Controversial Peacock Docuseries on Ex-Wife and Family of Suspected Long Island Serial Killer Sparks Outrage

A newly announced docuseries by Peacock, focusing on the ex-wife
and family of suspected Long Island serial killer Rex Heuermann,
has ignited a firestorm of controversy. The project, which has
drawn the involvement of 50 Cent's G-Unit Productions, has raised
concerns from authorities and outraged some families of potential
victims tied to the case.
 
 Camera crews have been actively filming at the residence of
Asa Ellerup, Heuermann's ex-wife, and have even followed her to
one of Heuermann's recent court hearings. Ellerup, who is central
to the docuseries, is reportedly being compensated for her
participation, though the exact sum remains undisclosed.
Speculation suggests she could receive as much as $1 million,
with additional payments allocated to her lawyer and her
children's attorney. Notably, G-Unit Productions and Peacock have
not yet responded to requests for comments on this matter.
 
 Departing Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney
Harrison expressed his discontent, stating, "This docuseries is a
smack at the family members who lost a loved one." Suffolk County
prosecutor Ray Tierney also voiced concerns, suggesting that the
project could impact Ellerup's credibility, particularly if she
is called to testify in the case. Despite Ellerup not facing any
charges and being out of town during the killings, investigators
have uncovered potential ties to the case. A woman recently
reported meeting Heuermann and Ellerup at their home in 1996 for
a sex party, along with Karen Vergata, who disappeared and was
later found deceased near Gilgo Beach in 2011. Furthermore,
strands of Ellerup's hair found near the family home were
inadvertently linked to Heuermann and the crime scene.
 
 Ellerup's lawyer, Robert Macedonio, maintains her
innocence, emphasizing that she is not privy to any details
beyond what the media has reported. Macedonio stated, "She wants
to believe that the spouse she's been married to for 27 years
wasn't capable of these crimes. She wants to see and hear the
evidence as it plays out in the courtroom." Prosecutor Tierney,
however, questioned Ellerup's motives, suggesting that she might
be trying to capitalize on her husband's notoriety, potentially
driven by financial incentives.
 
 In contrast, John Ray, a lawyer representing the families
of two women whose remains were found on Gilgo Beach, believes
Ellerup should be treated as a suspect and thoroughly
investigated. He cautioned that anything she discloses to the
film crew "can be used against her criminally," emphasizing that
she remains within the circle of suspicion.
 
 Sherre Gilbert, the sister of Shannan Gilbert, whose
disappearance led to the discovery of other bodies on Gilgo
Beach, expressed her strong opposition to the docuseries. In a
social media post, she expressed disappointment and frustration,
condemning the media for exploiting the families and victims of
serial killers. Gilbert criticized the Ellerup's reported payday
and called out all entities that have profited from her family's
story while her own struggles persisted.
  In addition to the Peacock project
focusing on Ellerup, Netflix is also preparing a docuseries about
Heuermann's arrest and the unsolved murders along Gilgo Beach.
The series, directed by Liz Garbus, will examine the case against
Heuermann and the unsettling disconnect between the three murders
he has been charged with and the nearly dozen corpses discovered
on Gilgo Beach.
 
 Rex Heuermann, who was arrested in July, has pleaded not
guilty to three counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of
Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello. The
docuseries developments surrounding his ex-wife and family have
added a new layer of intrigue and controversy to the ongoing
investigation into these horrific crimes.
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