Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed Against Rex Heuermann by Victim's Son

Benjamin Torres, the son of Valerie Mack, a victim of the Gilgo Beach serial killings, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Rex Heuermann, the suspected serial killer, as well as Heuermann's ex-wife, Asa Ellerup, and their daughter, Victoria Heuermann. This lawsuit, filed in Suffolk County's State Supreme Court, marks the first legal action taken by a family member of a Gilgo victim against Heuermann. The suit alleges that Heuermann murdered Mack, who was last seen in 2000, and claims that the actions of Ellerup and Victoria Heuermann were complicit in the crime. The lawsuit seeks damages for the emotional and physical suffering endured by Mack, as well as any profits made by the Heuermann family from a documentary about the case.

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Valerie Mack, who was 24 years old at the time of her disappearance, was working as an escort under the name Melissa Taylor. Her remains were discovered in 2000 and later identified in 2011, linking her to the other victims of the Gilgo Beach killer. The lawsuit highlights the brutality of her murder, alleging that she was tortured and dismembered, which caused profound harm to her son, Benjamin Torres, who was only six years old when she vanished.

New York Post

The lawsuit includes multiple claims against Heuermann, Ellerup, and Victoria Heuermann, such as wrongful death, assault, battery, and civil conspiracy. It argues that the typical two-year statute of limitations for wrongful death claims should be waived due to the circumstances surrounding Mack's death and the delay in her identification. Torres's attorney, John Ray, emphasized that the Heuermann family profited from the tragedy, stating, “They’re earning money by that callousness and by that disregard of the victims' sensibilities.”

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Robert Macedonio, representing Ellerup and Victoria Heuermann, has denied any involvement of his clients in the crimes, asserting that they had no knowledge of Heuermann's actions. He described the lawsuit as a "reckless attempt" by Ray to maintain relevance in a case where his original client, Shannan Gilbert, had no connection to the Gilgo Beach homicides. Macedonio expressed confidence that the lawsuit would be dismissed, reiterating that his clients were not complicit in the alleged crimes.

New York Post

Rex Heuermann is expected to plead guilty to multiple counts of murder in a court appearance scheduled for April 8, 2026. This plea could bring closure to a case that has haunted the Long Island community for over a decade. Prosecutors have built a substantial case against Heuermann, including DNA evidence and a chilling document found in his home that outlines methods for committing the murders.

Gilgo Beach Serial Killings Suspect to Plead Guilty, Marking Major Turn in Decades-Old Case

The wrongful death lawsuit filed by Benjamin Torres against Rex Heuermann and his family adds a new dimension to the ongoing saga of the Gilgo Beach killings. As the legal proceedings unfold, the case continues to draw attention to the impact of these crimes on the victims' families and the community at large. The anticipated guilty plea from Heuermann may provide some measure of closure, but the legal battles surrounding the case are far from over.

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