Rex Heuermann, the 61-year-old accused of being the Gilgo Beach serial killer, had a peculiar dynamic with his parents, according to a long-time friend.
Charged with the murders of seven sex workers between 1993 and 2010, Heuermann resides in the same house in Massapequa, Long Island, where he grew up, kept unchanged since his childhood.
“I often wonder, what’s the origin? Perhaps he faced some kind of rejection as a teenager, like most guys do,” the friend speculated, referring to a Peacock documentary titled “Gilgo Beach Killer: Secret House.”
Descriptions of Heuermann as “mom’s boy” come from those who knew him, highlighting the unusual relationship with his parents.
His mother, Dolores, now 95, is reportedly still alive, but images of her have not surfaced. His father, Theodore Homan, passed away in 1975. Classmates described Heuermann as being very close to his “dominant” mother.
Despite his career as an architect, Heuermann’s childhood home remains largely unchanged, with little to no renovations since his upbringing.
Asa Ellerup, his wife, divorced him in 2023 after attending one of his court hearings. They had two children since their marriage in 1994.
Friends and family were taken by surprise at his involvement in the murders, showing no signs that suggested he could be the killer.
“He governed the household in a way reminiscent of the 1950s. He was conventional and seemed nurturing, I guess. Not in a harsh way, but in a steadfast, masculine manner,” his friend noted.
Jimenez, the friend, added, “He cared for his wife and kids, always protective. I was stunned by the revelations, the DNA evidence—it was like a different person entirely.” Heuermann’s trial is still upcoming.
