How tall is Rex Heuermann? Sex worker victim Amber Costello described Gilgo Beach murders suspect as 'ogre-like man'
Robert Young
Updated on March 27, 2026
LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK: Suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer, Rex Heuermann, was described as having "ogre-like" features by a sex worker, according to court documents.
The 59-year-old architect from Long Island was taken into custody on Thursday night, July 13, and formally charged with three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree murder in relation to the Gilgo Beach murders.
Heuermann is charged with the deaths of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello, whose bodies were discovered wrapped in burlap near Gilgo Beach on Long Island's South Shore in December 2010. All three victims were in their 20s and worked as sex workers. Their remains were found within close proximity to one another, approximately within a quarter-mile radius. Additionally, the death of a fourth victim, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, is believed to be linked to the same case.
According to the court documents, a significant incident took place at Costello's home on September 1, 2010, just a day before her disappearance. On that evening, Costello, who was a sex worker, had arranged to meet a stranger who offered her $1,500 for her services. The client contacted Costello multiple times over the phone before eventually arriving at her apartment in West Babylon, New York, around 11:17 PM.
How tall is Rex Heuermann?
"A prostitution client showed up at Ms. Costello’s residence located in West Babylon, New York," the court documents state, per The Sun. "After the client entered the home, a ruse was executed on the client whereby a person pretended to be the outraged boyfriend of Amber Costello and the client left from the residence, while Amber Costello retained the money the client had brought to pay for her services. Based upon interviews, that client was described as a large, white male, approximately 6’4’ to 6’6” in height, in his mid-forties, with 'dark bushy hair,' and 'big oval style 1970’s type eyeglasses.' A witness described him to police as appearing like an 'ogre.'" Police reports reveal Heuermann is 6ft 6 inches tall and weighs 275lbs.
Furthermore, a witness reported seeing a Chevrolet Avalanche parked in the driveway of Costello's apartment. This detail became crucial in the investigation as Heuermann's own Chevrolet Avalanche played a significant role in leading investigators to suspect his involvement in the Gilgo Beach murders. According to prosecutors, phone records provided further evidence linking Heuermann to the crimes. They revealed that a burner phone used to contact Costello was traced back to Massapequa Park, the same location where Heuermann lived with his wife.
Rex Heuermann made multiple fake Tinder accounts to lure women
It is alleged that Heuermann made multiple Google Pay transactions in January 2011 for a Tinder account. The account was registered under the name "Andy," with the name "Andrew Roberts" also associated with the profile. "Andrew" is Heuermann's middle name, as indicated in court documents. The email address used for the Tinder profile was registered under the name "John Springfield" and had a zip code from Astoria, Queens in New York City. Law enforcement obtained a search warrant to investigate this email address, which led to the discovery of several selfies that appeared to have been taken by Heuermann.
Investigators believe that these photos were sent to women in an attempt to solicit and arrange hookups. Furthermore, prosecutors have presented allegations regarding Heuermann's internet search history, which includes a series of peculiar and incriminating searches. According to the document, Heuermann's search queries encompassed topics such as "Why could law enforcement not trace the calls made by the Long Island Serial Killer" and "Why hasn't the Long Island Serial Killer been caught." Prosecutors have also revealed that Heuermann conducted searches related to child pornography and explicit videos depicting rape.
What is Rex Heuermann's net worth?
Rex Heuermann's net worth is $7 million. His wealth was estimated at $5M in 2018 and grew to $5.2M in 2019, $5.7M in 2020, $6M in 2021 and $6.5M in 2022.
How tall is Rex Heuermann?
Rex Heuermann's height is 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm).
Does Rex Heuermann have children?
Yes, the Gilgo Beach murder suspect Rex Heuermann has two children, both of them above the age of 25.
How old are Rex Heuermann's children?
Rex Heuermann and his wife Asa Ellerup have two children, Victoria Heuermann, aged 26, and Christopher Sheridan, aged 33. Rex Heuermann's son is a special needs child, according to The New York Post.
How many guns did Rex Heuermann have?
Rex Heuermann stashed up to 300 guns at his Long Island home. Reportedly, Heuermann had more than 50 illegal firearms. His massive collection included semi-automatic rifles, revolvers, and pistols.
Who is Rex Heuermann's wife?
Rex Heuermann's second wife is Asa Ellerup. They married in April 1996, and were together for over two decades before Ellerup filed for divorce in 2023. He was previously married to Elizabeth R Ryan, who hailed from North Brunswick, as per The Central New Jersey Home News.
Did Rex Heuermann live with his wife?
Rex Heuermann lived with his wife Asa Ellerup for 25 years at their Long Island residence.
Does Rex Heuermann have a sister?
Rex Heuermann has three older sisters (whose names are unavailable as of now) and a younger brother named Craig Heuermann.
What did Rex Heuermann do for a living?
Rex Heuermann was a veteran architectural consultant in Manhattan. He also ran a company called RH Consultants and Associates.
What did police find in Rex Heuermann's house?
During the search of Rex Heuermann's Long Island residence, authorities discovered a "vault" in the basement containing an extensive arsenal of nearly 300 guns.
Items pulled out from the home include a large doll in a glass case, a large portrait of a woman with a bruised face, and a filing cabinet, according to reports from the Associated Press.
As per ABC, Heuermann kept the guns inside the walk-in basement vault, which had a “big iron door."
Where did Rex Heuermann go to high school?
Rex Heuermann went to Berner High School in Massapequa. He was characterized as quiet and shy, often becoming the target of bullying by other children.
Did Billy Baldwin know Rex Heuermann?
Yes. Actor Billy Baldwin and Rex Heuermann share an apparent connection. Baldwin, a Long Island native, wrote on X on July 14 that he and Heuermann were classmates at Berner High School in Massapequa, New York in 1981.
What are the lawsuits against Rex Heuermann?
Rex Heuermann faced a lawsuit alleging he owed almost $70,000 for failing to pay an employee besides the case concerning the alleged killings of three women, whose remains were discovered in 2010 along Gilgo Beach. Heuermann did not plead guilty in the killings of the three women.
Did Rex Heuermann attend college?
Rex Heuermann pursued a degree in architectural technology at the New York Institute of Technology.
What were Rex Heuermann's financial woes?
Rex Heuermann had accumulated a substantial tax debt of over $425,000, spanning from 2005. Subsequently, the IRS issued tax lien releases, indicating that Heuermann had either repaid or no longer owed approximately $215,078 of the debt. The latest documents related to this matter were filed in October 2022, as per CNN.
Is Rex Heuermann a licensed architect?
Yes, Rex Heuermann is a licensed architect. He received his architecture license in 1996.
What architecture firm did Rex Heuermann work for?
Rex Heuermann owned RH Consultants & Associates, based at Fifth Avenue and 36th Street—coincidentally close to the location where he was picked up by the police. He had five employees in his firm.
Where did Rex Heuermann live in Massapequa Park?
Rex Heuermann lived in 105 1st Avenue in Massapequa Park his entire life. Google Maps shows his home is around 27 minutes away from Gilgo Beach, where many of the victims' bodies were found.
Who was the serial killer in Gilgo Beach?
Rex Heuermann is the prime suspect in the serial killings at Gilgo Beach. Even though Heuermann was arrested on July 13, the investigations are still ongoing.
What type of architect was Rex Heuermann?
Rex Heuermann worked as a consultant, aiding companies in navigating issues with New York City's Department of Buildings. Reportedly, in 2022, he assessed water damage on a Manhattan building and provided an analysis of proposed waterproofing solutions for the structure.
How much does Rex Heuermann weigh?
Rex Heuermann weighs approximately 275 lbs (124.73 kg).
Where is Rex Heuermann held?
Rex Heuermann is currently held at the Suffolk County Correctional Facility, confined to a 60-square-foot cell.
Did Rex Heuermann act alone?
The Gilgo Beach murder suspect Rex Heuermann was not acting alone and killed the three women on Long Island with help from someone, claims attorney John Ray. Another report claims he had a female accomplice.
However, investigation into whether the prime suspect had any accomplices is still ongoing.
Did Rex Heuermann's wife file for divorce?
Rex Heuermann's wife Asa Ellerup filed for divorce on July 19, 2023, following his arrest as the suspected serial killer in the Gilgo Beach murders.
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