The family of accused serial killer Rex Heuermann is expected to receive more than $1 million for participating in an upcoming Peacock/NBC documentary about their shattered lives.
The estranged wife of suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer Asa Ellerup and their two adult children, Victoria and Christopher, have reportedly sold their life rights to the streamer after Heuermann’s alleged crimes left them with a “bleak existence.”
Sources said NewsNation that the trio is busy filming the docuseries, where they will be overshadowed by Heuermann’s upcoming trial for the murders of three sex workers.
“They will be filmed during the trial and after the outcome of the trial,” the insider said. “The family will tell their entire story and everything about their lives (with Heuermann) exclusively to the (documentary makers).”
Rex Heuermann’s estranged wife Asa Ellerup (left) and son Christopher (right) will take part in a Peacock/NBC docuseries about the investigation into the suspected serial killer, where they will reportedly be paid at least $1 million.
Victoria Heuermann seen clearing boxes from her family home in Massapequa, New York on November 10, 2023
Manhattan architect Rex Heurmann (seen in his July mugshot) has been charged with three murders and is the prime suspect in a fourth murder.
Film crews have been seen following the family as they attended Heuermann’s hearing this week, with the accused killer remaining behind bars until his not-yet-scheduled trial.
He will stand trial for the murders of Amber Lynn Costello, 27, Melissa Barthelemy, 24, and Megan Waterman, 22, whose remains were found on Gilgo Beach in Long Island, New York, between 2010 and 2011.
He is also the prime suspect in the murder of 25-year-old Maureen Brainard-Barnes, while at least six other remains were found along the coastline more than a decade ago.
Ellerup filed for divorce less than a week after Heuermann was arrested in July.
The family’s lawyers are also expected to participate in the series about the murders and the aftermath of Heuermann’s arrest, and will also reportedly be paid handsomely for their time.
Robert Macedonio, Ellerup’s lawyer, will reportedly receive a $400,000 payday for his involvement, while Vess Mitev, who represents their Victoria and Christopher, is said to have netted a $200,000 deal.
Although the devastated family are said to be taking home a significant amount of money, they may see this as the best way to pay the bills after being left ‘unfit’ since Heuermann’s arrest in July.
Speak with NewsNation’s Ashley BanfieldMitev said that the family’s existence now is bleak and as difficult as you can imagine.
He dismissed any indication that the family wants to capitalize on Heuermann’s alleged crimes for profit, adding: ‘There are no Mercedes, there are no luxury vehicles.
‘There’s no such thing as European clothes, you know. One of the things they are trying to get back are vintage jackets and clothing they need for the winter. This is not a joke, this is not an exaggeration.’
Ellerup (right) filed for divorce from Heuermann less than a week after Heuermann’s arrest in July. She is seen with daughter Victoria in their lawyer’s office on July 31
Film crews were seen shadowing the family this week as Heuermann was in court for a pre-trial hearing
Those who knew Heuermann have given varying descriptions, with some seeing him as a successful but devious architect from Manhattan, while others saw him as a creepy loner.
In the weeks following her husband’s high-profile arrest, Ellerup was forced to rely on a GoFundMe set up by the daughter of the ‘Happy Face Killer’, Keith Jesperson, to pay her bills.
The fundraiser has raised $56,000 so far, a small portion of her alleged Peacock/NBC payday.
The families of Heuermann’s alleged victims have also criticized the fundraiser, claiming they never saw similar support when they lost their loved ones.
The family’s difficult circumstances have also left Heuermann’s daughter Victoria, who worked at her father’s architectural firm, unemployed, along with the accused serial killer’s son, Christopher.
Her involvement with Peacock/NBC comes as Netflix has also reportedly commissioned a three-part documentary on the Gilgo Beach murders from Liz Garbus, the producer behind the royal documentary “Harry and Meghan.”
Word is the Peacock/NBC series will remain in production until Heuermann’s unplanned trial is over.
Lawyer John Ray, who represents the families of two alleged victims, has claimed Ellerup was aware of the killings, but police have not indicated any connection or said she is under suspicion.
Ellerup reportedly recently visited the Manhattan architect in jail for the first time and was seen in court to “see for himself what is being presented in court.”
In August, she was accused by attorney John Ray, who represents two of the Gilgo Beach murder victims, of involvement in the gruesome murders.
Police have not indicated any connection involving Ellerup or the couple’s children in the murders, but Ray claims to have witnesses who he believes could confirm her presence when Heuermann would bring sex workers home.
He said her alleged presence when he would do so indicates she may have been aware of the killings, a claim rejected by Macedonio, who said his client and her children are not under any suspicion by investigators.
Macedonio said Ellerup was not in the region at the time her husband allegedly committed the murders, and said she expects to spend the next year battling breast and skin cancer while Heuermann’s case is heard in court.
When Heuermann was arrested in July, forensic teams were seen searching the family’s home and excavating the backyard.
Ellerup’s lawyers have since filed a claim against the district attorney’s office, alleging they damaged the family’s property during their search.
Forensic investigators searched Heuermann’s home on July 16, where they seized a number of items, including firearms and a refrigerator
New York State Police have removed a massive cache of weapons from the Long Island home of suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann
Ellerup has filed a claim against the AG’s office, claiming her home was damaged during the search
Police have released a laundry list of “red flags” that they say led them to Heuermann as a suspect, with the first piece of evidence being a Chevrolet Avalanche owned by him that was linked to Costello’s murder by a witness.
According to documents filed in Suffolk County District Court, investigators were then able to match that car to Heuermann’s cellphone records, linking him to locations linked to the murders, which ultimately led to them obtaining a DNA sample .
Police say Heuermann used Melissa Barthelemy’s phone to make harassing calls to her family from the victim’s phone, calls made just steps from his Manhattan office.
After Heuermann was identified as the owner of the Chevrolet, police issued more than 300 subpoenas, search warrants and other legal processes to obtain further evidence.
After the decade-long hunt for the killer seemingly ended this year, he remains a suspect in at least one more murder as authorities continue their investigation into him.