Rex Heuermann’s ex-wife has reacted after the convicted Gilgo Beach killer was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Heuermann was sentenced in Suffolk County on Wednesday after pleading guilty to murdering eight women between 1993 and 2010. Prosecutors said the killings happened while his wife and two children were away from home.
Earlier this year, he admitted to murdering the women known as the ‘Gilgo Four’ — Amber Lynn Costello, 27, Megan Waterman, 22, Melissa Barthelemy, 24, and Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25.
He also confessed to killing Valerie Mack, 24, Jessica Taylor, 20, Sandra Costilla, 28, and Karen Vergata, 34.
During Wednesday’s hearing, Judge Timothy Mazzei described Heuermann as ‘a disgusting and despicable small man’.
“If you’re a man at all. And you’re a coward,” he added.
Heuermann had been married to Asa Ellerup for more than 20 years, a period that overlapped with the murders. They are now divorced.
Her attorney, Bob Macedonio, said Ellerup believed the punishment was justified and did not attend the sentencing out of respect for the victims’ families.
“She believes Rex got what he deserves,” Bob Macedonio, the lawyer for Ellerup told The New York Post.
“She believes the sentence was 100% appropriate and her thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.”
Heuermann briefly addressed the court after sentencing.
“There are no words I can say, but I am responsible for what was said today,” Heurmann said after the sentencing. “The words I would have no meaning and I’m going to leave it there at this time.”
The judge then rejected that statement.
“I know that you’re sorry you got caught,” the judge responded, before adding: “I assume that you’re sorry for what you did to your wife and children.”
He then pressed further, asking whether Heuermann felt remorse for what he did ‘to these poor innocent women – eight women you strangled to death,’ before shouting: “Get him out of here!”
Reports said the courtroom crowd responded with cheers.
On Thursday morning, officials said Heuermann was moved to Green Haven Correctional Facility in Dutchess County after being processed at one of the state’s designated intake facilities.
Authorities have not yet confirmed where he will ultimately serve his sentence.
The case had gone more than a decade without a suspect before Heuermann was arrested in July 2023 in connection with the Long Island murders. Investigators were led to him by a witness account involving his pickup truck, while DNA recovered from a pizza box was also used to link him to the killings.