Fresh witnesses have recently emerged, claiming potential connections between the Long Island Serial Killer suspect, Rex Heuermann, and two women associated with the Gilgo Beach murders.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison revealed that four witnesses have come forward to attorney John Ray, representing the family of Shannan Gilbert, a sex worker who went missing in May 2010 after calling 911 and fleeing a client's Oak Beach residence. Her remains were discovered in December 2011, and John Ray was present at the press conference alongside Harrison.
Harrison emphasized their commitment as law enforcement to thoroughly investigate every lead and interest in the case. They aim to explore any potential links between Rex Heuermann and the bodies found along Ocean Parkway.
To aid in this effort, two more investigators have been assigned to the task force examining the Gilgo Beach cases to assess the credibility of this information.
Rex Heuermann, a former architect, was previously charged in July with the murders of Melissa Barthelemy, Amber Costello, and Megan Waterman. He is also the prime suspect in the killing of Maureen Brainard-Barnes. All four victims worked as online escorts and went missing between 2007 and 2010.
At the press conference, John Ray disclosed that one of the witnesses, a cab driver, provided a signed affidavit recounting an incident where she picked up a woman she believed to be Shannan Gilbert from a Sayville motel in late summer or fall of 2009. The cab driver claimed that, before picking up the woman, a dispatcher informed her that the person had locked herself in the motel room's bathroom. When the cab driver arrived at the motel, she flashed her lights and honked the horn. To her surprise, a large man resembling Rex Heuermann emerged, covering his face with his arms, and quickly ran to a nearby van or SUV. The cab driver continued to signal with her lights and horn, and the distressed woman joined her in the car. The woman explained that she had met the man on Craigslist, and he had promised to take care of her family. She mentioned receiving a thick white envelope from the man, which, upon inspection, was filled with cut-up paper. The situation escalated, and she sought refuge in the bathroom. The cab driver drove the woman to the Ronkonkoma train station.
Another witness alleged that she and her police detective boyfriend were involved in a swinger lifestyle and visited Heuermann's home after finding his contact information for hook-ups at a swinger's bar in New York City around Valentine's Day 1996. Prior to their visit, they picked up Karen Vergata, a 34-year-old sex worker previously known as Jane Doe No. 7, whose remains were discovered on Long Island's Fire Island in April 1996, with additional body parts found on Long Island's Tobay Beach in April 2011. Karen Vergata was identified through genetic genealogy in August.
The witness claimed they went inside Heuermann's house, where they met his wife, Asa Ellerup. According to the witness, Karen went upstairs, while she stayed upstairs with Asa. Her partner, whom she believed to be bisexual, frequently disappeared, and she suspected he was elsewhere in the house having an encounter with Rex. She believed she also engaged in an encounter with Rex but never ventured downstairs.
As they left, the witness alleged that she saw the woman she believed to be Karen running outside, naked, by the garage. Her boyfriend assured her not to worry, as they were just playing a game, and they left without her. She felt uneasy about leaving the woman behind.
Yet another witness, a sex worker, claimed to have had multiple encounters with Heuermann while Ellerup was present in the house.
When asked about the credibility of this information, Commissioner Harrison stated that it remains an ongoing investigation, and they are actively working on it to determine where it leads.
Investigators are focusing on establishing time frames and examining radio runs that may verify the validity of these claims. They are also exploring any potential connections between Karen Vergata and Shannan Gilbert with their suspect.
Attorney Bob Macedonio, representing Asa Ellerup, disputed the allegations made by the sex worker, emphasizing that they were unfounded and unsupported by evidence. He noted that these claims were sensational and reckless, and there was no basis for them. Macedonio pointed out the implausibility of engaging in such activities with children in the house. He urged caution in drawing conclusions, emphasizing that the case would unfold in the courtroom.
According to Macedonio, Asa Ellerup has been blindsided by the allegations and is still piecing together her life. She will form her judgment based on the evidence presented in the courtroom. At present, she remains uncertain about what to think.
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