Is Asa Ellerup hiding in one of her husband's homes? Inside Rex Heuermann's extensive real estate portfolio from Vegas to Long Island
LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK: New York City architect Rex Heuermann has become a subject of global media coverage after his arrest on suspicion of murdering four of the 11 victims, whose remains were discovered on a remote Long Island beach more than a decade ago. After being detained from his Manhattan office, the married father of two has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello.
The reputed architect is also named the prime suspect in the death of the fourth victim, Maureen Brainard-Barnes. Heuermann's arrest has now drawn attention to his wealthy architectural firm and extensive property portfolio, which is estimated to be worth around $800,000. As per media reports, he owns a slew of modest properties across several states including a small yet expensive residence in Long Island. In 2005, Heuermann purchased his share of the two-bedroom and two-bathroom condo in Las Vegas for $16,955 with his wife, Asa Ellerup, who hasn’t been seen in public since his arrest.
Heuermann planned to live in Chester after retiring
The cozy Vegas apartment is in an opulent complex that boasts a resort-style pool, spa, tennis court, putting green, and exercise facility. Additionally, he owns a $154,000 plot of property in Chester, South Carolina, where he intended to spend his later years close to his brother Craig, according to Daily Mail. Neighbors in Chester told Fox News that Craig often spoke about their family’s plans to expand their real estate holdings. "He told me when I first moved down here that his brother owns that lot across the road, and that his brother's going to retire down here, and when he does, everybody's leaving," the neighbor said, adding their plan was to 'buy everything up'.
Before his arrest, Heuermann, who reportedly had a net worth of $7 million, lived in a cozy one-story house not far from the beach highway where human remains were first found more than a decade ago. He reportedly purchased the run-down home at 105 First Ave. in Massapequa Park in 1994 — the same year he launched his architecture firm. Built in 1956, the residence occupies a modest 1,323 square feet of space and has a full basement, with one fireplace. Authorities are currently investigating the residence to find additional evidence against the alleged serial killers. However, investigators haven’t confirmed if they will examine Heuermann's other properties.
'He's not a very nice person'
Heuermann may have pleaded not guilty to the charges but his arrest sent shock waves through his quiet community. His neighbors reacted to the arrest by saying the architect appeared to be an "average guy who had a family and went to work." Barry Auslander, a 72-year-old neighbor, noted that the suspect "grew up here. I never thought he was anything but a businessman." Auslander was not surprised by Heuermann’s arrest as he said, "Most people don't knock on his door. During Halloween, the kids are told to stay away. He's not a very nice person." He claimed that while Heuermann didn't engage with neighbors, nothing about him seemed out of the ordinary apart from his lack of social interaction.