New York police recently made a surprise return to the Long Island home of suspected serial killer Rex Heuermann. Prior to this, his family was in possession of a gruesome album of crime scene photos known as “Death Scenes: A Homicide Detective’s Scrapbook.” The book contains strange and gruesome crime scene photos taken by California detective Jack Huddleston. Investigators had previously seen the book on a kitchen table in the home where Heuermann’s estranged wife, Asa Ellerup, and their two adult children lived. Heuermann had frequently searched the internet for gruesome images, and police had found disturbing search terms on a burner phone and email account they seized under the fake name “Thomas Hawk.”
Heuermann’s home was searched again, despite spending almost two weeks investigating the building following his arrest in connection with three cold case murders in July. He was later charged with a fourth woman’s death in the “Gilgo Four” case. The Gilgo Beach murders involved the discovery of four women’s remains next to Gilgo Beach on Ocean Parkway, near Heuermann’s Massapequa Park home. The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office declined to comment on the photo booklet and stated that the work of the Gilgo Beach Homicide Task Force is ongoing. Investigations are also active in other cases where seven other bodies were found west of the original Gilgo Beach victims.
Two of the remaining victims, Jessica Taylor and Valerie Mack, were dismembered and dumped in separate locations in Manorville. Further remains of these victims were found near the Gilgo Beach crime scene. In April, police K-9s were seen sniffing through the forest in Manorville, leading to speculation that new evidence may have been discovered. Heuermann’s family, including his estranged wife and adult children, were out of town on a pre-planned trip when police returned to search the home again. Asa Ellerup is cooperating with investigators and is not suspected of involvement in her husband’s alleged crimes. She had filed for divorce shortly after his arrest but later expressed disbelief in the accusations against him.
Speculation arises about the reasons for the police search of Heuermann’s home, with theories suggesting new evidence, potential DNA matches, or comparisons to findings in Manorville where partial remains of victims were discovered. Heuermann has pleaded not guilty to murder charges in connection with the Gilgo Four, and he is being held without bail at the Suffolk County Jail in Riverhead, New York. Despite visitors to Heuermann in jail, the case has yet to go to trial. The search of his home and possible new evidence may be crucial in advancing the investigation into the Gilgo Beach murders and shedding light on the remaining victims in the case. The ongoing work of the Gilgo Beach Homicide Task Force continues as investigators strive to solve these cold cases and bring justice to the victims and their families.
