A new Peacock documentary has revealed the chilling four-day ritual of Long Island serial killer Rex Heuermann, who confessed to murdering eight women. Episode four of Gilgo Beach Serial Killer: House of Secrets details how Heuermann would spend the first day preparing, the second building trust with victims, the third killing them in a basement 'kill room' and having 'playtime' with their bodies, and the fourth disposing of them on a beach using a stopwatch.
The documentary features interviews with Heuermann's ex-wife Asa Ellerup, daughter Victoria, and a son. Heuermann admitted to killing Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, Amber Lynn Costello, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Jessica Taylor, Sandra Costilla, Valerie Mack, and Karen Vergata between 1993 and 2010. He pleaded guilty earlier this month and faces multiple life sentences.
Therapist Alison Winter, who spoke to Heuermann from prison, revealed that by his final murder in 2010, he could dispose of a body in just 37 seconds. 'Clearly, he enjoyed killing and it became a sickness for him,' Winter said. Heuermann's family waived privacy rights to participate, reportedly receiving over $1 million, which sparked a lawsuit from a victim's son alleging media exploitation.
Ellerup said the confession provided some clarity but not full understanding. Heuermann described the confession as 'person-to-person, heart-to-heart.' The killings stopped after the discovery of Shannan Gilbert's body in 2010 led to the identification of Heuermann's victims.
