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Gilgo Beach murders: New evidence about Rex Heuermann's wife Asa Ellerup's knowledge of his 'sex visits' raises questions

Rex Heuermann's wife Asa Ellerup's lawyer Robert Macedonio has dubbed the witnesses' claims as 'outlandish'

LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK: Gilgo Beach serial murders suspect Rex Heuermann's wife Asa Ellerup recently came under scrutiny after a new witness claimed that she was aware about her husband brininging hookers to their home.

Four witnesses, two of whom gave sworn affidavits, spoke to attorney John Ray and linked Shannan Gilbert and Karen Vergata's death with Heuermann. 

While Heuermann has been charged with the murders of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Lynn Costello and is a suspect in the murder of Maureen Brainard-Barnes. He has not been charged for Gilbert and Vergata's death so far.

Vergata was dubbed "Jane Doe 7" in the Gilgo Beach murders case after her remains were first found in 1996. She was later identified during the investigation of Heuermann's case, even though the latter was never officially linked to her death. 

Meanwhile, it was the search for Gilbert that led officials to identify several other victims of the Gilgo Beach murders, including the ones who were allegedly killed by Heuermann. 

What did witnesses say about Rex Heuermann's wife Asa Ellerup? 

The first witness, who was described as a "swinger" in the New York City sex club scene, said that she went to the now-defunct Manhattan swinging club named Le Trapeze with her then-NYPD narcotics detective partner in February 1996.

The duo reportedly saw a bulletin board advertisement for swingers interested in visiting a Long Island home, the New York Post reported.

The pair then drove to the residence and allegedly picked up a "hungry and homeless" woman, whom she identified as Vergata, on the way. 

The witness said that upon arriving at the house, they were greeted by a husband and wife, who she now believes were Heuermann and his wife Ellerup.

She further alleged that she saw a "scared" and "naked" Vergata run out of the house before leaving the party with her partner.

While the witness was initially concerned, her cop partner told her were only "playing a game."

The witness wrote in the affidavit that she recognized Heuermann, Ellerup, and Vergata after the Gilgo Beach murders case garnered media attention and appeared in the press. 

The fourth new witness, who spoke to Ray in an interview but did not give an affidavit, was decribed as a sex worker.

She claimed that she serviced Heuermann "over 20 times" around the same time when the Gilgo Beach murders occured.

The witness said that Heuermann was a serial user of sex workers and would often book two at a time.

She also alleged that he brought the hookers to his home while his wife was upstairs. 

The witness also said that the day Ellerup expressed anger about having strangers at her home, she was actually enraged over a missing clothes iron.

What did officials say about claims of Asa Ellerup's knowledge of Rex Heuermann's behavior?

Ellerup has consistently denied having knowledge of the crimes Heuermann has been charged with. 

Following the latest claims made by Ray's witnesses, Ellerup's attorney Robert Macedonio said that the allegations were "outlandish."

"This is a desperate attempt by Johnny Ray to remain relevant in a case where he’s been chasing his tail for the past 12 years," Macedonio said, as per New York Daily News.

"It’s hard to take anyone seriously wearing a purple hat that looks more like an audition for a Willy Wonka movie than an attorney representing a victim," he added. 

Meanwhile, Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison said that the task force is committed to investigating every lead in the case. 

"We are not done with this investigation," Harrison said, adding, "We have the information, we're working it, and we'll see where it leads up down the road."

"I want to make sure that people understand that we have a job here, as law enforcement, as the Suffolk County Police Department, to make sure we investigate every single complaint or interest in this case," he said. 

"To make sure that we look under every single stone to see if there is any connection to Rex Heuermann or if there is a connection to somebody else that may be involved with the bodies that were discovered on Ocean Parkway," Harrison concluded. 

Rex Heuermann's wife Asa Ellerup under online scrutiny 

Several social media user raised questions about Heuermann's wife following the latest witness reports. 

"Wait what did I miss? Evidence that expands knowledge and information regarding Rex Heuermann and his wife. Enquiring minds want to know. #LISK," one user asked. 

"Probably evidence contradicting that Heuermann's wife didn't know that he was bringing sex workers home etc," another replied.

"I’m just ahead of my time I guess, now we still don’t know how involved Rex Heuermann’s wife was but I called it months ago that she should be brought in for questioning because imo she knows more than she is letting on, again, imo. I need to do more deep dives. I’m pretty good and objective at it, most call me a trendsetter," wrote True Crime YouTuber Dylan. 

"Well I am eating crow right now. I didn’t think Rex Heuermann’s wife knew anything. This is sick. #LISK," another user commented. 

"I thought all along Rex Heuermann's wife was more angry at police than her serial killer husband. It made me suspect she knows more than she's saying," one user wrote.

"A prostitute says his wife was home at times when he took her to his house & once accused her of stealing an iron," they added. 

One said, "Hmm, I wonder if her being his accomplice wasn't actually far off after all. Imagine if she was and people donated to the gofundme etc."

While another added, "God, people can be gross."