What Happened to Rex Heuermann’s House? Inside the Long Island Serial Killer’s Childhood Home, Where He Killed 7 Women

Rex Heuermann, infamously known as the Gilgo Beach Murderer and the Long Island Serial Killer, is alleged to have taken the lives of eight women between 1993 and 2010. His arrest in July 2023 has since cast a spotlight on his home in Massapequa Park, New York, a place now infamous for concealing dark secrets.

Heuermann, who resides in the small Long Island village with his ex-wife Asa Ellerup and their children, has reportedly confessed to murdering seven women in the lower level of their home. According to Ellerup, Heuermann admitted to her during the investigation that the women were killed there, suggesting that he admitted to an eighth murder as part of a plea agreement. The details of this confession were teased in an episode of the documentary series “The Gilgo Beach Killer: House of Secrets.”

The Massapequa Park residence is located less than a half-hour from Gilgo Beach, where some of the victims’ bodies were discovered. Following Heuermann’s arrest, investigators uncovered significant evidence within the home, including an extensive collection of 279 weapons and a detailed document outlining Heuermann’s methods for committing the crimes. This harrowing find led to increased attention on the property, previously perceived as a typical family home.

Local residents have described Heuermann as a quiet man, though the exterior of his home often raised eyebrows. Neighbour Gabriella Libardi noted that the house seemed to stand out negatively in the community, as it had overgrown shrubs and was typically cluttered, prompting discomfort among those nearby. Another neighbour, Barry Auslander, found it bizarre that Heuermann presented himself as a well-dressed businessman while his home remained in neglectful condition.

Heuermann, who purchased the house from his mother for $170,000 in 1994, lived in the same property where he was raised. He shared the home with his family for nearly three decades after his marriage to Ellerup in 1996. Investigations into the property after his arrest revealed that crime scene officials discovered an array of items, including large pieces of furniture and smaller household items in their search for evidence.

The scrutiny following Heuermann’s arrest compelled his family to consider relocating. They planned to move to another property they own in South Carolina, primarily due to the incessant media attention surrounding the house. Ellerup’s attorney stated she was overwhelmed by the constant presence of people stopping to take photos and gawking at the site, leading her to feel detached from the house altogether.

Moreover, Ellerup expressed that the emotional toll and damage incurred during the investigation—including significant alterations to the home’s structure and layout—made it impossible for her to remain. The family is expected to put the house on the market after finalising her divorce from Heuermann. Local opinions vary on the property’s future, with one neighbour calling for it to be demolished and replaced to erase the horrifying association it has gathered.

Currently, the property’s estimated value stands at around £530,000 according to property records from 2023. Real estate professionals in the area suggest that while the home itself may attract offers, it is likely to be bought by builders looking to tear it down and construct new properties that could potentially sell for over £1 million. The prevailing sentiment among local agents is that most buyers would be deterred from purchasing a home with such a dark past.

As Heuermann continues to face legal proceedings, the tragic story of his home interweaves deeply with the crimes he is accused of, leaving a stark reminder of the events that transpired within its walls. The future of both the property and its family remains uncertain as the community grapples with the aftermath of these revelations.