OAN’s Abril Elfi
5:30 PM – Thursday, November 30, 2023
A DNA sample taken from the Gilgo beach murder suspect’s estranged wife has resulted in a DNA match with more than one of the victims.
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On the evening that Asa Ellerup’s husband, Rex Heuermann, was taken into custody for the killings of three women whose bodies were discovered in a marshy area close to Gilgo Beach in Long Island, New York, investigators were able to collect a cheek swab from Asa.
Ellerup’s hair strands were discovered on the burlap, according to prosecutors, and now authorities claim that the DNA taken from the strands matches samples taken from her cheek swab.
However, the estranged wife has been exonerated of all charges by the prosecution, who also claim that she was out of town when the murders occurred.
The news also came after Ellerup had just recently made her first court appearance during a hearing.
Ellerup, who filed for divorce on July 19th, was still seen grinning and nodding to him in court.
During the 30-minute hearing, defense attorney Michael Brown requested all investigator notes, prompting the prosecution to point out that they had already turned over approximately 75% of those materials, along with paperwork for all related warrants, as well as 14,000 photographs.
Heuermann and Ellerup were said to have separated in recent months, however, Brown told reporters that Ellerup had visited her soon-to-be ex-husband in prison just last week.
“He indicated he was very happy to see her,” Brown said. “My understanding is she doesn’t believe he was capable or committed these acts.”
Ellerup’s attorney Robert Macedonio added that: “If this happened, Rex was living a complete double life. Nobody would like to believe their spouse is capable of any of these heinous crimes.”
Ellerup made her court appearance just one day after Heuermann filed paperwork that would make her the sole owner of their Massapequa Park home.
The alleged killer has been charged with three counts of murder in connection to the deaths of Melissa Barthelemy, 24, Megan Waterman, 22, and Amber Lynn Costello, 27.
Heuermann pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Prosecutors have previously said that he is also a prime suspect in the disappearance of a fourth woman, 25-year-old Maureen Brainard-Barnes, who has been missing since 2007.
The former architect has been in custody since July 13th and his next court appearance is reportedly scheduled for February 6th.
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