement have not been made public. As of writing, the judge has yet to review and finalize the divorce. Her attorney also mentioned that Asa remains curious about the methods authorities used to determine that the hair found near the victims’ remains belonged to her. She continues to follow the developments in the case closely and reportedly maintains contact with Heuermann and still believes that he is not capable of the murders.
Read More: Muriel Henriquez: Where is the Ex-Co-Worker of Rex Heuermann Now?
