Full Breakdown
Rex Heuermann's Confession: The Gilgo Beach Serial Killer's Admissions
4/21/2026, 11:20:06 PM
Disturbing Revelations from a Documentary
Rex Heuermann, the convicted Gilgo Beach serial killer, recently confessed to his ex-wife, Asa Ellerup, that he murdered seven of his eight victims in their Massapequa Park home. This revelation was made public in a teaser for the final episode of the Peacock documentary series, *The Gilgo Beach Killer: House of Secrets*, which is set to air on Thursday. Ellerup recounted a tense conversation with Heuermann, during which he admitted to killing eight women, stating, "He said he killed eight women," without hesitation. However, he was only formally charged with seven murders prior to his April 8 guilty plea.
The Confession and Its Context
During their conversation, Ellerup asked Heuermann how many women he had killed, to which he replied, "Eight." When pressed about the eighth victim, Heuermann did not provide details. He claimed that seven of the murders occurred in a room in the basement of their home while Ellerup was away with their children. Investigators had previously described this basement as containing a soundproof vault-like room, raising further concerns about the nature of the crimes committed there.
Heuermann, 62, was arrested in July 2023 and has been linked to the murders of eight women, including the "Gilgo Four": Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, Amber Lynn Costello, and Maureen Brainard-Barnes. He also confessed to the murders of Valerie Mack, Jessica Taylor, Sandra Costilla, and the uncharged murder of Karen Vergata. The victims' remains were discovered along a stretch of Long Island's Ocean Parkway between 2010 and 2011, initially during a search for a missing woman, Shannan Gilbert.
Official Statements & Responses
Ellerup's attorney, Bob Macedonio, emphasized the emotional toll on the family, stating, "This has been an extremely emotional and painful process for the family to endure." He urged that the focus should remain on the victims and their families, who have suffered immeasurable losses. Heuermann's attorney indicated that the decision to plead guilty was made to spare the victims' families and his own from the ordeal of a trial.
Criticism & Opposition
The documentary's production has faced backlash, particularly regarding reports that Heuermann's family was compensated over $1 million for their participation. This has drawn ire from victims' families, who feel that the focus should remain on the victims rather than on the perpetrator's family.
What's Next
Rex Heuermann is scheduled to be sentenced on June 17, where he faces multiple life sentences without the possibility of parole. His admissions and the details surrounding the case continue to shock the public and highlight the complexities of his crimes.
Verbatim Quotes
- “He said he killed eight women.” — Asa Ellerup, Ex-Wife of Rex Heuermann
- “This has been an extremely emotional and painful process for the family to endure,” — Bob Macedonio, Attorney for Asa Ellerup
- “He thought that by killing them, he could silence them forever and get away with murder.” — Ray Tierney, Suffolk County District Attorney
The Gilgo Beach murders remain a haunting chapter in Long Island's history, with the implications of Heuermann's confessions continuing to unfold as the case progresses.
